Others have already mentioned the benefits of seeing smaller local artists. I'd like to put in a plug for one other kind of show that can be a blast: jam bands.

Others have already mentioned the benefits of seeing smaller local artists. I'd like to put in a plug for one other kind of show that can be a blast: jam bands. Yeah, there are generally huge throngs of people, and yeah, lots of people are getting high. But the artists go out of their way to make the show fun for the audience, often trying out new arrangements, delving deep into the catalog, and playing interesting cover songs. Plus, the venues are often either small or full of character. It's fun seeing shows out on a lawn somewhere. Also, there can be some really unexpected highlights, like the time I saw an MMW show back in '01 or '02, and nobody really knew much about this opening artist named Norah Jones because her album hadn't really taken off yet. Highlight of the show: MMW backing her in a version of the Sly and the Family version of "Que Sera, Sera."