Well, that's what you get if you see the big groups. Get into some lesser-known bands is what I say
But seriously, that's the way I see it these days. I've now seen Stone Temple Pilots 3 times, each time in very different ways.
1) Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA: it's a basketball arena, so the whole floor was standing room. I was one of the first to rush in when the doors opened, and I was as far center-forward as you could get without hanging out with the bouncers.
2) the Norva in Norfolk, VA: a smaller, 1000-person club where I was on the floor with good visibility.
3) the Family Values tour at the MCI Center in Washington DC: huge basketball arena, I had seats on the side, waaaaay back. Not a fun way to see a show (especially when most of the bands (Deadsy, Staind, etc.) suck hard).
So what's my decision? I go see bands like: Tuatara, Queens of the Stone Age, and Rilo Kiley. I'm really into all of these bands, so the fact that they're not huge doesn't bother me. In each case I got to see them up-close and personal. I was right by the stage at Queens, one of 20 people at Tuatara, and the lead singer of Rilo Kiley came out into the audience and brushed past me. How much better can you get than that?? I say you can't.
I'm going to see Zwan and Queens of the Stone Age later this month, and I'm going to enjoy it, but I'll probably be really far away. It just can't match the other times I've seen them.