By contrast, in live musical performances, supporting instrumentals seem to come alive, supporting vocals provide a framework background for lead vocals, the myriad different rhythms and combinations executed by the percussionist are much harder to miss. In live concerts, the musical mix is fine tuned and channeled to match the acoustical properties of the venue so that the various components of the music reach the audience from the right angles and in the right proportion relative to one another. The effect is that each element complements the others exactly as intended by the composer.

The juxtaposition of lighting coordinated with the musical performance further enhances the experience. By using coordinated stage lighting, the live concert performance allows the stage director to direct the listeners to different parts of the performance almost the same way orchestra conductors direct musicians on stage. Sometimes the lighting focuses on the most prominent element of the performance, but other times, it draws attention to the specific supporting element that is most integral to the combined performance; alternatively, the lighting can also precede musical transitions, such as where it highlights the background vocalists slightly in advance of their coming in.

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As the artists prepare for subsequent pieces, they often change instruments and fine tune them. Some of those in the audience take this opportunity to call out "requests" hoping to hear their favorites. Others in the audience who are very familiar with the artists' repertoire often recognize certain chords and rhythms, even partial ones, that sometimes tip them off to what the next piece will be.
They may applaud before the artists even start the actual piece, followed shortly thereafter by others who recognize the piece after the opening chords.

Likewise, at live concerts, audience members sometimes fill in with impromptu choruses of their favorite sons and more than a few artists have been known to stop singing and turn the vocal performance over to the audience, symbolically holding out their microphones to the crowd. This type of give-and-take between artists and audience is only possible in live performances, and often becomes one of the most memorable parts of the experience for those audience members lucky enough to participate. In theses ways, live musical performances are experiences that transcend the music itself.