Surprised at the negativity? Me, I'd have been surprised if responses had the tone of, "Oh leeneia that must have been a delightful concert...it's pleasant having an evening of ballads drowned out by performers thumping out the beat with their foot!"

Sure thing, yes definitely, in some music banging IS the enjoyment. Lots of thump is good in work songs, in dance music, even in rocking songs at the start of getting a wound-up child to sleep if not towards the end. But constant thump over a ballad? At best I'd call it an unconventional option that misses the point of story songs.

Maybe I'll offend some of my fellow rhythm lovers out there, but in a ballad the meaning typically is NOT in the beat.

I propose a challenge to those who think the OP is complaining excessively or without cause: Create an evening's repertoire of ballads where the beat is more important than the words and music.