The Hollywood Bowl has added a staple to its lineup in the form of four humongous, high definition LED screens. They replace four older, less impressive screens that were installed in 2005.

The increased clarity, extra brightness of the new screens are welcomed by concert-goers, particularly those seated way in the back of the gigantic venue, who wouldn’t be able to see anything that’s happening on stage otherwise. But not everyone is pleased with the upgrades, calling the jumbo screens an unnecessary distraction. “The $1.5 million video system sullies music as much as electronic billboards in the mountains despoil nature,” Mark Swed, the music critic of The Los Angeles Times, wrote. “The new monitors ruined the atmosphere."

“No longer is this a place where you feel like you can get away from it all for a buck. The four monitors penetrated the natural setting with a noxious glow,” he continued.

What do you think of the new additions at the Hollywood Bowl? Are the screens too bright, too distracting?

Guest:

Mark Swed, LA Times’ music critic