I went to a concert at Radio City Music Hall last Sunday. Opened in 1932 as part of Rockefeller Center, it was once the largest indoor theater in the world and quickly became known as the “Showplace of the Nation.” Over the years, it’s hosted everything from movie premieres to major concerts and award shows.

The space is Art Deco grandeur — all gold, red velvet, and sweeping curves. But I can’t help comparing it to the many historic concert halls in European cities, built for classical music, emphasizing acoustic precision, diverse architectural styles, and a deeper sense of history.

Besides, one cultural thing that struck me was that people were allowed to bring food and drinks into the hall. The popcorn-crunching neighbors next to us definitely took away from the experience — something that would never fly in Europe.