@Edent I'm living close to an outdoor venue that puts on a few concerts a year. As nearby residents we'll occasionally get offered free tickets shortly before (occasionally discounted ones in advance too) so I've seen a few things I wouldn't normally have due to that (although they're sometimes loud enough that I can hear, if not see, them anyway 🙂
They also have the advantage that I can walk so no travel/parking costs. I do like the idea of those mailing lists though:-)