I suspect the energy level is going to the same at a Jenny Lewis type show whether you are up or downstairs. Shows that attract the High School crowd will be full of people into the show regardless of there they are.
People who end up in the balcony probably want a different experience from a show, maybe they go there to enjoy the music away from the madness of the people bumping into them, johnny come latelys forcing their way up front, they had a long day a work on want to sit for a bit.
It's silly to dismiss those who end up there. It's not they are less into the show unless they are yacking away which is just as likely to happen on the floor.