AIBU to just stop going to concerts

[Crowdblundering]

Yesterday took my DSDs to see X Factor at the O2 (please do not judge me on this).

I know this isn't a "serious" music concert but we paid a lot of money to go (£50 each) and it was their birthday present and they were excited and we had a really nice day out.

My gripe is that we were seated and every now and then people stood etc - fine - but the family in front sat both their kids on their laps and draped themselves over the empty seats and then allowed their kids to stand on the seats rendering it impossible for us to see.

My bigger gripe is there was a girl two rows in front who waved what looked like the biggest lit up phone in the world throughout the whole concert and there were people everywhere with iPads and phones filming it and obstructing others view.

I have been to several other concerts (without the kids) recently too where I have been placed behind a fellow attendee with a fucking iPad. Are they actually going to watch it back when they get home - or is it a stealth boast to post on social media?

AIBU to either stop going to concerts (because I just come away irritated) or start some kind of campaign to ban phones and iPads from them so people have to just watch the fucking concert enjoy the moment?

[iamEarthymama]

I only go to small gigs in a pub I love these days!
Sadly my problem is the opposite.
I love folk and bluegrass, traditional Celtic music etc. I have been to several gigs where you would think we were at a funeral. No-one responds in any way during the music, no-one gets up to dance, everyone sits there as though they are in the dentists waiting room. The music is usually exactly the sort to get your feet a tapping.
I really don't understand it. Do people feel a concern at showing enjoyment or enthusiasm?
We saw Joan Armatrading and I was embarrassed by the audience's response, though she got a standing ovation at the end. I have been going to her concerts for many years and usually the audience is full of lesbians people joining in with every song.
Luckily in my favourite pub, which I only get to visit on weekend breaks, no-one gives a toss about being looked at, what you are wearing, if you dance like a dervish, it is wonderful.
In fact, I am going to book a little holiday right now!

[iamEarthymama]

Oh and you aren't being U at all, people seem to think they are in a bubble where their behaviour doesn't impact at all on people around them.

[Magzmarsh]

I've seen Joan Armatrading 3 times (not a lesbian lol) and every time she had to TELL the audience to get up and dance.

[Crowdblundering]

I love watching people having fun but I don't understand why they need to record it

I told DSD2 off for filming the whole thing.

[SignoraStronza]

I just can't fathom going to to see any kind of pop/rock/metal🤘performance and sitting down. I took the kids to see some heavy metal dinosaurs at the South Bank centre the other day and everyone was dancing in the aisles, much to the disgust of one vair Lahndon mummy, who sat there complaining that her child (near front, aisle seat) couldn't see - clearly didn't know what to make of the heavy metal music side of things.
Sorry OP. Think it's par for the course for concerts these days, athough I agree about the bloody smartphones being out every where.

[XiCi]

I absolutely hate that as soon as a gig starts everyone just stands waving their phones around. It's infuriating. And ruins the atmosphere because everyone is just stood watching through their phones instead of actually engaging and enjoying the gig. May as well just buy a DVD

[EwanWhosearmy]

I'm surprised they were allowed to film. Everywhere I've been they've had members of staff rushing to tell people to put their phones away. I'll admit I've never been to the O2 tho.

Please start a campaign. I'll join you..

[Crowdblundering]

Or - have an roped off area or pen where people who want to film it can stand - then they can all obstruct each other

[LoisWilkersonsLastNerve]

The iPad thing pisses me off no end. Yanbu

[Champers4Pampers]

YANBU, this is one of my pet hates. I spend a lot of money going to gigs/festivals & it really bugs me when you're view is blocked because if some inconsiderate idiot with a phone/iPad.
I just don't see the point? The sound is usually awful through a phone recording. Why not just put your phone away and listen to the music and enjoy the memories. If you want to watch a recording, stay at home.
Went to Lumineers gig once and the lead singer stopped the music & refused to carry on until people to their phones away.

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

I can understand taking a photo at a show- but filming is just stupid. The quality is crap and the sound is awful- nobody watches this pish. Just fucking enjoy the show so that I don't have to watch it through your bloody screen

[ClashCityRocker]

Throw a cup of wee over them and their iPhones.

That'll learn them.

Yanbu op, I don't get it either.

[mellicauli]

We went to Ronnie Scott's last week..no phones allowed. No chatting during the music. You can sit at the front or stand & dance at the back. It was a fantastic gig for grown ups.

[Wishforsnow]

I don't understand why anyone would be sitting during a concert.

[Crowdblundering]

The standing up didn't bother me at all - was just a bit conscious that when we stood the people behind had to stand etc and the children stood on the seats meant our kids couldn't see even when standing.

[Guitargirl]

You told your DSD off for 'filming the whole thing'? So your family were actually doing what you've just started a thread to complain about?

[Crowdblundering]

No - she was filming one song at the beginning (not obstructing anyone's view) and I told her off and made her put her phone away.

[GerdaLovesLili]

I gave up gig-going when it became the norm for people to wave phones around. That's not what I go for.

[Crowdblundering]

It's sad though eh?

We need a campaign

[Magzmarsh]

The late bush gigs in 2014 all recording devices were banned, it was bliss.

[Magzmarsh]

KATE not late, stupid phone

[Crowdblundering]

That's the thing - I guess it is up to the individual artist - BUT when camcorders first came out you didn't get people filming gigs, why is an iPad any different? It's not like you carry that around with you like you would a phone.

If I pay £50 to see an artist I think the least I deserve the the assurance there will not be some idiot stood in front of me watching it through a screen.

[RedSauce]

I'm just old enough to remember a few years of going to gigs before everyone had mobile phones. They have been the worst thing to happen to live music. I can't stand it.

[Crowdblundering]

Is there anyone reading this who does it?

Can you please explain why?

[Lelly0503]

I have done it. I went to a Beyoncé concert a few years ago and I recorded most of it on my phone, I was sat so high up I wasn't stood up or obstructing anyone's view. I actually have no idea why I did , I suppose it was to show my friends afterwards. It was so blurry and shaky and all you could hear was my screeching in the background. I have since been to another 3 concerts over the years and I keep my phone In my pocket the whole time, I enjoy being in the moment and think I can watch it clips on YouTube after if there's anything I wanna see again.