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Original poster

What’s wrong with people at gigs these days?

39 replies

MrsGrindah · 10/10/2018 19:32

I know at nearly 50 I’m getting long in the tooth but the past few gigs I’ve been to have been spoilt by horrible experiences behaviour. First is the one where people eat loudly hold conversations whilst the music is on esp support acts. They’re not even chatting about the music but random topics like their kids GCSEs. But the end worst one is when people just refuse to let you past presumably because they think you are trying to get a better spot. Last night I went to a gig and just had to nip to the loo. When I got back people just stood there and two young girls actually hard shouldered me to try to stop me getting back. Why are people so bloody mean spirited at something that’s supposed to be fun?

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 10/10/2018 19:41

Sounds par for the course to me and I’ve been going to gigs since 1979 ( I’m early 50s) . I don’t think things have particularly changed although I have to say I always opt for seated venues now as one of the people I generally go with cannot stand for too long for medical reasons .

Anythingforacatslife · 10/10/2018 19:45

I agree with you on the first point, if you want to talk all the way though the support acts then wait outside. However if you move from your space you don’t get to go back to it!!

Original poster
MrsGrindah · 10/10/2018 19:47

Not even to stand next to my husband?!

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AvoidingDM · 10/10/2018 19:53

I think gigs have always been a bit like that, esp not letting people back in.

The last gig i was at we'd picked our spot stood through the support acts etc. Main act comes on lady squeezes past us, we think, ok she's probably been to the loo. Then 2 seconds later her 2 CF pals also try to squeeze in and tell us they are trying to get to first pal. Sorry but no I'm not going to have CF'ers squeeze in front of me after I've stood in the same spot for 3 hours.

Lunaballoon · 10/10/2018 19:53

I’m also 50+ and was pretty shocked at recent open air concert I went to. The atmosphere was pretty relaxed but it was like the music was secondary. People were talking in groups and many seemed more interested in openly inhaling nitrous oxide Confused

WhenIWasAYoungWarthog · 10/10/2018 19:55

I’m with you about people making loads of noise. No way I’d be letting anyone in front of me though! How were others to know you were going back to your dh? Anyone could say that. You move from your spot and you lose it.

Original poster
MrsGrindah · 10/10/2018 19:56

I know what you mean about people being cheeky but it doesn’t feel right to me to stop people trying to get to their friends etc. Especially so nastily.

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EggysMom · 10/10/2018 19:58

They all seem to be chatting, and videoing it on their phones to watch later. I don't know why they bother spending money on the tickets!

[/oldfogeyrant]

Original poster
MrsGrindah · 10/10/2018 19:58

I’m genuinely surprised by this. So do you never let people back then? I realise people don’t know I’m going back to my husband but what right do they have to effectively stop people? Also those of you who are staying no way... do you never move or do you just accept that you are stuck at the back if you do?

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LucilleBluth · 10/10/2018 19:59

I agree. I went to see one of my absolute favourites this summer. People were eating and talking as he was shredding his little heart out. I also attended an open air gig with one of the worst atmospheres I've ever experienced. It felt like it could go up,at any moment, the crowd was full of aggression . I've had enough gig going for a while.

FreakForHummous · 10/10/2018 20:01

Totally agree that it is annoying to see people filming on their phones. I didn't pay £x for a ticket only to have to watch the whole thing on someone's screen which is blocking the view!

And why would anyone watch it on a small screen after instead of enjoying it whilst they're there? Confused

And I always let people though. I'm too old to want to get right to the front anyway!

Goposie · 10/10/2018 20:02

Went to a Jason mraz concert. All seated. He plays his famous song and some guy stands up, turns his back to the stage and videos the whole song with him standing in front of the act

Original poster
MrsGrindah · 10/10/2018 20:05

No Goposie! OMG what a twat.

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SpoonBlender · 10/10/2018 20:05

Talking over music at a paid gig is fucking ridiculous. The only positive thing about seated gigs (which I otherwise greatly object to) is that people don't talk.

LetsGoFlyAKiteee · 10/10/2018 20:08

I don't get taking videos. Maybe a short one but I've seen people just film the whole thing. Enjoy the experience! Could just watch it on YouTube otherwise.. And someone also had a IPad once.. As you do!

WhenIWasAYoungWarthog · 10/10/2018 20:09

I wouldn’t let anyone try to squeeze past me back to where they were, no. If they asked me if they could I’d say no. I don’t move from where I’m stood unless I’m prepared to be separated from whoever I’m with. Shewee’s are the way to go Grin.

anniehm · 10/10/2018 20:13

It's hard to get back in, you need to be pretty determined. I'll be honest, I prefer seats these days!

Original poster
MrsGrindah · 10/10/2018 20:13

So what would you do to stop them? You don’t have any more right than they do surely? Isn’t a concert supposed to be fun not a fight?

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Original poster
MrsGrindah · 10/10/2018 20:15

Yes I would much rather have seats these days but sadly some of the bands I like haven’t reached those lofty heights yet!
WhenI do get your point and cheeky fuckers are the worst but it feels a bit wrong to say you can’t go to the toilet!

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Anythingforacatslife · 10/10/2018 20:31

You can go to the toilet, you just have to give up your space to do it!

WhenIWasAYoungWarthog · 10/10/2018 20:41

I wouldn’t fight anyone! I just wouldn’t let anyone push in front of me. If I saw someone trying to squeeze past me or my friends then we’d just position themselves to make sure they couldn’t squeeze past us and if they said ‘excuse me can I get through?’ I’d say no. I get to standing gigs early in order to get a good spot - I’m not going to let CF just push in front!

LynetteScavo · 10/10/2018 21:05

If you go to the toilet, you miss some of the gig and therefore aren't a hardcore fan.

I'm always bemused at larger concerts when people have paid ££££ for a ticket, but wander off for a burger mid one of The Best Songs Ever (IMO)

People have always ignored support acts. I've known excellent support acts be booed just because they weren't the main act. Bizarre but true.

LynetteScavo · 10/10/2018 21:06

(That was in the 80's. I think people have got nicer since then)

Original poster
MrsGrindah · 10/10/2018 21:31

Well as they say every day’s a school day! I never knew this had always been a thing ( the not letting people back in)

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dingdongdigeridoo · 10/10/2018 21:48

People filming gigs can honestly ruin it. I’ve been close to the front before and unable to see because a dozen people are holding their phones in the air, blocking the stage. Nobody is ever going to watch that footage and the sound would be crap anyway.

I think the worst trend for big gigs lately is that they’ve been turned into one day ‘festivals’. So instead of paying £30-40 for a gig ticket, you have to pay £80 to sit in Hyde Park all day listening to shit support acts.

I’m a grumpy old lady though.