Do people stay seated at concerts or get up and dance?

[plipplops]

Took DD to see a band (The Driver Era - with Austin from Austin & Ally) on the weekend. We were in the third row of the balcony. As it started the girls in front of DD and her friend kind of awkwardly looked at each other like they were deciding what to do. Then they both stood up, so DD and her friend stood up and they all danced and had a lovely time.

I stayed sitting (I was only there for moral support as DD is autistic) as the people in front of me did too, worked for me! The couple next to me stayed seated, I suspect they had some kind of mobility issues.

Now she wants to go see another band (Finneas, Billie Eilish's brother) next year and I need to get tickets in a couple of days. She wants to be able to get up and dance, and ideally would like to be sitting at the front of the balcony so she can see. However she doesn't want to stand up and annoy the people behind her.

So my question is, what's the deal these days? Do people expect to sit if they've bought a seat? I don't think she'd cope in the standing bit, she can get overwhelmed in a crowd but really wants to dance, but wouldn't handle it if she stood and someone behind her told her off?

Have never been to a gig/concert where people stayed seated!

I would try and get an aisle seat so she can get up in the aisle and dance. We are older and went to a concert a few years ago, people around us got up to dance, but some that were seated and made a complaint and people were asked to sit down, unfortunately they didn’t and an assault took place. My DS goes to a lot of concerts and has never sat down.

Totally expected behaviour to stand at a concert and dance. Thanks for notifying me Finneas is touring, lol

If you sit on the front row of the balcony you'll be asked to sit down for H&S.

People seem to have no consideration for anyone sitting behind (thinking of the people who stood in front of the wheelchair platform at a local venue).

That all said,if it's a young audience and everyone is doing it 🤷‍♀️

It really varies by venue and by show. I used to work FOH at a theatre venue that hosted gigs too - there the managers used to say if 10 people or more got up, let them dance, if it was fewer we'd have to tell them to sit down. It was not always appreciated!
I'd say if you want to dance for definite, go for standing tickets, as people behind may not be able to stand for the duration and may complain. There should be an area for people who want or need to sit but aren't in a wheelchair.

At every concert I have ever been to, people are definitely standing up and dancing. DDs are actually going to see Billie and we are going to be lower bowl seating and I'm pretty sure they are planning to be dancing about!

I went to a concert of the Royal Marines Band and no-one got up and danced.

Although the Sargeant Major got quite animated with his pace stick, and the Regimental Mascot (a goat) started leaping about the stage - but I don't suppose that counts, really.

A group of us went to see Elton John in 2004 at Portman Road. My friends husband was sitting next to me. He reckoned he got Parkinsons from me jiggling in my seat, had broken ribs from my elbow and was deaf in one ear from my whistle. He tipped me out into the aisle to dance half way through the gig!! 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

Know I'm late. But just incase anyone else ever looks. Obviously, you've got to read the room. If others are doing it, go for it, hell you might even start it, then happy days. But one things for sure, I'd never ruin the gig for people behind me so if they asked me to plonk my arse back in my seat I would, no questions. Beegees tribute in 2 weeks. Fully seated. Got aisle seats. Because how can you not dance to jive talkin! Im hoping no one will bother if I'm dancing with the wall at the edge of the theatre.. Surely not eh!!!!

I think the problem usually comes because there’s no option to choose seated tickets where people in front won’t stand up and block your view. Lots of people are unable to stand for a whole show but don’t have a blue badge or qualify for disabled seating. Really the dancers should choose standing tickets and leave the seats for people who prefer to sit.