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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not understand people getting hammered at concerts?

57 replies

Sakura7 · 07/07/2019 11:42

My best friend and I went to see Westlife last night as we were big fans as kids, and the show itself was a lovely trip down memory lane. However, we were standing on the pitch and were surrounded by really drunk people. Not just tipsy and having a bit of a sing along, but falling over, pushing people, smoking in people's faces and generally being aggressive. We had seen lots of people bringing in 4-5 bottles of beer each.

There was a group of young 'men' beside us who were there of their own volition and didn't have any girlfriends with them. They behaved like they were in a mosh pit and really frightened a couple of kids who were standing near us. They were pushing people around them, throwing beer bottles, etc. One of the mums gave out to them and they consistently took the piss and tried to embarrass her. We moved further back because they were just unbearable, only to be stuck beside a group of girls chainsmoking and whistling really loudly. My ears are still ringing.

I really don't get why anyone would spend money on a ticket and then get so shitfaced that they can't remember the gig. They also ruin it for others. I've no problem at all with people having a couple of drinks, but being surrounded by so many hammered people is really not a nice experience. It certainly wasn't something I expected at Westlife! AIBU?

OP posts:

Susiesue61 · 07/07/2019 11:49

It was the same on Friday night, I took DD who is 17.
We had a ball but there were some horrendousky drunk women by us! I couldn't believe you could only buy beer or water aswell, I don't ask much but cider or coke would have been nice 😆
Westlife were fab though!!

Original poster

Sakura7 · 07/07/2019 12:01

Yeah a bit of choice would have been nice! Glad you enjoyed it Susiesue

OP posts:

inthebackground · 07/07/2019 12:13

Little Mix gigs are crackers - SO many parents shitfaced with kids.

PeoniesarePink · 07/07/2019 12:16

I don't get why you'd spend all that money on a ticket then get drunk..... We saw Coldplay in Cardiff last year and we had to move 3 times due to drunks. it was quite intimidating at times.

Leftielefterson · 07/07/2019 12:18

I don’t get it either OP, by all means have a few beers but surely you want the event to be a memorable experience? I don’t get it either. I went to see the Spice Girls recently and there were a couple arguing because the husband was crazy drunk, slurring and belligerent.

IjustbelieveinMe · 07/07/2019 12:21

I went to see the Rolling Stones in Manchester at Old Trafford last year. I was on the floor standing. Richard Ashcroft was supporting, it was a lovely sunny festival type of vibe. But when the stones came on suddenly this huge drunken crowd appeared from nowhere and completely changed the vibe. It was horrible and ruined the show.

MrsMiggins37 · 07/07/2019 12:24

YANBU

I hate drunken arseholes at gigs. It’s worse at seated gigs as you can’t get away from them. And they really piss me off getting up and down to the bar constantly as well. Ffs sit on your arse on the seat you’ve spent £80 to park your bum on

BlueJava · 07/07/2019 12:25

YANBU - actually I thought it was just me that felt this. I tend to cut drunks a lot of slack mostly because I don't drink at all!

LorelaiRoryEmily · 07/07/2019 12:26

I was there Friday night and it was the same. Couldn’t believe how drunk people were.

DDIJ · 07/07/2019 12:28

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

MenuPlant · 07/07/2019 12:31

I get that they were a nightmare and it was not great with kids around

YABVU to not understand people in England being drunk at events though it's totally standard in our culture , for good or ill, we are well known for getting pissed up and acting like twats at every opportunity.

Original poster

Sakura7 · 07/07/2019 12:32

I don't drink or go to gigs but if I did I would probably not drink even water so I didn't have to queue for the toilet.

Actually that's reminded me of another thing. The queue for the loo was insane, had to wait about 15 minutes and just as we got to the top all these drunk arseholes shoved their way in, which nearly caused world war 3. Security were there and did sweet FA.

OP posts:

TapasForTwo · 07/07/2019 12:32

I don't understand it either. DD went to see Fall Out Boy in Leeds a few years ago and had the first part of the evening ruined by an extremely drunk woman. She was only 15, and her friend 14 so they felt quite intimidated. Fortunately someone must have complained because security came and took her away.

Redcrayons · 07/07/2019 12:34

Last one I went to I was seated just above the walkway to the bar and there was a contrast at stream of traffic and the same people going all the way through.

It was Kylie so tickets were not exactly cheap. Some people must have missed about a third of the show going backwards and forwards to the bar. Crazy.

Aragog · 07/07/2019 12:37

I don't get why you'd spend all that money on a ticket then get drunk..

I know, I always think that.

I've seen people so drunk they're carted off and have to leave before the main act is on. They've spent £60+ on a ticket, often having to put time and effort in actually getting hold of them initially too, then god knows how much on the overpriced beer - and then they miss the entire concert too! Bizarre!

We went to a concert last winter and one lad near us was so drunk he slept through the entire thing - missed every part of the actual concert!

I rarely drink anything at concerts, not even soft drinks , as I don't want to loose my place if stood, and don't want to have to keep nipping to the toilet during the music.

The One Love concert was really bad for it, especially when you consider the whole nature of that concert and why it was happening. So many young people (early to mid 20s to look at) and then also groups of older loud men (late 30s to 50s ish) who were wreck with drink and so many drugs around us - enough to give you a headache thens good near them. No interest in the music, not watching and just shouting and pushing everyone, being verbal aggressive, laying down in everyone's way, being sick, etc. . Just why not stay home, or go to a bar instead?! We ended upheaving to move away towards the back so hat we didn't have to put up with them. You might expect it at some concerts - Liam Gallagher concert for example we knew what it was likely to be like, but at a concert full of young pop stars to remember people who had been killed in a terrorist attack a couple of weeks before?! Really not the time nor the place!

Original poster

Sakura7 · 07/07/2019 12:46

Aragog Wow I didn't realise that. What absolute arseholes, especially considering what the concert was about.

OP posts:

Vanderlylecrybabygeek · 07/07/2019 12:55

Oh we went to see the Stone Roses in Glasgow, itwas awful for it. For the mile in town closest to the gig, there was broken bottles and glasses all over the street

Kitsandkids · 07/07/2019 13:02

I don’t go to many concerts but went to a big one at a stadium a few years back. I couldn’t believe how many people got themselves kicked out because they were drunk! What a waste of money!

Original poster

Sakura7 · 07/07/2019 13:09

I actually think drinks in the venue should be restricted to two per person. Maybe give everyone over 18 a card that needs to be shown when buying a drink, and it gets stamped each time. Of course it won't happen though because a lot of money is made on drinks sales.

OP posts:

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 07/07/2019 13:09

I worked at one of the Spice Girls gigs. There were 41 medical incidents, of which 39 were overly intoxicated women. At least 7 of them missed the entire gig through being in the medical centre so pissed they couldn't stand up or stop vomming. Grim. And such a waste of money.

Hollycatberry · 07/07/2019 13:23

Similar experience. Saw Foo Fighters and Arctic Monkeys last year (separate gigs) but both had loads of very drunken people, especially groups of men aged 30-50 as PP mentioned. As a result the atmosphere had a ‘edge’ at both gigs. Some of them were so drunk, falling around, slurring. Worryingly they were still smashing back bottles of beer and red wine.There was no way they would have remembered any of the gig, but I expect they tell people they had a great night regardless. I find it hard to relax and enjoy myself when I’m keeping one eye on the people around me in case something happens.

It’s put me off going to gigs for a while now to be honest as I can’t justify the cost if i can’t enjoy myself.

MintCassis · 07/07/2019 13:29

When we saw Ed Sheeran at Hampden last summer there were numerous alcohol related incidents the medical team were called in to assist with on the pitch. At one point Ed Sheeran actually stopped to tell two people in the crowd to break up a fight

The worst though was on the way out as one woman who was clearly very drunk started peeing as she was walking which sprayed everywhere and caused a surge in the crowd as everyone else tried to get away!! (not envy) Another woman started peeing against a low wall in the crowd, and just outside the gates there were three separate teen girls sitting crying on the pavement, and at least two had visibly wet themselves. Paramedics were with them as their friends had abandoned them.

isseywithcats · 07/07/2019 13:35

i was thinking exactly the same thing we went to see lynard skynard at manchester arena and we were top row seats, the amount of people walking up and down the stairs with drinks several times made me wonder why they didnt just go to a pub and save their money, they spent more time queing at the bar and getting backwards and forwards from their seats than they did listening to the bands, and spent nearly £150 to do this, it also spoilt it a bit for us because they were in our view of the stage

StCharlotte · 07/07/2019 13:42

I went to a comedy gig the other night and had rather too much wine, much to my own annoyance as I slept through most of the main act.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 07/07/2019 13:42

I'm going to a "rock" gig tonight; I'm sure it'll be full of drunks... but then I've been to about 14 indie gigs in the last 18 months and there's always loutish behaviour and random mosh pits; even in the venues where alcohol has been quite tightly controlled. And a lot of people go in pretty drunk anyway! So wouldn't be put out much by not being able to buy more.

It's one of those odd things, like people filming concerts on their phones.

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