To not understand people getting hammered at concerts?

[Sakura7]

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?

We saw the Spice Girls and were so pissed off by the shitty behavior of the other fans. I don't know if we were naive, or what.... We were in the standing area, and we were surrounded by pissed women who could barely stand, who were staggering about crashing into everyone else, smoking and doing coke. Yelling and screeching but not to the music, just randomly. Thrusting their tits and arses at those around thrm and yelling "Oh my God, I think someone touched my VAGINA" - capitals used to show their over emphasis on the word, they were trying to be shocking.

The train from the arena to the station was cancelled because a similar bunch of women had trashed it the at the gig the night before.

Ruined it for me and my sister. The tickets were a gift and we were looking forward to it.

YANBU. It was completely unnecessary and selfish behaviour. Fucking twats.

keeper we may have been at the same gig

"I think YABU overall."

Do you get very drunk at gigs then?

I don't go to concerts now. I hate all the drunks falling around the place.
Sakura7 was Westlife on in Dublin?

You are being VVVU and blatantly homophobic to comment on men that don’t have a girlfriend with them.

What the actual fuck?? I really don't know how you made that leap.

A lot of people would assume that most men at that concert have been dragged along by their other half, Westlife themselves said so on stage. I was pointing out that these lads had come of their own volition, had presumably spent money on their tickets and were ruining it for themselves and those around them. I highly doubt they were gay, based on some of the comments they were making to girls around them.

I have several lovely gay friends and none of them would engage in such rowdy, aggressive behaviour.

Maybe you should properly read the actual post before accusing someone of being a homophobe. Don't read something into it that's not there, just to satisfy your own need to be offended.

Yes beanaseireann they were playing in Croke Park.

I love a few drinks. But there are situations where I don’t really “get” drinking. Concerts is one of them. Totally don’t understand the appeal of being drunk in that context.

I live in Dublin- I know exactly what you are talking about.
What is wrong with these people ?

I'm old enough to remember the Stones hiring Hell's Angels to do the security.

beanaseireann

I know, it's nuts. We walked past Quinn's in Drumcondra on our way in, and there were women falling around in the street screaming at each other. This was around 6.30pm. Madness.

@Aragog

The One Love concert was really bad for it, especially when you consider the whole nature of that concert and why it was happening.

Yup. My young-teen girls were there, having been at the arena the night of the attack. They said the amount of absolutely wasted idiots was frightening. They also were quite upset because they were there to get support, give support and show solidarity with those not lucky enough to be able to make it to the concert (let alone the poor souls who died)

It wasn't all bad though, there were adults there who watched out for them when they got upset (me and partner failed to get tickets so literally waited outside for the duration)

It's bizarre and grim behaviour.
DH went to a concert at an outdoor city centre venue last night and loads of beer /drink was being thrown around. He narrowly missed being showered by a pint of vomit which was launched across the crowd. Is this now 'a thing'?

Yep. Last gig I went to was ruined by everyone around me being off their tits. Sad really that people have to be drunk at any given opportunity now (plane and train journeys, thread the other day about soft play, gigs etc) and they don’t care not only that they waste their own money but that through their boring, pathetic behaviour that they ruin it for other people just trying to enjoy a night out listening to bands they love.

Yep. I took my dd and her friend to see Little Mix last year for her 9th birthday, and was completely taken aback by the sheer number of pissed folk in the crowd. Mums with young kids mainly, but also groups of young teens. Totally ruined the night for us, and I'd spent a good bit of money on the tickets and travel. I'm not in a hurry to plan another concert trip anytime soon.
I'm no stranger to a few drinks myself, but I don't get people wanting to get blotto at a Little Mix concert

Saw Boyzone earlier this year, the woman next to me kept staggering into me 🙄 don’t get it!

If it's a bad I'm properly mad on then I don't even want to go to the bar in case I miss something! Then again me and DP do go and see this incredibly shit/cheesy American rock band each year when they come over and get really messy and dance like crazy. Their whole fanbase seems to do the same and a lot of their songs are about getting fucked up. It's good crack.

Venues are partly to blame as well. I took my girls and a couple of their mates to a concert last year and the people in the queue behind us were hammered. Like staggering, making crude comments, shouting a screaming a lot and visibly very very drunk. They got in without any problems.

Then once in there the folks sat behind us were clearly drunk yet kept getting served at the bar. One of the 15yos with me ended up covered in beer as one just wobbled over he was so drunk.

And drinks cost a fortune at these venues

Dh and I were at Mumford & Sons in Dublin a couple of weeks ago and it was the same. I can’t understand why you would spend the money on the ticket and go to the trouble of going if you’re going to be so drunk you’re passed out in a heap in the muck. The amount of very young girls absolutely pissed and fighting either with themselves or with boyfriends was desperate. The state of them staggering around bawling crying. Another girl just standing there wetting herself. How embarrassing..

We are a nation of pissheads.

I also saw Westlife on Saturday night - live streamed in my local cinema. People clapped at the end of songs, swayed their arms in the air and held up their phones and cheered whenever one of Westlife mentioned the cinema audience. It was incredibly loud but you could hear the songs perfectly. Easy access to the loo, comfortable sofas to sit on and a large glass of wine to hand. It’s the way to go!

I’ve given up going to concerts now. Combination of drunks, people constantly bumping in to me (I’m very short), not being able to see the stage and the really annoying filming on phones.

The theatre is getting just as bad. Last play I went to, the couple in front took it in turns to go to the bar throughout the performance. So annoying, and they each must have missed loads of the show.

I’m with you on this - I hate to see this sort of behaviour at concerts.

I often think it depends on the band - I have seen this type of thing at pop concerts, but never at heavy metal ones. I’ve seen Metallica, Iron Maiden and Def Leppard in the last couple of years, and the crowds there were definitely more peaceful.

I wouldn’t bring kids onto the pitch again.

I think concerts where under 18 are allowed shouldn’t have a bar.