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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

People dancing at concerts and blocking the view - annoying

236 replies

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 17/10/2023 08:50

Yes we all want to do it, well most of us do, I do, but hopefully we are mindful that some want to remain sitting but still want a view of the band they've paid to see, and make sure that we're not being selfish about it.

I was at a concert recently and a woman two rows in front of us was doing this. She stood up and started dancing like that woman on the Tales of the Unexpected intro, waving her arms around to the very first song and whoop whooping. She didn't block our view, but I could see others behind her were pissed off.

A man behind her eventually tapped her on the shoulder and pointed behind him (to people who couldn't see) and to the aisles where people were dancing. We heard him say they've also paid fifty quid, same as you, and are entitled to a view. She didn't move, but did sit down. Then got up again five minutes later and did the same thing for the rest of the evening. I saw people filming her. The man and his partner then got up and moved to the aisles and started dancing themselves.

I don't really know how it can be stopped, but it's annoying. The friend I was with said that in future she doesn't want to have any tickets in the circle or stalls for this reason, she'd rather be on a balcony with an unimpeded view, sit still and see whoever we'd come to see without people dancing in front.

OP posts:
ElleCapitaine · 17/10/2023 09:13

Book a seat at the front. If it’s a rock/pop gig people ARE going to get up and dance - that’s kind of the rules.

nonamehere · 17/10/2023 09:14

Our local concert venue is a theatre with raked seating and only a small space in front of the stage. If people dance there or in the side aisles it's fine, but if they stand up in the rows it blocks the view. Don't forget that, much as they would love to dance, some people can't stand up for long periods so wouldn't go to a standing gig, but still want to see the band they have paid for. No fun spending the whole evening looking at someone's bottom!

BodegaSushi · 17/10/2023 09:14

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 17/10/2023 09:03

It would if you are 5 feet tall and the person in front of you is over a foot taller!

Then surely it wouldn’t make a difference if they were also sat, as they’re a foot taller?

KimberleyClark · 17/10/2023 09:15

wiseoldtree · 17/10/2023 09:11

People filming the whole thing are the annoying ones!

Or filming themselves singing along.

Brendabigbaps · 17/10/2023 09:15

zurala · 17/10/2023 08:55

I'm not sitting at a concert! It's a gig, I want to dance. I only book sitting so I know I can sit for a few minutes if I need to or if there's a song I don't like.
I don't understand people who want to sit down for a gig.

That’s a really selfish attitude.
what about the people who book a seat because they know they can’t stand for the gig or should they just not bother going!

Darby3785 · 17/10/2023 09:17

Extremely unreasonable. How can you want to sit and just watch the band you have gone to see without moving!! You cannot reasonably expect people to not have a good time, that's what they go for!
If somebody told me to sit down at a concert I'd tell them where to get off!
I went to a concert last week, and me and my husband got up several times along with other people in the section we sat in!
We were in a higher tier so it doesn't stop up there either and we weren't stopped from getting up and dancing because it's unreasonable for a venue to tell people this!

margotrose · 17/10/2023 09:17

Don't forget that, much as they would love to dance, some people can't stand up for long periods so wouldn't go to a standing gig, but still want to see the band they have paid for.

Then the onus is on those people to book appropriate seats.

Beezknees · 17/10/2023 09:19

Brendabigbaps · 17/10/2023 09:15

That’s a really selfish attitude.
what about the people who book a seat because they know they can’t stand for the gig or should they just not bother going!

It's also selfish to expect someone else to stay sitting down just because you have to.

LolaSmiles · 17/10/2023 09:20

This has me thinking, do the people in standing sections complain if someone blocks their view?
I don't think I've expected to have a full view of the stage at any concert I've been to, whether I've had a seated or standing ticket. My expectations have always been that people will be up and dancing to standing for all or part of the show, or up and moving to get drinks and refreshments, or going to the bathroom, or just being taller than me.

If I wanted to guarantee I had a perfect view of the stage for the duration of the whole performance, I'd think it was my responsibility to book either the front row of the circle/gallery, or a balcony seat.

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 17/10/2023 09:20

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 17/10/2023 09:03

It would if you are 5 feet tall and the person in front of you is over a foot taller!

Can't see if they're sitting in front of you either...

Itwasamemoment · 17/10/2023 09:22

Depends on the gig.Iwent to see Nial Rodgers and Chic recently and absolutely no way would I have stayed sitting down . Everyone up dancing !
If I was watching a classical concert I wouldn’t be up and dancing or attend !

margotrose · 17/10/2023 09:22

That’s a really selfish attitude. what about the people who book a seat because they know they can’t stand for the gig or should they just not bother going

No - they should book appropriate seats for their abilities.

Fizbosshoes · 17/10/2023 09:22

I've never been to a concert where the audience predominantly sat down?

Every concert I've been to people are standing up and dancing. Possibly temporarily sitting for a slow ballad.
I'm less than 5ft and I wouldn't generally choose a standing ticket because i think I'd feel claustrophobic and i wouldnt be able to see but with tiered seats it's usually OK.

VTIFSAG · 17/10/2023 09:23

I've never been to a concert where people stay seated. I go to dance, like most people.

A relative of mine can't stand for long so she books appropriate seating. She doesn't expect everyone to sit just because she needs to.

Fizbosshoes · 17/10/2023 09:25

And all the concerts I've been to people are generally discouraged from dancing in aisles as those are the exits and need to be kept clear

I've only been to big arena/stadium concerts, maybe smaller venues are different

nonamehere · 17/10/2023 09:25

margotrose · 17/10/2023 09:17

Don't forget that, much as they would love to dance, some people can't stand up for long periods so wouldn't go to a standing gig, but still want to see the band they have paid for.

Then the onus is on those people to book appropriate seats.

All the seats are in raked rows - it's designed for people to sit down. Should we stop going? Or maybe the dancers shouldn't go to seated concerts?

Princesspollyyy · 17/10/2023 09:25

zurala · 17/10/2023 08:55

I'm not sitting at a concert! It's a gig, I want to dance. I only book sitting so I know I can sit for a few minutes if I need to or if there's a song I don't like.
I don't understand people who want to sit down for a gig.

Omg. Maybe there is a reason they can't stand, or can't stand for long? That ever crossed your mind?

Princesspollyyy · 17/10/2023 09:26

VTIFSAG · 17/10/2023 09:23

I've never been to a concert where people stay seated. I go to dance, like most people.

A relative of mine can't stand for long so she books appropriate seating. She doesn't expect everyone to sit just because she needs to.

Appropriate seating??? What seating is that??

All the seating is the same.

Autumnleaves89 · 17/10/2023 09:28

There are usually disabled seats for people with difficulties.

TheGoogleMum · 17/10/2023 09:29

Was surprised at a blink 182 concert recently that people in my section stayed sitting! I stayed sitting too, I'm under 5' tall so it was nice to be able to see!

NotMyKallax · 17/10/2023 09:32

Autumnleaves89 · 17/10/2023 09:28

There are usually disabled seats for people with difficulties.

You don’t have to be disabled to have difficulty standing for the whole concert, though.

Perhaps people who want to dance shouldn’t book seated tickets, but should book a more appropriate section?

chutneysauce · 17/10/2023 09:33

I recently took my DD to her first concert (Madonna). We were seated but happened to be behind a couple including quite a big burly guy who danced their way through the whole concert. As a result my DD couldn't see a thing unless she stood up the whole time but got tired so didn't. I felt awful for her but what can you do? I think you kinda expect people to dance at these kind of high tempo energy concerts. It was tough luck that we seemed to be sitting behind the most energetic pair in the whole block but that's how it goes.
I wouldn't have dared to ask them to stop.

Mystery2345 · 17/10/2023 09:34

She was definitely BU by not moving to the aisle

VTIFSAG · 17/10/2023 09:35

Appropriate seating??? What seating is that??

All the seating is the same.

First row on each level or disabled area.

VTIFSAG · 17/10/2023 09:35

Venues do say that people may stand in seated areas. 🤷🏻‍♀️