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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:
avemariiiaa · 17/10/2023 09:36

5.8 of my local arenas policy.

There is no way I am staying sat down at a concert.

There are accessible tickets for people who are unable to stand or will have difficulties seeing the stage for whatever reason.

Otherwise, if you just want to sit down, it's kind of tough. Book seats where you are at the front of a block.It's part of going to a concert to sing along and dance and get involved in the atmosphere.

People dancing at concerts and blocking the view - annoying
Leggytigberk · 17/10/2023 09:38

The only performers should be the performers on stage not the ones who have just moved on from their hairbrush in front of a mirror.
Serious point: I have had problems with the licence for a venue where the Authorities claimed we had allowed the aisles to be blocked and evacuation would be difficult. No I didn't believe it either. We had to reduce the numbers attending.

SD1978 · 17/10/2023 09:38

Yup- shits me too. I wish there was the ability to choose areas where people who wanted to could do this, and those of us that dont, still have the right to enjoy the concert too. I'd don't see why my view should be impeded, just because I don't want to stand and dance. Doesn't mean I enjoy the band any less. I also understand though some people prefer to get into more and do that, which is fine but concerned should be able to cater for both.

VTIFSAG · 17/10/2023 09:38

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?

Yet venues say people may stand. Take it up with the venues if you don't like it. However, they know most people want to dance so they're not going to change it. I wouldn't pay to go to a concert that I could what, tap my foot at. No thanks.

Sallyh87 · 17/10/2023 09:38

I hate when people do this, they always look absolutely ridiculous dancing as well.

If you want to dance get the standing tickets at the front, otherwise sit down and don’t be so inconsiderate.

Anomedsed · 17/10/2023 09:39

Wasn’t there once an AIBU with someone arguing taller people at concerns should be positioned at the back and then the crowd should gradually be sorted in descending level of height towards the front?

Disturbia81 · 17/10/2023 09:39

YABU, it comes as part of it.

FunkyMonks · 17/10/2023 09:39

I was at a concert last night seated the whole arena stood up the minute the band came on stage to the moment they finished I had a blast never sat in my seat nor did anyone else that paid for seated tickets last night.

It can happen but that's the risk of seated tickets as well not everyone is going to sit there like a rock and not want to bounce or sing along to a favourite song.

I've been to lots of gigs it happens had one drunken bloke fall down a flight of stairs as the main act were on people get drunk become loud and sometimes get caught up in the moment not really paying attention to anyone else around them.

SunshineAutumnday · 17/10/2023 09:40

I've been to concert where the whole row was dancing apart from the 2 people next to me. It really put a downer on the atmosphere of the concert and they left really early.

PopSocksRock · 17/10/2023 09:40

SD1978 · 17/10/2023 09:38

Yup- shits me too. I wish there was the ability to choose areas where people who wanted to could do this, and those of us that dont, still have the right to enjoy the concert too. I'd don't see why my view should be impeded, just because I don't want to stand and dance. Doesn't mean I enjoy the band any less. I also understand though some people prefer to get into more and do that, which is fine but concerned should be able to cater for both.

I agree with this.
If the woman was disturbing the enjoyment of lots of people and the man had a word I think she must have been OTT and should have listened

Fieldofbrokenpromises · 17/10/2023 09:41

Was it the last night of the proms?

Riverlee · 17/10/2023 09:41

When selecting seats for concerts, I have never ever seen seats labelled as ‘seats for those who want to sit and watch the concert’. I’m not disabled either so don’t qualify for those seats either.

VTIFSAG · 17/10/2023 09:42

I hate when people do this, they always look absolutely ridiculous dancing as well.

I don't think they care what you think, they'll be having fun. Try it some time. 😅

BodegaSushi · 17/10/2023 09:43

NotMyKallax · 17/10/2023 09:32

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?

The majority of tickets available at venues are seats. It’s insane that people would not get up and dance at a concert, as evidenced by the fact that most people stand. People who can’t stand should get tickets nearer the front

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 17/10/2023 09:43

I did think this was what everyone did at concerts - stood up to dance etc

Partly why I don’t go but wouldn’t ever expect others to sedately sit at a non classical concert.

Whooping might be annoying but again not unusual at a concert.

A man tapping a woman’s shoulder at all, but particularly to tell her what to do, is definitely not on thought. I wouldn’t be happy about that.

pizzaHeart · 17/10/2023 09:44

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.

The ones who want to watch the concert and who are not comfortable to stand and dance in a small space in front of their seat.

I always thought that standing tickets are for those who want to dance. Much cheaper by the way.

nonamehere · 17/10/2023 09:45

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.

I think we're talking about different types of venue. In a big arena, sure you can choose appropriate seats, but in our local theatre there's just one big block of seats - even the (2) " disabled spaces" are on the very front row so dancers are pretty much stepping on them! All the other seats are just in rows.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 17/10/2023 09:45

A (small) separate “seated only” section at gigs might be an idea though.

KajsaKavat · 17/10/2023 09:47

No one sits in the front, I sometimes wish they would so I could stay seated a bit longer but that rarely happens.

OfcourseitsaNC · 17/10/2023 09:47

Last concert I went to didn't have a standing area. People weren't allowed in the aisles.

Didn't bother me as most of the crowd were dancing throughout, but I did reflect on how it would have been for a friend who can't stand for long.

Maybe if a venue doesn't have a standing area for a concert, or doesn't allow dancing in the aisles, then a block of seating should be allocated to seated spectators only.

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 17/10/2023 09:47

The majority of concerts I've been to are all seated or only have a very small standing area (where you'd feel way too claustrophobic). You aren't allowed to block the aisles for safety reasons and some if you're on the flat and try to "rush" forward to dance at the front then you're sent back

BodegaSushi · 17/10/2023 09:48

pizzaHeart · 17/10/2023 09:44

The ones who want to watch the concert and who are not comfortable to stand and dance in a small space in front of their seat.

I always thought that standing tickets are for those who want to dance. Much cheaper by the way.

You thought wrong. A stadium for eg that can hold 90,000 cannot accommodate 80,000 in ‘standing only’. You are in the minority so best book your tickets in the front

SoShallINever · 17/10/2023 09:48

There are disabled seats for those who can't stand.

Brendabigbaps · 17/10/2023 09:49

Beezknees · 17/10/2023 09:19

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

Do the person who wants to stand obviously wins over the person who can’t stand. Lovely attitude

OvertiredandConfused · 17/10/2023 09:50

I can’t stand. I’m a wheelchair user and people happily stand in front of me.

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