People dancing at concerts and blocking the view - annoying

[ImJustMadAboutSaffron]

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.

It's unfortunate if your view is blocked but tbh it's just a risk you take at a concert. People want to stand up and dance. You can still hear the music.

Perhaps venues should have separate “sitting” and “dancing” areas?

I agree. Maybe the left side for standing, and right for sitting.

People go to concerts not just to listen to the music, but to watch the action as well.

The best theatre-based concerts I’ve been to are where the band encourage dancing in certain songs, but you sit in others. Ie. The band control the narrative.

Well, errrm I like to watch the performance and enjoy the sound. Not particularly a fan of dancing or watching other people dance. Thats just my opinion. You have a different one.

Really? I've got floor seats to see Take That next year. I've been going to see them for almost 25 years. I've never sat down at a Take That concert. You couldn't have stopped me dancing in 1993 and you won't stop me now! EVERYONE (on the floor anyway) stands during a Take That show. I couldn't imagine a show where everyone just sat down not moving and watched them jumping about all over the place. They definitely do not want their crowd sitting still trust me.

I actually feel sorry for tall people, there was a really tall girl and her bf at a gig I went to, and I heard a girl telling them to get down, that she’d paid for a ticket and deserved to be able to see clearly. We’d all been there a long time so were close to the stage. Both kind of started to try to get down a little and all the people around told them if was fine. Cranky moany girl huffed off. Sometimes you see a concert, sometimes you don’t

I assume your name is ironic then?
🤣

@Dwappy so have I got tickets to see them and saw them a few times over the 25 years also, although it has been a while since the last performed.
They hydro is all seated, people may stand but I bet most will remain seated especially those in the top tier.

Plus most fans will be over 40+ so 🤷‍♀️

I understand people staying sitting down in the very upper tiers. Mainly due to the safety aspect and it can be a bit dizzying being high up. But on the floor? I've never been to a take that concert where people stay seated in the floor seats.

Edited to add I'm over 40 myself and more than happy to dance along as if I was a teenager again!

Whatever people’s views of dancing vs sitting, I have to give bravery points to anyone standing in the upper levels of the O2. It’s vertigo central up there!

Absolutely not I’m up dancing as that’s the whole point, if you want to sit and just listen you can do that from home 😂😂

And you can also dance to the music at home.

I’m just under 5 foot and I accept that any concerts I go to people will be standing up so I never buy tickets on the floor and instead go for the sides where I’m more likely to see. If I do get someone very tall I’m usually with someone who will switch with me or lean over more to their side to see.

I saw the Eagles in 2018 or 2019 at Wembley. I was mostly seated for the show as I was with family who were bigger fans than me and I didn’t know all the songs but near the end I did stand up for the songs I knew well (as did 90% of people). I got tapped for blocking someone’s view. Again, I’m under 5 foot, I’d been seated for most of the show, we were on the sides which are staggered. I was shocked. I tried moving a bit to the side and they tapped me again. It really ruined the show for me as rather than being able to enjoy the songs I did know, I had someone tapping me. If I stayed seated I wouldn’t have been able to see as the rows in front were all standing. I had to switch with a family member in the end. It’s the only concert I’ve ever had that happen at. Even when I ended up on the floor at the O2 for Take That and spent the whole night having to stand and with my neck tilting up to see the screens I just accepted that everyone was entitled to dance, stand, sing, it’s a show and it’s not my fault I’m small and not their fault that people are taller so if you don’t want to stand and don’t want people blocking your view then you really need amazing seats at the front.

Sure we could dance at home

But listening to music with others makes you a bad neighbour...

Couples who stand with their arms round each other so you can’t even see through the gaps!

YABVVVU! It baffles me that anyone who is able to dance at a concert wouldn’t want to! I always dance and shock horror I’m 40+ 😂. I’ll do this even if I’m sober. If I wasn’t able to dance I’d still enjoy seeing other people dancing around me.

I paid £350 for seated tickets for myself, husband and son to see The Who in July. I can't stand up for long due to knee problem, hence paying to have a seat. There were cheaper standing only tickets available behind the seated area. As soon as the band come on the entire row in front of us stood up - not to dance, just to stand. Their view of the stage was not improved by standing as they could see perfectly well whilst sitting. So everyone sitting behind them who had paid to have a seat had to stand to be able to see. Bloody ridiculous.

And of course this is the main problem, able bodied people think that if they want to stand up then sod everyone else. I think as a society, people have become much more selfish and less considerate of others, unfortunately.

And of course this is the main problem, able bodied people think that if they want to stand up then sod everyone else. I think as a society, people have become much more selfish and less considerate of others, unfortunately.

It's just the othering of disabled people, like they don't really exist. People have already implied upthread that maybe disabled folk just shouldn't go to concerts.

I saw a photo on Twitter the other day of a workplace where they'd locked the doors to the lift and put a big cheery sign over them saying something like "Personal Health Day - Today we take the stairs!" - and there was a man in a wheelchair in front of them who was just completely stranded.

It seems that there are 'people' (the 'proper' ones) and 'disabled people', the latter who simply do not figure as of any importance at all.

Concert stander/dancer here 💃
Can't understand people who want to sit. Just watch it on YouTube the next day from your sofa.
Scarborough Open Air Theatre T&C's say people around you may stand. So if someone tapped me on the shoulder I would encourage them to pop to see a steward. I hate Leeds arena as they make everyone stay seated. I've stopped going there unless I can get a ticket on the back row.
Went to see Billy Ocean at Harrogate this year and everyone was up. Great night.

It all comes down to manners in the end doesn't it? Have a great time, but don't be a dick. Be aware of people around you and try not to ruin their experience.

Gig etiquette. I'm not far off my 2000th gig (I'm 62 and have been doing this since Queen at Bristol Hippodrome in 1977) and behaviour has definitely got worse. Camera phones are a curse.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2012/oct/25/gig-etiquette-guide

I don’t think it’s fair… some people can’t stand and dance… sometimes there’s not enough room, anyway. Why can’t you enjoy the music while sitting down???🤔 Hate this attitude that “Sod everyone else , I’ll do what I want to”!
If you want to stand go and stand with the standing people ( if in a stadium/arena) let the people who’ve paid for a seat have an unimpeded view!
It’s just so unfair to thoughtlessly block someone’s view.

And don’t get me started on the people who can’t go an entire concert without going back and forth to the bar or get food and inconveniencing an entire row multiple times!

@budlea64 “Just watch it on YouTube the next day from your sofa.”

You could use the same arguement for the dancers. They could watch the concert at home and dance in their living room.

I think bores should be the ones to stay home. Usually the bands are encouraging people to get up and enjoy themselves. Says it all really.
As for disabled, there are designated areas for disabled, usually with plenty of room and a good view and access.