Concert Etiquette

[Siennaa]

I have spent years going to many concerts, and it's getting shitter and shitter with people killing the atmosphere who just want to film it on their phones. I went to see Pink last night, and I can't believe so many people just want to sit there quietly at this type of concert! Is this just life now? We just accept that atmospheres are being killed so people have Instagram worthy videos?

So in this situation, what do you do? Do you stay seated and quiet so you're respecting the people around you, do you stand anyway and dance and enjoy the show how you want to?

Wouldn't it be better if venues offered areas that you weren't allowed to stand in? So I know you get standing tickets but not everyone can get hold of them, does that mean they should either sit for the whole show, or follow what's happening around them?

Stand up and DANCE!! You haven't paid to go and see an artist like Pink to then have to accommodate a load of miserable sods. Pink would want you to dance.

@SummaLuvin I agree that people saying just get standing then is not a well thought out comment. And it's clearly not that simple. For example, if you have an under 14 with you you are not allowed standing. So that child never gets to dance at a concert until they are an adult? That's crazy.

Yes phones are killing concert atmosphere, I understand the odd filming or take a pic but do they really rewatch what they have filmed? Or is it to put on you tube to get likes.

About 20 years ago I was looking forward to going to a concert with a friend but she wanted to film it, sneaked in a camcorder! I didn't enjoy the show as felt I might as well as been on my own as couldn't relax, or interact with her.

I’ve had an iPad held up in front of me- blocking my view, so my experience is different.

Get an accessible seated ticket then.

Venues need to crack down on shit like ipads!!

but what makes you think YOUR idea of what the "atmosphere" should be is the right one?

If I go in a concert, I can't say I especially enjoy the bad screeching and bad dancing from people who think it's all about them. I quite like to see and hear the artist if it's ok with you. If I want bad singing and bad dancing, I stick to any club on a Saturday night.

Wow. What a disgusting attitude and incredibly ableist.

No, they go and sit down.

It's a no brainer that a concert like Pink isn't about everyone being super quiet while they are watching the concert through their phones. If people are not allowed to sing and dance maybe concerts aren't for you.

But people want to and have paid to see the artist, not randoms screeching

Which they obviously don't want to do because they want to sing and dance. So then revert back to what's your solution if they don't want to sit? They just don't go and concerts can't fill spaces anymore?

Where at all have I mentioned randoms screeching? Honestly people on here are so strange at times! Can't sing at a concert, yeah ok then.

Maybe... Then concert venues might be forced to increase the volume of standing tickets if there's the demand like is seen here

But to anyone other than you (as the singer, not you specifically op), you're singing IS just a random screeching to everyone else

At TS there was a woman near me with 2 phones, one on selfie mode recording her reactions, singing etc and one filming the show! Most bizarre

I would say that if you want to just listen to the artist you buy the record

A show is an interaction between audience and artist. Many (most?) artists would be distraught if no one danced and sang - hearing your words back at you, having people moved to move is partly what music is about

I think if you go to a concert and it is standing room only and you are short in stature you knew that when you bought the ticket get there early and get to the front, wear high shoes and or lower your expectation's of seeing the band or lead singer and enjoy the music, atmosphere, watching others enjoying themselves and watching the screen. Or alternatively watch at home or only go to seated concerts if you can afford a front row seat.

If you are naturally tall what are meant to do bow your head in shame, sit on floor, be banned from going so you don’t inconvenience a short person or wear a T shirt like this? I don’t think so!!

Sounds like that bell end Adele stuck up for on that viral concert last year. How pathetic smartphones have made some people. Recording their own narcissism in public.

I personally think that phones should be off at gigs.

Great logic, thought I was going mad hearing multiple people saying we should sit and not sing! Like whaaaatt!!

Yes we went and it was a lovely atmosphere, everyone could see and the dance floor was a good size. You could also book into areas that had seats and a small dance floor. The no phones rule was strictly enforced too although one of the staff happily took a picture of DH and I. It was one of the best concerts I've been to, even the toilets were nice and clean

Singing along at a normal volume is (IMO) acceptable and expected in UK pop concert culture. I could only hear myself when I had my loop earplugs in, and I couldn't distinctly hear anyone around me though they were singing. You could hear the sound of the crowd generally as an underlayer to Taylor, she was definitely what you heard strongly. What is unacceptable is screeching so loud it overtakes the artist for those around you, but I don't think that can or should be bunged in with singing along the way most people do and I don't think many people would defend it.

I’ve only ever been to one concert, which was many years ago. I was sitting happily waiting for the pop star (Meat Loaf) to come on and when he did everyone stood up. The guy in front of me and also someone in the next row forward, were both well over 6 foot tall and I couldn’t see the stage at all, plus I could only see about a quarter of the screen. I was so disappointed as I had been really looking forward to it. Vowed then to never go to another concert, and I haven’t!

Yes that's what I mean. As long as you can still hear the singer, fine