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Original poster

Concert Etiquette

199 replies

Siennaa · 26/06/2024 13:34

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
Siennaa · 26/06/2024 19:35

Ruperims · 26/06/2024 19:31

No one is interested in your opinion is a bit harsh

It's not harsh when the same poster is just carrying on and on and constantly having a pop. It's tiresome.

OP posts:
Runnerinthenight · 26/06/2024 19:37

Brefugee · 26/06/2024 14:26

I often take a picture or a quick video clip - especially if it's a song on our Family spotify list. But filming the whole gig? unless you're in the front and/or not impeding anyone's view, and if you don't get grumpy at out of tune singing* (i may be guilty of doing that on purpose) - have at it.

Tell you what, tho, while we're complaining about fuckers at gigs. My biggest bugbears are

  1. tall people just pushing right in front of me and standing there (so i have to move back because meh) b) people constantly pushing past me going backwards and forwards with beer. I note they don't push past the men i'm with, just me. (at an NMA gig last year i twice - on purpose - elbowed the same guy who did it to me. On his 2nd and third visit, after standing on my foot and hurting me. Shame he lost all that beer and most of it landed on him.) iii) people who fucking talk all the fucking way through so you can't fucking hear the song. (come the revolution)
Edited

I hear you!!

I particularly noticed the 3rd one at the last gig I went to - gangs of men mostly talking so fucking loudly, I couldn't hear the artist properly, even standing with their backs to the stage! I want to scream at them, "why didn't you just go down the fucking pub?!"

The rat race of pint-carriers is deeply annoying too. I don't understand myself why people get drunk at gigs anyway - I want to enjoy and remember what I've seen and heard!

I am guilty of filming on my phone though but I will just get a clip of a verse and chorus of my favourite songs. I CBA videoing the whole show though!

megacat · 26/06/2024 19:41

I was at Pink, whooping and jumping and waving my arms then looked round and noticed no one else was, it was just a sea of phones in the air, eerie almost.
Concerts definitely lack atmosphere as a result.

Radiatorrung · 26/06/2024 19:43

Do the people who film the entire show ever go home and watch it through their phone? Surely it’s better to watch the “released” footage as that will have the correct equipment.

Iwannabewherethepeopleare · 26/06/2024 19:46

The concerts I go to are usually encouraging you to dance. Not like the theatre. I do try and read the room though, if everyone is mostly seated then I will be too. Save for maybe a couple of faves of mine. However, TS I only sat for a couple. There was nobody really sitting unless they needed a break.

Runnerinthenight · 26/06/2024 19:51

BollockstoThis1 · 26/06/2024 15:06

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!!

How the hell are you supposed to walk across a field at an outdoor concert in bloody heels?? Would it be so hard for tall people to be a bit more considerate towards us shorties? I have on occasion have a tall person move to let me see better, on one occasion at OMD a guy actually allowed me to go in front of him.

Why should people be penalised for not being tall?!! We paid the same money for our ticket! It's shite being small!!

Runnerinthenight · 26/06/2024 19:54

Uselesssil · 26/06/2024 15:10

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!

You have to duck through between their shoulders and the fuckers keep moving!!!

UnpackingBooksFromBoxes · 26/06/2024 19:57

Tim Booth from James hates the crowd on their phones. Saw them couple of weeks ago and before they came on there was an announcement from the band asking people not to use them. Only a few people did. I was told that at an earlier gig he took someone’s phone after they had it in his face when crowd surfing and threw it.
Personally if someone in front of me is blocking my view with their phone I sing loudly, I have a terrible voice and the thought of them getting that on their recording makes me happy. Live in the now, watch the gig that’s happening in front of you.

IhateJan22 · 26/06/2024 20:01

I was at Pink on Monday in a seated area but I’d say majority of people stood up and danced. There was phones but that’s just life now. The concert was great!

LlynTegid · 26/06/2024 20:02

There was a band (cannot recall whom) who had everyone place their phone in some form of locked pouch so they could not be used until they left. Not sure how it worked out in the end.

No phone signal would not stop filming.

Agree with the OP about seated only areas, though because too many people believe they are some exception to rules (not just Boris Johnson) and there is no support to staff to enforce them, not sure how well that would work in practice. Given tickets are not purchased in person, lengthy venue bans are not an option for those who act unreasonably.

Blouson · 26/06/2024 20:06

The seated lovers for whatever reason need to aim their dislike towards the organisers. If there's no "no standing" rule at the venue then you can expect sitters on occasion to get up and have a dance.

Radiatorrung · 26/06/2024 20:12

Why should people be penalised for not being tall?!! We paid the same money for our ticket! It's shite being small!!

We get penalised on leg room though 😆

ReallyNotTheBestDayEver · 26/06/2024 20:14

Bordersgarage · 26/06/2024 14:39

Completely agree OP. I take the odd photo, but the people who film massive chunks of the gig - just, why?

It’s distracting, annoying, and I don’t see what they get out of the gig at all. Each to their own I suppose, but they should maybe apply to join the media team as a camera operator.

All for the Insta, innit

Runnerinthenight · 26/06/2024 20:16

Zinzinner · 26/06/2024 16:49

filming concerts is like filming fireworks. you care never ever going to watch them ever again.

I do!

Runnerinthenight · 26/06/2024 20:18

Blouson · 26/06/2024 17:04

Im sure recording used to be banned back in the day then it just seemed to become acceptable, probably when smartphones became an extension of peoples bodies. Im glad theyre theyre still mostly banned in theatres.

I saw The Darkness last year and the first thing Justin Hawkins did was launch a sweary rant about phones (it was funny!) and took one woman's off her for a bit! People were kinda shamed into not filming though!

Blouson · 26/06/2024 20:21

Runnerinthenight · 26/06/2024 20:18

I saw The Darkness last year and the first thing Justin Hawkins did was launch a sweary rant about phones (it was funny!) and took one woman's off her for a bit! People were kinda shamed into not filming though!

Edited
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Good to know. Get you hands off your mobile, motherf**r!

viques · 26/06/2024 20:22

Blouson · 26/06/2024 14:55

Venues need to crack down on shit like ipads!!

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I remember sitting behind someone at the Olympics who watched everything via their iPad, eyes didn’t rise above the screen for a second. They would have been better off watching on their tv at home!

SlopeT · 26/06/2024 20:25

Peoples behaviour has become odder by the year thanks to this endless need to be seen/heard and the rise of social media.

SlopeT · 26/06/2024 20:27

UnpackingBooksFromBoxes · 26/06/2024 19:57

Tim Booth from James hates the crowd on their phones. Saw them couple of weeks ago and before they came on there was an announcement from the band asking people not to use them. Only a few people did. I was told that at an earlier gig he took someone’s phone after they had it in his face when crowd surfing and threw it.
Personally if someone in front of me is blocking my view with their phone I sing loudly, I have a terrible voice and the thought of them getting that on their recording makes me happy. Live in the now, watch the gig that’s happening in front of you.

To be honest it probably makes the person behind you unhappy though 🤣

James are magnificent live. I went the other week too and he said the same. Might have been the same gig!

SkylarkDay · 26/06/2024 20:29

I think it would be hard to control a strictly seated area though, many would just ignore it, especially if certain songs come on.

My complaint is definitely more with phone obsessed people at concerts, or those that have a full blown picnic during it, that seems to be more common too. Also some people seem to spend as much time going backwards & forwards to the bar as they do watching the band. For the price of tickets these days, it seems like an awful waste of money . Or maybe I’m just getting middle aged & grumpy!! 😃

Runnerinthenight · 26/06/2024 20:29

Radiatorrung · 26/06/2024 20:12

Why should people be penalised for not being tall?!! We paid the same money for our ticket! It's shite being small!!

We get penalised on leg room though 😆

I'd be delirious to be able to swap!!😂

bruffin · 26/06/2024 20:32

Im 62 and when i was young , you sat until last few songs then everyone got up and danced.

RavenT · 26/06/2024 20:47

Went to see The Killers on Saturday and we were seated, but did get up and danced for the encore, which most people did. The people in front were up dancing for 90% of it, and moved slightly to the side so they wouldn't obscure our view, which was very considerate. I was slightly envious of them tbh as I'm too inhibited to do that, they looked like they were having a brilliant time. 😊

UnpackingBooksFromBoxes · 26/06/2024 20:49

SlopeT · 26/06/2024 20:27

To be honest it probably makes the person behind you unhappy though 🤣

James are magnificent live. I went the other week too and he said the same. Might have been the same gig!

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Weds 12th Birmingham
Great night!

SlopeT · 26/06/2024 20:58

UnpackingBooksFromBoxes · 26/06/2024 20:49

Weds 12th Birmingham
Great night!

Show quote history

Mine was Manchester. Best James gig I’ve been to and I’ve been to many!