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?

I agree to some degree OP. I was at TS recently and pretty much everyone was standing for the majority of the concert other than the breaks between era's. There were a couple of times I sat down and the people in front were stood - didn't cause an issue at all! I think at those kinds of gigs you have to expect that people will be up dancing! I was also at foos and we had standing tickets but they had some unreserved seating which was tiered. Everyone followed others leads really with standing up! we are both short so would've had no chance seeing anything in standing 😂

Agree with the phones though; the worst thing is people filming themselves and then you catch yourself in the background!! Makes you feel so self conscious!

5FDP and INK was my first ever gig at age 45!!!
Got seated tickets as was a bit nervous, I'm a bit too old for mosh pits etc and wasn't sure what to expect.

One of the best nights of my life. Now have tickets booked for Sum 41, Bowling for Soup, Set it Off and New Years Day. Can't wait

I’m with you op. Not been to a gig in years until last week. Every concert I’ve ever been to, including seated, most people have stood up in their seats and danced. I went to see weezer and smashing pumpkins and no one stood up, so I didn’t feel I could because I’d have blocked the people sat chatting behind me. Was desperate to stand up for a little mosh! We had to sit as had my 13 yo with me who was too young for standing. Also, the people in front of us kept getting up to go toilet/bar etc every two bloody minutes. I can’t imagine paying all that money for a gig to miss half of it standing at the bar.

Couldn't agree more.
If I want to stand or dance at a gig I've paid a fortune to go to then I will, I also pay 0 attention to people filming, I hope I've ruined lots of videos with my bad singing .

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

It's not. There's security everywhere at concerts. Ignore your first warning, out you go. Its been pointed out that it's normal in some countries, even in nearby venues like the Olympia in Dublin. And I've been to incredible gigs there, both standing and seated.

It was great, I would have liked Moving On.
Always standing, 5’7” but you can still get someone tall in front of you. If I ruled the world no one would be allowed on shoulders 😠

Our next gig (at the moment) is Bullet for my Valentine and Trivium. Next year back to Download (we gave this year a miss)
In my opinion the metal crowd are just the best 🙂

Mixed feelings about recording concerts. I enjoy watching bands that I like live if I can't get to the concert so it's good having them on YouTube BUT it's a shame for people nowadays that don't seem to be able to enjoy a live event the old way by actually watching it instead of constantly holding their phones up to video or photograph.

This.

I don’t really mind people standing so long as I can still see. But if I’ve bought seated tickets it’s because I want to sit. I’m going to TS in a few weeks and already a bit begrudging that I’ll probably have to stand to see as everyone else will be standing.

And I’ve never filmed at a gig. My attitude to filming on my phone is not to do it if there will be similar videos on social media without me adding to it - which is quite freeing as I never really get my phone out at any public event and can just enjoy it while I’m there.

Wish to dance? You’re at a music concert ffs! Even if I’m standing I can’t see so doesn’t bother me if people stand up, I can’t stand long now but would never moan about people dancing at a concert

Some concerts are all seated and yet people are up dancing most of the night so that doesn’t make sense, I’ve been to see kylie, fleetwood mac and take that which was all seated, didn’t stop people dancing

What about someone who can’t stand for the full duration of a concert ? Are they never to dance again as they’re in seating? I’m disabled so pick seating but get up to dance when I want and do not mind at all others in front of me doing the same, music concerts are for dancing and enjoying

I remember the days where you as much as got your phone out and security would be on top of you telling you to put it away or shining a torch in your eyes until you put it away. Lol

I went to see take that a few weeks ago we sat as had my older mum with me and there was a real mix of those standing and sitting. I do think people should be considerate if others though as people have said some can't stand that's why they've chosen seats.

Real mix of people on phones too - I will confess to a few videos of fave songs but also hate those on phones the majority of the time. Just enjoy it!!

Thing that annoyed us was the woman who got so drunk she could barely stand, hit and kicked us while drunkenky flailing, dropped her handbag on us at one point almost came right on top of us as she toppled forward when she went to sit down in her chair. Thankfully she fell asleep half way in then when she woke up crying her friend dragged her out - in her 50's too - the absolute worst!!!!!

I went to see Girls Aloud the other night. I sang and danced throughout, despite potentially being a pain in the ass for the people behind me. Why go to a gig if you just want to sit and chat?

Nobody has mentioned chatting ffs! Just being able to see the performance.

This is why I can’t go any more, well I could go but would be sat staring at someone’s butt for the performance. I can’t stand so need seated.

Me too @GreatGardenstuff

Loads of people stayed sitting when they came on, I mean really? At a concert and a pop concert at that?! Most did end up on their feet after a couple of songs - how can you not dance to Girls Aloud? 😍

Singing and dancing make a great atmosphere. But I'd not stand if I had a seat, unless the people in front of me stood so I was staring at their backs.

Constant phones aloft annoys me too. Used to be just lighters in the air for the emotional songs!

Nobody wants to sit and chat, they want to listen to the act not some drunk singing at the top of their voice

I also went to Weezer and Smashing Pumpkins! I was in the standing area and a woman snuck her young teen daughter down because nobody was standing or dancing in the seated areas at all. It was very noticeable - saw Pulp in a similar sized venue last year, everyone was up dancing!

I had a young man in front of me who was dancing and moshing and having a great time, then decided to stand completely still with both arms in the air filming. After a few songs of that I really wanted to tickle his armpits.

I prefer smaller venues.

I'd like to see designated seating areas in larger venues that are no standing, so people who aren't able to stand can actually see. And then in other seating areas people should be allowed to get up and dance as desired.

I've always wondered about whether venues can sort standing areas by height somehow ... Maybe like at the start of parkrun where you arrange yourself by expected finish time... Wouldn't really be workable though!

Taking photos, fine. Quick clips fine. Filming the whole thing whilst blocking other people's view not fine.

I hate when folk stand at these concerts, maybe I'm getting old (29) but I just want to sit & enjoy what I paid for without anyone jumping around in front of me!
And as for folk filming it on their bloody phones, for God's sake, live in the moment, put the phone away & watch what you came to see instead of spoiling it for yourself & others for the sake of a few pathetic "likes" on FB etc. 🙄😣 Grrrrrr

Just wondering why it's the worst (and it's trash behaviour, I agree) that the woman was in her 50s, as opposed to her 20s, 30s, 40s, 60s, 70s...??

I started a thread along the same lines today - went to Wembley last night - standing - always try for standing. I am suffering today - you name it, it aches lol. I love a bit of a dance but at the age of 67, I also need to sit down for a rest during a concert now. Years ago at Wembley I think, they had the lower couple of rows free so those standing could rest for awhile - great idea - I’ll be seated in future unfortunately but would hate not to be able to have a dance to some of Bruce’s crowd pleasing stuff.