Sophie Ellis-Bextor concert. Ugh

[IOnlyWantSexMoneyPowerAndRevenge]

Saw her last week. Good fun. I missed the opportunity to wear my glittery Christmas dress though.

We all know she has legs that go on for days and likes to show them off (so would I if I had them!). At various points during the show she had to bend over (dropped something and so on). Every single time, at least one man wolf whistled. One man started and then others thought it was OK to join in.

I mean, really? They weren't sat near me or I would have said something. It pissed me right off. We were there to sing and dance to a bit of disco and grotty men insist on making their thoughts knoen about how attractive she is. As if anyone cares.

Most of the audience were 50+ which somehow made it even more grim.

Yuk just yuk.

Good for Big Moon and good for security.

One time definitely wasn't. The other 2 times were at strange times to do it and they all felt a bit too awkward to be staged. I might be wrong though.

Off to work (in my baggy full length trousers and cardie that covers everything).

What do we think about women's behavior towards attractive men at concerts - from Elvis to boybands, Harry Styles etc. Assume that's ok?

I remember a fan holding up a poster at a Take That concert back in the day:

Point your erections in my direction!

If you think that's a direct equivalent, like there's suddenly a level playing field after millenia of women's oppression, you're either an alien just landed on Earth, or on a wind up.

It always has been. Many men and also women have internalised misogyny and normalise disgusting stuff like this, some even thinking of it as a ‘compliment’.

🤣

I also went to her concert recently, presumably in a different location because I didn't notice any wolf whistling at all. In fact, the vibe was lovely and supportive and sweet. If someone had wolf whistled I think it would have bothered me because it would have spoiled the atmosphere. Wolf whistling can be 'bantery' and appropriate in certain circumstances but it would have felt totally off in an SEB concert, sort of mocking and mean and vaguely threatening. I totally get why you didn't like it.

YABVU to voluntarily subject yourself to her nasal wailing 🙉

I haven't seen Elvis but I have seen Harry Styles live, and that guy is in a world of his own, just vibing most of the show. I'd imagine that 0.001% of whatever suggestive stuff is being directed towards him actually makes it to his consciousness. The audiences are pretty wholesome, though.

On stage and off stage are two different worlds. Pop music sells using appearance, a light veneer of suggestibility (or more depending who the star is), adoration. Not comfortable in the real world but SEB has been around long enough to be able to cope with a few wolf whistles.

Pretty predictable that the variety of misogynist, MRAs and their credulous handmaiden-bots who constantly infiltrate this site would pitch up on this thread with their never-ending parrot-cry of 'men's shitty behaviour is always a woman's fault'.

💤

Most of the audience were 50+ which somehow made it even more grim

Odious ageist shite. Just what about older people makes this "grim"?

What's your age limit? Are you OK?

The likes of Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Janis Joplin managed to be hugely successful without needing to be undressed on stage or being sexually suggestive. That’s real empowerment imo.

Regardless of whether SEB should 'cope' or not, wolf whistling also has an effect on the audience, who have paid money to be there. Whooping and cheering are supportive, wolf whistling has a very particular tone that drags down the overall atmosphere. It's rude and unnecessary, much like opening a loud sweet packet during a play. Adults should know not to do it.

Wolf whistling is sexual harassment now?

Yes. It always has been.

And SEB is 46, so surely around 50 is age appropriate?

Total bollocks. I can't believe people still think like this. Genuinely it gives me the shivers.

I think she knew exactly what she was doing!!!!

Yes. She's a stage performer.

Strange how no one ever comments that the sad, lecherous gits openly heckling her also knew exactly what they were doing, eh?

You know what THIS sort of response is why wolf whistling is wrong. The whole 'she knew what she was doing' attitude - vile vile vile vile.

Im 47 so hardly agist.

Will reply to rest of points later.

Care to elaborate?

Spot on. The men who wolf whistled knew exactly what they were doing. And every woman knew exactly what those men were doing, no matter how much they try to justify it with 'she should cope' and 'she chose to wear a skirt.'

I wonder how long it will be for centuries of misogyny to be rooted out of our psyches? Will it ever go?

Her legs are chef's kiss. It's one thing admiring her divine legs, it's another things acting like a cartoon animal.

Well said. And yes her legs are totally gorgeous. If I had them I would want to show them off constantly. I wouldn't of course because as soon as some man tried to cross boundaries I'd be blamed for it.