Standing at gigs - finally some sense!

[StacksOfSnacks]

I love live music and frequently attend concerts and have been utterly baffled in recent years that people behave as they would in the cinema - plonked on their backside, mutely watching. For me it’s all about the immersive experience - dancing, screaming, swaying, singing, waving my arms… But not only are more people staying seated, but I’m actually seeing discourse where people such as myself are being criticised for acting exactly like a typical concert goer - singing and standing.

I went to a show last night and noticed this little note on my e-ticket “People around you may stand!” though I think it should go without saying, finally some sense is prevailing and those whingers can keep schtum now (which they advocate for at gigs anyway 😂).

Disclaimer: I know people will pile on saying that not everyone can stand, and no they can’t and I understand that. I’d support if they wanted to have a section where people stay seated if there’s demand for it. However, I have observed a change in behaviour that is out of proportion even when considering that.

Why should our gig be ruined by standing and dancing idiots?

I'm paying for the seat and the music

I'm absolutely baffled that people think I should've stayed seated during Taylor Swift or One Republic last year? Do people really just sit the whole time?

You're doing nothing wrong OP. In fact I'd love to go to a concert with you!

But again, I was at one republic last year and everyone was seated for most of it. The big numbers yes everyone got up and danced but for most of it they were seated. No one stands up and dances whilst they are playing Apologise for example. It’s a tune for singing to, not dancing. Everyone was sat down and appreciating the music

My teens study music. They have a real appreciation for music and the artists. They go to watch the band listen to the music, really take it in. They carnt do that with someone standing and waving right in front of them. Music appreciation is about watching and listening, not prancing around and ruining other people experience..if you want that go to a club.

This is why I stay home and stare into middle distance.

Vast majority of gigs I go to are standing-only. Avoid the big and overpriced venues that have seating and problem solved.

At the O2 a few months ago - which has a fairly steep rake - and 2 x 50 somthing old blokes next to me - off their tits on coke I suspect - being complete wank badger - screaming, stumbling, waving their arms 'dancing' - for two pins I'd have pushed them over. Fortunately there were 2 spare seats along from us I could shuffle into and get away from them. I kind of think that kind of behaviour is better in the standing area.

ETA I don't mind people standing in the sitting area - but have a bit of common sense.

Well it depends what sort of music you like doesnt it? Cant imagine Beyoncé is going to come to my local O2 Academy any time soon!

This is like a parallel universe. People sitting for pop and rock gigs 🤯. Literally never done it or seen it happen. Can you imagine sitting for Prince? He'd have lost his shit if people weren't enjoying themselves and dancing.

I'll be standing and dancing at Harry in June. I pay for a seat so I'm not rained on or in the sun. Along with 90k other people who will also be dancing.

Prince also had a no phone policy at his shows, do you think young people today would tolerate that?

People can enjoy themselves without dancing. And I cant believe you have never seen someone sit down….what did you think the seats were for?!

Watching an act live is about the experience- watching the performer and hearing the music. I don’t want to watch Susan and her mates shrieking and dancing two rows in front of me.
If I wanted to dance, I’d go to a disco.

Stadiums have seats for safety reasons after the Hillsborough disaster to control crowd density.

And so that people could sit in them

Could sit, not have to sit. The driver for changing terraces to seating was not because people wanted to sit, in fact there have been campaigns for 'safe standing' rather than seating because the majority of fans want to stand.

Yes I didn’t say they have to sit

Good luck telling Take That fans to sit down at The Circus tour this summer 😂

Yes, people can enjoy themselves without dancing, but at a pop/rock concert, most people want to dance; it is perfectly normal to do so.

I'm old enough to go to the last circus tour. Funnily enough people remained sitting.

So am I, and not at Wembley they didn't!

Wembley is hideous anyway. Seems to have it's own rules that apply just to Wembley. Went in my younger days and never again

With all due respect how on earth do you dance to ‘most beautiful girl in the world’? Are we all supposed start slow dancing with our partners? It is absolutely the sort of song you stay seated for and sing along. I don’t believe everyone was up and jumping up and down for it.

Lol, I think the miserable people of the world alliance has found this thread and demanded its members all contribute. Artists HATE people not dancing at their gigs. Those who don't like it should stay home and listen to a recording.

I understand you wanting to stand up and dance, @StacksOfSnacks - but singing along is unacceptable, imo. People have paid through the nose to hear the band/artist, not you! Having someone singing near them will interrupt their enjoyment of the music.

If there are songs where the audience is encouraged to join in, by all means sing along, but the rest of the time, let the musicians do the performing!

Because people who actually study music want to make do with a recording? Get real. My teens study music and perform. All the bands they know personally don't care if people don't dance, they do appreciate people who go and listen to and enjoy their music live though.