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.

Ghost had no phone policy at last world tour - was very successful

We went to see Oasis at Wembley last year, and I was relieved that the section we were sat in were quite happy to sit, sing and sway to the music. DS, who went to the performance on the previous part of the tour, was appalled by this behaviour. I have a photo of him crowd surfing 😂

If you want to dance, go to disco.

The point of paying money to see and hear someone specific is to be able to see and hear them. Even more so with the current prices.

If you want to scream and wave your hands like a lunatic, do it somewhere where it doesn't bother others.

Yes, some gigs work differently, but many concerts are just that - people mostly listen and enjoy the actual show, and sing and interact for a (small) part often in the end.

Here's a thought for you, maybe just maybe you are the killjoys ruining it for others. Just saying.

It's not the ballet or opera. If I'm going to the theatre I'll sit in my seat and only get up if it's worthy of a standing ovation.

If it's a gig I'm there to enjoy the music and dance, cheer and have fun. If the people behind me think they've booked Tosca by mistake that's their issue.

By the way, do you queue for beers in a line? I'm just curious?

I don't drink alcohol. If you stand in front of me a seated section I'm going to tell you to sit down. I paid to watch the act.not your back. So you can either sit down or pay the price of my ticket because why should you ruin my night out?

I would tell you no and to ask security if you have an issue

I am with you OP. I am a bit of a concert snob and only go if I can stand.
I was absolutely shocked that people sat around me the first time I experienced it... I felt the peer pressure to stay seated, but have only ever been to 1 gig where everyone around me stayed seated. It was like we were all watching tv. So bizarre.

Yea and they would tell you to sit down. Win win for me.

I’m laughing at all these “ standers” who are totally shocked and baffled, never ever having witnessed anyone sit in a seat before. Perhaps they don’t go to as many gigs and they would have us believe.

Some posters need to get a grip. It’s a concert. You’re supposed to be up and dancing. Harry Styles upcoming tour he has said in interviews that’s exactly what he wants people to do. Do people honestly expect the entire seated areas of Wembley stadium to sit down? Really?

Oh well if Harry Styles has said it , that’s then then. End of discussion.

how do you dance to all his songs? They aren’t all dance songs surely? Even the people standing I bet are just standing for a lot of it rather than actively dancing. It is much easer to stand and sway if you are all bunched up rather than awkwardly do it in the seated section.

If people can’t stand for a whole concert, or if they don’t want to stand up and dance, is it fair that all they get to see is the arse of the person in front of them, rather than the act they’ve come to see?

No, they would tell you that people are allowed to dance. In the Ts&Cs on tickets for most concert venues, it will say 'people around you may stand'.

Allowed to dance. But some posters on here are telling us it’s compulsory. I doubt that’s in the Ts and Cs

No, it's not compulsory, I don't think anyone has said it's compulsory, have they? But, in the main, it is allowed, whether posters like it or not.

No they would tell you to sit down for causing a disturbance.

No, dancing is not a disturbance, and it is allowed.

That's a recent addition and if you are in your seat that might happen. But many acts are not thumping away from start to finish, they will have slower or quieter songs and we take that opportunity to sit down and listen. When I see Springsteen there isnt 2.5 hours of fist pumping. Half the show will be quieter more considered songs. 2 X people standing just because they can may obscure the view of 20 people behind them. Oh and let's not forget that one or both have to have their bar trip and possibly the toilet so they aren't bothered about seeing the show from beginning to end

It is when you are blocking the view for everyone behind you

Buy a seated ticket and then go to the standing area would be the solution. Note the empty seats in my pic. They all chose to get up and enter the standing area

I can't say I've ever been to a gig where people stayed seated. Used to go to plenty - RHCPs, muse, Kaiser Chiefs etc. and now taking my DC to BTS, Stray kids, Black pink etc.... not seen anyone sit once the music starts.

As the seating is usually staggered and tiered, it's much easier to see if you're short. If you're in a seated section, you're not seeing the band up close - they're a fair distance away, you look at the screen if you want to see close ups. You pay £££ for seated tickets for the atmosphere, which includes the standing, singing and dancing. If you want to stay seated, you're missing out on the atmosphere, you might as well watch a live recording at home.

It might well disturb you, but it is allowed, so won't be classed as a disturbance.

Those particular Ts&Cs have been in place for quite some time now, across most concert venues. I also don't think anyone's standing up and dancing to Tears in Heaven, but pop/rock music, yes.

I couldn’t stand through a whole concert, but do like to get up and dance etc while beng able to sit down for a rest when needed.