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.

Louis Tomlinson … I would sooner sit outside.

OP nobody wants to hear you singing, screaming, or have their face rammed in your armpit as you wave you arms around.

Totally agree!

to clarify -

I sing along to the music, but these shows are so loud there person next to me would not be able to hear, I'm not raising my voice to a volume intended to be heard by anyone else. Singing along is one of the great joys of gigs.

I shout and scream in appreciation when they take to the stage, when there is a particularly impressive guitar solo, at the end of a song, and when invited to "does anyone know the words to this?....", but not throughout.

I just said that she was doing all the same things as you while standing on a chair.

Imo very annoying whether on the
floor or on a chair.

Yep same. I have paid to see and hear X singer/band. Not to have see Dave's butt who is standing in front of me, and hear Charlene squealing behind me.

Like another poster, I wouldn't get into the accessible area, but struggle to stand for more than a few minutes due to my arthritis, so I pay for raked seating.

I definitely get the appeal of dancing and jumping around at the front, I had my teens in the 90's withh nirvana, greenday, oasis etc, queuing for many hours to get right to the front. But I can't do it any more.

Those who want to jump and dance can stand, those who prefer to sit and enjoy for whatever reason can sit.

Obviously the only way to enjoy a concert is your way.

Would you stand in front of someone clearly unable to stand?

Been to loads of gigs and apart from a really small number of people who might sit for a few mins a time Ive not once seen anyone sitting in the seated bit, is this even a thing for a pretty lively/upbeat band? 😂 might be the type of band I see tbf

Edited - got mixed up meant sitting in the seated bit

Book standing. I go to a lot of gigs and buy seated when I want to SEE the band instead of just listening. So its really annoying when tall people standing front of me on the 1 in 100 gigs I actually booked a seat.

Yep.
Most people probably hate being anywhere near you.

Dancing, screaming, swaying, singing, waving your arms sounds pretty irritating tbh.

This makes me think of the old black and white footage you see of Beatles concerts 😂😂

I can imagine the OP being stretchered off during the warm-up performance.

If you want to stand get a standing ticket. Don't ruin it for those of us who PAY for seated tickets.

She may well be if she waves her arms in the wrong persons face…

I'm 6 feet tall and am popular at gigs 🤣

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable AT ALL! Recently went to a concert ( mainstream American pop type music , high energy , youngish demographic ) was shouted at by the woman behind along with finger in my face to f’kin sit down! I was genuinely unsure what to do or say … we’re at a pop music concert not the philharmonic!! Her daughter was screeching along to the lyrics having a whale of a time but didn’t tell her to shut the f up ! There were people dancing , people seated , people singing , people silent. You go to a concert for the music , performance , atmosphere etc I have never been to a concert and expected to have anyone seated. Annoying as it may be to have someone blocking your view I think it goes with the territory. My friend got asked to sit down once because the person next to her was trying to eat a pasty 🤣

I was at The Prodigy on Friday night- no one was sitting down for that!!! (RIP Keith)

But surely @StacksOfSnacks you wouldn’t be doing this dramatically ott behaviour at Louis Tomlinson?! 🤨

Seating areas are designed for... sitting. Some people want/have to to sit and/or dont want to be bothered by people jumping around and waving their arms around.

If you want to do that, get a standing ticket. Otherwise appreciate, you might be asked to sit down and show sone courtesy.

Gig behaviour is getting awful generally though. I went to one a few weeks back and people were pushing and shoving kids and making fun of what people were wearing. The artist didnt help by telling people to get on each other's shoulders and get their phones out. I'm short, I understand that by standing I risk not being able to see anything but I definately couldnt after that!

Gigs make me laugh though, you pay all that money to see someone sing live and then the best gigs are the ones where everyone sings along loudly! 🤣

They can hear you, and it's super annoying

Taller in back.

I've missed whole shows because of tall people standing in front of me in seated areas. It really sucks.

I actually find the 6ft people more considerate. Its usually the 5.3 female i get sticking their hair in my face without any thought or consideration to where they stop.

Id have just looked blank at her and carried on 🤣

As clearly printed on the ticket OP shared, the seated area at the concert permits standing as well so the seated area in this instance is designed for sitting and standing. In this case it would be discourteous to ask fellow concert goers to sit.

Same at lower league football stadia. I find it really irritating to pay for seats and then have people on the row in front who stand for the entire match blocking our view and meaning we have to stand, which in turn means those behind us have to stand. If people want to stand, just go into the standing area.

Standing in a seated area is just plain inconsiderate and selfish, whether a gig, footie match, theatre, or whatever.

I book standing. I go to a lot of gigs and always choose standing when I can.

if I do have to book seated I make sure to book where no one is sitting behind me so that if I want to stand I’m not inconveniencing anyone else. I’d rather stand tho.

I book standing. I go to a lot of gigs and always choose standing when I can.

if I do have to book seated I make sure to book where no one is sitting behind me so that if I want to stand I’m not inconveniencing anyone else. I’d rather stand tho.