AIBU to think drunken behaviour is ruining outdoor gigs?

[Mapletreelane]

Went to see Pulp last night at Wythenshawe Gardens. They were absolutely fantastic (as was Self Esteem supporting). I'm a Pulp fan and was really excited. I realise it's outdoor and people are going to have a few beverages and have a chat and a good time but behaviour at outdoor gigs seems.ti be getting worse. It seemed to be full of absolutely hammered middle aged men and women, who clearly only knew 2 sings, couldn't stand up and were just shouting at each other during any song that wasn't Common People or Disco 2000. And they've paid £80 plus £10 a can for the privilege. The group right in front of me (it was too late to move at that point ) had their backs to the stage most of the gig, were shouting at each constantly and kept falling into me. What i don't understand is why they paid to get in...why didn't they just go to the pub or a club. Surely they're not going to remember anything.

One lady decided to hold her phone aloft with the torch on pointed at the back of the crowd to be a beacon to get her friends to the same spot but blinding everyone behind. Someone took offense and asked her to stop as it was in his eyeline and blocking his view and she just had a go at him and started shining her torch in his eyes. Just pure entitlement (this was during the performance).

I realise I'm getting older and less tolerant but it's definitely been getting worse. Genuinely do not see the point of spending a lot money to get hammered and not remember a thing to see bands you're not even fans of (and annoying everyone else).

Anyway rant over. Pulp and Jarvis were incredible as ever (what a front man) but I may stick to indoor gigs from now on.

Indoor gigs and sporting events have been just as bad recently. Just some examples ive seen:

At a rugby game earlier this year a group of people didnt book enough seats together so the one a seat elsewhere sat on the stairs causing absolute carnage with people trying to navigate round them with drinks. Security did nothing even when someone nearly tripped down the stairs. Also, during the space of the first 40 mins we had to get up no less than 20 times to let people out for drinks/toilet breaks. Second half was almost as bad, barely saw any if the match.

Someone filming an entire concert on a massive ipad arms fully extended.

Some one getting yanked into their seat by their pony tail as the person behind dint want them standing/dancing.

Bunch of drunks in the hospitality boxes throwing drinks over those in the seats in front for what appeared to be absolutely no reason.

A fist fight between a bunch of women in the standing area.

A couple already hammered before the concert even started getting up every five minutes for more drinks (they were just necking them) and abusing people for no reason each time they got up. People complained to security and told them to sit in their seats. Kept sitting in other people's seats and giving them shit when asked to move. Then finally getting ejected after their last trip to the bar nearly ended up with him going head first over the railings. Only saved by the people he'd already abused then shoved around once back on his feet.

And just the general inability of people getting drinks and going to the loo before the event starts and then spending the day/evening disturbing the people who did think ahead thus missing half of the event they paid a fortune to go see.

I was there as well, long term fan with my best friend. A man shoulder barged past me so hard I nearly fell over so I lost my temper and did swear at him. He had barged his way past to see them play Spike Island and then disappeared but not before saying that if he was a c* then so was I. I've been going to gigs for 30 years and if people want to get past you fine say excuse me don't nearly knock over a woman half the size of you. Apart from that we had an amazing time.

As a live music fan and Pulp fan this would have really pissed me off. I think some people just go along to see any big name and will pay out a lot just to say they've been in. So annoying when they can't behave either.

And I bet the next day they were telling everyone what an amazing gig it was!

I suppose the knee jerk reaction is to say ban alcohol at such events but a) its such a huge revenue stream for the venue and b) security then has to be increased to stop people bringing it in ( which is nigh on impossible) c) people just get even more drunk before hand.

The real answer is these idiots have to grow up.

It's always the people who don't know the music, always famous bands, and they're buying up tickets that could have gone to real fans just so they can post a photo on social media. It's the coke heads that totally do my head in.

Galleries are the same now. You can't get near some paintings because of all the idiots taking photos, just trying to look cultured for their 'followers'. They never actually bother to look at the artwork.

Yep was there and most people near us were great big ridiculously drunk man behind me kept falling into me and clearly hadn’t the vaguest idea who pulp were. And another fella shouting on his phone for good 10/15 mins (where are you?). So weird. Just enjoy the music and find your mates in a bit. I think problem is it opened at 3pm - there’s a lot of drinking before pulp came on at 9pm

Many concerts I have been to has involved a fight. Not involving me I should add. Actually one didn’t. Iggy Pop.
Arguments and fights are commonplace.

For those who prefer their gigs civilised as well as musically entertaining, I highly recommend the Divine Comedy!
Always make new friends, people are genuinely there for the music not the booze, and it’s all just wonderful.

Saw Pink couple of years ago (stadium gig) and a couple across the aisle were very drunk

She fell down the concrete steps but fortunately seemed unhurt

He vomited onto the person sat in front of him 🤢🤮

Horrendous behaviour 😫

I saw Pulp last year at the London O2 (standing) and a couple of years before that in Finsbury Park. I'm 50, a massive Pulp fan, danced and sang all the words the whole way through but I certainly had a few drinks too. I like to have a drink when I go to a gig, although I wasn't massively drunk. No trouble at all at the O2, there were a few arseholes at Finsbury Park though and they were all middle aged people who should have known better. Also looked miserable and didn't sing or dance once so I'm not sure why they bothered going.

Went to the weeknd stadium gig this year.

There were some very drunk women outside, but they didn't get in. Then a very very drunk woman afterwards. But during didn't see anything untoward at all. It was a fantastic night!

I was there Friday night and we had an amazing time, we were quite near the front, but off to the side and the crowd around us seemed to be 'fans', we were all singing and dancing together.

Baffles me how anyone could afford to get pissed, wine was £30 a bottle! I had a can of cider and DD14 had a can of pop and that cost me a tenner!

Leaving was a bit scary as people started fighting once we were out of the park but security were on them pretty quickly

Pulp were brilliant, as always

We were at Pulp on Friday too and I did have an amazing time but I do think that there is a mid point in the crowd where people are there for the event and it's really irritating for the fans who don't want to be towards the front.

Some middle aged people (and I say this as a middle aged person who goes to gigs regularly) are awful for chucking money at tickets that they're not bothered about because a mate sort of fancies it, then getting drunk on quantities of alcohol that not only not wise, but also that they aren't used to and can't cope with, and then either chatting about nothing or getting lairy.
We didn't see any violence or falling over but had to move because the level of chatting was really intrusive and some quite inconsiderate behaviour.

It does happen at smaller gigs, especially on a Fri/sat, but not quite as difficult to navigate as it's more of an exception. Though weirdly the bigger the band/more expensive the more awful the behaviour and definitely worse post COVID. The younger crowds are the worst for phones though imo.

The big day festival type things have become such a big thing now and I think it does lend itself to people looking for an experience/event rather than seeing the band. I think piece hall is an exception and it is incredibly well organised and feels really safe (we took our DD to a concert there a couple of months ago and didn't feel at all concerned).

People are also badly behaved in theatres and cinemas too with chatting, snacks and bloody phones. There is absolutely no reason anyone should be in the theatre texting constantly. I'd rather go on my own than go with someone who blatantly didn't care about being there 🤷‍♀️

Brits are a nation of pissheads. Blame the Viking’s!

it was the same at The Cure last week. Some people spent more time at the bar than watching and were back and too for a piss every 20 mins.

I was there and it was the worst pulp gig I’ve been to. I think Wythenshawe Park is a terrible venue and you are really hemmed in if you actually want to see the stage, which exacerbates people being dickheads as you can’t just move back/ to the side a bit as it’s rammed up and until you can’t actually see anything. Even the vip was laughable as you just got your own bar and food area but no cordoned off place to stand. I’ve seen a few disparaging posts about oasis but last year’s gigs at Heaton Park were loads better because there was more space and a better view.

I’ve seen pulp 3 times since they came back. 2 out door - Transmit and Hogmanay so both very boozy. I will say I agree with you about people who only know two songs, but people are gonna get drunk (and high) at outdoor gigs.

I watched Sam Fender at Wythenshawe last year and it was pretty much the same. I opted for Cure tickets in Athens this summer and the vibe was excellent. People were drinking but it’s not the pissed up carnage that you get at UK gigs now.

I've mostly stopped going to concerts, indoors or outdoors, because of the behaviour. I'm in my middle 60s - i have been to a lot of concerts! Mind you, last outdoors concert I went to was The Stranglers earlier this year. Behaviour was impeccable - mostly older folk who were going to concerts when it was all about the music, not partying.

Really interesting replies. Think I'm going to stick to indoor and smaller venues. Pulp at the O2 last year had much nicer atmosphere.

Final comment...Self Esteem was excellent, I'll look into her music more. And Pulp were magnificent. Jarvis has absolutely still got it, what a performer.

Ive been to two concerts this summer, very different music and very different experiences. We saw foo fighters and the crowd where amazing, we where near the front , nobody shoving or being obnoxious, lots of space (i think the million degree heat had an impact). Everybody helped each other and the atmosphere was great. The second was Alanis Morrisette and that was slightly ruined by very drunk men behind me screaming along (not getting a single lyrics correct) , bashing into people and spilling drinks everywhere. After two songs I had to move away as I hadn't heard a single word she had sung.

I saw Divine Comedy at Swansea in recent months. Class act and audience were fantastic, all there to see the band and experience great musicianship. This is what I hoped for with Pulp but the people around me were not looking for the same experience. Pissed up and mindless. We couldn't escape them, we were surrounded! At least I got a nice t-shirt from the Rat and Pigeon. Spent hundreds to go to this concert, travel, accomodation etc a very expensive lesson to learn from!

Love Self Esteem. I’ve seen her live at a smallish venue and perfect crowd. Women were in the majority.

I was supposed to go to this concert but I was ill! Luckily I saw them at the Co Op last year, but I wouldn't have enjoyed that lairy atmosphere.

I was at the Cure at the same venue last weekend and saw similar behaviour. People talking loudly about the football instead of listening to the music, people shoulder barging others out of the way to get to the front, and one woman ripped a man's glasses off his face during a fight. She got escorted out for that as did the guy who pissed on the security fence so as not to lose his spot up front by going to the toilets.

Plenty of decent people there too I'm sure but enough bad apples to ruin the atmosphere although the Cure themselves were excellent and I'm still glad I went. But when they tour again I'll see them elsewhere because there's just something about Wythenshawe Park that lends itself to and crowd behaviour - probably at least partly due to how packed it is. Lots of people have been saying they've never seen crowd behaviour like that at any other Cure concert. I would have thought Cure fans were a good bunch but you could have fooled me that night for sure.

There needs to be a database of people ejected from concerts to ban them from any other concerts for a set period of time, life for the most serious or repeat offenders.

There should be stringent guidelines regarding selling tickets, maybe some kind of quiz regarding the band in question to make sure that only real fans can attend and not just people out to cause trouble.