ok this might get long.. and i'm just gonna rant a little bit here on my soap box..
let me just start out by saying the shows the band put on in Tuscaloosa and Alpharetta were un-fucking-real.. the song lists and the way those songs were played together were a masterfully executed story to me.. thanks to the band and all my friends new and old, who made a great weekend even better.
but some things i saw this weekend troubled me, deeply.
About halfway through Neko's set in ATL.. I decided to take a walk up and grab an empty seat near the top because the sound seemed to carry across the ceiling and out over the lawn very well.. i think that was the intention behind the design of the pavillion over the GA pit.. I got around 4 hours of sleep last night so it was awesome to kind of take a load off and take the atmosphere all in from 2 shows in the deep south on a weekend of good weather in August. I stayed on the rail the entire show in Tuscaloosa.. so i just wanted to look at things from a different perspective.
I was up front near the center of the pit for the first 6 songs from MMJ but had to take a much needed break for the restroom.. and as i was walking back down from the top of the pavillion.. i took a seat in one of the many empty reserved seats because it looked damn near impossible to get back through the sea of people.. i just enjoyed the view of the whole place and the sound and catching glimpses of people rocking out in the foreground.
when they started playing the really heavy and deep jam of dondante i remember that throughout the song i went from sitting in a seat to standing in a crowd of people 100 yards closer to the stage.. the song was building and it seemed like a gravitating type of experience for me..
it seemed like the GA area of the venue last night was a very disorienting experience.. alot of rude and obnoxious people..
i don't normally criticize how people behave in public until it interferes with other peoples' experiences.. but i distinctly remember looking at all the people in the pit and observing that during the don dante jam, about 80% of the pit was pre-occupied with something other than the music..
They were getting their picture taken with their best Joe Cool pose.. or engaged in a 10 person conversation about nothing.. or even the always awesome hand full of glow sticks thrown in a line drive fashion directly over their heads and hitting folks in the face. i remember noticing that alot of people had turned their backs on the band and were acting all crazy and laughing about dumb shit or saying something rude and/or obnoxious..
it made it all the more easy for me to notice that 20% who were rocking out and how much trouble those others were causing.. now I know I've been known to badly sing along to the lyrics.. or yell out a "holy shit".... or jump around and/or grind on bystanders.. mostly I might even exchange high fives and thoughtless expressions of emotion with my friends around me.. but i think for the most part.. i like to be around people who are respectful of other people in that they are sharing a tight space.. seemed like most of the people down there had no interest in what was going on as far as the show goes.. like they were caught up in this sense of self-importance and how crazy they could act or how cool it was that they were there for such an "epic" show and how they need to tweet something to their twitter about the show
to the dad who kept re-assuringly patting his son on the back after he'd frequently turn around and see what this group of crazy people was doing behind him.. to the (at least) 10 or so people who's view was blocked 100% by a moron waving a homemade flag he'd made and brought just for the show.. i'm sorry
in tuscaloosa the guy next to me on the rail was so out of his mind fucked up that he was asking me to tap the video tech busy with the video camera on the shoulder and ask him to go get him a bottle of water..
this is the same guy who jumped the rail and with a strange, crazed look on his face, got on the stage to grab one of the setlists.. one of the MMJ roadies ran over to stop the guy.. and kind of stopped in his tracks and let the whole situation just happen.. but really, who wants to touch a man wearing those extremely tight spandex cycling shorts with tevas.. no shirt.. and puke all over his sweaty chest
there was no way i could have made it back up to where my friends were in the pit, so I ended up walking up to the grass lawn and just laying in the grass and rocking out by myself.. the people up there seemed to be more into the show and werent distracting in the least bit.. holy shit I can't believe they played Cobra in the encore.
i'm now convinced that MMJ shows have evolved to be only enjoyable in the pit if you can manage to stay surrounded by decent, respectful human beings, and it's sad.
i realize this may make me sound critical or judgmental to some people, but i think it would be less than honorable to not speak out against people who are very obviously acting like jackasses in public and screwing with the vibe..
i wish there were a "blue coat crew" kinda like during the grateful dead's prime touring days.. who were basically just fans who volunteered to play security.. only they didn't run around threatening people by shining a flashlight in their eyes or carrying a nightstick.. they just talked some common sense into some people who needed it or carried people out who were giving people a hard time.. "maintainers of peace" i guess you could call them
i feel like MMJ as a band have worked very hard to create a unique kind of experience and very many people are missing the very point intended.. and it's sad
sorry for the long rant.. i just thought about this on the 5 hour drive home from ATL.. maybe i'm just grumpy from lack of sleep and all that driving this weekend..
to summarize:
the world is full of idiots. it's damn near impossible to avoid them.
I completely agree with you. I had to deal with several douchebags (I rarely ever use that term, but it applied to the wasted Tuscaloosa frat boys) and I just wondered, "Why the hell would you spend money to go to a concert that you obviously care nothing about remembering or allowing other people to enjoy?"
Sorry to hear about your crowd experience, DG. I do believe what you describe is a bunch of drunks. And unfortunately, they are at every show. In the immortal words of Slick Rick:
"Hey kid, walk straight, master your high"
Sorry to hear about that. It's very frustrating when you have those kind of people at a show, when there's so much love and appreciation that comes from the group on this forum. You should read the Merriweather thread about the crap that went on there.
It's funny how much this echos the Phish threads just before the hiatus and now - a bunch of kids who are there for the "check-in" if you will, and not for the music.
By and large, this is part of why I like You Wanna Freak Out. Granted, that song was mainly about the "too-cool" crowd, but the point still holds - some people are just there to collect the badge, say they were there at that particular time and place, and not actually do the "work" that's required to really have the badge of losing your head at a show, then have the balls to criticize the band for doing too much of this or not enough of that.
Aside from my back injuries, this is another reason why I don't like going up front as much anymore. Too many people either ruining other people's time by not giving a shit, or others who care too much (the ones who tell people they can't stand here, don't stand because I want to sit, etc).
I saw them play at the Tabernacle in 06 and it was a pretty awesome crowd and I had a great time. I saw them play Chastain Park in 2010 and it was easily my least favorite show. A big reason was because of the crowd. We decided after that show that we probably wouldn't be going back to ATL for a show.
I completely agree, most everyone around me in the pit were talking to each other /taking pictures ike it was a fraternity band party or some shit. I hated to see the band get hit with glowsticks too. I wish they would have just pulled a tenacious d move and make their heads explode. They still killed it though
I was on the rail (Carl side) and didn't notice any of this, aside from the glow sticks... Then again on the rail it's pretty easy to block everything out. There was one obnoxiously drunk guy that kept yelling "CARL IS THE SHIIIIIIIIT" but he moved on quickly, probably next to you ;D
Great show, set list left something to be desired... and then the encore happened. Awesome.
I was on the rail, dead center. Carl side seemed to be calm and respectful save for a few, while Jim side was just nuts.
I think one of the problems with the Alpharetta show was that they seemed to have over sold tickets to the pit. It was one of the most densely packed pits Ive ever been in and it only continued to get worse as the show progressed.
One thing that I personally have problems with at shows recently is the number of people taking pictures/videos the show instead of actually watching the show. Now, I get taking some pictures and a few videos here and there, but to sit there for about 70% of the show with a camera in your hand is ridiculous.
It's only going to get worse. As a society, we are losing respect for the people on stage b/c so many are being brainwashed into thinking they are part of the show; that when they go into public places, they are participating in "reality TV". That, and glowsticks.
trust me, it's only going to get worse...
(http://cdn.blogs.sheknows.com/realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com/2010/02/jersey-shores-mike-the-situation-sorrentino-self-proclaimed-king-reality-tv.jpg)
and, you're getting old. I did my time on the rail and still do from time to time, but I don't like to put up with the nonsense as much as I used to.
Quote from: Tracy 2112 on Aug 21, 2011, 05:19 PM
It's only going to get worse. As a society, we are losing respect for the people on stage b/c so many are being brainwashed into thinking they are part of the show; that when they go into public places, they are participating in "reality TV". That, and glowsticks.
trust me, it's only going to get worse...
(http://cdn.blogs.sheknows.com/realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com/2010/02/jersey-shores-mike-the-situation-sorrentino-self-proclaimed-king-reality-tv.jpg)
and, you're getting old. I did my time on the rail and still do from time to time, but I don't like to put up with the nonsense as much as I used to.
Agreed.
Quote from: the_wizzard on Aug 21, 2011, 11:38 AMI do believe what you describe is a bunch of drunks.
i drank 3 LARGE beers before the show at a pub down the road from the place and about 3 or 4 throughout the night at the vzwireless ampitheater.. hell i drank all the way up onto about 9:30 when MMJ went on so I could have plenty of time to sober up for the drive back to FL..
i do not and probably will not ever accept "i was drunk" as an excuse for someone to make such ridiculous decisions..
i'm not saying it's not okay to act a little crazy when your drinking or whatever.. but i think that Tracy is right...
Welcome to the "Jersey Shore" era of American culture
case in point...
at Hangout fest 2011 I remember taking a very warm tequila shooter and shortly after taking it the liquor did not take so well to my stomach and i made a sour face like i might throw up.. my friends Rob and Trish helped guide me up to an open space where I could upchuck if need be.. I wound up regaining my composure because of this gesture and was fine.. crisis diverted
Quote from: darkglow on Aug 21, 2011, 08:22 PM
case in point...
at Hangout fest 2011 I remember taking a very warm tequila shooter and shortly after taking it the liquor did not take so well to my stomach and i made a sour face like i might throw up.. my friends Rob and Trish helped guide me up to an open space where I could upchuck if need be.. I wound up regaining my composure because of this gesture and was fine.. crisis diverted
I remember that out of control drunk with the neon green shorts that peed on himself and then busted through the crowd to get to the rail ;D ;D ;D
am i the only one who limits his beer intake as to avoid the possibility of hitting the bathroom during the most epic part of the show? because you know that's how it works. you gotta pee, and hten the best thing ever will happen the minute it's too late to pinch.
Quote from: el_chode on Aug 21, 2011, 09:50 PM
am i the only one who limits his beer intake as to avoid the possibility of hitting the bathroom during the most epic part of the show? because you know that's how it works. you gotta pee, and hten the best thing ever will happen the minute it's too late to pinch.
Same formula for me. No beer, just liquor. Go once before the show and I'm good to go. Works 90% of the time.
Quote from: el_chode on Aug 21, 2011, 09:50 PM
am i the only one who limits his beer intake as to avoid the possibility of hitting the bathroom during the most epic part of the show? because you know that's how it works. you gotta pee, and hten the best thing ever will happen the minute it's too late to pinch.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41WzJrwejjL._AA280_.jpg)
Amen. Also near the Carl side, on the rail for Alpharetta. What an amazing show - probably one of their best that I've seen. But for crying out loud, I used to get annoyed by the frat segment that basically just took up space and spent more time talking to their "brah" on the phone, but I learned to let it go... deep breathing... in with the good and out with the bad. BUT when these douches start pelting the band with glow sticks... one, it should never happen at all, but 2, during Dondante? Are you freaking kidding me? I was out of my mind livid. Still can't believe it.
Plus, these idiots are changing. Can't be older than 20... they're like little drunk babies, and they could care less about watching the show. In fact this twit behind me had her back turned most of the time. I really hate sounding like that old lady down the street that yells at the kids when the put a foot on her yard, but for fuck's sake, who raises these little morons? And yes, it simply IS just like getting a badge for them. They have no interest in this band. Pfft.
How I miss the days of 40 Watt shows and Blue Cats...
Bigherm, I also heard the "Carl is the shit" guy! Didn't he also ask to marry him? :)
Quote from: el_chode on Aug 21, 2011, 09:50 PM
am i the only one who limits his beer intake as to avoid the possibility of hitting the bathroom during the most epic part of the show? because you know that's how it works. you gotta pee, and hten the best thing ever will happen the minute it's too late to pinch.
No. I totally do this too. Plus, my rocking out is seriously restricted with a cup in my hand.
Quote from: el_chode on Aug 21, 2011, 09:50 PM
am i the only one who limits his beer intake as to avoid the possibility of hitting the bathroom during the most epic part of the show? because you know that's how it works. you gotta pee, and hten the best thing ever will happen the minute it's too late to pinch.
I'm not a big fan of drinking during the show for a couple reasons. I don't like trying to fight your way back to the rail after taking a piss, and I'm always afraid of missing something while in the bathroom.
pretty awesome that this thread is now about urination tactics for shows. hahaha.
I pretty much limit my drinking to pre show, but ill have a beer or two inside sometimes.
Quote from: Ghosts_on_TV on Aug 21, 2011, 11:10 PM
I pretty much limit my drinking to pre show, but ill have a beer or two inside sometimes.
Same here....1 beer when i get in the venue and maybe one more during the show
I had the same experience, darkglow, except I was in the shit of it all. I should have followed you to the seats/lawn...I'm glad to hear you escaped it at least.
I could barely hear half of the dondante jam at alpharetta due to a mass of about 4 obscenely drunk and blabbering/bro-hugging/shoulder squeezing a-wipies. It wasn't until the encore that they wore themselves out enough to quit talking.
I have no problem with drinking at shows and hard-groovin' (and I'm really sorry if scosby and darkglow do, b/c I was in a rail-rocking mood in ttown ;) ), but there's a difference between enthusiasm and inconsiderateness. As long as people don't talk too much and live by the 2'x2' rule it's all good in my book...but the alpharetta crowd was a total bummer.
A few thoughts.
--The glowstick throwing got annoying, Bo got the worst of it. They were all consummate professionals though, likely noticing 10k people rocking their butts off.
--As for urination tactics, At Bonnaroo this year, I took an empty gallon jug with me and just used that out in the open during the set (victory dance and highly suspicious), the latter serving as an appropriate song considering the looks I was getting. On a related note, dropping a deuce during the set break of a panic show always pays off. It makes the second set feel like a first set!
--Lastly Mildly disappointed in the length of the set. Seemed like the average show length for this tour is 23 songs, and we got 20 and a half. However, the encore and dancefloors >one big holiday (one of the best 1-2 punch to end an mmj show), made up for it. and cobra....THANK YOU!
Quote from: EasyRyder on Aug 21, 2011, 11:44 PM
I had the same experience, darkglow, except I was in the shit of it all. I should have followed you to the seats/lawn...I'm glad to hear you escaped it at least.
I could barely hear half of the dondante jam at alpharetta due to a mass of about 4 obscenely drunk and blabbering/bro-hugging/shoulder squeezing a-wipies. It wasn't until the encore that they wore themselves out enough to quit talking.
I have no problem with drinking at shows and hard-groovin' (and I'm really sorry if scosby and darkglow do, b/c I was in a rail-rocking mood in ttown ;) ), but there's a difference between enthusiasm and inconsiderateness. As long as people don't talk too much and live by the 2'x2' rule it's all good in my book...but the alpharetta crowd was a total bummer.
Whatd you think of the ttown crowd? I was on Jims side rail and had a good amount of frat boys just yelling and and talking the whole time. Actually when Neko Case came on they were yelling at them to get off stage and Neko commented that they could hear those asswipes. Completely disrespectful. I thought the Alpharetta crowd was better but that is probably bc I had reserved seats for that show and really didnt have many people around me.
That encore was so awesome in alpharetta, just thought id add that.
Quote from: dewalston on Aug 21, 2011, 11:50 PM
Quote from: EasyRyder on Aug 21, 2011, 11:44 PM
I had the same experience, darkglow, except I was in the shit of it all. I should have followed you to the seats/lawn...I'm glad to hear you escaped it at least.
I could barely hear half of the dondante jam at alpharetta due to a mass of about 4 obscenely drunk and blabbering/bro-hugging/shoulder squeezing a-wipies. It wasn't until the encore that they wore themselves out enough to quit talking.
I have no problem with drinking at shows and hard-groovin' (and I'm really sorry if scosby and darkglow do, b/c I was in a rail-rocking mood in ttown ;) ), but there's a difference between enthusiasm and inconsiderateness. As long as people don't talk too much and live by the 2'x2' rule it's all good in my book...but the alpharetta crowd was a total bummer.
Whatd you think of the ttown crowd? I was on Jims side rail and had a good amount of frat boys just yelling and and talking the whole time. Actually when Neko Case came on they were yelling at them to get off stage and Neko commented that they could hear those asswipes. Completely disrespectful. I thought the Alpharetta crowd was better but that is probably bc I had reserved seats for that show and really didnt have many people around me.
That encore was so awesome in alpharetta, just thought id add that.
I remember hearing Neko say that, but I didn't hear them yelling- what wieners they must've been. I did hear someone yell at Neko to play Wonderful at Alpharetta though ::).
I can't really speak for the t-town crowd b/c I was flanked by none other than the trusty darkglow and scosby. It seemed like there was some talking behind me, but my head was so close to Jim's monitor that I couldn't hear very much even after Circuital.
Besides the rail-jumping lunatic who snatched a set list off the stage, I wasn't too bothered by the crowd. The vibe seemed pretty powerful and focused from my standpoint.
the drunks blow my mind that they would pay to go to a show that they are never gonna remember....the talkers piss me off more though, i paid good money, drove many miles, i don't care what you have to say to your kindergarten friends, i came for the rock, if you are shouting to be heard over the band you should be killed, or at least ejected forcefully...STFU!
Tonight's show in Charlotte was filled with many of the same obnoxious, rude and insesitive people you speak of. I empathized with everything you wrote. But to counteract the bad ju-ju tonight I gave out a free pit ticket, handed out almost 100 free MMJ bumper stickers and gave someone one of the big Circuital magnetic eyes off my car. What goes around comes around.... I hope. Great show though. But way too short.
Honestly, I have recently limited all beer consumption to pre-show in hopes on not having to take any bathroom breaks.
Generally, I get so into the show I feel almost as if the planet has paused to let MMJ play and then carry on. I seem to miss out on what is going on around me during the shows, lol.
CHIMMJFAN
Quote from: CHIMMJFAN on Aug 22, 2011, 03:11 AM
Honestly, I have recently limited all beer consumption to pre-show in hopes on not having to take any bathroom breaks.
Generally, I get so into the show I feel almost as if the planet has paused to let MMJ play and then carry on. I seem to miss out on what is going on around me during the shows, lol.
CHIMMJFAN
Amen brother. I can hold it if I have to, but I won't miss a single minute of the Jacket live. It's just like taking a sabatical from life.
Quote from: DejaView2011 on Aug 22, 2011, 03:17 AM
Quote from: CHIMMJFAN on Aug 22, 2011, 03:11 AM
Honestly, I have recently limited all beer consumption to pre-show in hopes on not having to take any bathroom breaks.
Generally, I get so into the show I feel almost as if the planet has paused to let MMJ play and then carry on. I seem to miss out on what is going on around me during the shows, lol.
CHIMMJFAN
Amen brother. I can hold it if I have to, but I won't miss a single minute of the Jacket live. It's just like taking a sabatical from life.
i was able to take multiple bathroom breaks at T5.. there was hardly ever an issue squeezing through the crowd to get back up with my friends in the front..
but like i said it was very disorienting when i tried to get back down into the pit during the height of the glow stick throwing and people raising their voice over the band to tell that funny joke they heard..
at one point.. early on before MMJ came onto the stage to open the set.. i was able to get back up to rock out with Easyryder his gal. everyone seemed alert and anxious.. and were willing to let me slide up past them
Surreal is a word that gets tossed around a lot and I've never known what it means because I've never worked with a famous actor....however I was at the Alpharetta show and looked around during Don Donte and saw 90% of the pit on cell phones or talking and that's when it hit me......"I'm actually really in a surreal moment" !!!!!
This is not just a problem at Jacket shows. I fucking hate people, sorry. Tired of the douchbag brahs and trendy as fuck hipsters who pollute the venues ruining it for others with their non stop talking or the too cool for school attitudes. I'm tired of the little immature 16 year olds you think they need to act like Hulk Hogan in the pit. Booze is not the reason (for a few out of control people it might be) but it's as Tracy said, just a total lack of respect for the artists and fellow concert goers..
As for the drinking, only pre show and only to the point of buzzage. I hate waiting 10 minutes to take a waz and it just plain bothers me that 99% of the dudes do NOT WASH THEIR HANDS. Just wrong. You have to watch them causually walk out with piss spattered hands. And most of the time the drinks at the venue are grossly over-priced.
My last Jacket show in Cary, NC was the same way. Lots of hipsters on cell phones trying to look pretty. It isn't just "people". I don't how MMJ got this group of fans, but after seeing over 60 Widespread Panic shows, I am pretty spoiled. The most out of their mind person there is still there for the music and following the flow of the show, giving their energy to the stage and show, not to their twitter account.
Quote from: mjk73 on Aug 22, 2011, 07:25 AM
This is not just a problem at Jacket shows. I fucking hate people, sorry. Tired of the douchbag brahs and trendy as fuck hipsters who pollute the venues ruining it for others with their non stop talking or the too cool for school attitudes. I'm tired of the little immature 16 year olds you think they need to act like Hulk Hogan in the pit. Booze is not the reason (for a few out of control people it might be) but it's as Tracy said, just a total lack of respect for the artists and fellow concert goers..
Fiction Plane - Hate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8IevTJNOsk#)
Sorry, but this song popped in my head when I read that first line of your post mjk! :thumbsup: :beer:
I too hate the douchebag fratboys and sorority girls who are at the shows more for the social scene or so they can say they were there than for actually appreciating what is going on up on stage?!
I've been kind of lucky at the shows I've been to in not experiencing too much of this. Most of the time though, I like to just chill back on the lawns of venues as opposed to trying to get close to the rail. Meadow Brook was actually my first pit experience with this band and I gotta say, I came away from that experience feeling very good about it. The pit wasn't too crowded at all and it seemed that everyone in there was really into the show. Although, every show I go to, I'm so focused on the band and the music that it's hard for outside distractions to get to me.
As for everyone's beer rules, I too try to limit my beer consumption to pre-show. I may have one during the opening act but outside of that, I don't like the prospect of a) holding my beer while I'm trying to rock out and b) trying to decide when I can get away to relieve the blatter! :D
Besides, I much prefer the MMJ experience after burning one anyways... :P 8)
Quote from: el_chode on Aug 21, 2011, 02:43 PM
It's funny how much this echos the Phish threads just before the hiatus and now - a bunch of kids who are there for the "check-in" if you will, and not for the music.
Ugh. Don't remind me of those Phish crowds. That's one of the reasons I stopped going to Phish shows was because of all the wannabee hippies acting like they're struggling from show to show, meanwhile they're living off of their parents' trust funds and driving their BMW's?! ::)
Quote from: celi on Aug 21, 2011, 10:42 PM
In fact this twit behind me had her back turned most of the time.
I think we were right by you. Was the girl in question a heavyset one (very heavy actually)? I made remarks to my wife and brother how she spent more time with her back to the show then facing it.
As a whole I've been in worse pits...thought this one was pretty tame with very few invading your space that you already had. We had plenty of friendly people in our immediate area and had a great vibe.
My brother and I also went the liquor route and got our pee's in pre show.
The glowsticks are fun when thrown straight up at a cool moment in a song but I'm at a loss why you'd pay $50 to see an amazing band and then throw something at them while they are playing.
We started out one person behind the rail (Carl's side) and ended up getting pushed back six or seven people deep. There were a lot of rudeass bitches around us, including these dudes who talked for the duration of Neko's set. They even loudly proclaimed, "I wish this bitch would get off stage."
And then there was Broseidon, Lord of the Pit. It was this dude who'd obviously never learned the art of maintaining. He was rolling hard and tossing glowsticks around. Total asshole. I ended up leaving the pit after Black Metal because I just couldn't stand all the shit that was going down.
I guess I am just getting old; perhaps that's why these antics irritate me. But then again, when I was a college kid in the pit at shows, we always had fun and everyone around us was in to the music and considerate. But then again, I smoked a lot more weed in those days...
But yeah, people can be assholes. I saw some jerk throw a glowstick at Jim and was mortified. This band, these people, came to our city out of kindness to raise money for the United Way to help us rebuild our city and you're going to be disrespectful? Weak.
I just had to brush it off and try to stay positive. I mean, shit; how often do you get to rock out to MMJ?
:)
Quote from: Hatfield on Aug 22, 2011, 09:15 AM
My last Jacket show in Cary, NC was the same way. Lots of hipsters on cell phones trying to look pretty. It isn't just "people". I don't how MMJ got this group of fans, but after seeing over 60 Widespread Panic shows, I am pretty spoiled. The most out of their mind person there is still there for the music and following the flow of the show, giving their energy to the stage and show, not to their twitter account.
i'm guessing this was last spring at Koka? I was there and i contributed it to the # of colleges locally and the crowd was there to party on = a Friday night as opposed to see one of the greatest live bands of our time. TTown is another college town obv so maybe this was part of the issue. I am going to the C-Ville show on Wednesday and school is just getting back so we'll see
I honestly think MMJ should start selling these at their shows...
(http://www.camping-gear-outlet.com/images/product/72/6_279863.jpg)
The safe, sanitary convenient, fully biodegradable way to 'pee' "when plumbing's not available®". Use it, seal it, toss it in normal household trash. Pee-Wee should be in every glove-box, emergency kit, backpack, personal pack, as well as every MMJ show. Let Pee-Wee free you from planning life around proximity to the toilet. You can then toss your Pee-Wee bag at ass-hole concert goers...
Each Includes:
• Pee-Wee unisex urine bag.
• Poo Powder waste gelling/deodorizing agent.
Specifications:
• Slip resistant unisex collar can be used by adults or children.
• Snap-close bag--no spills, no contact.
• Gels 24 oz. of liquid waste.
• Biodegradable dispose in normal trash.
Quote from: Ruckus on Aug 21, 2011, 09:56 PM
Quote from: el_chode on Aug 21, 2011, 09:50 PM
am i the only one who limits his beer intake as to avoid the possibility of hitting the bathroom during the most epic part of the show? because you know that's how it works. you gotta pee, and hten the best thing ever will happen the minute it's too late to pinch.
Same formula for me. No beer, just liquor. Go once before the show and I'm good to go. Works 90% of the time.
i usually plan out my pee breaks before the show. no matter the band, I'll pick out a few songs that I'm okay missing (i.e. I'm Amazed and First Light) and when those songs come on I go pee. If I'm on the rail however I only drink liquor and go during the opener once so I don't have to fight back and forth to the rail all night.
It's nice to read this thread and know that it wasn't just me. For awhile there I started thinking that maybe I am just getting too old to go to a concert. I was there to see the band and groove to the music unlike the majority of the kids around me. It seemed so rude to the band not to pay attention to them.
I was on the rail, Carl's side kind of near the very end. Unbeleivable show. I really didnt notice too many a holes but was pretty shocked at the glowsticks being thrown on stage. I think I was too entranced with the music to pay much attention to the crowd.
Quote from: megalicious on Aug 22, 2011, 10:27 AM
We started out one person behind the rail (Carl's side) and ended up getting pushed back six or seven people deep. There were a lot of rudeass bitches around us, including these dudes who talked for the duration of Neko's set. They even loudly proclaimed, "I wish this bitch would get off stage."
Was this in Alpharetta or Tuscaloosa? I was on Carls side in Alpharetta and don't remember anyone yelling during Nekos set. The guys next to me were in Tuscaloosa though and mentioned how bad the crowd was.
where did the glow stick business start? i noticed it for the first time at one of the t5 shows but is there a story behind it?
This problem occurred to me at night 4 of T5.
This one guy (or douche bag I should say) was ferociously swinging his arms around and bumping into other people trying to watch the show. After being confronted by many fans, this man simply said "If you don't like it, then go watch the show from somewhere else!" He didn't change his ways and continuously tried starting a mosh pitt.
This other guy tried crowd surfing during the encore. After traveling about 5 feet in the air, this guy fell flat on his face. The man shot right back in the air and screamed "Yeah!!" and was searching for high 5's. Others, and myself included shot this guy a dirty look and made him feel like an asshole.
The same guy mentioned above, kept shouting "Cover Pearl Jam you pussies! They made you famous!" Every time he shouted that I wanted to turn around and slap him in the face. As soon as the band went into "Oh Sweet Nuthin!" this fellow turned to me and asked me "Who sings this song?" It was at this moment I realized that douche bags attend MMJ shows and they suck.
My hopes is that Roll Call will separate the die-hards and phonies. When MMJ becomes the biggest band in the world (and trust me one day they will), the die hards will have the best seats in the house and the most pleasant experience. All the assholes will be sitting in the upper tier and can talk amongst themselves.
Sorry to hear about the obnoxious jerks ruining the show for some. I would expect that there would be quite a few obnoxious 'Bammer Frat Brahs at the show.
The glowstick thing is really annoying and the newer epidemic of filming the entire show on your cell phone is even worse. I can understand wanting to get a bit of the show on film but when you've got your phone up in the air all the time it is really annoying and distracting to those around you.
Fortunately, I have not had any problems with bad crowds at the MMJ shows Ive seen but have been subject to some very obnoxious ones in the past.
Quote from: subinai on Aug 22, 2011, 11:44 AM
where did the glow stick business start? i noticed it for the first time at one of the t5 shows but is there a story behind it?
I'm not sure, but the band doesn't seem to mind, or they're really good actors. In Alpharetta Jim was throwing them back out in to the crowd, and putting them in his beard and going with the flow. They also have a glowstick war in the new HOTBM video. Obviously, I doubt they want to get pelted in the dome with one :P
Quote from: subinai on Aug 22, 2011, 11:44 AM
where did the glow stick business start? i noticed it for the first time at one of the t5 shows but is there a story behind it?
I noticed the glow sticks at MSG at NYE. When the band played Librarian, you could see that Jim was completely meditated and in the zone. There were many young kids, maybe 17 years old, throwing them directly at Jim. They kept laughing every time they struck Jim or one of the other band members. I simply grabbed the kid and told him that if he throws one more glow stick, I will grab security.
Quote from: wonderfulman
I simply grabbed the kid and told him that if he throws one more glow stick, I will grab security.
Do they sell these things inside the venues? Or do people bring them in? Some people had to have 100 of them, seems like they should get security to start confiscating these.
Quote from: BigHerm on Aug 22, 2011, 11:57 AM
Quote from: wonderfulman
I simply grabbed the kid and told him that if he throws one more glow stick, I will grab security.
Do they sell these things inside the venues? Or do people bring them in? Some people had to have 100 of them, seems like they should get security to start confiscating these.
Some people bring thousands of them with them. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate on glow sticks. In fact, the glow stick war highlighted in the HOBM actually took place during Steam Engine. It was right in the heap of the Steam Engine jam and was very appropriate. Just don't throw them at the band. Do you really wanna be that asshole who stops the show because one of the guys gets their eyes poked out.
This shit seems to be happening everywhere. Here's a good article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304803104576427723544187238.html (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304803104576427723544187238.html)
This thread saddens me. This kind of disrespectful bullshit can be found at almost all shows. I consider myself blessed that the three shows I caught this tour had no such douche-bags -- around me at least.
I think Jacket fans should come up with a safe zone in the pit. I vote for the rail on Carl's side. I feel like only the die-hards anchor themselves there. For all three shows I attended this summer, I was within the first two rows, had a clear view of the whole band and got Carl rockin' in my face the whole night. Not to mention I had plenty of dancing room, while the Jim side was packed tight twenty-people deep.
No fan deserves to have their show ruined by dirtbags.
welcome to the big leagues.
success can be a real bitch sometimes.
unfortunately when you start gathering larger and larger groups of people together in one location for one event, these issues begin to pop up.
the n00bs have arrived.
Quote from: subinai on Aug 22, 2011, 11:44 AM
where did the glow stick business start? i noticed it for the first time at one of the t5 shows but is there a story behind it?
The 1st time I saw a glowstick war was The Great Went in '97. I remember Trey commenting how cool it looked from the stage.
Darkglow, you are right on. 100%. It's not a matter of you getting old - age is irrelevant.
Most folks who go to Jacket shows are there to soak up the music and share the experience with others in a communal way. They're peaceful people who vibe off the crowd reciprocating the love. So, it's a real shame to see people not respecting the event - the band, the fans, and the venue for that matter.
People need to be accountable for their actions and not ruin the events for others. In other words, respect yourself and your neighbor. It's what Jim and the boys strive for...
Quote from: searchinbig on Aug 22, 2011, 12:24 PM
This shit seems to be happening everywhere. Here's a good article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304803104576427723544187238.html (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304803104576427723544187238.html)
Great article. Thanks for posting.
Quote from: smhoffmann02 on Aug 22, 2011, 01:05 PM
Darkglow, you are right on. 100%. It's not a matter of you getting old - age is irrelevant.
As an old guy, I respectively disagree with this, mainly b/c it's not the old farts raising hell at shows. 10 years ago I was much more inclined to get in the krunk and mix it up, and I still do from time to time. But overall I lean towards being out of the krunk and enjoying the music and lights. I think we mellow a bit as we age, especially if you spend years going ape shit crazy at shows. Some nights, I just don't want to hassle with beer being spilled on me, cigarettes being waved in my face and feet being stepped on. As a youngster, I was down for that whenever. Not so much anymore. :)
Most of the bad stuff that goes on at the shows (especially when in the pit) doesn't really bother me. I figure it's their loss if they want to pay good money to see a fantastic show and waste it by either getting too wasted or too busy texting, yakking with each other or whatever but I have to say the glow stick thing REALLY bothers me. What is the purpose of throwing those things to begin with much less at the band?? I forget what show it was where I saw a lot of that going on but I wanted to shove those things right up the asses of the people throwing them, so disrespectful and STUPID.
Quote from: Tracy 2112 on Aug 22, 2011, 01:27 PM
Quote from: smhoffmann02 on Aug 22, 2011, 01:05 PM
Darkglow, you are right on. 100%. It's not a matter of you getting old - age is irrelevant.
As an old guy, I respectively disagree with this, mainly b/c it's not the old farts raising hell at shows. 10 years ago I was much more inclined to get in the krunk and mix it up, and I still do from time to time. But overall I lean towards being out of the krunk and enjoying the music and lights. I think we mellow a bit as we age, especially if you spend years going ape shit crazy at shows. Some nights, I just don't want to hassle with beer being spilled on me, cigarettes being waved in my face and feet being stepped on. As a youngster, I was down for that whenever. Not so much anymore. :)
Hmmm, perhaps I've just never been one to act like that or enjoy watching others act that way. Don't get me wrong, I've definitely had a little too much to drink and rocked out with my bad self, but puking on myself, peeing on myself, blowing smoke in others faces, throwing shit at people, etc. - uh, no. But I appreciate your
respectfully disagreeing. :)
I went to the Atlanta show this weekend and unfortunately experienced a lot of the same problems you all mention. Nothing against Atlanta, as I have had plenty of great concert experiences there, but this was the most disrespectful/douchebag abundant crowds I have seen. It was a combination of things that bothered me. The incessant talking, constant texting & video recording, overwhelming drunkenness, extended make-out sessions, and worst of all those god forsaken glow sticks. Those assholes weren't just tossing them playfully at the band, they were winding up and hurling Nolan Ryan fastballs. I was bobbing and weaving in the pit the entire night hoping not to have an eyeball poked out.
This was somewhere between my 15th and 20th Jacket show and unfortunately I won't really look back on it fondly. Nothing against the band or their performance. They gave it 110% as usual. I have always felt that the best thing about an MMJ show is the communal spirit and being around genuine people with an interest in the band, the music, & all the fans who feel the same way. There will always be jerks in a crowd, but in the past I have felt the number of good people significantly outweighed the bad. This was the first time I haven't felt that way.
end rant.
i agree with most everything said in here. the Lexington show this year sucked. they were there for their spring concert, not for MMJ, which is okay I guess... but it was BY FAR the most unenthused crowd I've seen at ANY show before the encore. barely anyone was cheering for more.
to defend the classic phrase "dont judge a book by its cover" however, I was shocked at tuscaloosa. It wasn't the best crowd, but I was shocked at how awesome they turned out to be. It was the youngest crowd, by far, that i've seen at an MMJ show. (not to mention the sourthern frat crowd was abundent.) then when jacket started I was surprised by how into they all were. I was in the back of the pit and there was a lot of talking, but thats almost expected at the back of the pit. there were also definitely a lot of people there that got on my nerves, but so much less than i initially expected. I was terrified of the crowd during phosphorescent and neko, but they 180ed. maybe it just reminded my of the nightmare that was my time at a major southern college (ole miss)
Quote from: e_wind on Aug 22, 2011, 03:26 PM
i agree with most everything said in here. the Lexington show this year sucked. they were there for their spring concert, not for MMJ, which is okay I guess... but it was BY FAR the most unenthused crowd I've seen at ANY show before the encore. barely anyone was cheering for more.
to defend the classic phrase "dont judge a book by its cover" however, I was shocked at tuscaloosa. It wasn't the best crowd, but I was shocked at how awesome they turned out to be. It was the youngest crowd, by far, that i've seen at an MMJ show. (not to mention the sourthern frat crowd was abundent.) then when jacket started I was surprised by how into they all were. I was in the back of the pit and there was a lot of talking, but thats almost expected at the back of the pit. there were also definitely a lot of people there that got on my nerves, but so much less than i initially expected. I was terrified of the crowd during phosphorescent and neko, but they 180ed. maybe it just reminded my of the nightmare that was my time at a major southern college (ole miss)
I completely agree about the Tuscaloosa crowd. I had my expectations fairly low, but was pleasantly surprised. Maybe I was just in a good spot, but I have no complaints about the crowd. Wait... if I didn't notice any annoying people, does that mean I was the annoying one??? uh oh :-\
Quote from: wonderfulman on Aug 22, 2011, 11:48 AM
This problem occurred to me at night 4 of T5.
This one guy (or douche bag I should say) was ferociously swinging his arms around and bumping into other people trying to watch the show. After being confronted by many fans, this man simply said "If you don't like it, then go watch the show from somewhere else!" He didn't change his ways and continuously tried starting a mosh pitt.
This other guy tried crowd surfing during the encore. After traveling about 5 feet in the air, this guy fell flat on his face. The man shot right back in the air and screamed "Yeah!!" and was searching for high 5's. Others, and myself included shot this guy a dirty look and made him feel like an asshole.
The same guy mentioned above, kept shouting "Cover Pearl Jam you pussies! They made you famous!" Every time he shouted that I wanted to turn around and slap him in the face. As soon as the band went into "Oh Sweet Nuthin!" this fellow turned to me and asked me "Who sings this song?" It was at this moment I realized that douche bags attend MMJ shows and they suck.
My hopes is that Roll Call will separate the die-hards and phonies. When MMJ becomes the biggest band in the world (and trust me one day they will), the die hards will have the best seats in the house and the most pleasant experience. All the assholes will be sitting in the upper tier and can talk amongst themselves.
I know exactly what you are talking about on night 4 of t5 someone said play pearl jam and a friend i was with was like shut up with that Pearl Jam crap this is MMJ!! I think i was right in the center of the little pit in the center of the floor area and was getting pumped around for a bit but just went with it for the short time they were hopping up and down. Believe that he may have encouraged other to get rowdy as well so i appologize on behalf of my friend cause he just doesn't care sometimes when he is really rocking out. Noticed that guy TRY to crowd surf but no one wanted any part of that and he did fall straight to the ground. I don't lke the mosh pit thing for Jacket shows but it hardly happens at least at the shows that i have attened.
Hoping for a great show in Philly minus the douchebags of course, and yes students in college are starting to arrive for school and think this may have contributed to the maddness of the experiences some of you had during these shows. Lets keep it friendly and respectful for the Philly show and rock out hard but not to the point where we are distracting others from watching their favorite live band.
Hope to see you fine people at the show in Philly and enjoy it without the douches!
Quote from: Sweet Nothing on Aug 22, 2011, 03:58 PM
Hoping for a great show in Philly minus the douchebags of course, and yes students in college are starting to arrive for school and think this man have contributed to the maddness of the experiences some of you had during these shows. Lets keep it friendly and respectful for the Philly show and rock out hard but not to the point where we are distracting others from watching their favorite live band.
Hope to see you fine people at the show in Philly and enjoy it without the douches!
It seems like many of us here have seats in the pit area (which is not very big at all) or at least in the first few rows of orchestra so I think this is a good bet! :)
Quote from: JaneCool on Aug 22, 2011, 04:02 PM
Quote from: Sweet Nothing on Aug 22, 2011, 03:58 PM
Hoping for a great show in Philly minus the douchebags of course, and yes students in college are starting to arrive for school and think this man have contributed to the maddness of the experiences some of you had during these shows. Lets keep it friendly and respectful for the Philly show and rock out hard but not to the point where we are distracting others from watching their favorite live band.
Hope to see you fine people at the show in Philly and enjoy it without the douches!
It seems like many of us here have seats in the pit area (which is not very big at all) or at least in the first few rows of orchestra so I think this is a good bet! :)
I wish i was near the pit with you great people but i am going to be in Orch B row A so won't be as close to most of the forum folks that have the pit seated section or the A Orch section however i am happy with row A Orch B so i have the space to dance around a bit!! ;D
Quote from: grizzy on Aug 22, 2011, 10:05 AM
Quote from: celi on Aug 21, 2011, 10:42 PM
In fact this twit behind me had her back turned most of the time.
I think we were right by you. Was the girl in question a heavyset one (very heavy actually)? I made remarks to my wife and brother how she spent more time with her back to the show then facing it.
As a whole I've been in worse pits...thought this one was pretty tame with very few invading your space that you already had. We had plenty of friendly people in our immediate area and had a great vibe.
We were at the rail, just a hair more stage-right from Carl, and this girl could not not been older than 20 I think. Wasn't heavyset, had on a long dress, and (go figure)... a glow-stick headband. You may have seen her, her friends and boyfriend - they were the ones the bouncer spent most of the time with because they kept lighting up. Almost spilled a beer on my head, and we had to have some words.
Anyhoo, I should also point out that there were some really good folks there too. Emily from Nashville, Jamie who saw his 13th show, the girls from Chattanooga, and all of the other people from Nashville whose names I didn't get! I felt like we had a likeminded community down at the rail... a sweet lil douchbag-deflecting community!
Quote from: celi
Anyhoo, I should also point out that there were some really good folks there too. Emily from Nashville
:o, where were you on the rail? My fiance is Emily from Nashville, but I don't think it was her. We were on Carls side close to the edge of the stage.
Quote from: BigHerm on Aug 22, 2011, 05:25 PM
Quote from: celi
Anyhoo, I should also point out that there were some really good folks there too. Emily from Nashville
:o, where were you on the rail? My fiance is Emily from Nashville, but I don't think it was her. We were on Carls side close to the edge of the stage.
We were a little closer in to the center near Carl. If we're talking about the same Emily, we had a smoke and chatted in the smoking spot for a bit after Neko. I think she said that she was standing in that vicinity, so probably the same! How funny.
Ha yea, that was her. Small world. :beer:
heeeyy man its all about positivity which is very contagious, as is negativity, i was pit close left middle and had zero problems. it should be expected in a 12000 person venue in ATL that there would be yapping during Dondante and nudging people to get close after we waited all day.. mentally prepared for that one.
heck i had to talk some during slow tune (keeping it somewhat discreet) because the show was just so fucking great and its the only time you can hear anyone.
it boils down to the band growing and more young people getting hopped up on mdma than in the past, even the actual song Dondante has gotten more vamped up compared to older tours.
its allllll good bro if you dont like the people around you move around, you know Yimmy feels the presence of a good fan so he'll see ya. sorry the music scene in general is changing man but if jim and the band can ignore the chatter and even embrace the drunk idiots so should the fans.
edit: fucking greeeaat show and setlist by the way
"a room full of people with all of their hearts beating, and all of their thoughts and feelings... and you're part of it, you're not just you, you're part of a group of people..."
-Jeff Tweedy, Wilco
there's more, just listen.
might not change everybody's view, but maybe a few. this music deserves more fans that feel like this. end rant.
Jeff Tweedy - People Talking During Concert (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew3AOlbJXos#)
There were some guys talking during Golden in Charlotte and I just looked back at them and gave them my most innocent heartfelt "shush" sign and they didn't get pissed, didn't continue to talk, just got quiet (thank you for not kicking my ass). After the song was over I gave one of them a thank you and a hug. They handled the whole situation so well and I like to think they actually enjoyed the song. I understand that people work hard all week long, they get off work, rush to get ready for a concert, have a few drinks, they're with their friends, happy, the music and the vibes are nice, they get chatty, it happens. I just feel really good about how these guys reacted to my request. I've had to catch myself before and I would not at all be pissed if someone gave me the shush sign.
I've always thought Jeff was so well spoken in the video above. There's always time to talk before and after the show. If not step to the side. Simple
I was a little concerned that people were having lengthy conversations during Neko's set and my wife told me that I needed to chill, "it was just the opening band". I'm not sure if there is a different protocol for the opening band. I do know that I've been known to talk during an opening bands set before, but I really wanted to hear Neko and not some friends "catching up" behind me. But, I'm sure they probably didn't give a shit about Neko (even though it's insane that that voice comes from just some normal human standing in front of you) and wanted to secure the spot for MMJ while chilling with their friends and having a few beers.
I just try and navigate my way to safe waters in a crowd, and enjoy the show. If I'm able to dry butt hump the person in front of me to the beat, it's just a bonus.........for them ;)
Quote from: sweatboard on Aug 24, 2011, 01:03 AM
I just try and navigate my way to safe waters in a crowd, and enjoy the show. If I'm able to dry butt hump the person in front of me to the beat, it's just a bonus.........for them ;)
So, That was you in Charlotte??? LOL