Annoying Concert Behavior

[walterfredo]

So true!

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-10-most-annoying-concert-behaviors-20130114

Going to rock concerts has always meant dealing with a bunch of unruly people, many of them very drunk – but it seems like lately things have been worse than ever. Attention spans are at an all-time low, and the ubiquity of smartphones has resulted in a huge percentage of the audience at any given show barely paying attention to the action onstage. Here are the 10 most annoying behaviors at rock concerts.


1. Taking pictures the entire freaking show.

I get it. You want to show all your friends on Facebook and Twitter that you saw a cool concert. Fine. Take a photo. Take five if you want! But please, don't take 77. You always manage to hold your camera right in my line of sight. You don't even look like you're enjoying the show while you're doing this. All your attention is on the photos. And you know what? Those photos are all going to look like shit. Every single one of them. You're too far away. You'll probably never even look at them. Also, you see those guys right in front of the stage with the giant cameras? They're taking great professional pictures. There's really no need for yours.

2. Checking e-mail, Facebook and Twitter every couple of minutes.

Unless you're a surgeon or a firefighter, everything can wait. Live in the moment. Enjoy the show. You paid good money to be here. You can e-mail your friends when you get home. Also, that cellphone emits a very harsh and distracting glow. For the love of God, just turn it off.

3. Incessantly talking to your friends.

You might not like whatever song is playing. You may be bored with the show in general. You may have been dragged here against your will. But you've been chattering the entire show, and I can hear every word. It's driving me crazy. Please shut up. Please. I can't tell you how many shows I attend where the two people in front of me are yelling in each others' ears the entire night. Not only is my sightline blocked when their heads come together, but I can hear them. Maybe go to a coffee shop when the show is done. Lie under an oak tree and talk until the sun comes up. I don't care. Just quiet down so I can enjoy the show.

4. Yelling out requests.

Look, I hope Morrissey plays "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" also. That would be cool – but stop screaming for it. Most of the time the set list is pre-determined, and you're screaming in my ear. They're going to play what they're going to play. Go along for the ride. And to the guy screaming for a super obscure B-side from 15 years ago? Nobody thinks you're cool.

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5. Yelling out "Freebird!"

This request deserves its own subcategory of irritation. This joke has never been funny. Not once. Just stop. It was lame in 1981. Now it's just infuriating.

6. Pushing your way to the front.

If a concert is general admission, the people in front earned their spots. They got there early and laid claim to their space. The people all the way in front might have even spent all day camped out by the doors, so when the lights go off and you shove your way to the front, you're being a huge asshole. Don't do that. If you show up late and there's only room in the back, you've just gotta deal with it.

7. Getting so drunk you puke.

At pretty much any big concert, you'll see a janitor emerge after a couple of songs with a big broom and a bucket of sawdust. It means somebody puked. It's a bummer for the puker, but the people all around have to deal with the aftermath. Don't be the vomit guy. There's no worse kind of person to be at the concert.

8. Loudly complaining after the show because the band didn't play your favorite song.

Not all artists take the Rod Stewart/Billy Joel/Tom Petty approach of "nothing but the hits." Performers like Neil Young or Van Morrison are unpredictable. This is actually a good thing. Try to enjoy the show you're getting as opposed the one you wish you were seeing. Besides, haven't you heard "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Southern Man" enough?

9. Filming the entire show on your iPhone.

This distracts people even worse than taking pictures, and usually results in an equally horrid product. The sad irony is that people tend to film their favorite songs, but the smiles on their faces are gone when all their concentration goes into capturing these moments on film. Tomorrow morning, YouTube will be cluttered with crappy cellphone videos of every song from whatever show you're seeing. There's no need to add to that. You paid good money to see a show, and you're joylessly watching it through a tiny screen on your iPhone. It just doesn't make any sense.

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10. Yelling "Sit down!" at people who are standing up.

This is a real problem at theater and arena shows that attract fans over the age of, say, 40. Nobody can quite agree when to stand or when to sit down. Inevitably, there are some people standing right in front of people that wish to remain seated. Between songs, someone will scream "Sit down!" The stander either obliges, or yells back something like "Go fuck yourself." The person in the seat just seethes with rage, and the tension seeps through the whole section. Often the person is standing only because someone in front of them is standing. It leads to chaos, and grumpy old people spending the entire show miserable. This has to stop. Here's a simple rule of thumb: If you can't see, stand up. It's very easy. Inversely, if everyone in front of you is seated, sit down. Go with the flow and just relax. We're all in this concert together.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-10-most-annoying-concert-behaviors-20130114#ixzz32SY0d7qG
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[BigHerm]

I would like to add obnoxiously singing every word to every song. Especially at a MMJ show because they usually are signing the wrong shit. 

[Fully]

I have a few things to add: body odor, pushing/crushing the people in front of you to try to get a setlist, jumping on the feet of your fellow concertgoer when you have snorted adderall and they are wearing sandals, tall guy who pushes his way in front of people who've been there for hours and then talks to his buddies the entire show - happens almost every show, the beer spiller.

[LD]

Gotta add the porn show....Not everyone may find this annoying, but personally if you want to get it on, I would prefer not during the concert.......

[parkervb]

I would like to add obnoxiously singing every word to every song. Especially at a MMJ show because they usually are signing the wrong shit. 

oh yea, Rocket Man at PC2 was especially rough on my eardrums. 

[Ruckus]

I would like to add obnoxiously singing every word to every song. Especially at a MMJ show because they usually are signing the wrong shit. 

oh yea, Rocket Man at PC2 was especially rough on my eardrums.

sorry :( 

[LeanneP]

I'm sorry. I can't help singing along!  But I try not to shout.

[ericm]

Gotta add the porn show....Not everyone may find this annoying, but personally if you want to get it on, I would prefer not during the concert.......

Yeah, I get where you're coming from but who among us hasn't been there and done that? 

[MrWhippy]

I was glad to see this article, as it seems like these are just getting worse and worse (as the author notes). 

I'm always amazed at how oblivious people can be of how they affect others, and wonder if it is that they can't imagine they are bothering other people or that they just don't care if they are.

I'd say my obsession with being on the rail/up front is more about annoying people than a need to be that close to the band.  I actually prefer being a bit back in terms of a vantage point and sound.  With each fewer person between you and the band, though, you lessen the odds of having the show impacted by annoying, inconsiderate people.

[Jeff Murray]

The talking is annoying as all get out... I don't care about your crappy day at work.  I had a couple that was putting on a PDA Clinic at a show once... thankfully they came in late and left early...

[Fully]

I was glad to see this article, as it seems like these are just getting worse and worse (as the author notes). 

I'm always amazed at how oblivious people can be of how they affect others, and wonder if it is that they can't imagine they are bothering other people or that they just don't care if they are.

I'd say my obsession with being on the rail/up front is more about annoying people than a need to be that close to the band.  I actually prefer being a bit back in terms of a vantage point and sound.  With each fewer person between you and the band, though, you lessen the odds of having the show impacted by annoying, inconsiderate people.

I'm in agreement with you, Whip. I get a little uncomfortable being so close to the front; however, I prefer it there than back where you have to deal with the inconsiderates and the obnoxious ones. I also have like to watch certain people take naps on the rail during songs. I've wondered if the band ever notices that scosby needs a nap towards the end of a show..

Gotta add the porn show....Not everyone may find this annoying, but personally if you want to get it on, I would prefer not during the concert.......

Yeah, I get where you're coming from but who among us hasn't been there and done that? 

ericm, you've done porn?!

[ericm]

Gotta add the porn show....Not everyone may find this annoying, but personally if you want to get it on, I would prefer not during the concert.......

Yeah, I get where you're coming from but who among us hasn't been there and done that? 

ericm, you've done porn?!

Porn, no. But I have enjoyed more than just the music at a couple of shows in the past.

[LD]

Gotta add the porn show....Not everyone may find this annoying, but personally if you want to get it on, I would prefer not during the concert.......

Yeah, I get where you're coming from but who among us hasn't been there and done that? 

ericm, you've done porn?!

Porn, no. But I have enjoyed more than just the music at a couple of shows in the past.

Yeah, maybe calling it porn is a little too strong, but it's enough PDA to make me feel I'm either imposing or getting turned on......one of the two 

[iLikeBeer]

I was glad to see this article, as it seems like these are just getting worse and worse (as the author notes). 

I'm always amazed at how oblivious people can be of how they affect others, and wonder if it is that they can't imagine they are bothering other people or that they just don't care if they are.

I'd say my obsession with being on the rail/up front is more about annoying people than a need to be that close to the band.  I actually prefer being a bit back in terms of a vantage point and sound.  With each fewer person between you and the band, though, you lessen the odds of having the show impacted by annoying, inconsiderate people.

I'm in agreement with you, Whip. I get a little uncomfortable being so close to the front; however, I prefer it there than back where you have to deal with the inconsiderates and the obnoxious ones. I also have like to watch certain people take naps on the rail during songs. I've wondered if the band ever notices that scosby needs a nap towards the end of a show..

I prefer to be a bit back for the reasons Whip listed.  Sound is better and you get a better view of the band and the light show the further back you are.  Plus, I'm not a fan of arriving to the venue hours before the show to wait in line for a spot on the rail.  I'd rather be in the lot drinking beer and partaking in other things... 

The talking is annoying as all get out... I don't care about your crappy day at work.  I had a couple that was putting on a PDA Clinic at a show once... thankfully they came in late and left early...

This really annoys the fuck out of me.  I mean, why do you come to a show if you're going to talk the entire fucking performance?  Just go to a fucking bar?!  The worst is when you have someone that thinks that you want to talk to them?!  Night 3 at PC we had this couple next to us that kept trying to start conversations with my wife and I.  It was OK before the show, but not during the show.  He was trying to talk to me during War Begun so I just ignored him and I think he got the picture.  As he was yapping, I'm thinking to myself, Dude, this is freaking War Begun!  STFU because you are missing a great song!   

I did have to take exception to a jab the author took at the over 40 crowd in his last point about yelling Sit Down:

This is a real problem at theater and arena shows that attract fans over the age of, say, 40.

Say what?  I'm over 40 and I would NEVER tell someone to sit down at a show. 

Great article overall but I would add one thing:

LEAVE YOUR GLOWSTICKS AT HOME!!! 

[Fully]

Gotta add the porn show....Not everyone may find this annoying, but personally if you want to get it on, I would prefer not during the concert.......

Yeah, I get where you're coming from but who among us hasn't been there and done that? 

ericm, you've done porn?!

Porn, no. But I have enjoyed more than just the music at a couple of shows in the past.

Bow chicka bow bow!

[Shug]

I did have to take exception to a jab the author took at the over 40 crowd in his last point about yelling Sit Down:

This is a real problem at theater and arena shows that attract fans over the age of, say, 40.

Say what?  I'm over 40 and I would NEVER tell someone to sit down at a show. 

Me, too.  I'm over 40 and get yelled at all the time to sit down at shows.  Unfortunately, the stereotype of older "rockers" being the most guilty of thinking they can tell others to sit down is based in truth.  I dread going to see arena and theater shows for the old masters because I know I will probably not be able to rock out without suffering verbal and sometimes physical abuse (shit thrown at me, drinks spilled on me) just because I want to stand up for a few fucking songs!!!  I'm trying to be flexible and not stand up the entire show, which is what I'd prefer, but these assholes think they have a right to dictate what others can do for the entire goddamn show.  I've had people tell me to sit down before the band had even played a note, just as they were coming on stage and people stood up to greet them.  Its fucking ridiculous, IMO.

That's why I was thrilled at Springsteen a few weeks ago to be in an arena on the floor with no chairs and everyone young and old seemingly happy to be up on their feet and fully participating in the show.  And its another reason why I love MMJ and Wilco shows, the audiences are cool about standing up most of the night.

[Fully]

I did have to take exception to a jab the author took at the over 40 crowd in his last point about yelling Sit Down:

This is a real problem at theater and arena shows that attract fans over the age of, say, 40.

Say what?  I'm over 40 and I would NEVER tell someone to sit down at a show. 

Me, too.  I'm over 40 and get yelled at all the time to sit down at shows.  Unfortunately, the stereotype of older "rockers" being the most guilty of thinking they can tell others to sit down is based in truth.  I dread going to see arena and theater shows for the old masters because I know I will probably not be able to rock out without suffering verbal and sometimes physical abuse (shit thrown at me, drinks spilled on me) just because I want to stand up for a few fucking songs!!!  I'm trying to be flexible and not stand up the entire show, which is what I'd prefer, but these assholes think they have a right to dictate what others can do for the entire goddamn show.  I've had people tell me to sit down before the band had even played a note, just as they were coming on stage and people stood up to greet them.  Its fucking ridiculous, IMO.

That's why I was thrilled at Springsteen a few weeks ago to be in an arena on the floor with no chairs and everyone young and old seemingly happy to be up on their feet and fully participating in the show.  And its another reason why I love MMJ and Wilco shows, the audiences are cool about standing up most of the night.

If you go  to a show to sit down, you probably shouldn't go to shows. I'm over 40 and I know what I'm in for. If I don't like it or I can't hang, it's really my problem isn't it. No one would tell someone at a sporting event to sit down. Go to a show at your local coffee shop or a classical concert if you want to sit. Or just accept that you are going to not be able to see.

[subinai]

Roll Call

[Shug]

I was amazed, at my first Grateful Dead concert, at Anaheim Stadium, when during parts of the show I saw entire sections of seated folks with just one freak dancing like crazy and not one person told him to sit down.  The Deadhead concert-going ethos should be the model for all rock fans:  if you are not hurting anyone or engaging in egregrious anti-social behavior, do whatever you want.

Later in the show, when the whole goddamn stadium was rocking out together to a monumental joyous Touch of Grey encore, the energy in that place was staggering.  It was an overwhelmingly ecstatic moment and  immediately after that show I was scheming to go to another show as soon as I possibly could.

[iLikeBeer]

If you go  to a show to sit down, you probably shouldn't go to shows. I'm over 40 and I know what I'm in for. If I don't like it or I can't hang, it's really my problem isn't it. No one would tell someone at a sporting event to sit down. Go to a show at your local coffee shop or a classical concert if you want to sit. Or just accept that you are going to not be able to see.

Happens at sporting events too.  I've been to many Michigan football games where I've been told to sit down.  I've often asked these douchebags that can't stand why they just don't stay at home and watch the games on their Lazyboys if they don't want to stand up???

Shug, you are so right about the scene at Dead shows.  Nobody ever got in anyone's business as long as they were enjoying themselves.  If you wanted to sit and take a break, that's what you did and if there were people in front of you dancing and enjoying themselves, good for them!