A moment I'd like to share about Chicago night 2...

[IMeMine]

To all and to the couple sitting in Row CC Seat 402 & 404 on June 10th,

First of all I had an amazing three night run! What a performance, each night was amazing in its own way but that first night is very special to me. The guys just keep getting better and better, although I have to say the fans do not. 
We were in the second row behind the pit center on the isle (row BB seats 402 & 404) and needless to say there were a lot of "bros" in our area, not a lot of intense focus on the band and a lot of meaningless chit chat and high fiving, now this doesn't bother me much 'cause there's always that kind of behavior going on at shows. I wasn't particularly bothered by much of anything that night because I was stoked to be seeing MMJ in my hometown at a venue I love, I was feeling blessed to have amazing seats, and also I had/have laryngitis and had almost completely lost my voice and was beyond exhausted and I felt awful, it was really hard to stand for the entire show let alone care about idiots.
Speaking of idiots this brings me to the couple behind us, they were possibly the worst people I've ever come across, they were SCREAMING at each other with out any consideration for the people around them and absolutely no self awareness on their part. The banshee behind me was so shrill and loud she never took a second to take a breath while she spoke so passionately about the most meaningless garbage, like the really great deal she got on flip flops at Old Navy that day - but the long version and during Old Sept Blues. 
IWSYS started and everyone around us got very quiet and very attentive, I happen to love this song (who doesn't?), but the couple behind us were still going.  Everyone in our section could hear them now, I wouldn't be surprised if the band could hear them.  Jonathan turned around and said to the girl "hi, would you mind quieting down for this song please?" and before he finished that sentence she was already yelling, like the trash she is, "I paid for my seat, I'll talk if I want blah blah blah'' Jonathan didn't even want to engage and turned around before she even finished.  Then the boyfriend, who I can only describe as Texas trash, asked Jonathan if he even knew the name of this song? Jonathan said "of course, it's I will sing you songs" Texas trash then said "oh ok then." I'm was thinking to myself "you have got to be kidding me, what are you talking about?"
They continued to talk for the rest of the set, to each other and to the back of Jonathan's head.  Jonathan told them both to just stop talking to him but they would not.  Complete nonsense was coming out of their mouths, they were still defending the fact that they could talk even though our backs were to them and we weren't engaging and they were still talking to one another loudly.  At one point Texas trash tapped Jonathan on the shoulder and said "I'm the biggest fan in this place, and you're the biggest dick."
Then Dondante came on, now I love love love this song. If MMJ plays Dondante it doesn't even matter what the rest of the set looks like, I'm happy.  So, again the song starts out quiet, even quieter than IWSYS. EVERYONE was quiet, everyone was into this sacred song and ready to take a trip, except the couple behind us who were talking and I mean LOUD, not even remotely paying attention (biggest fan my ass!).  So, Jonathan turned around once again and so did I (now up until this point I hadn't said one word to either one of these people and on a side note I had my scarf draped over my hair which I often do at shows because it drowns out a bit of sound, I'm more zoned in, and it's comfortable to me), Jonathan said very nicely (because we weren't going to get results by being rude) "could you please just keep it down for this song? Please? I'd appreciate it very much" and this fucking Texas trash's answer was:
"your fat fucking wife looks like a dirty Muslim." 
I was completley stunned, I made out in the faintest voice "what did he just say?" and his girlfriend said "he called you fat, c u n t!" 
I happen to be Muslim, I was beyond offended. I really was baffled and still am. What kind of behavior is this?  In this day and age that someone can say something so ignorant, so racist and with such flippancy is beyond my comprehension. Racism is always wrong and it's always uncalled for, but in this situation it was like "wow! are you fucking serious? that just came out of your mouth? because someone asked you to keep it down and it wasn't even me?!?" It was mean, it was hateful, and it was absolutely not a proportional response. I had to stop Jonathan from killing this guy, I had to defend that racist fuck, ME!  Everyone around us was very supportive and kind. I felt bad because Dondante was screwed up for them. I missed the first 15 minutes of Dondante because I was dealing with individuals who have no principals, no character, no self respect, and absolutely no worth. I was able to listen to the rest of the song but I was not really listening, my mind was elsewhere. I know it was amazing but I didn't really experience it so it was a huge bummer for me and it was more of a bummer because they did affect me and they did ruin my evening. The whole thing just makes me sad, I wasn't even angry I was sad and I'm still sad and that's why I'm writing this. 
I'm not petite but I'm not fat by any means, I have tits and hips and I like the way I look and I'm proud of it.  I'm proud of my religion and I'm proud of my heritage and I'm proud of both of my countries.  Can those people say the same?  Do they have any set of morals or a belief system to stand behind besides the ugly Facebook culture in which people take snap shots of other human beings and judge them? Do they know how to handle uncomfortable situations with grace? Do they care about their fellow man?  I can't see anything inside or outside about them to be proud of. I feel incredibly sorry for people like that, and the saddest thing is they represent a whole group of ignorance. 
If you are the "biggest fan in the room" why are you talking through the best songs?  If you are such a big fan, I'll tell you right now that this kind of behavior is not what the gentleman in MMJ stand for and they would be embarrassed to know you are a fan and they don't want you as a fan.  To quote them "We're not one of those bands that deliberately doesn't want a lot of people to get into us. We welcome anybody of all ages, races, and creeds to get into it."
We all love this band and we are all very different and we all have different opinions. For some of us the only thing we have in common with one another is this band and that's a beautiful thing. We need to respect one another we need to listen and love and be united and accepting and always be among friends when in the presence of beautiful music. 

I have plans to go to the 2 Austin shows and Dallas, and I may just wear a full burka

and to the couple...I'm so sorry that I tried to take away your freedom.

Thanks for listening,

[ffghtrs]

Hello person i do not from my hometown of Chicago,

i just wanted to say that kind of behavior is not the kind of behavior i have come to know in Chicago...granted i do not live there anymore but this behavior is terrible.  i was wearing a purple shirt for my school at Red Rocks 2012 and was called a faggot and i responded with the C word to the woman who called me that....when her boyfriend got in my face he stepped down to my level...well i'm 6'3'' and i weigh 300 lbs and i used to play hockey and i used to fight people for fun...then something changed the day i wasn't in just a hockey fight or a one on one fight where i didn't fear for my life...i was in a serious 15 on 4 brawl and i was on the receiving end of the 15...i survived without a scratch, which boggles my mind but really shows how brutal i could be...i haven't been in a fight for over ten years...anywho this woman girl young young young 20 year old calls me a faggot and her boyfriend wants to fight me over my response.  i was lucky my best friend was there and knows me so well...and said to the guy you have one punch before you are going to get slaughtered so make it good.  and even as peaceful as i am now i knew my best friend was right.  two things set me off.  someone hurting my friends and being hit in the face as it does to everyone...anywho nothing ensued becauase the kid backed down and i kept my mouth shut not to antagonize anything but i really wanted to ask him to why he wanted to make out so badly....or something sarcastic and facetious any who, i think about how cruel people are and how i did nothing but walk into my row with my friends and i was called faggot, then i hear about how people won't stop yelling and talking about sandles at a mmj show and they let it escalate to the point of calling some fat and dirty and then their religion...that's what bothers me the most, i would then be a faggot catholic...and in this country we have the freedom of religion and freedom of speech but that was borderline threatening...i think you should have gotten up and gotten security or an usher and i said you felt threatened by them and would like a new a seat or they would have to leave...MMJ represents the new me. the one that didn't throw the first punch, the one that still fights his demons but does it by facing them...and i do not see why people had to be this cruel to us at our favorite band's show. i'm very upset and at Red Rocks this year i will refuse to take that kind of behavior and i will get security and tell them blatantly that i feel threatened by these hate slurs and something needs to be done.  I am so sorry you and your husband went through this, its pure bullshit...i really think Jim and Co. will be sad if they hear of this event.  No matter who you are or where you come from you deserve to enjoy an MMJ concert and not be treated with disrespect for the whole show.  I'm drunk, tired, and upset and i rambled way too much but it was meant to be loving.  I love people all people. but if you bring hate to my door i reciprocate it which is not the right response.  but that is what i do.

[sillyboob]

That is terrible. So sorry for your terrible treatment. They were not fans. They were assholes.

[CHIMMJFAN]

This is really sad to hear but unfortunately not entirely shocking. I was at all three nights of the Chicago shows and on the second night experiencing some really douchebag behavior in the row behind me. Same thing, "bros" just talking throughout the set. I never really understand how meaningless chatter is that important during a show that you paid to see, with a band you might only see once that year. Of course alcohol was involved and unfortunately not everyone can handle their liquor. I heard some comments from the "bros" that were both homophobic and racist and I could tell people around me were getting annoyed as well. Eventually the "bros" left to go get a beer and ended up not coming back so I guess that shows how big of fans they were but it still goes to show that in these types of settings sometimes you are going to come across these type of people.
I think if it gets to a point that your enjoyment of the show is being compromised the best thing to probably do is get security. I know for me I had to work out my work schedule, drive in 2 hour traffice to and from Chicago and paid money for all three nights (not that I'm complaining at all obviously)......and to have "bros" ruin the experience is just not an option. It's one thing if you are in the PIT and can move around, but if you are at an assigned seat and this is happening around you, it's just not acceptable.
Once again I'm sorry that you experienced those comments and MMJ songs were ruined that night for you due to the ignorance of those people.

CHIMMJFAN

[slappymoe]

First of all, sorry for your experience. We've all dealt with arsewipes at shows, but these people took douchebaggery to a new level.

This is a perfect example of why I'm so willing to fork out thousands for the OBH experience. It weeds out these types.

[Fully]

I'm so sorry that you had to experience this,  particularly during something where you should be experiencing joy,  an experience that you've looked forward to for awhile. I'm going to guess these jerks were drinking and boors in general. If we are ever at a show together,  I would love to meet you and see you wear your burka with pride. Racism,  religious intolerance, homophobia, or general rudeness and poor concert etiquette are not acceptable behavior.

[sillyboob]

This is a perfect example of why I'm so willing to fork out thousands for the OBH experience. It weeds out these types.

Agree 100%!!

[LBSUNFLWR]

sadly jerks are everywhere, and I have dealt with my fare share of people at shows who were loud and annoying but never with anyone who took it that far...

I would have just moved. I know you had great seats and all but I'd rather be in the back or up top and be able to watch/listen in peace. Shows are way more enjoyable that way. Obviously harder to do at sold out shows, but if it's an option that's the best solution to me.

[buymycar]

That is truly reprehensible behavior by those two. No one should have to deal with what you went through. I had a similar experience at a concert recently when I had to shush two Chatty Cathys behind me. Then I felt like the asshole for having to do so. I'll never understand how people can treat concerts as social hour.

I must admit, though, that I cringed when you called them "Texas trash". Stereotyping is never good.

[Stevie]

Well, that's almost as bad as it gets..  Sorry.  That's really unfortunate.

I had similar but far less extreme situations night 1 (floor) and night 2 (balcony) and was able to keep it together without having to address the situation directly. 

Night 1, i was on the main floor and this dude was OBLITERATED drunk next to me.  It got off to a bad start when the first thing he said to me was "...and you are in my seat, sir, but I guess i'll let that slide (in a very passive aggressive, angry but not trying to show it way, and no i was not in his seat)"  He then rotated between the following behaviors for about 40 minutes:  1.  Pumping his pointed hand towards the stage, completely off beat while yelling butchered lyrics also off beat at a loud volume 2.  Yelling the name of the song at anyone who would listen...  3.  Not moving at all, but turning head in my direction and staring at my girlfriend for 10 to 30 seconds at a time which he then parlayed into 4.  Putting arm around me and trying to engage me in conversation in the middle of some of my favorite, older more rare songs..   When he saw me using my vapor pen, his eyes lit up and he asked for a hit.  My first instinct was to put it calmly back in my pocket and act like i didn't hear him.. but i realized that if I got him stoned enough he would eventually be in his seat and down for the count.  So i embraced the situation, pretended he was like this uncle of mine that just couldn't handle his shit, and eventually he was sitting down, docile as a new born bunny rabbit.  What's funny about this is that Night 3, i was down on the main floor again and he was there again but this time WAY WAY more sober and not at all a burden to be around.  Good dude actually. 

Night 2, i couldn't believe how lame the balcony was.. everyone sitting, on their phones playing GAMES during the music!!!  Girls next to us standing up and walking in front of us during the BEST PART of Spring when everything gets nuts.. Geting up again and walking in front of us during the solo on i think it was Compound.. Then.... full on conversation between emphysema voice and her friend behind us during IWBTWYD.. really did ruin the song until the very end, and I remembered why it was requested and that most likely that was why it got played, and when i heard someone yell out "Thank you, JJ!!" at the very end, regardless of whether or not it was all connected, i just suddenly felt very in touch with it all, as if i had been the entire song, and it saved the experience for me. 

Anyway, I think obnoxious concertgoers are like little kids and you must deal with them similarly for your own sanity. 

[parkervb]

so sorry about your experience Rabiah.  I'm not above letting security handle these situations. These type of people almost always act shitty towards security & they almost always get shown the door.

[MusiKel Mama]

Rabiah,

I am so sorry you went through that experience. It is often the kindest souls that are on the receiving end of such vitriol.

I grew up Catholic, and remember meeting a homeless, disabled man as I was leaving church. He needed a ride to the shelter, and so I drove him. As we were talking, he said that most of his family and friends had left the church because of the hypocrisy. And then he said the most profound thing that I will never forget...he said "If all the good people leave because of the hypocrisy, then all that will be left are the hypocrites." And that notion applies to so much in life. When we let others words determine our experiences,  we lose self worth. But if we remain grounded and steadfast in the reality of who we are in this incarnation, all things are possible.

I hope you rock a burkha. I hope this experience allows you to grow in your faith. And I hope you see those two people again, and that you greet them with the love endowed in your heart by your creator.

Allahu Akbar.

[Derek713]

That is truly reprehensible behavior by those two. No one should have to deal with what you went through. I had a similar experience at a concert recently when I had to shush two Chatty Cathys behind me. Then I felt like the asshole for having to do so. I'll never understand how people can treat concerts as social hour.

I must admit, though, that I cringed when you called them "Texas trash". Stereotyping is never good.

Texas checking in.......  yeah, that was a bit cringe worthy. Everywhere has people that suck.

Anywho..... I wish you and everyone else trouble free, awesome shows, with great crowds for rest of the tour

[parkervb]

That is truly reprehensible behavior by those two. No one should have to deal with what you went through. I had a similar experience at a concert recently when I had to shush two Chatty Cathys behind me. Then I felt like the asshole for having to do so. I'll never understand how people can treat concerts as social hour.

I must admit, though, that I cringed when you called them "Texas trash". Stereotyping is never good.

Show me the person who says they NEVER use stereotypes and I will show you a liar. Sorry, it's true.

Those people acted like trash, so the only thing up for dispute is if they are from Texas. 

[My Morning Tube top]

So sorry to hear about your experience and deft not the spirit of the Band or their fans? The irony- IWSYS was played in honor of a fan who had recently passed away after tweet requests to the band, so the disrespect runs even deeper. 

[vadermaul]

Hi everyone,

Sorry about your experience IMeMine.  No one is deserving of that kind of talk, especially at a concert.

Every concert I go to now has concert goers who just go to just socialize and ruin the experience for many others.  No respect for everyone there who paid money for tickets and those who paid good money to travel to see some of these shows. 

I was recently at a U2 show (on the floor) in Phoenix and a brawl nearly happened in front of me & my wife because 2 jerks moved up during the show claiming spots.   Everyone involved were grown men in their 40s!!  Haha, but it was still pretty intense and stupid.  Those 2 shouldn't have raided a spot 4 songs in without asking those guys.  Security was called into action and told those guys to move back.

All this is the root of our self entitled society.  'I can talk wherever I want!!', No you really can't.  I, like many concert goers were taught to be quiet at shows and let the performers do the talking.  For the most part its a 2-3 hr experience we paid for $ for so why would anyone talk, be on their phone, or ruin the show for others??  Shut up and watch the show!


One way to handle this is just get security.  I know this might be a cop out but for the most part security is always looking for someone to throw out or someone to bark at.  Once security is called into action the recipient usually takes his anger on them and then there gone.  I've seen this many times. 

Don't let these drunks/talkers ruin your Jacket experience.    For the most part what they do or say to you isn't anything personal, its just a reflection of the self absorbed jerks they are.

[mdgsolo]

I wanted to say, perhaps somewhat in defense of MMJ fans as well as Chicago fans in general that I had the opposite experience as the OP in Chicago.  I think your experience and abuse perspective is completely valid, so I'm definitely not trying to de-authenticate your experience in any way.  In fact, all to often at live shows anymore, I get the same rude inconsiderate mouthy people all around me.  However, at Chicago I commented to my girl that being around friendly people that were into the show in our immediate area really helped make the experience elevated for us.  Thank you to all you people who could drink and or have fun and keep your shit together.  It makes it so much more fun for everyone.

[IMeMine]

Wow. Thank you very much for the kind words and support and all the stories that were shared.  I appreciate it more than you know.  I know we all deal with terrible concert manners especially when we (all) go to as many concerts as we do, but this was just a terrible moment in my life not just a terrible concert experience and I felt the need to share.  Truly at the end of the day, I don't want to get even I want the behavior to stop or change. 
Just to clear up some things (I didn't want my original story to be so long).  He was from Texas, he said he was the biggest fan because he flew in from Houston.  I wasn't using it as a stereotype, they both proved to be trash and they happen to be from Texas.  There is Illinois trash as well.  I'm going to 3 shows in Texas instead of San Fran because I have friends and people I love from Texas. That isn't normally the way I talk about people but that is coming from a place after all of this happened.  If anyone took offense, I'm sorry but that term would only be used by me in a case by case situation. 
Secondly, I would have liked to handle it personally and the old me probably would've but there was no way I was going to get kicked out of those shows because of those people.  So, after it settled down and security was already involved and the people in front of us were so kind as to switch with us (thank you! that was so sweet!), I went and found the house manager and told him what happened.  He told them that that is not behavior condoned at the Chicago Theatre in any way shape or form and they would have people watching them for the entire show and if they engaged with us about anything they would be removed and banned for life.
The next day they were also in the same seats and so were we.  They didn't say a word and my boyfriend, Jonathan, found the house manager again (a different guy that night), who had heard the whole story already and he also went and gave them the same warning as they had received the night before.  They didn't say anything the entire show and we had a wonderful time.  =)

Also I'm Lebanese and we don't wear burkas and I don't wear a hijab, that was kinda a joke because I'm sure those people will be at those three shows in Texas.

Thank you so much to all of you, I feel better for having been able to share this with you and even better because of the camaraderie and kind words.

I would just like to say that Jonathan was amazing through all of this and I'm truly blessed to have him in my life.

Bring on Milwaukee, and lets put this behind us

[Derek713]

Wow. Thank you very much for the kind words and support and all the stories that were shared.  I appreciate it more than you know.  I know we all deal with terrible concert manners especially when we (all) go to as many concerts as we do, but this was just a terrible moment in my life not just a terrible concert experience and I felt the need to share.  Truly at the end of the day, I don't want to get even I want the behavior to stop or change. 
Just to clear up some things (I didn't want my original story to be so long).  He was from Texas, he said he was the biggest fan because he flew in from Houston.  I wasn't using it as a stereotype, they both proved to be trash and they happen to be from Texas.  There is Illinois trash as well.  I'm going to 3 shows in Texas instead of San Fran because I have friends and people I love from Texas. That isn't normally the way I talk about people but that is coming from a place after all of this happened.  If anyone took offense, I'm sorry but that term would only be used by me in a case by case situation. 
Secondly, I would have liked to handle it personally and the old me probably would've but there was no way I was going to get kicked out of those shows because of those people.  So, after it settled down and security was already involved and the people in front of us were so kind as to switch with us (thank you! that was so sweet!), I went and found the house manager and told him what happened.  He told them that that is not behavior condoned at the Chicago Theatre in any way shape or form and they would have people watching them for the entire show and if they engaged with us about anything they would be removed and banned for life.
The next day they were also in the same seats and so were we.  They didn't say a word and my boyfriend, Jonathan, found the house manager again (a different guy that night), who had heard the whole story already and he also went and gave them the same warning as they had received the night before.  They didn't say anything the entire show and we had a wonderful time.  =)

Also I'm Lebanese and we don't wear burkas and I don't wear a hijab, that was kinda a joke because I'm sure those people will be at those three shows in Texas.

Thank you so much to all of you, I feel better for having been able to share this with you and even better because of the camaraderie and kind words.

I would just like to say that Jonathan was amazing through all of this and I'm truly blessed to have him in my life.

Bring on Milwaukee, and lets put this behind us

Rabiah,

Thanks for the clarification, but no TRUE offense was taken. I am glad that you are able to put this behind you. On the bright side, all future experiences can only be better since this had to be the worst.

Austin and Dallas can't get here soon enough. First round for you and Jonathan is on me!

[Crispy]

Such an awful situation. I'm really glad to hear the Chicago Theater management handled this appropriately the next day, and I wish it could have been dealt with better when it was happening, but that is so hard to do.  I wish even more that it would never happen in the first place, but god knows it's not going to stop, and we just have to handle it the best we can and help out.

I'll be in Dallas, and would love to meet up with you all and share the kind of good vibes that we all do here -- and there's strength in numbers!