10 Worst Ways To Behave At Concerts: How You're Ruining It For Everyone

[jarmo]

http://blog.muchmusic.com/archives/2008/05/10_worst_ways_t.php





/jarmo

[Thorned Rose]

Nice article Jarmo!

People do those things all the time... I don't mind most of those, but one thing that eats away at me is the stading up at a seated venue.

I saw Blessid Union of Souls last year, and they played in a large auditorium, and everyone stood 90% of the show?

I mean isn't it an auditorium? I hate that so much... and the biggest, tallest guy in the entire show sat right in front of me... and I'm 6'3, this guy must of been 6'6 at least...

[mrlee]

pretty true.

i had a first hand experience of the people who try to rob your space at the front when youve been there a while many times.

When i was at airbourne i wasnt quite on the bar but a dude i had befriended was kind enough to let me lean on him n pop my head between to view when i wanted to. Then some dick of a giant 40 year old biker who obviously thinks hes still the shit with his hairless head and retarded zakk wylde esque beard decides even though he only he turned out to know their at the time only known single decided he wanted my spot when i had been into the band for ages with their album, i was having a good time then it turned into a battle with this asshole, in which i got pushed into some other guy who then thought i was trying to crush him and then he slung me totally out my spot back somewhere in the crowd. Although i was rather pissed and dived at him got back there purposefully crushing him for being a dick to me, the biker dude, even when he lost his spot, decided to be a bastard and stretched his arm out n held the bar so i couldnt get back to where i was.

Totally unnecessary assholism. 

When i saw Anthrax some ginger dude slid in, wacked me one and pulled me from front bar. That was a bitch. The Joys of being 17 and not as tall as all the lanky dudes that always seem to fart.

[crow316]

who sits at a seated venue?  The seats are for when you are waiting for the band. Unless its Kenny G or something.  If your sitting at a rock show, 1, you wont see anything, and 2, it disrespects the band.  I actually did have someone tell me to sit down at a Metallica show once.  Everyone was standing, but I guess I just happened to be in someones way, who was also standing.

[Bandita]

I find sitters lame myself, unless of course you are seeing someone lame and not an awesome rock band.  I sit at the Opera, not at concerts.  Granted, even when I stand I can't see a damn thing cause I am only 5 ft. 2!

I REALLY hate idiots who talk on their cell phones all through a show though.  I figure if the dumbass you are talking to wanted to actually be there instead of getting the play by play via phone, he/she would have bought a damn ticket!

[kaasupoltin]

"Standing at a seated venue."

Hah, who the fuck is going to sit while (let's say) Guns N' Roses is on. Well, one guy sat and complained about people standing around him throughout the show, probably didn't have a good time. But it's his problem, he should've been standing  too, fucking ass. When I saw Aerosmith, Steven went "are you going to be sitting all night..? GET UP! 'Cause if you are going to sit all night.. then DREAM ON!" And the whole arena was dancing and having a good time.

[Wheres Izzy]

"Standing at a seated venue."

Hah, who the fuck is going to sit while (let's say) Guns N' Roses is on. Well, one guy sat and complained about people standing around him throughout the show, probably didn't have a good time. But it's his problem, he should've been standing  too, fucking ass. When I saw Aerosmith, Steven went "are you going to be sitting all night..? GET UP! 'Cause if you are going to sit all night.. then DREAM ON!" And the whole arena was dancing and having a good time.

Yeah I agreed with almost all of the article but def. not with this. They should add taking your shirt off at crowded club shows. I can't stand that. Small club shows where everyone is on top of each other anyway is not the time or place to take your shirt off to show everyone how cool you think you are for being 6 feet tall and weighing under a hundred pounds. Plus people are all sweaty and you end up having these people touch you unless you make a concious effort to avoid them.

[TAP]

who sits at a seated venue?

Americans. 

[Bodhi]

I think any guy who is overweight with bitch tits has no business taking their shirts off at concerts and exposing their guts to the world...seriously....

[Chief]

great list.. hahha, i've seen all of that, sometimes it's just terrible!

[lynn1961]

"Standing at a seated venue."

Hah, who the fuck is going to sit while (let's say) Guns N' Roses is on. Well, one guy sat and complained about people standing around him throughout the show, probably didn't have a good time. But it's his problem, he should've been standing  too, fucking ass. When I saw Aerosmith, Steven went "are you going to be sitting all night..? GET UP! 'Cause if you are going to sit all night.. then DREAM ON!" And the whole arena was dancing and having a good time.

Yeah I agreed with almost all of the article but def. not with this. They should add taking your shirt off at crowded club shows. I can't stand that. Small club shows where everyone is on top of each other anyway is not the time or place to take your shirt off to show everyone how cool you think you are for being 6 feet tall and weighing under a hundred pounds. Plus people are all sweaty and you end up having these people touch you unless you make a concious effort to avoid them.

Would you feel differently if this were a female taking off her shirt?!?   

Seriously, that was a great list/post!  I agree, with what's been said above, about sitting down at shows. 

Added - the REALLY inebriated ones who want to fight with everyone around them. 

And the ones who say or shout negative comments through the whole show - if you really don't like it - then leave!     

 

[cfcsfc]

Hate the mobile phones. God I hate it, especially in general admission, when everyone in front of you is recording the whole thing. This stupid blury-blue light in your view the whole time. Very annoying- watch the damn show instead of worrying about recording it.

[Wheres Izzy]

"Standing at a seated venue."

Hah, who the fuck is going to sit while (let's say) Guns N' Roses is on. Well, one guy sat and complained about people standing around him throughout the show, probably didn't have a good time. But it's his problem, he should've been standing  too, fucking ass. When I saw Aerosmith, Steven went "are you going to be sitting all night..? GET UP! 'Cause if you are going to sit all night.. then DREAM ON!" And the whole arena was dancing and having a good time.

Yeah I agreed with almost all of the article but def. not with this. They should add taking your shirt off at crowded club shows. I can't stand that. Small club shows where everyone is on top of each other anyway is not the time or place to take your shirt off to show everyone how cool you think you are for being 6 feet tall and weighing under a hundred pounds. Plus people are all sweaty and you end up having these people touch you unless you make a concious effort to avoid them.

Would you feel differently if this were a female taking off her shirt?!?   

Seriously, that was a great list/post!  I agree, with what's been said above, about sitting down at shows. 

Added - the REALLY inebriated ones who want to fight with everyone around them. 

And the ones who say or shout negative comments through the whole show - if you really don't like it - then leave!     

 

Of course it's different when girls take their shirts off. Thats just a sign of respect for the artist. It's like taking your shoes off bfore you walk on someones brand new rug. Every girl should be doing this lol

[w.axl.rose]

"4. Being over 6'4 and choosing to stand in front of the shortest person in the crowd. "

hahah oh man ive been called Andre The Giant when im standing in front of a shorter person before. 

[Bandita]

Speaking of sitting down at shows, I saw Van Halen last night at the Izod Center and the whole floor section was just sitting and being incredibly lame!  What has happened to people?  I remember going to concerts and people jumping and going crazy, pounding fists or whatever....now they just sit there and nod.

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Speaking of sitting down at shows, I saw Van Halen last night at the Izod Center and the whole floor section was just sitting and being incredibly lame!  What has happened to people?  I remember going to concerts and people jumping and going crazy, pounding fists or whatever....now they just sit there and nod.

Because they were only there for You Really Got Me and Jump.  People see the word "reunion" and go nuts, and most of them aren't even fans of music.

[GNRreunioneventually]

people who do #10 piss me off

and i'm guilty of #9 but everyone else is standing too so why not?

[lynn1961]

"Standing at a seated venue."

Hah, who the fuck is going to sit while (let's say) Guns N' Roses is on. Well, one guy sat and complained about people standing around him throughout the show, probably didn't have a good time. But it's his problem, he should've been standing  too, fucking ass. When I saw Aerosmith, Steven went "are you going to be sitting all night..? GET UP! 'Cause if you are going to sit all night.. then DREAM ON!" And the whole arena was dancing and having a good time.

Yeah I agreed with almost all of the article but def. not with this. They should add taking your shirt off at crowded club shows. I can't stand that. Small club shows where everyone is on top of each other anyway is not the time or place to take your shirt off to show everyone how cool you think you are for being 6 feet tall and weighing under a hundred pounds. Plus people are all sweaty and you end up having these people touch you unless you make a concious effort to avoid them.

Would you feel differently if this were a female taking off her shirt?!?   

Seriously, that was a great list/post!  I agree, with what's been said above, about sitting down at shows. 

Added - the REALLY inebriated ones who want to fight with everyone around them. 

And the ones who say or shout negative comments through the whole show - if you really don't like it - then leave!     

 

Of course it's different when girls take their shirts off. Thats just a sign of respect for the artist. It's like taking your shoes off bfore you walk on someones brand new rug. Every girl should be doing this lol

   Hilarious!! 

Being a female that doesn't take her shirt off, I find it to be - not ruining it for anyone - just lame.  I roll my eyes and think, "oh, come on, now...they're just tits, for God's sakes.  Like....no one's ever seen them before!".  However, I suppose if I had 38 DD's, I'd show them off, too, in the hopes of getting backstage.

mmm....no I wouldn't.     

[Genesis]

"oh, come on, now...they're just tits, for God's sakes.  Like....no one's ever seen them before!".

There's no such thing as too much tits. The more the merrier.

[Bodhi]

Speaking of sitting down at shows, I saw Van Halen last night at the Izod Center and the whole floor section was just sitting and being incredibly lame!  What has happened to people?  I remember going to concerts and people jumping and going crazy, pounding fists or whatever....now they just sit there and nod.

was it a young crowd? or older?

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Speaking of sitting down at shows, I saw Van Halen last night at the Izod Center and the whole floor section was just sitting and being incredibly lame!  What has happened to people?  I remember going to concerts and people jumping and going crazy, pounding fists or whatever....now they just sit there and nod.

was it a young crowd? or older?

At my Van Halen shows everyone was fucking old.

But for the most part, they all stood throughout the whole show.

[Neemo]

whoever wrote this list is a friggin baby IMO

1. Recording the show or incessantly taking photos with your cell phone.

answer....dont watch the fucking cellphone...or move to a different spot if it bugs you that much

2. Waiting until the show has started to secure your spot in the front row.

answer .... stand your ground, just cuz someone tries to but in doesnt mean you have to let them in...get a set of balls

3. Talking throughout the entire show.

answer....tell them you want to hear the show and ansk them to shut up or speak quieter

4. Being over 6'4 and choosing to stand in front of the shortest person in the crowd.

answer....see #1

5. Continually crowd surfing or slam dancing even though it's not that kind of show.

answer...see #1

6. Being an unruly lout.

see #1

7. Spastic dancing and general disregard for personal space.

see #1

8. Holding up a sign or flag for the duration of the show.

see #1 or ask them to put it down

9. Standing at a seated venue.

answer....how lazy are you anyway? stand for the 2 hours ya wimp

10. Waiting till the band plays their radio hit and then leaving .

answer who gives a shit....more room for me

if you are in a room with 10,000-20,000 people chances are there is a few idiots...jsut worry about yourself and not everyone else...the show will be more enjoyable for you 

[F*ck Fear]

whoever wrote this list is a friggin baby IMO

1. Recording the show or incessantly taking photos with your cell phone.

answer....dont watch the fucking cellphone...or move to a different spot if it bugs you that much

2. Waiting until the show has started to secure your spot in the front row.

answer .... stand your ground, just cuz someone tries to but in doesnt mean you have to let them in...get a set of balls

3. Talking throughout the entire show.

answer....tell them you want to hear the show and ansk them to shut up or speak quieter

4. Being over 6'4 and choosing to stand in front of the shortest person in the crowd.

answer....see #1

5. Continually crowd surfing or slam dancing even though it's not that kind of show.

answer...see #1

6. Being an unruly lout.

see #1

7. Spastic dancing and general disregard for personal space.

see #1

8. Holding up a sign or flag for the duration of the show.

see #1 or ask them to put it down

9. Standing at a seated venue.

answer....how lazy are you anyway? stand for the 2 hours ya wimp

10. Waiting till the band plays their radio hit and then leaving .

answer who gives a shit....more room for me

if you are in a room with 10,000-20,000 people chances are there is a few idiots...jsut worry about yourself and not everyone else...the show will be more enjoyable for you 

Agreed 100%.
I'm sorry but if someone tells me to sit down at a gig, they can shut the fuck up, and they'll be told so too. Also, if I waited all day in line to get a good spot, do I appreciate some fuckhead trying to move me out of the way? No I don't, but that same fuckhead isn't getting by me either lol. I also like to take photos, but it's usually with a disposable camera.

[jarmo]

jsut worry about yourself and not everyone else...the show will be more enjoyable for you 

The whole point of the article is not to worry about yourself.

If people actually had some respect for the fact that there are others in the crowd, chances are people wouldn't end up hurt or pissed off.


Your whole idea is to let the others to adjust to the idiots. What if the minority actually started being less selfish?







/jarmo

[Neemo]

jsut worry about yourself and not everyone else...the show will be more enjoyable for you 

The whole point of the article is not to worry about yourself.

If people actually had some respect for the fact that there are others in the crowd, chances are people wouldn't end up hurt or pissed off.


Your whole idea is to let the others to adjust to the idiots. What if the minority actually started being less selfish?

/jarmo

i dunno i learned the ropes of concerts at metal shows...noboby is gonna stick up for you down there, its every man (or woman) for herself....i am a pretty courteous person dont get me wrong...and i try not to stand in front of short people, i dont take cellphone movies, i only ever took pictures once a a concert, at the 06 gnr show in toronto, and i turned off my flash, i dont crowd surf, i dont mosh, ... all that crap thats listed i dont do at a concert . i go to a show to watch the musicians, being in the think of things makes it more interesting but i just observe (and try to avoid a foot in the head from a stray croud surfer )

i'm just saying that people arent gonna change, everyone has their own idea of a good time ... you deal with it or you move ..... an arena is a big place there are lots of places to stand ... whining about it isnt gonna change anything and if you dont like the people at concerts...dont go.... there is the ultimate solution to all 10 

do I appreciate some fuckhead trying to move me out of the way? No I don't, but that same fuckhead isn't getting by me either lol.

and yeah if i'm standign somewhere on the floor and somebody tries to get into my space i aint gonna let them... they can go around me 

And who the fuck are Crystal Castles, Klaxons & Malajube? yeah i bet those shows were pretty rough this pansy should go check out Megadeth or Slayer or something and stand in the pit they they'll learn something  

[jarmo]

anything and if you dont like the people at concerts...dont go.... there is the ultimate solution to all 10 

I think most people like the fact that there are others at the concerts.

They might not think it's a nice thing to have the show stopped because somebody is talking on the phone during a quiet number or getting hurt because some guy thinks it's fun to beat others up.


Obviously you seem to have common sense and actually think, for example, before taking photos.

It's just a shame that not everybody has common sense.


If you look out for the people around you and yourself, everybody will enjoy the show. It's quite simple.





/jarmo

[Neemo]

If you look out for the people around you and yourself, everybody will enjoy the show. It's quite simple.

yes definately, but unfortunately the world is full of stupid people 

[Bandita]

Speaking of sitting down at shows, I saw Van Halen last night at the Izod Center and the whole floor section was just sitting and being incredibly lame!  What has happened to people?  I remember going to concerts and people jumping and going crazy, pounding fists or whatever....now they just sit there and nod.

was it a young crowd? or older?

At my Van Halen shows everyone was fucking old.

But for the most part, they all stood throughout the whole show.

Hey now, that depends on what you consider "old."  I'm in my 30's.  It was a mixed crowd though, even a lot of teens there and of course the 40-50 yr. old sect as well.

[jarmo]

I think my main issue is that if you let the idiots keep doing what they do, where do you draw the line?

What's ok?

Saying you should just move if you have somebody talking on the phone next to you. Sure, you can move.

Same thing if you have a bunch of guys moshing, you can move.



But where do you draw the line?

Are you gonna tell a girl who's being groped to just move too and that it's a rock show so she should expect a few idiots in the crowd?




Now I'm not saying these things are equally bad. They just two examples of stupid behavior at a concert.

Where do you guys draw the line?



As I said earlier, if you look out for those around you and yourself, these things wouldn't be an issue.






/jarmo

[Neemo]

i'm jjust saying that you cant stop the idiots cuz there is too many of them...if you see a girl being abused or something then you should do somethign about it, even if its to get a security guard...but to sit and bitch and moan cuz someone is talking...say something or move somewhere else...bitching about it on an internet blog aint gonna do much

there is 3 choices to all 10 points

-Say something
-Move to a different spot
-dont go to the show

take your pick but if these things are ruining your experience then you need to lighten up or something...this would be like bitching on the internet cuz some little old lady is paying with pennies at the casheir at walmart  how about this blogger do a top 10 things that ruin my walmart shopping experience i mean gimme a break any time you deal with the public there are gonna be assholes

[jarmo]

So you think artists that are asking security to throw people out or stopping songs to tell people to shut the fuck up are overreacting?




/jarmo

[Neemo]

So you think artists that are asking security to throw people out or stopping songs to tell people to shut the fuck up are overreacting?

Well i've seen different ways of reacting.

I've seen Axl throw people out, i've seen Phil Anselmo of pantera tell people to beat the crap out of someone, I've seen Weiland bitch someone out...

it really depends on the artist, each will deal with it in their own way and whatever way they do it is fine with me...again i just go to watch the show

but yeah if the artist feels it necessary to have security throw someone out then so be it, next time dont be a dickhead and maybe you'll get to stay...same as at a sporting event...if you toss beer or something onto the playing surface then C-Ya and thats what you get for disrupting the show maybe you'll learn next time

[jarmo]

I guess the difference is that I think it's not ok to act like a jerk just because you're at a concert while you think it comes with the territory.





/jarmo

[Neemo]

I guess the difference is that I think it's not ok to act like a jerk just because you're at a concert while you think it comes with the territory.

yeah maybe...its just a difference of going to the show and getting all worked up cuz someone is being a jerk or being like me and say "wow that guys a real dickhead so i'm gonna go over here and get away from him"...then i just forget about it...no point in dwelling on it thats all i'm saying, its gonna happen whether you get pissed off at it or not 

and people that act like jerks at concerts are prolly jerks in real life anyway, just being drunk or high brings it out more thats all

[jarmo]

I'm not getting worked up over it, I'm just hoping people would have some common sense and respect for others in the crowd.



Last show I went to a few weeks back I had a tall guy waving his arms around and trying to get the band's attention standing next to me.

He was hitting people to the left and right while jumping into people in front of him.

He kept apologizing to people through out the show. Then during a quiet song he thought it was a great idea to start a conversation with the girl he was there with.



Totally disrespectful and I don't think it's fair to assume the ten people around him should just go stand in the back if they don't like having some tall guy hitting them in the face while he's busy trying to take off for a flight to Mars or whatever. 




/jarmo

[LunsJail]

I also love the people who know what the standard setlist is and feel the need to call out the name of every song seconds before the band begins it.  Thanks for killing the spontaneity shithead.  Even worse is when they say the song title in a really bored "been here, done this" kind of tone. 

[Neemo]

He was hitting people to the left and right while jumping into people in front of him.

so elbow him in the gut...or tell him to stop being a dick

you dont have to go stand in the back of the crowd...just move 5 feet over and let 10 different people deal with him, you act like taking a few steps to the side is the end of the world 

[jarmo]

He was hitting people to the left and right while jumping into people in front of him.

so elbow him in the gut...or tell him to stop being a dick

you dont have to go stand in the back of the crowd...just move 5 feet over and let 10 different people deal with him, you act like taking a few steps to the side is the end of the world 

I had a great spot!

It was a small club so a few steps to the side would mean you're basically watching the show from a really bad angle..... 



/jarmo

[GeraldFord]

Pretty much nailed it, and those captions were great.

[journey]

I have an issue with the sitting vs. standing. It seems disrespectful to the band when people sit at a concert. Would you sit during your country's national anthem? Where's the fun in sitting quietly and politely clapping after each song? That's not rock n' roll, that's opera.

edit: I'd like to clarify that this in no way applies to people who aren't able to stand.

[jarmo]

I have an issue with the sitting vs. standing. It seems disrespectful to the band when people sit at a concert. Would you sit during your country's national anthem? Where's the fun in sitting quietly and politely clapping after each song? That's not rock n' roll, that's opera.

I think it depends on what kind of a concert it is.

 


/jarmo

[D]

at concerts I hate drunk annoying people. some people cannot hold their alcohol.

[Thorned Rose]

If the show is a softer pace show and it has seats... then you are supposed to sit through most of it..

Like when I saw Poison and Ratt...

When Poison came out everyone stood and went crazy... which was cool because it was a good moment... then everyone sat back down...

good show and poison blew people away in indy

standing up constantly is retarded

[SLCPUNK]

I stand at all concerts for the most part. Every now and then I'll sit down during a slow song.

[D]

Im the same way.

I think the only reason there are seats at concerts in the first place is to sell more tickets and cater to the older crowd who dont want someone cutting or ramming into them.

I love seats personally. That way first row is first row etc.

I got right in on the NIN tickets but why buy GA 3 days before everyone else? no advantage in that. some dick can buy theirs the day before and get front row.

Im not a fan of that.

U cant sit at a Prince concert. He will straight up call u out if u arent up and having a good time.