Concert Etiquette

[IloveDMB]

So I love music. And I love going to concerts. Any opportunity I can get, I go to a concert. I love jamming out to some music, swaying my body, moving my arms. I just love music and grooving to it.

So last night, my friends and I went to a free outdoor concert. It was Colbie Caillat, one of our favorite artists. My friend has loved her since she was undiscovered on My space, so she was pretty excited.

So we get to Cityplace early and grab some dinner. We then head out to the courtyard to secure our spots for the concert. We find our spots and the concert starts. We are all having a good time and jamming out.

Well about halfway through, I feel a tap on my shoulder. It is this girl who asks me to stop swaying as she has to keep moving to see the stage. I admit, I was a little in shock. I was just having a good time. Nevermind, it was a small outdoor venue and the worst spot was maybe 100 feet from the stage. Anyways, I just looked at her and didn't say anything.

I turned to my friend and asked her to switch spots with me. We switched and my friend (we call her the Enforcer) does her dancing thing, waiting for the girl to say something.

The funny part is, about 3 minutes later, these 3 very tall people come and stand in front of her and now she can't see at all.

I can't be the only one who loves to move at concerts, can I? I don't think I was being rude, in fact the thought never even crossed my mind. Was I rude or was she?

P.S. the concert was a blast and we had a great girls night out, regardless.

 

[Skywalker]

It sounds like you were rude. What is wrong with having some consideration for other people?

 

[Pop Daddy]

been years since I went to a concert, but the only rule I remember is you dont puke on anyone

 

[Feralpeg]

This topic has been discussed here many times. It never turns out well. There are those who like to go to a concert and cut loose. They stand, dance and do whatever feels good. They have a great time. Then, there are those who go to a concert who would rather see the actual performers rather than the people in front of them. The two sides will never find a compromise position.

 

[NotAmused]

I go to tons of concerts and I don't see anything wrong with what you were doing. I myself am not a dancer, but I've had people in front of me who like to dance/move around and it is really not that big of a deal I can usually see around them or move to the left/right a little...problem solved. Now if there were chairs and someone was standing on a chair or you were bumping into the people, then that would be rude but there's nothing wrong with dancing at a concert.


BTW, was this the concert Colbie did with The Last Goodnight last night? I really wanted to go it, but I had other plans. Glad you had fun!

 

[mylilnikita]

At least you weren't told to get a room-lol.

 

[minniecarousel]

So YOU'RE the person who is in front of me at every concert!

This is one of my pet peeves! I pay good money for my SEAT. I'd like to use it.

Case in point - DH & I went to the Billy Joel concert last month - large venue - an arena. We're in the lower, tiered seats. The stage is at one end and we have to turn slightly to see the stage. So - ya know what happens? One broad (who is at least 5 rows ahead of me, & diagonal) has to stand up and sway to the music during EVERY song. She is the only one in our section doing this. It's like she's saying: "Hey, look at me!" I could lean this way - or that and still see Billy, but she is directly in my view of the beautifully lit stage - so if I just sit in my seat and try to watch the whole stage - she's right in the middle of it. Of course, the entire crowd got up for some of his songs - but you only have to look around and see that everybody else has sat down.

I purposely didn't buy seats on the floor, knowing that those folks don't sit at all.

Now - if it's a small venue and non-reserved seats, that is a different story. I more than likely wouldn't go to that kind of a show.

Go to a dance club if you want to dance.

 

[IloveDMB]

It sounds like you were rude. What is wrong with having some consideration for other people?

Perhaps I was, but the thing is I have never been to a concert where everyone wasn't doing the same exact thing. It's one of the things I love about going to Dave Matthews concerts, everybody dancing and having a great time.

I go to tons of concerts and I don't see anything wrong with what you were doing. I myself am not a dancer, but I've had people in front of me who like to dance/move around and it is really not that big of a deal I can usually see around them or move to the left/right a little...problem solved. Now if there were chairs and someone was standing on a chair or you were bumping into the people, then that would be rude but there's nothing wrong with dancing at a concert.


BTW, was this the concert Colbie did with The Last Goodnight last night? I really wanted to go it, but I had other plans. Glad you had fun!

Yes it was that concert and it was really good! It's so nice to see bands like that out there, giving a free show for their fans.

At least you weren't told to get a room-lol.

Those situations make me feel so awkward, I just tend to look away.

So YOU'RE the person who is in front of me at every concert!

This is one of my pet peeves! I pay good money for my SEAT. I'd like to use it.

Now - if it's a small venue and non-reserved seats, that is a different story. I more than likely wouldn't go to that kind of a show.

Go to a dance club if you want to dance.

Nope, to me if it is a sitting concert, I would sit. If I am ever fortunate enough to go to a Billy Joel concert, I would sit. He is not one of the artists that I feel compelled to groove to. And trust me, if everyone around me was sitting, I would not be the only one standing up. Way too self conscious here.

In May, I saw Roger Waters and didn't dance. Just sat back and enjoyed the music. That is one of those concerts that my dad and I refer to as "sitting concerts."

And it was a small place, first come first serve, standing room only concert.

 

[Breezie]

It really depends on the venue, and if the show has mandated seating or general admission.

It's completely acceptable to sway or dance at a general admission concert. I do it all the time myself. It would be ridiculous to ask people to stand still while listening to good tunes!

But if it was a show with assigned seating, then I think it would be considered rude.

 

[jenrose66]

I also love concerts, however, I'm not a dancer, I like to stand still and just watch. To look at me, I probably seem uptight, but I am a music lover and have been to dozens and dozens and dozens of shows. I guess if everyone enjoyed a show like I did, the place would be pretty quiet.

I do find it rude with the excessive dancing and swaying, it's annoying and sometimes distracting...but, whatever it is it is. Like I said, I'm sure the artists on stage feed off the interaction, so who am I to say if it is right or wrong.

I would not ask someone to stop dancing at a show.

 

[nsyncraider17]

At a general admission concert, I think you're absolutely fine. Pretty much all of the concerts I go to are GA, standing room only in small venues. I'm really short and it can be really frustrating if I get stuck behind people who are tall or who are moving around a lot, but I don't blame them - I know that's a risk of going to the concert, and if I want to be able to see the whole stage, I know I have to get there early so I'll be able to stand in the front. This girl should learn that, too. As long as you weren't being obnoxiously loud or attempting to mosh and intentionally running into people who weren't interested (my biggest pet peeve at concerts), I think your dancing was totally acceptable.

 

[ducklite]

I think it depends on the venue and the artist.

If you want to stand for the entire show where most people are sitting, find a place where you won't block people.

If you go to a show with seats, but most people are standing, don't get mad when your view is blocked if you want to sit.

I found it odd that so many people stood during a lot of Tom Jones. I can understand standing and dancing during some of his more up-tempo songs, but I don't get why they stood through the ballads.

On the otherhand, I thought it was odd when people were sitting during a lot of the Red Hot Chili Peppers show.

The only show that I've been to in years that the audience politely stood and clapped at the end of each song, then sat back down before the next show was ASIA.

 

[Disney Doll]

If I am at a concert, I sit in my seat unless the entire arena is standing. Then I will stand.

If you were in front of me standing and swaying, it would have aggravated me too.

 

[LilyWDW]

But if it was a show with assigned seating, then I think it would be considered rude.

I have never been too a concert where people sat through every song and didn't sway to the music... and I have only been to assigned seating concerts! Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn, Reba, Backstreet Boys (hey, it was years ago!)... never once do I remember sitting around during these shows and many more.

I don't think you were doing anything wrong OP. I would have gotten up and danced along with ya!

 

[babieemelly]

I've been to a HUGE amount of concerts, and I've never, ever been to one where everyone just sat down the entire time. Whether it was Elton John, Cher, Billy Joel, Roger Waters, Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf, Aerosmith, Paul McCartney, the Beach Boys, Backstreet Boys, My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, Muse or anyone else, everyone was always standing and having fun and getting into the music. You paid to be there too and you have every right to get up and dance and have fun to the music. It's a concert and you're there to have fun! You could have sat on the couch and watched music videos if you didn't want to move

 

[LisaNJ25]

I dont care about dancing but please not sing at the top of your lungs (not you op lol). I paid $400 for an eagles concert and had some idiot sign off key for a few songs,

 

[KariC]

been years since I went to a concert, but the only rule I remember is you dont puke on anyone

b/c that is NOT sexy.




away, OP. Now, if it were a symphony performance, I would suggest that you sit, stay awake, and don't puke on anyone.

 

[ducklite]

I was at a show a few weeks ago, and this guys says "Hey, I see you at all the shows." OK... Then his buddy proceeds to tell me that he was the one who had puked on my feet last February at another show. I just walked away.

Why would you admit that?

 

[KariC]

I was at a show a few weeks ago, and this guys says "Hey, I see you at all the shows." OK... Then his buddy proceeds to tell me that he was the one who had puked on my feet last February at another show. I just walked away.

Why would you admit that?

good grief! why did he not have the good sense to tuck his tail and hurry away and hope to God that you didn't recognize him???? That is what I always do!

(for the record, I have never puked on someone's feet at any music venue)

 

[Micca]

I was at a show a few weeks ago, and this guys says "Hey, I see you at all the shows." OK... Then his buddy proceeds to tell me that he was the one who had puked on my feet last February at another show. I just walked away.

Why would you admit that?

I believe Anne has just experienced and posted the worst pickup line of all time.