Concert etiquette?

[asta]

I think it depends on the concert but it is nice to look around and sit if most people are sitting. If a lot of people are up and dancing then I would feel free to stand. I like the idea of offering to switch seats with those behind you if they request you to sit.

This reminds me of a recent concert by Smokey Robinson in our local symphony hall (he is still great). Theater style seating and almost everyone was sitting. The guy next to me was so overcome that several times he got to his feet and needed to 'direct' the music. He apologized to everyone around but was so in love with the music that he couldn't help himself. No one minded, we loved seeing how excited he was. After all it was Smokey Robinson!

 

[EMode]

Standing is acceptable at concerts. So much so that there a venues that don't have any seats.

 

[Laura66]

You're in my neck of the woods! I was so bummed I couldn't go yesterday!

Everyone I know (me included) stands during a concert!

 

[soccerdad72]

A Billy Joel show, I would expect to stand the majority of the time, sitting for some of the slower songs and ballads.

And that's pretty much what we did, along with the people beside us.

I think that the older couples initially called over security, but after a little while, I think the ladies next to us felt like they were the ones getting harassed and asked security to talk to the folks behind them. It's not like anyone was obnoxious or falling over drunk -- they were just enjoying the show.

 

[Andtototoo]

A few years ago, we went to a rock concert and during one of the opening acts, the teens behind us stood up to cheer on the (young) singer. I overheard them talking about how they felt bad that no one was standing up for her, so they decided to do it and wave and clap loudly. I thought it was very nice of them, to be honest. About 60 seconds later, a security guard tells them to sit down because the old folks behind them couldn't see. I was shocked. I mean, really, it's a rock concert. People stand/dance/yell/sing along. So, just to test the waters, I and one of my friends who's my age, stood up and did the exact same thing these teens did. And whaddaya know? The security guard did nothing, even when I heard those old folks complain. Simple age discrimination. Then, of course, when the headliner came out, EVERYONE but the old folks stood up. They couldn't have seen a thing and boooooy, were they complaining about it after the show was over. I really didn't have much sympathy. You go to a rock show, you need to realize people are going to stand up and dance. In fact, the manager was telling them "too bad, so sad, it's a rock show, what did you expect?" And at this particular show, the guards actually allowed people in the back to move forward to fill the aisles AND the area between the front row and the stage. The only way you could have sit and seen the show was with front row balcony seats. This is typical.


I think if you go to anything remotely akin to rock/pop, you should expect that people will stand up. I've been to many concerts in which the band actually TELLS the audience to get up and dance. It's really the norm.

If someone wants to sit and still see, they need to purchase front row balcony seats.

 

[LauraC]

Our local performance theater has this posted on their ticket purchase page:

Please Note: Certain events, like rock or contemporary country concerts, may result in patrons standing and having a rocking time.
You may wish to choose an alternate location in the theater to avoid partially obstructed views of the stage.

 

[Tink888]

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, I think it's just one of those things where you have to go with the flow of what everyone else is doing and hope for the best.

Of the concerts I've been to, it seems like if it's rock or music you can dance to, people stood and if it was a mellow group or country, most people sat. If you had floor seats, no matter the act, it was a given that you were going to be standing the entire show.

Just my opinion, and I love Billy Joel, with so many of his songs being on the more mellow side, I'd think that up in the rows, most people would sit after awhile. I can see the couple being not to happy, but again, at a concert you just have to go with the flow. No way would I let it ruin my night.

 

[Angelhalo]

This is why I never get to go to concerts anymore. I refuse to pay tons of money and then not be able to see. I am only 5 feet tall so if the people in front of me are standing, then I have to stand, and even then I can't see anything because 9 times out of ten they are taller than me. It stinks! I know people want to have fun and move a bit and be energetic, but, if you aren't blessed with height then you are just SOL.

 

[Skywalker]

I remember going to a concert with my friends, we were probably around 14. We stood up for the entire show and not ONE other person was standing. It was awkward but at that age we didn't care, nor did we really think about blocking anyone - we were in our own excited world.

At one point, someone must have called security on us because they came over and told us to sit down. Well the lead singer could see this all happen (again, probably because we were the only ones standing in the entire stadium) and said "Hey it's okay let them stand. They're the only ones here having a good time." lol. After that more people stood up but looking back I feel bad for whoever was behind us.

Now I more go with the flow if the majority are standing than I do. But I usually hope and pray there will be sitters in front of me, who has the energy anymore lol.

We saw Billy Joel last month and our section (nose bleeds) did not stand but the lower ones did.

 

[powellrj]

This is why I never go to concerts anymore. I can't stand and have to sit, so its just easier to stay home.

 

[Arielle22]

I have been to many concerts. The one that stands out was a Toby Keith concert. I was with a group of 7 women. We stood for part of the concert and sat when most around us also sat.

Several women seat jumped in front of us and proceeded to stand the entire time. So we stood and people behind us who were siting got mad. Looking around we (at that point) were the only ones standing (us and the people in front of us). We explained to the row behind us that we couldn't see unless we stood.

A man came from the row behind us and politely explained to the women that his mom was very ill and couldn't stand for long periods so could they please sit? Women said yes then stood after another song.

We ended up sitting as well and was happy we did. People several rows back were throwing ice at the women to try and get them to sit. My sister got an usher because the women didn't belong in those seats (heard them discussing it). Usher did nothing.

Once the concert ended the women booked it out of there because they were being approached by some angry concert goers.

I am of the opinion that if the majority of the people are sitting, you should sit also. One of the reasons I no longer go to concerts is that I can't stand for that long.

 

[Micca]

For people like me who would prefer to remain seated for the most of the show, it's a losing battle. Go ahead, stand, scream and have a great time.

I'll buy the concert bluray when it comes out at approximately the cost of parking & one beer. I can remain seated, the view is fantastic, no line for the bathroom or beer, and on the off chance there's vomit on my shoes, it will be from the cat.

 

[Andtototoo]

This post made me chuckle ironically, because one of the reasons I can't stand for long periods anymore is that I was shoved over, kicked, and stepped on in the audience at a GA Adam Lambert show and needed two knee surgeries afterwards.

I'm glad other people have had better experiences though. He really is a great live performer. I think I saw his first concert tour about ten times.

Yes, he is the best live performer I've ever seen. We are very excited to see him this summer when he is touring with Queen, as a matter of fact.

This is why I never get to go to concerts anymore. I refuse to pay tons of money and then not be able to see. I am only 5 feet tall so if the people in front of me are standing, then I have to stand, and even then I can't see anything because 9 times out of ten they are taller than me. It stinks! I know people want to have fun and move a bit and be energetic, but, if you aren't blessed with height then you are just SOL.

Oh, I agree and I'm quite a bit taller than you. That's why I will NOT do GA or buy floor seats. Even at my height and with boots on, invariably someone 6' tall with heft to them, stands in front of me and I can't see a thing! The last time I did "floor" seats it was for an outdoor Adam Lambert show and the woman in front of me had on a 18" tall top hat with feathers coming out of it. I mean, COME ON! I did tap her on the shoulder and ask her to remove her hat. She asked why and I told her that no one behind her could see through her hat. She blinked and said "Oh. I'm sorry. I never thought about that." Thankfully, she did remove her hat. But if she'd been a big tall person, I would have been out of luck. That was it for me. No more floor seats. Waste of money. So I do feel for you.

 

[luvsJack]

This post made me chuckle ironically, because one of the reasons I can't stand for long periods anymore is that I was shoved over, kicked, and stepped on in the audience at a GA Adam Lambert show and needed two knee surgeries afterwards.

I'm glad other people have had better experiences though. He really is a great live performer. I think I saw his first concert tour about ten times.

Yes, he is the best live performer I've ever seen. We are very excited to see him this summer when he is touring with Queen, as a matter of fact.



Oh, I agree and I'm quite a bit taller than you. That's why I will NOT do GA or buy floor seats. Even at my height and with boots on, invariably someone 6' tall with heft to them, stands in front of me and I can't see a thing! The last time I did "floor" seats it was for an outdoor Adam Lambert show and the woman in front of me had on a 18" tall top hat with feathers coming out of it. I mean, COME ON! I did tap her on the shoulder and ask her to remove her hat. She asked why and I told her that no one behind her could see through her hat. She blinked and said "Oh. I'm sorry. I never thought about that." Thankfully, she did remove her hat. But if she'd been a big tall person, I would have been out of luck. That was it for me. No more floor seats. Waste of money. So I do feel for you.

LOVED Adam. I was pleasantly surprised that it was a lot of fun in the GA area. No pushing or shoving, everyone was quite nice and just having a good time.

I have been to some that that I would NOT sit/stand on the floor. It can get scary!! In fact, dd has been to a couple with her bff that they backed off and stood toward the back for fear of getting shoved into the stage. And that was at a country music concert!!

 

[asta]

No one here has mentioned the extremely annoying habit of someone in front of you holding their smartphone up and trying to film. It blocks your view and shines an annoying light in your eyes. And the person filming gets a bad recording with a poor image instead of being in the moment and enjoying the music.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

No one here has mentioned the extremely annoying habit of someone in front of you holding their smartphone up and trying to film. It blocks your view and shines an annoying light in your eyes. And the person filming gets a bad recording with a poor image instead of being in the moment and enjoying the music.

 

[ebtbmom]

I'm taking my niece to see Miley next week, wonder what the appropriate behavior is at her concerts?

 

[Christine]

I'm taking my niece to see Miley next week, wonder what the appropriate behavior is at her concerts?

There will be NO sitting. There will be lots of cellphone use.

 

[jdb in AZ]

that's a tough one. It is kind of an unspoken assumption that even though you are assigned a seat, people will get up and dance during a concert like Billy Joel, I mean how could you sit down to 'We didn't start the fire" or "Only the good die young?"

If it were me, and I wanted to be up dancing I would probably offer to switch seats with the older folks. 70 at a rock concert? Yeah they are going to need to sit.

Some do, some don't. A 70-ish friend attended a retro rock concert and he was dancing in the aisles. His wife can't keep up with him.

 

[soccerdad72]

No one here has mentioned the extremely annoying habit of someone in front of you holding their smartphone up and trying to film. It blocks your view and shines an annoying light in your eyes. And the person filming gets a bad recording with a poor image instead of being in the moment and enjoying the music.

Saw a lot of that last night. Even after a number of security guys told people to stop recording.