Stage-jumping at concerts

[ckay87]

Last week saw Aerosmith and Lenny Kravitz in concert (WOW, by the way, for both of them )

But there was an interesting "problem" for the Aerosmith segment of the show. I've never seen so many people (in this case, women) breech security and jump onstage. The first one was cute and funny, but I'm guessing that for the rest of the show there were about 7 more. They'd run up to him (Tyler), grab and kiss him. He was gracious and cute about it, but what else could he be? I'm thinking...how scary is this for them? How dangerous is it for the band AND the jumpers?

So the debate later last week on the Aero fan boards was whether or not this is okay. Some say, go for it; it's a rock concert and okay to get caught up in the moment. Others think, as I do, that this is an arena of 20K people who did not pay to see girls jump up on stage, interrupt songs, and embarrass themselves. When this is done at a sports event, the perp is tackled (roughly), escorted out, arrested and/or fined. I think these ladies should have been privileged to the same treatment. Instead I saw them gently led off the stage by security and, as I understand it, sent back to their seats.

Have any of you ever done this? Would you? Would you find it as annoying as I did?

 

[ducklite]

I haven't done it. I've seen it done thousands of times. If they were able to make it on to the stage, security was lacking. Big time. That poses a threat to the artists--remember the freak who ran up to Paul Simon at the Concert for Central Park? And we won't even talk about the loser who shot "Dimebag" Darryl Abbott. Even if the fan is not aggressive, it's still not safe to go running across a stage where various pyro equipment, guitar cords, carpets, and more are present. A high heeled show/boot can slice a guitar or mike cord in half.

I think the last time I saw someone end up on a stage was at a Fuel show in a concert club. This girl somehow was launched over the barricade and ended up on the stage. Normally that would be an offense that would get you tossed out of this club. She's apparantly a HUGE fan, and the singer stopped the bouncers and told them it was cool, don't throw her out. I'm still not sure how she made it airborne acroos the barricade and photopit--must be a good 5-6 feet bewteen where she went over the barricade and actually hit the stage!

I see a lot of crowd surfing, and often the people end up on the stage side of teh barricade--they are escorted back into the crowd. Sometimes the same person will "Surf" over the barricade half a dozen times in one show!

Bottom line, while I'm not big on crowd surfing as it can cause serious injuries to the surfer and those they might fall on, I can deal with it--please just wait until after the third song in the set so the photographers are out of the photopit! Stage diving is VERY dangerous, and stage jumping is very disruptive. Moshing--well, I don't mind it when the pit is back away from the barricade so those who want to be on the rail to watch the show can do so wthout be slammed. I'm too old for it all though. Unless I'm in the photopit, I watch from front of house mix--that's where the best sound is anyhow.

Here's one for you--what do you think of this? Several lead singers have taken to jumping off second level balconies (like at House of Blues type venues) into the waiting arms of the fans below--basically drawing the fans in close and tight, and then "free falling" from a balcony. I've seen three different singers do this--the fans love it!

Anne

 

[rockin_rep]

We saw him in concert two years ago and saw the same thing. They also had a stage in the back for their last set. When steven tyler was escorted there i couldn't believe the people, yes mostly women, who threw themselves on him. He kept laughing but i would have freaked. It was also an interesting crowd with ages ranging from families with toddlers, lots of teens but mostly people in their 30s thru 50s. Great fun, aerosmith ROCKS!

 

[WeirdEyes]

Anne ~ I want your job! Fuel?

In the '80's I was on front row of Loverboy and the crowd started pushing. I had to climb onto the stage or get crushed. One of the bodyguards was nice enough to pick me up and take me to a dressing room for a cold drink. I did get to touch Mike Reno on the boot so that was cool. LOL I couldn't imagine actually leaping on stage like a bad woman!

 

[ducklite]

Anne ~ I want your job! Fuel?

That one wasn't "work". My friend and I actually bought tickets LOL!

Tonight I'm shooting Shinedown and Silvertide. Shinedown ALWAYS puts on a high energy show, but they like to hang over the edge of the stage and they sweat a lot. Yuck!

Anne

 

[Mishetta]

Have any of you ever done this? Would you? Would you find it as annoying as I did?

No I've never done this ~ although.....2 weeks ago I went to a Bon Jovi concert & trust me, I could have jumped on stage! The only thing holding me back was that I'm an old fat married lady & I had my 10 y/o son with me! But boy, was I ever ready to jump on stage & grab on to (you know...hug) Jon Bon Jovi! I don't think I would have found it annoying one bit if I had done it but if someone else had jumped on stage & touched Jon BJ, it would have annoyed me to no end!