Topic: Gig etiquette

Not quite on the same lines as Jigsawearth's recent thread, more for more "seasoned" gig/concert attendees: I saw this article by Gabrielle Leimon on do's and don' t's at events and thought it was worth sharing:-

1.You want to be at the front of the gig? Good. Get to the venue early and queue up like everyone else. Don't wait until the gig has started and then push your way through the crowd to the front - especially if you end up hurting people, knocking them over and splitting up people who want to be able to enjoy the gig together. Some of us made plans to queue up to earn a place at the front and so we bloody well deserve it.

2.I came here to see a band play. I didn't come to hear you and your buddy have a loud conversation throughout the entire event. If you came to see your friend rather than the band then hang out at the bar and don't bother people.


3.You want to mosh? That's fine, but mosh if other people want to get involved. Create a safe space to do so and if people fall down, pick them up. I almost got trampled at a Sisters of Mercy gig because a bunch of dudes thought it was OK to start pushing and moshing in a really tight crowd of people. I was winded and knocked to the floor. A friend of mine had to fight people back to pull me up so my head didn't get stamped on.


4.Got a drink? Bored of it? How about you don't drop it on the floor in the middle of a crowd? It's an instant health and safety hazard, someone could slip and hurt themselves. Either drink it, hold it or see if your friend wants it. Don't create a slipping hazard for other people. Oh, and if the band is doing that slow ballad and you want to get out your lighter make sure to raise it high and take a look at your surroundings first. You don't want to be the idiot who sets someone's hair on fire.


5.It's pretty common to want to sing along with the songs. You should be able to enjoy the music. That said, if I can hear your out of tune singing over the actual music, that's not going to be fun. If more than one person turns around to stare at you to find the source of the warbling, take it as a hint and take it down a few notches.


6.Don't pickpocket. Just don't. Ever.


7.Don't throw yourself at the stage at the singer in an effort to show your love for them, especially if you knock over several other fans in the process. I've seen plenty of guys literally throwing themselves at the feet of female singers at gigs. It's just a bit awkward for everyone involved.


8.Being in a crowd does not give you any excuse for a casual grope. Ever.  (Boys AND Girls...)


9.Respect queues be they outside the venue, at the merch table or at the bar. It's basic respect.


10.Be generally supportive. Is someone getting squished? Give them space. Standing in front of people? Just turn around and check if the people behind you can see what's going on. Did someone faint? Seek help. Does someone want out of the crowd? Move for them. If it were you in danger, you'd want others to be helpful.

Have to say, for the vast majority of the crowds I meet at gigs I attend, this is "singing to the choir", but there are one or two, shall we call "casual" attendees that need to take note of the above.

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

Re: Gig etiquette

thanks for posting Mike, good food for thought. damn, I thought #8 was OK under certain circumstances? lol

As corn through a goose, so are the days of our lives

3 (edited by Ian916 2014-04-15 09:22:53)

Re: Gig etiquette

ahsmith33 wrote:

I thought #8 was OK under certain circumstances? lol

- Courtney Love should not have been so stupid! - Actually not funny what happened to her, but you would think she would have worked out the risk that some of the crowd at a festival may not have been her fans before being so daft.

11. Those members of the audience with a weaker bladder should wait until the interval before disturbing the entire line in a sit down venue such as the Royal Albert Hall, - and get your prostate checked wink

- sadly I would say that Joe’s notoriety has bought with it the usual suspects that do not know how to behave in public, whatever the situation.

My YouTube channel with plenty of my Joe's videos dating from 2009 inc his first Hammersmith Odeon ones:
http://www.youtube.com/ian916fun

Re: Gig etiquette

Especially 1, 2, and 5.

5 (edited by RickB 2014-04-15 14:01:46)

Re: Gig etiquette

Top of my list is #2. If you want to see an old man become an instant A-H, do that near me. First offense has me turn around and give the glare, do it again and I'm in your face and you are not having a good time. mad
Rick

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

Re: Gig etiquette

BAH!!! smile

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! wink"
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”

Re: Gig etiquette

I'd have thought mobile devices would have come into the article somewhere. I don't mind folk trying to take the odd snap of artist in full flight, or even trying to video, though please, I'm not a tripod (modest.... :cool ). What irks me, even though its their money, are people who decide to text or update their bookfaces in the middle of a show, or worse, decide its the time for a few games of kandy crush or whatever.

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...