Pickle Table

[Walk the Hawk]

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[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Hey all,

I am curious to know what people's pet peeves are when it comes to concerts and festivals - if you have any.

Is pushing your way to the front okay? NO
Is sitting on someone's shoulders okay? Generally NO but it happens.
When does singing along to a song become obnoxious? When you are the only one doing it
If you are at a seated venue, how many times can the guy/girl next to you say 'Excuse me' as they walk by you for another beer before you want to kill them? 3 times
Is talking okay? Or should communication be reserved for 'This song rules'? Talking is fine, chances are you have to get right up to the mouth with your ear to hear what someone is trying to say. Speakers are cranked really loud at festivals and rock concerts.
Do you stand? Sit? Is it okay to stand when the vast majority is sitting? If at an all seating venue, you have to sit unless you are willing to go to the back row. At a festival, it is pretty much standing the whole time
Of course, the ol' mobile phone camera thing. Chances are high that security will ask you to put it away if it is not allowed

Should it be anything goes? Do people care?

See my responses in BOLD

 

[JP Sauce]

Hey all,

I am curious to know what people's pet peeves are when it comes to concerts and festivals - if you have any.

Is pushing your way to the front okay? Absolutely not, but it's hard to stop.
Is sitting on someone's shoulders okay? If you're blocking people that can't move to a be able to see, then definitely. If you're near the back at an ourdoor festival then it's less of an issue.
When does singing along to a song become obnoxious? When you can be heard over the singer.
If you are at a seated venue, how many times can the guy/girl next to you say 'Excuse me' as they walk by you for another beer before you want to kill them? Agreed with above, 3 is the max.
Is talking okay? Or should communication be reserved for 'This song rules'? Talking is alright as long as you can't be heard by anyone other than the person you're talking to.
Do you stand? Sit? Is it okay to stand when the vast majority is sitting? Always stand unless it's a seated event. If you wanna sit go at the back.
Of course, the ol' mobile phone camera thing. Anyone using their phone to take more than 1 or 2 pictures or any video should be shot on sight. Or at least banned from ever going to watch live music again.

Should it be anything goes? Do people care?

Bold

 

[james Dean]

Is pushing your way to the front okay? No absolutely not if you want a good spot, get there early

Is sitting on someone's shoulders okay? If you are a short girl and can't see the stage then I think it is ok, but not for the whole show

When does singing along to a song become obnoxious? When the catchy chorus is over

If you are at a seated venue, how many times can the guy/girl next to you say 'Excuse me' as they walk by you for another beer before you want to kill them? Twice

Is talking okay? Or should communication be reserved for 'This song rules'? If you can find a way to talk louder than the music then that is pretty impressive

Do you stand? Sit? Is it okay to stand when the vast majority is sitting? Do what everyone else is doing, if it's a rock show who sits anyway

Of course, the old' mobile phone camera thing. It doesn't bother me when people do it, I just don't understand why. You are there! Watch it live!

 

[mickelboy182]

Interesting all the people say pushing to the front is not ok...

I myself will usually push my way to where the mosh is... generally the people further back than that don't want anything to do with it and there's always space where it's happening, so eh.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Yep, I got sick of pricks pushing through so I started doing it. I copped some dirty looks at Vampire Weekend for doing it but made up a terribly George Costanza line so people would kind of let me go through. It depends where you are though – you can do it a bit at somewhere like the Corner, Hi Fi, or Dingers. But bigger shows at Festival Hall et. all... it's harder.

I have no issue with people singing. It means people are having a good time. I've stood next to girls who can barely register mid-level tones and it's shite to hear but who cares? Most of the gigs I go to where singing's appreciated (again, the big ones) is full of 15-18 year old girls – I'm sure, come April, they'll be screaming for Alex Turner every nine seconds. But I think it's endearing. Though not a girl, I always wished I had the access to big gigs like that when I was growing up. It's a rite of passage. There's something so lame about it, your dad dropping you off out the front, but they're entitled to it.

As for sitting, I don't getcha. I'd rather not go to a show than sit down in the stalls. What I do love is everyone sitting down prior to a gig starting. It makes it easier to rush close to the stage, but rests your legs too. Big fan.

 

[Dory_77]

Is pushing your way to the front okay? I don't mind letting people go in front of me (I'm 6ft6 so I can stand a bit back and still see) but if they're being campaigners and actually pushing and shoving to get through it's a bit annoying. That said, I go to mostly metal/hardcore/punk concerts where everyone pushes and shoves anyways, so I'm used to it.
Is sitting on someone's shoulders okay? Sitting on shoulders is fine; no one gets up there for more than a couple of songs I've found.
When does singing along to a song become obnoxious? Singing along never gets obnoxious. You paid for the live experience; make the ****ing most of it you silly ****s! Get into it! Scream, wail, jump around!
If you are at a seated venue, how many times can the guy/girl next to you say 'Excuse me' as they walk by you for another beer before you want to kill them? Don't get seated tickets. But really if people want to get on the beers, who are you to bitch at them? So what? Put up with it and it shouldn't really be that much of a surprise. It's the same as if you're at the footy. Some people want to drink, good for them, I don't think it's that much of an inconvenience
Is talking okay? Or should communication be reserved for 'This song rules'? It's usually too loud to talk at a concert. If you're going to talk go to the back of the crowd so you can actually hear.
Do you stand? Sit? Is it okay to stand when the vast majority is sitting? If it's a seated section, then sit. If not, stand.
Of course, the ol' mobile phone camera thing. I do find this pretty annoying, though at most of the shows I've been too it's been pretty rare.
One more thing: If you knock someone over, pick them up. Or if you see someone get knocked over, pick them up. Hate it when douchebags who think they're tough blindside people in mosh/circle pits then walk away.

Should it be anything goes? Do people care?
I think people should be allowed to do what they want at a concert. You're seeing a live band, perhaps one of your favourites, are you really just going to sit in your seat or stand there humming the melody and nodding along all night? **** no! Sure you may annoy some other people, and they might annoy you, but overall just getting into it and having a good time regardless of what anyone else thinks is the best way to go at a concert.

 

[Silent Alarm]

One more thing: If you knock someone over, pick them up. Or if you see someone get knocked over, pick them up. Hate it when douchebags who think they're tough blindside people in mosh/circle pits then walk away.

One of the worst ever gigs I've seen from a crowd perspective was the Cribs at Dingers a few months ago. So aloof, so many lagered up northerners, so many pricks. Never has masturbation been stimulated upon me at a gig. And never has someone threatened to "punch my lights out" because they jabbed me in the ribs and smiled about it. A heap of those Amy The Indie types who seemingly never advanced past 2008 were there. So frustrating seeing skinny girls being unable to breath and some arseh*le trampling over her – except for other arseholes white-knighting themselves and trying to protect her in hope of a kiss during a slow song.

Gigs are definitely made or broken by the crowd.

 

[Jack Stevens]

Is pushing your way to the front okay? Absolutely, but don't be a dick about it. Say excuse me and walk past, don't just shove people out of your way. I find incredibly frustrating when I'm trying to get to the front of a crowd, to jump around, and some middle aged man standing halfway to the back of the crowd thinks he's tough because he won't let me passed.

Is sitting on someone's shoulders okay? Yeah, maybe for half a song? Doesn't really bother me unless their ass is right in my face.

When does singing along to a song become obnoxious? When you can hear it above the singer's voice. Unless the singer is getting everyone to sing along, of course.

If you are at a seated venue, how many times can the guy/girl next to you say 'Excuse me' as they walk by you for another beer before you want to kill them? I don't really do seated venues.. Maybe twice?

Is talking okay? Or should communication be reserved for 'This song rules'? Couple of words here and there, but if you want to hold a loud conversation through the entire set, leave the venue.

Do you stand? Sit? Is it okay to stand when the vast majority is sitting? Like I said, don't really go to any seated venues, so standing it is.

Of course, the ol' mobile phone camera thing. Take a photo, then put it in your pocket. You should be there to enjoy yourself, not spending the whole set staring at a little screen so you can watch it again later.

 

[Portmanteau]

As an aside, I'm '6"5, and I find that there is always a segment of about 30degrees of one meter of space behind me at gigs. I kind of feel bad but my concert ettiquette is otherwise spot on. Thoughts on tall syds?

 

[Upgrayedd]

As an aside, I'm '6"5, and I find that there is always a segment of about 30degrees of one meter of space behind me at gigs. I kind of feel bad but my concert ettiquette is otherwise spot on. Thoughts on tall syds?

I would tell you to **** off but you are pretty big.....

 

[Dory_77]

As an aside, I'm '6"5, and I find that there is always a segment of about 30degrees of one meter of space behind me at gigs. I kind of feel bad but my concert ettiquette is otherwise spot on. Thoughts on tall syds?

I'm about the same height. I like to be nearish to the front, but if I see someone much shorter than me I'll let them go in front. I think most of these things just come down to common manners. If someone asks nicely I won't object.

 

[ManWithNoName]

As someone who is 5'7, stuff you. Joking, of course.

Eh, you can't help being tall so it's hard to hold that against someone at a concert. Most of the time, I find people who are tall are generally pretty accommodating and do what they can for those around them.

I'm about 6'2" and it depends. Last night at Bruce I was about 2 people away from the stage. Honestly, even if someone had asked me nicely I probably wasn't going anywhere.

If I'm not in an amazing spot like that, then it's no big deal at all. I can still see fine so what's the harm.

 

[ajdude]

if you're going to crowd surf please don't kick me in the head.

 

[james Dean]

What about your opinions on smoking weed during concerts

 

[bradrowe#32]

Experienced just about everything in the past week.

Saw a heap of pushing to the front at BDO and Springsteen, usually by drunk dudes who only considered themselves.

An annoying dude was singing very loudly during Springsteen's solo, acoustic "Thunder Road" which caused people to shout him down.

Also a very loud group in GA chatting during Springsteen's solo, quieter songs. Again, more shouting down.

Last night at Eddie Vedder, some dude down the back yelled out after every song, "You're a legend Eddie" and other bullshit.

The mobile phone doesn't bother me that much. I'd much rather watch it live than on a screen. Realistically, how often would you go back to watch it?

Anyways, I guess people pay good money and figure they can do what ever they want during a show. YOLO and all that shite.

 

[Beetlebum]

Also a very loud group in GA chatting during Springsteen's solo, quieter songs. Again, more shouting down.

This. Both the jabbering and the shouting down shits me off. So far as I'm concerned I'm there to see the artists, in this case Springsteen and I want hear what he's got to say not anyone else's conversation.

 

[bradrowe#32]

They're some crappy experiences, but at least it sounds like for the most part people rallied for the cause.

On a side note, how was Eddie?

Normally I would've let it ruin my night, but I'm maturing.

Eddie was really good, except for that dickhead yelling out, but Eddie put him in his place a few times (with humour). He was very chatty and some of his stories were great. He's very funny. Highlights were his covers of Cat Power's "Good Woman," Cat Stevens' "Trouble" and Amanda Palmer's "Ukulele Anthem." I love his "Into The Wild" stuff too.

 

[grouse mate]

A few times I've had balcony seats at Festival hall, generally I just do what the people in front of me do, if they stand I stand, but I remember seeing MGMT yonks ago there and I was 2nd row and a bunch 18yo's decided they needed to stand in the front row of the balcony. This pissed off quite a few people behind but they didn't listen and stood for the whole show. What I find weirdest is I also saw The Presets from up there as well from near the back rows and nobody in front of me stood, would of thought the opposite would of happened for those 2 bands. Once went to a concert in Brisbane and it was noted there would be no standing in seated sections, my thoughts were good luck enforcing that, yet nobody even tried it which I thought was weird.

 

[Silent Alarm]

I don't get why you'd smoke weed at a show. Someone was passing around a prison-thin joint at Perth Laneway during M83 and it seemed so incongruous. Then there was a total dank smell during Toro y Moi last year which was more fitting. I still think it's a pretty lame thing. "Look how many drugs I do!!!!"

 

[Yellow Feathers]

Good question. Honestly, the first thing I think if I smell it is ' Fracking Tosser'.

Don't get me wrong, I don't care what people smoke, drink, snort, shoot etc., but sometimes I find it difficult to understand why people feel the need to use any sort of occasion to do things like that. Then again, some people will only use such occasions to do it.

If someone right next to me was to start smoking, I wouldn't be thrilled and would ask them if they could stop.

You sound like a really fun guy to go to a festival with

 

[bradrowe#32]

A few people complaining in The West this week about people standing in the seated areas. It's an interesting one - people paid big bucks for Springsteen's first ever show in Perf and he probably won't come back, so they feel entitled to get into it. However, the people sitting also paid good money and had their view blocked.

 

[ManWithNoName]

You sound like a really fun guy to go to a festival with

If it's a non smoking place, and someone starts smoking, they're a f***ing flog and deserve to be told so.

 

[Portmanteau]

I always get the impression that the people who get up on shoulders at a festivals (perhaps less so at standalone concerts) are saying "OMG this is the one song I've heard on the radio by this band!!!11~" with their actions. I find it hard to abide.

 

[BERT]

I always get the impression that the people who get up on shoulders at a festivals (perhaps less so at standalone concerts) are saying "OMG this is the one song I've heard on the radio by this band!!!11~" with their actions. I find it hard to abide.

If people are up on shoulders, you have the right to throw stuff at them.