Rushing to the front at concerts.....

quote:

Originally posted by Andrew B:
I think that there are two things to consider here:

1. Not everyone wants to stand up, dance, scream, jig, boogie etc. Some people really do want to just sit and take it all in. I guess they deserve to have their way of enjoying a concert respected.

2. Some bands (and venues) naturally suit a standing or sitting audience. For example I cannot imagine watching someone like Elvis Costello (who I have seen numerous times) sitting down. On the other hand when I saw Steely Dan at Hammersmith the whole audience (or 99% anyway) sat through the whole show but it was still one of the best and most enjoyable concerts I have ever been to.

I totally agree with both of these points. I am one of those types who likes to get up and sing, although I have seen people (such as Steely Dan like you mentioned) where it's just more natural to sit.

I have no problem with those who do prefer to sit during shows like Crowded House, as long as they don't sit right up front and expect everyone else to stay seated. I've never encountered anyone like that though as I'm sure those who prefer to sit have come to realise they've got to sit further back so they can actually see over the rest of us.

quote:

Originally posted by KhanadaRhodes:
as long as they don't sit right up front and expect everyone else to stay seated. I've never encountered anyone like that though as I'm sure those who prefer to sit have come to realise they've got to sit further back so they can actually see over the rest of us.

Well, I have encountered someone like that. At Bournemouth, one guy in front got really angry when we'd come to stand at the front. He was shouting at us to get back to our seats, was saying things like "I'll meet you outside" to the man standing on my right, etc.
The Bournemouth crowd was determined to remain seated. It wasn't until Neil ran around the hall that they got to their feet. And even then, this guy remained seated. He was quite stubborn. I did see him get up for the final song though.

quote:

Originally posted by Tine:
Well, I have encountered someone like that. At Bournemouth, one guy in front got really angry when we'd come to stand at the front. He was shouting at us to get back to our seats, was saying things like "I'll meet you outside" to the man standing on my right, etc.
The Bournemouth crowd was determined to remain seated. It wasn't until Neil ran around the hall that they got to their feet. And even then, this guy remained seated. He was quite stubborn. I did see him get up for the final song though.

Geez! I've got my own little things about some concertgoers that can annoy me that I won't get into, but if it happens, I don't go around threatening people! I guess that guy just had anger issues. At least he got up for the last song.

But still, I know a lot of bands feed off that energy they get when the fans get up and sing and dance. I'm sure it's that way for Neil, if not the whole band.

quote:

Originally posted by KhanadaRhodes:
I have no problem with those who do prefer to sit during shows like Crowded House, as long as they don't sit right up front and expect everyone else to stay seated.

OK. So you love Crowded House... You go online when the tickets go on sale and you're offered front row (or near to front row)... But you'd rather stay seated, maybe there are physical reasons why you can't stand for any length of time... Are you really saying these people should give up the chance of front row seats and let them go to someone else? Do you really mean that someone should buy seats at the back if they can get them close to their hero?

yes, Paul H, i believe that is what we're saying... after all, the alternative venue type for the tour was theatres or standing arenas, where the floor at the front in both is standing, with tiered seats all around, further back

come on, we're not exactly talking about being confined to the steps at the Sydney Opera House gig... arenas and theatres aren't that big, you still get a pretty good view from just about anywhere...

the point is, if you want to be at the front come what may, because you want to do anything to be near the stage, then you have to be willing to do whatever's necessary to do that; if you're gonna be as stubborn as the guy in bournemouth in tine's post, you should pay a price by being made to sit a bit further back

i sat near the front for 1, halfway back for another and right at the back for the other of my 3 gigs, but enjoyed all 3 because the main thing was being there to see and hear CH play live, 'in the flesh' (i.e. not on DVD or something), for the first time in my life, something i thought i'd never experience - i can't say that being only yards away from the band at 1 gig made any real difference... maybe thats just my opinion...

Intresting reading this!!!!
I think that if I paid for a seat and someone pushed in front of me I would be a bit peeved! though this is a rock concert (though the younger guys that I work with think CH are a joke!)I dunno I went to see Neil at Nottingham in 2001 and in the middle of 'Wherever You Are' I had some dimwhits still hollering trying to dance!!!!!!! theres me trying to take it in!!!
I know CH are not all jump jive and wail music but sometimes its great to close your eyes and take in beautiful music! If some dick head pushed me over to get to the front I would be cheesed off, I think queue jumping!! now that pisses me off, but hey this isnt Monsters of rock is it?
have you ever tried head banging to Dont dream its over? he he he!!

For me, I am saying I want to stand up and dance, I'm not going to push someone out of the way etc so I can do that but what I do object to is people who feel they have the right to verbally abuse, man-handle or threaten me if I choose to stand up.

If you can't see because I'm standing, tell me but I am far more likely to sit back down if you say something along the lines of "I can't see through you" than if you wrench me by the arm and get in my face swearing your head off (yes I have had it happen)


But guys there is always a strong chance that at Crowdies/Enz/Finn shows people ARE going to want to stand up, dance or move down/closer to the front because we know the guys appreciate it

All we can hope for is more suitable venues next tour so that more people can have a better chance at the standing/seated experience they want

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer to this because I don't think there's a solution that would suit all. As I said in an earlier post, I love the atmos of a standing gig, but I also like to be able to see the artist I've paid a small fortune for. And cos I'm short, that happens most often when people stay seated.

But I do think there's a difference between fans standing in their alloted seats and fans rushing the front. The latter is a form of queue jumping.

I recently saw Squeeze at the Hammersmith Apollo - i know you were there too Awamutu - and that was perfect. Seats out downstairs and that left a decent slope, so if you want to sit down you can, upstairs, and vice versa for standing. And because of the slope you could probably get a good view anywhere. Even then though, there were what i call barrier huggers. They got there first (fair play), they're not gonna dance/sing and that's that.
I'm sure too that Wembley has had shows where the seats come out. I've also been to an Albert Hall gig where the arena was seat free. But that's only 3 venues. Are there any more or are they all health and safetied out?

quote:

Originally posted by awamutu:
you're just too nice

You know what, that's a lot of the problem. Not being funny (and I don't mean to offend) but many people don't care if they ruin someone else's view. Their attitude is "well, get up too!" whereas I just get wracked with guilt. I spent the whole time I was stood in Nottingham looking over my shoulder to see if those behind were OK. I actually started by sitting on the top of the upturned seat until my legs started to go numb through lack of blood and I had to stand...

Guilt only aflicts the selfless.