I tend to get impatient at concerts. Mostly because I'm tired from work and often bored when the band isn't on. I grumble and roll my eyes a lot. Actually, I probably wouldn't go to most shows if my sweetie didn't want to go. It's not that I don't enjoy the shows (usually I do...when I can actually see the band). It's just that I have certain peeves that bug the shit out of me. I give you fair warning, because if I'm feeling ornery, you'd best stay out of my way. I do not suffer idiots lightly.
Here are some rules for the clueless:
1. Do not place your cigarette right where the direct line of smoke can rise up my nasal passages. Be a little considerate, especially when there's a fair amount of room.
2. Do not flick your ashes at thigh level without checking that someone isn't standing right there.
3. Do not expect me to step out of my spot (where I've been all night) to let you, who have just arrived, place your drink down somewhere. I didn't tell you to go get food and bring it to the front of the stage to eat while the main band is on. Dude, get a clue. I don't appreciate you slurping up salsa next to me when half the crowd is bouncing madly around.
4. Do not stand in the front if you're fucking seven feet tall.
5. Do not spend the concert yammering on your cell phone.
6. Do not dance like an epileptic and then keep checking around to see if we were watching because aren't you just so cool? I guarantee we're thinking "ewww."
7. Do not jump over people in front of you when everyone is sitting down before the opening act, steal rail space, and then proceed to gyrate so wildly up and down the railing with your two boy toys that security has to come and tell you to stop. We don't appreciate your butt in our faces and we don't appreciate the lack of concert-going etiquette.
8. Do not carry a super-huge bag and then bludgeon people with it when you walk by. Chances are, you knew you were coming to the show. Please plan accordingly. Miss Manners suggests not bringing a bag at all.
9. Do us all a favor and do not speak. I didn't pay $45 to hear you gossiping with/yelling over to the music to your friend about your wacky day at work or your bum of a boyfriend.
And Finally
10. The least you could do, when you weasel your way up front to stand right in front of me, blocking my view of the band, is not fucking carry on a conversation with your friend the entire time the band is playing. (this was quiet music, mind you).
Because you know what? I have a cameraphone and I know how to use it.
Simple things like dancing when the band isn't on is actually acceptable, provided you don't invade my personal space or block my view. Same goes for if the band is on.
Oh, there are so many more reasons to grumble. But I'm done for now.
Stereolab (opening act: Prekop & Prewitt) were good. I liked the playing two instruments at the same time approach. And that last song (what was it?) was da shiznit! Doing Laundry in the Gasoline Galaxy? Ok, I just made that title up.
( 11:51 EH | concerts. grumpy. i am too old for this. oh, that's just not right. pooty. urban living. what is this world coming to? )uh... I lack concert etiquette, obviously (during the whole Bauhaus gig I danced the Tanz Debil and sang). and on the Suicide gig I yammered on my cell phone because I was terribly afraid of Alan Vega who was showing the mic straight into my face and shouting Cheree, Cheree.
Posted by: Bradly at 25.03.06 15:02oh, everyone is forgiven the occasional transgression. But you can tell some folks are just habitual annoyers.
And my grammar wasn't clear on that line about dancing. Dancing is NOT an annoyance. Well, not in most cases. Some folks are too wild.
Singing is always encouraged.
Posted by: bunny at 25.03.06 18:09