Distractions at Gigs

poteen

Just wanted to put this out there for discussion to see if anybody else has noticed or feels the same.

We all know about the constant chatter at gigs these days, especially the outdoor summer gigs.

I have also noticed over the past few years that there are a lot of distractions on the stage itself. The crew are standing almost beside the musicians for some gigs and are 'too present' in my opinion. I get them coming on to change guitar etc. as required but in my opinion they should be off stage or behind a screen during the songs.

I also noticed at The National last night that they had a photographer on stage for the whole set. This guy was ants in his pants. hoping around and rolling on the stage over and back all night looking for dramatic angles. What happened the few pics for the first 3 songs policy and then photographers away. I don't even know how the band stuck him. they actually had a great system of static cameras in place for the big screen which worked really well but this guy was in my eyeline all night.

s8n

Not an issue TBH

PTH2009

Latecomers arriving when the gig starts

People in the seating areas constantly going out to the bar/toliets.

Drunk dickheads standing up and blocking views people who won't shut up singing (I paid to listen to the band Not you lol)

People who get lost and go in the wrong row/section

Chatting during the quite/unknown songs

The Nal

PTH2009 wrote: »

Chatting

Bigbagofcans

I can see where you're coming from but it doesn't bother me. What bothers me is people holding their photos up and videoing every song. I can cope with people taking a 10 sec vid for their "story" or whatever. But when I look to the stage and all I can see are phones in the air, I despair.

Choochtown

People who chat during a gig are selfish arseholes and should be removed from the venue.

sdevine89

PTH2009 wrote: »

people who won't shut up singing (I paid to listen to the band Not you lol)

All on for giving out about people chatting and coming in late etc.

But this is too much... It's a concert, not a piano recital.

seachto7

I can understand why people might take videos, but I don't see the point a lot of the time. Ok, you post up a 10 second clip online and it'll be crap sound and crap video. These days, there are tonnes of live gigs professionally shot on youtube, so you can get to see live sets, gigs of most bands, or else someone else has already stuck videos up.
Photos, fair enough, but the videos are the odd part. I don't necessarily disagree with people doing it around me, except if they have the light on. But I'd love to say "put down the phone! Enjoy the moment, the experience, there's already loads of videos online you can watch back!"

It's like the Louis CK video about parents filming their kids at school concerts...

seachto7

Choochtown wrote: »

People who chat during a gig are selfish arseholes and should be removed from the venue.

Agreed. More people need to tell them to f*ck up or f*ck off out of it.

Bigbagofcans

Choochtown wrote: »

People who chat during a gig are selfish arseholes and should be removed from the venue.

Some people think it's acceptable to chat during a gig but would never talk in the cinema.

PTH2009

The drink tray folk who put there tray down on the ground blocking the way out

Antar Bolaeisk

The most annoying thing I find is the rush to applaud whenever it seems like the current piece might be ending.

johnnyskeleton

If Im at a gig and I want to do the whole drunken energetic dancing stuff I move up towards the front. Or if I just want to stand and listen I hover at the back and sides. I dont understand why some people insist on doing crazy arm flailing dancing amongst the older, rhythmically challenged and/or pregnant/injured people at the back. The same applies to the people who barge their way to the front and then stand there stock still with gig-earplugs on. Some people act like theyre only there to ruin other peoples night.

PTH2009

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

If Im at a gig and I want to do the whole drunken energetic dancing stuff I move up towards the front. Or if I just want to stand and listen I hover at the back and sides. I dont understand why some people insist on doing crazy arm flailing dancing amongst the older, rhythmically challenged and/or pregnant/injured people at the back. The same applies to the people who barge their way to the front and then stand there stock still with gig-earplugs on. Some people act like theyre only there to ruin other peoples night.

The hit shouting people, will join in on the chants such as Ole ole ole and go to the bar every 10 mins

Mrs Shuttleworth

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

If Im at a gig and I want to do the whole drunken energetic dancing stuff I move up towards the front. Or if I just want to stand and listen I hover at the back and sides. I dont understand why some people insist on doing crazy arm flailing dancing amongst the older, rhythmically challenged and/or pregnant/injured people at the back. The same applies to the people who barge their way to the front and then stand there stock still with gig-earplugs on. Some people act like theyre only there to ruin other peoples night.

This. The fkers who create a full golden circle all for themselves flapping their arms about.

Constant beer/toilet runs from seated areas. Sit the fk down if you've paid for a gig.

Right down the very front is the only place to be to avoid this nonsense.

hynesie08

Mr.S wrote: »

I can look past a lot of things at gigs, phones, chatting etc doesn't really phase me but I really hate when your at a very packaged gig / festival and just before the act comes on, you have these groups of friends who barge to the front. They always seem to be holding hands as well so they stick together. Grr

If you can spot them coming, a sly leg out around the 3rd/4th person usually leads to hilarity.......

eviltimeban

People who lean back. Like, I get that you're into the music, but you aren't at home or in a lot of space, there's someone right behind you and it's usually me. I don't want a face full of your hair, so if you're singing along, do it without bending backwards!

PTH2009

https://www.facebook.com/officialaslan/videos/10156207448166609/

Check this out some of the people in the front have there backs to the stage and chatting away

NIMAN

On Friday night in Belfast at The The gig, halfway through the show, Matt Johnson said " we are an old fashioned kind of band, and I'm not mad at seeing all these mobile phones looking at me, so please put them away and enjoy yourselves".

It worked but shame he had to ask as I would say average age of the crowd was late 40s upwards. Thought they would have had more sense!

chocksaway

People smoking at a concert does my f*cking head in

PTH2009

Ole ole ole ole ole ole

Low lie the fields of athenry

Lotus Flower

NIMAN wrote: »

On Friday night in Belfast at The The gig, halfway through the show, Matt Johnson said " we are an old fashioned kind of band, and I'm not mad at seeing all these mobile phones looking at me, so please put them away and enjoy yourselves".

It worked but shame he had to ask as I would say average age of the crowd was late 40s upwards. Thought they would have had more sense!

He did the same in Dublin, he said people should use their eyes and ears to enjoy the show. To be fair though where I was there was hardly anyone using their phone, bar the odd photo

Lotus Flower

Mr.S wrote: »

Outdoor show, not a problem.

The people who smoke indoors are a special breed of people.

Does that happen? Wow

Lotus Flower

Mr.S wrote: »

Sadly, you regularly see people smoking in the 3Arena in the standing section on the sly - now, without generalising, it's usually a certain type of clientele

Tivoli is also a free for all at times.

That's nuts. Hard to believe they're allowed to get away with it

doolox

I went to a Mary Black concert in Vicar st once and the seat I was assigned was one of those folding ones near the main entrance. The show was good but my view was constantly blocked by people to and froing from the bar or toilets and having to stand up to let them go by when some asshat stood blocking the entrance.

Crowd seemed OK but this drinking and buying during the performance is not optimal. Should be like a theatre where there is a set time and place for drinks but the numbers probably do not allow this.

PTH2009

doolox wrote: »

I went to a Mary Black concert in Vicar st once and the seat I was assigned was one of those folding ones near the main entrance. The show was good but my view was constantly blocked by people to and froing from the bar or toilets and having to stand up to let them go by when some asshat stood blocking the entrance.

Crowd seemed OK but this drinking and buying during the performance is not optimal. Should be like a theatre where there is a set time and place for drinks but the numbers probably do not allow this.

Christy Moore has the best thing ever for his shows. Closes the bar during his performance and if u don't have drink bought before curfew than tough **** but you get pricks bringing drinks in there other halfs bags etc

mrcheez

seachto7 wrote: »

Enjoy the moment, the experience, there's already loads of videos online you can watch back!"

It's funny, for some people they prefer to watch the entire gig through their phone screen, never get that.

I still remember gigs from 20 years ago... didn't need to record it, it's stuck in me brain if it was memorable

The Nal

doolox wrote: »

I went to a Mary Black concert in Vicar st once.

That would do it yup

fg1406

I travel a lot and go to gigs in various countries but I’ve never found anything like the Irish for talking during gigs and for streaming to the bar constantly. I was at at sit down concert in the 3 arena last year and the number of people toing and froing out to the bar made it a very frustrating experience.

stateofflux

dont mind talking singing etc but if some ****wit is holding up a tablet in front of my face to film the whole thing i will let them know.

kmurph

PTH2009 wrote: »

Christy Moore has the best thing ever for his shows. Closes the bar during his performance and if u don't have drink bought before curfew than tough **** but you get pricks bringing drinks in there other halfs bags etc

The bar was also closed at Flight Of The Conchords in 3Arena a couple of weeks ago.

PTH2009

some festival goers piss me off and go around like dirty animals for the weekend. Some of these of professional people with good paying jobs. Truly the 'ole ole ole', 'whoop whoop' 'insert the famous joke tag line/famous team chant/ crowd

Why wear stupid indian hats ???

eviltimeban

Really really ridiculously good looking girls in short shorts. I find them very distracting at outdoor gigs. ;-)

the purple tin

One thing I've noticed at gigs is gangs of lads usually 3 or 4. One of them will be into the band and obviously a fan, the other 3 just came because he was going and might only know a couple of greatest hits. The non-fans become bored very quickly and start chatting to each other, and treating the event as a drinking session. It's always worse when the gig is on a Friday or Saturday night.

o1s1n

Went to see Nine Inch Nails in Holland recently. Protip - don't go to Holland for standing gigs. Now I know what it's like to be a short person at an Irish show

bodhrandude

Idiots who come in halfway through a set and barge and elbow their way to the front, feck off, you should have got there earlier to get a good spot, you just end up creating an uncomfortable crush, unless of course you are a hot chick.

Also the people who insist on getting on their boyfriends shoulders, actually men are worse for this and the people at the back, their vision becomes a bunch of silhouettes in front of the show and visuals.

The worst I seen for this was Outkast at EP, groups of people on shoulders, talking to each other and blocking a bloody great chunk of view for the people farther back. I think its the only time I chucked an empty can to the front and roared get tae phuck down.

Herb Powell

poteen wrote: »

I have also noticed over the past few years that there are a lot of distractions on the stage itself. The crew are standing almost beside the musicians for some gigs and are 'too present' in my opinion. I get them coming on to change guitar etc. as required but in my opinion they should be off stage or behind a screen during the songs.

It'd be fairly fecking difficult to mix monitors if you couldn't actually see the musicians!!

Aglomerado

stateofflux wrote: »

dont mind talking singing etc but if some ****wit is holding up a tablet in front of my face to film the whole thing i will let them know.

There was an old wan filming James Taylor with her selfie stick this evening in the RDS. I hadn't the heart to tell her most of her footage was of two stewards...

hynesie08

Setlist ****........ There were people beside me at Paul Simon who spent the show on setlist fm and then loudly told each other what song was next, I've also seen people bring it up during the support to see if they have time to get to the bar......

the purple tin

Aglomerado wrote: »

There was an old wan filming James Taylor with her selfie stick this evening in the RDS. I hadn't the heart to tell her most of her footage was of two stewards...

Maybe she fancied them

SilverPenney

People who are just completely off their heads and will not remember the gigs an hour after it. At the general standing at Morrissey this year one man in front of us was completely high flailing is arms, kicking and head banging the whole thing, a massive circle developed around him. No matter the tempo of the song, or the lack of music at all, constantly the same moves. After the encore he was still going as we left.



The absolute gurriers who show up just to cause trouble. Arcade Fire last year, two teenage shams were walking around the general standing throwing little digs and roaring at women before they were evicted.



Reading a book. What is the thinking behind this at all? Seating at BonJovi at the RDS, a woman two rows directly down spent the whole gig reading a novel, only looking up when the show got very rowdy.

Jgordo

Not so much a problem in the last year or so since they got strict with the bags but people who bring massive backpacks into standing areas and either have them on their backs and forget they are there and every time they move/ turn anyone standing beside them is knocked sideways. OR they leave them on the ground but a good couple of feet in front/ behind so they aren’t in their way but they are in everyone else’s.

LoughNeagh2017

I go to concerts alone so I usually hear someone making a loner comment, I don't care but when I tell people this they find it so hard to believe, it does happen though, people view loners as something to poke fun at.

I actually find concerts irritating full stop, what is that whole devil horn hand symbol about? It's weird, I don't know why I go to them.

PTH2009

LoughNeagh2017 wrote: »

I go to concerts alone so I usually hear someone making a loner comment, I don't care but when I tell people this they find it so hard to believe, it does happen though, people view loners as something to poke fun at.

Same boat go to 90% of concerts alone

I'd prefer to go with someone sure but they could drop out and then I be left with a useless ticket etc. Going alone has it's advantages like you can go in/out when ever it suites u, go to what food places/pubs/museums etc you want

I've travelled all over Ireland the UK for stuff alone and I knw big grown tough men who Siad they won't do that .

At the end of the day it's it money/time so **** em none of there business

LoughNeagh2017

PTH2009 wrote: »

Same boat go to 90% of concerts alone

I'd prefer to go with someone sure but they could drop out and then I be left with a useless ticket etc. Going alone has it's advantages like you can go in/out when ever it suites u, go to what food places/pubs/museums etc you want

I've travelled all over Ireland the UK for stuff alone and I knw big grown tough men who Siad they won't do that .

At the end of the day it's it money/time so **** em none of there business

It would depend what you are used to, I have been to 15 concerts, every one of them alone so going with someone would actually be uncomfortable for me as I would feel I have to entertain them, I am too used to the loner lifestyle.

Mrs Shuttleworth

PTH2009 wrote: »

Same boat go to 90% of concerts alone

I'd prefer to go with someone sure but they could drop out and then I be left with a useless ticket etc. Going alone has it's advantages like you can go in/out when ever it suites u, go to what food places/pubs/museums etc you want

I've travelled all over Ireland the UK for stuff alone and I knw big grown tough men who Siad they won't do that .

At the end of the day it's it money/time so **** em none of there business

Ditto. It baffles me that people have an issue with this, particularly as adults and life circumstances change.

I went to Ibiza on my own last year. Ended up meeting Pete Tong and Mark Ronson, the latter taking from me a CD of my demos.

That or sit at home at the mercy of fate watching Pointless.

eviltimeban

Was at Paul Simon at the weekend and it was the worst I've ever been to for people talking. So much so that we couldn't hear what Paul Simon was saying between songs (telling the story of how he wrote them - I'm guessing, I couldn't hear a thing).

There were groups with people standing *with their backs to the stage* while Paul Simon was on. Tickets were €100, why pay that just to ignore the main act? We had to move around five times to find a spot where people were listening.

Interestingly, once it got dark, people were more engaged. I wonder if that has something to do with it?

the purple tin

SilverPenney wrote: »

People who are just completely off their heads and will not remember the gigs an hour after it. At the general standing at Morrissey this year one man in front of us was completely high flailing is arms, kicking and head banging the whole thing, a massive circle developed around him. No matter the tempo of the song, or the lack of music at all, constantly the same moves. After the encore he was still going as we left.



The absolute gurriers who show up just to cause trouble. Arcade Fire last year, two teenage shams were walking around the general standing throwing little digs and roaring at women before they were evicted.



Reading a book. What is the thinking behind this at all? Seating at BonJovi at the RDS, a woman two rows directly down spent the whole gig reading a novel, only looking up when the show got very rowdy.

Big outdoor gigs in summer are terrible for this. I went to Slane years ago and on the walk down to the venue saw several people lying passed out drunk, and that was before midday!

Choochtown

eviltimeban wrote: »

Was at Paul Simon at the weekend and it was the worst I've ever been to for people talking. So much so that we couldn't hear what Paul Simon was saying between songs (telling the story of how he wrote them - I'm guessing, I couldn't hear a thing).

There were groups with people standing *with their backs to the stage* while Paul Simon was on. Tickets were €100, why pay that just to ignore the main act? We had to move around five times to find a spot where people were listening.

Interestingly, once it got dark, people were more engaged. I wonder if that has something to do with it?

I'd happily pay an extra 10% to go pay for "removal security" who would forcibly remove talkers from the venue once the gig has started.
I'm sick of selfish people like the ones you describe. They are usually the ones who get busy with their phones once a song they recognise comes on ready to upload with a "look where I am , yes they are fantastic" post.

Actually, thinking of it, I'd happily pay an extra 20% to the ticket cost for them to get roughed up a bit outside after being removed!!

The Nal

I just tell talkers to shut up. They mostly do.

Not a whole lot you can do in big summer gigs though. 1 gig a year stains. Always been that way.

Former Former

SilverPenney wrote: »

Reading a book. What is the thinking behind this at all? Seating at BonJovi at the RDS, a woman two rows directly down spent the whole gig reading a novel, only looking up when the show got very rowdy.

So what? Was she bothering you? Maybe she had kids down on the pitch.

I dunno. Think a lot of people might be happier just investing in a good home cinema and waiting for the Blu-ray.