Talking At Concerts

Zer0 · 02-22-2011, 10:35 AM

The worst i've ever experienced was during Placebo's set at a festival a few years ago. They were on the main stage just before the Kaiser Chiefs so there were plenty of wankers in the pit as well waiting to see them. Even though there were a lot of Placebo fans in the pit too i basically had to put up with wankers shouting "Who are these Placebo faggots? Bring on the Kaiser Chiefs!" and such throughout the set. Although it didn't ruin their set for me it did take a bit of enjoyment away from it.

It ended on a sweet note though as a good few Placebo fans stuck around to bottle the Kaiser Chiefs

sidewinder · 02-22-2011, 10:39 AM

It's quite rare that I encounter a situation where someone's conversation is intruding on my experience. I think the one time I really remember this happening was when I saw Ministry on the Filth Pig tour. You might wonder how anyone could hear even the person right next to you at a Ministry show, lol. Now I'm wondering myself. My memory may not be 100% accurate.

I have to report that I've also, unfortunately, been on the opposite end of the situation. The last time I saw Built to Spill (November?) my friend and I got pretty toasted, and met up with 3 other friends who were equally toasted. It was a packed venue, the energy of the music was lively and not chill/quiet, and I think we were chatting the entire time save for a few moments when I really got into a song. It helped that I'd seen them live once before. Anyway I'm sure we were loud, considering we were smashed and at a loud concert. No one said a word, though. Then again it is Seattle, and we're generally non-confrontational folks.

I think the same thing occurred when I saw The Thermals more recently than that, at a smaller venue. I arrived smashed after drinking 4 IPAs at work during the afternoon, meeting friends for dinner and drinking wine, and then going out to celebrate a birthday which involved more wine and about 3 ****tails (OMG this forum just censored cocktails). I got the venue and got a tall PBR, followed by another. Met up with 2 girls, and we just chatted almost the whole time. We were on the balcony though, so I guess (maybe?) that was better than being on the floor. Except we were actually closer to the band that way than if we'd been at the back of the crowd on the floor. Whatever, we couldn't have been that loud.

I'll try to keep it down next time, guys.

OccultHawk · 02-22-2011, 10:51 AM

I had psycho temper tantrums telling people to shut the **** up with an obvious threat of violence at Townes Van Zandt, Kristin Hersh, and Mazzy Star. I am not tough at all, but if you ruin one of the great experiences of my life I will fight over it. At a Swans concert I was at Michael Gira tried to do some acoustic stuff and people were so noisy it was like a fraternity party before a football game. He called the audience '****ing idiots' and left the stage in a huff. I can't stand it people even whisper between movements at the symphony. And it ticks my wife off even more than me. It's hard for me to understand why it's so hard for people to be quiet. Don't they ever get sick of themselves? If they want to chat why don't they just go to a regular bar or out to coffee or whatever. I appreciate how Mingus and Art Blakey really tried to keep the audience quiet. If I had ever gotten the chance to see one of those jazz greats I would have hated to be distracted by some idiot's banter.

**Janszoon** · 02-22-2011, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

I had psycho temper tantrums telling people to shut the **** up with an obvious threat of violence at Townes Van Zandt, Kristin Hersh, and Mazzy Star. I am not tough at all, but if you ruin one of the great experiences of my life I will fight over it. At a Swans concert I was at Michael Gira tried to do some acoustic stuff and people were so noisy it was like a fraternity party before a football game. He called the audience '****ing idiots' and left the stage in a huff. I can't stand it people even whisper between movements at the symphony. And it ticks my wife off even more than me. It's hard for me to understand why it's so hard for people to be quiet. Don't they ever get sick of themselves? If they want to chat why don't they just go to a regular bar or out to coffee or whatever. I appreciate how Mingus and Art Blakey really tried to keep the audience quiet. If I had ever gotten the chance to see one of those jazz greats I would have hated to be distracted by some idiot's banter.

Yeah, music banter is the worst.

Sneer · 02-22-2011, 07:25 PM

Brixton Academy. Polvo are wrapping up their set with a crescendo of mathy rhythms. I've had a perfect experience thus far. They exit. 20 minutes go by. My spot is still perfect. The lights dim. Modest Mouse Appear. A 93 ft guy and his 2 ft girlfriend saunter into the pocket of space previously kind to me. He tells her he loves her. She asks what he said. Modest Mouse open their set. He shouts I LOVE YOU over the noise. She shouts back I LOVE YOU TOO. They kiss. He then unnecessarily shouts his love for her again. I've missed the opening to Breakthrough because of their smoochy shit in my face. I'm livid.

They than proceed in having sporadic yells at eachother throughout the first half of the set. I eventually up sticks and push my way forward, attempting, but failing, to elbow the guy in the spine as i pass through them.

Engine · 02-22-2011, 07:31 PM

Speaking of Michael Gira and talking at concerts...

I saw Swans recently and they were so loud that no talking could possibly have been heard during the music. Of course, we were a very respectful audience who obviously adore him.

On the flipside he told us, the audience, "Too many tattoos - not enough labia piercings. Get with it, people!" We weren't offended though.

Arya Stark · 02-22-2011, 07:37 PM

I used to play in coffeehouses sometimes, and the worst thing was when the music was the quietest, and everyone was talking. It made me feel like no one had been listening when we were playing. It felt disrespectful. And we weren't bad, you know? I'm not saying I'm the best and everyone should listen, but I'm definitely saying that it's should be common courtesy. Just because we're playing music doesn't mean we can't hear you speaking at a normal volume.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 02-22-2011, 08:11 PM

I've never minded moshing, in fact I've quite enjoyed it on some occasions. Never been a fan of designated pits for it, though. It's one thing to jump around to the music like an idiot. It's another to run into somebody for no other purpose but to prove you're a badass. I've ran into situations where I wasn't paying attention, and I was right on the edge of one of these, turned towards the band, and some dumb meathead spears into my back.

The mass of humanity, however, is fun as all ****.

To the topic, however, talking annoys the hell out of me. Almost always it's a couple, and almost always it's obvious that it's because one half of the couple really doesn't want to go, but wants to get laid.

Ug... I wish we didn't live in the world of "Doesn't matter what my mate actually thinks, just so romantic that he, or she is vaguely pretending to have the same interests because that's romantic" style dating.

I go for the music, man. I you want to show your mutual love, do what the one couple near me at a concert did. Quiet during the whole thing, then when the encore is done, start jumping, and orgasm screaming "I love love love love love" you once it's done.

Firstly, that helps the atmosphere because everyone is feeling a variation of the same excitement.

Secondly, it shows respect to who is playing.

I really REALLY think that people need to scrutinize their mates more in the situation. If he or she doesn't actually like the experience, dump the ****er right then, and there. There's no reason this activity needs to be promoted.

DoctorSoft · 02-22-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I don't know bro.

Me neither bro.

~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ · 02-22-2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

I don't think I've ever been to a concert where I could possibly hear someone nearby talking during the music, but I could imagine that it'd be just as annoying as people talking during a movie, if the music was soft or something.

Exactly. I've never attended a "large" enough concert where that would be an issue. If I'm not at the front of the stage being crushed by 50 strangers I'm doing it wrong. There's no way anyone would be having a conversation in that.

Although.. I am going to Guy Clark this summer. Wonder how that'll turn out.

02-22-2011, 10:35 AM	#21 (permalink)
Zer0 ∞ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 3,792	The worst i've ever experienced was during Placebo's set at a festival a few years ago. They were on the main stage just before the Kaiser Chiefs so there were plenty of wankers in the pit as well waiting to see them. Even though there were a lot of Placebo fans in the pit too i basically had to put up with wankers shouting "Who are these Placebo faggots? Bring on the Kaiser Chiefs!" and such throughout the set. Although it didn't ruin their set for me it did take a bit of enjoyment away from it. It ended on a sweet note though as a good few Placebo fans stuck around to bottle the Kaiser Chiefs __________________ Last FM \| RYM \| The Final Sound

02-22-2011, 10:39 AM	#22 (permalink)
sidewinder Engorged Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,536	It's quite rare that I encounter a situation where someone's conversation is intruding on my experience. I think the one time I really remember this happening was when I saw Ministry on the Filth Pig tour. You might wonder how anyone could hear even the person right next to you at a Ministry show, lol. Now I'm wondering myself. My memory may not be 100% accurate. I have to report that I've also, unfortunately, been on the opposite end of the situation. The last time I saw Built to Spill (November?) my friend and I got pretty toasted, and met up with 3 other friends who were equally toasted. It was a packed venue, the energy of the music was lively and not chill/quiet, and I think we were chatting the entire time save for a few moments when I really got into a song. It helped that I'd seen them live once before. Anyway I'm sure we were loud, considering we were smashed and at a loud concert. No one said a word, though. Then again it is Seattle, and we're generally non-confrontational folks. I think the same thing occurred when I saw The Thermals more recently than that, at a smaller venue. I arrived smashed after drinking 4 IPAs at work during the afternoon, meeting friends for dinner and drinking wine, and then going out to celebrate a birthday which involved more wine and about 3 ****tails (OMG this forum just censored cocktails). I got the venue and got a tall PBR, followed by another. Met up with 2 girls, and we just chatted almost the whole time. We were on the balcony though, so I guess (maybe?) that was better than being on the floor. Except we were actually closer to the band that way than if we'd been at the back of the crowd on the floor. Whatever, we couldn't have been that loud. I'll try to keep it down next time, guys. __________________ last.fm \| my collection on RYM \| vinyl instagram @allthatyouseeandhear I'd love to see your signature/links too, but the huge and obnoxious ones have caused me to block all signatures.

02-22-2011, 07:25 PM	#25 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,430	Brixton Academy. Polvo are wrapping up their set with a crescendo of mathy rhythms. I've had a perfect experience thus far. They exit. 20 minutes go by. My spot is still perfect. The lights dim. Modest Mouse Appear. A 93 ft guy and his 2 ft girlfriend saunter into the pocket of space previously kind to me. He tells her he loves her. She asks what he said. Modest Mouse open their set. He shouts I LOVE YOU over the noise. She shouts back I LOVE YOU TOO. They kiss. He then unnecessarily shouts his love for her again. I've missed the opening to Breakthrough because of their smoochy shit in my face. I'm livid. They than proceed in having sporadic yells at eachother throughout the first half of the set. I eventually up sticks and push my way forward, attempting, but failing, to elbow the guy in the spine as i pass through them. __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

02-22-2011, 07:31 PM	#26 (permalink)
Engine air quote Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: pollen & mold Posts: 3,108	Speaking of Michael Gira and talking at concerts... I saw Swans recently and they were so loud that no talking could possibly have been heard during the music. Of course, we were a very respectful audience who obviously adore him. On the flipside he told us, the audience, "Too many tattoos - not enough labia piercings. Get with it, people!" We weren't offended though. __________________ Like an arrow, I was only passing through.

02-22-2011, 10:51 AM	#23 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,033	I had psycho temper tantrums telling people to shut the ** up with an obvious threat of violence at Townes Van Zandt, Kristin Hersh, and Mazzy Star. I am not tough at all, but if you ruin one of the great experiences of my life I will fight over it. At a Swans concert I was at Michael Gira tried to do some acoustic stuff and people were so noisy it was like a fraternity party before a football game. He called the audience '**ing idiots' and left the stage in a huff. I can't stand it people even whisper between movements at the symphony. And it ticks my wife off even more than me. It's hard for me to understand why it's so hard for people to be quiet. Don't they ever get sick of themselves? If they want to chat why don't they just go to a regular bar or out to coffee or whatever. I appreciate how Mingus and Art Blakey really tried to keep the audience quiet. If I had ever gotten the chance to see one of those jazz greats I would have hated to be distracted by some idiot's banter.