Gig etiquette
There has been lots of media coverage of the Royal wedding here in the UK – and lots of talk about the correct etiquette for those “lucky” enough to be attending the happy event. Things like don’t use your global sim card to call your relatives abroad from inside the church, don’t burp in front of the Queen and definitely don’t ask Kate if she fancies any of the rugby players in attendance…
It started me thinking about gig etiquette. OK, so attending a music gig is not quite the same kind of social occasion as a Royal wedding, but over the years I have seen some atrociously boorish behaviour at gigs. And have also seen how that behaviour can ruin a great night out for the others who are just there to watch their favourite band.
One of the worst, as far as I’m concerned, is the quite recent craze of throwing half-full pints of beer skywards, vaguely towards the stage, but the liquid usually just sprays all over other gig attendees! It’s not just annoying for people who get a pint of warm beer all over their head, it can be pretty dangerous too. One gig I was working at had a lot of keyboards, and one of those pints managed, somehow, to cover them in liquid, so they couldn’t then be used for the rest of the gig. These guys (The Killers) were true pros, and the show went on, but a lot of the songs had to be dropped or changed, so the paying customers didn’t get the show they deserved!
Another example of bad behaviour at gigs is talking. Why pay £30 to see a live band if you’re just going to chat to your mate all the way through songs? It’s just about forgiveable if you’re going to see a loud rock band, when a little chatter is just annoying, but I’ve been to see acoustic gigs where some of the crowd have been talking so loudly, I’m sure the guys on stage can hear them too! If you want to talk to your pals while you listen to music, please stay at home and put the CD on!!
similar posts:
Is this the music of the future? : A colleague of mine, who is…
Tip for the top : I can be a bit of an evangelist when it comes…
Using music in the theatre – Love, Love, Love by Mike Bartlett : A…
Too old to mosh? : I’ve long accepted that I’m too…
Comments are closed!