| Previously I mentioned some strange audience behaviour when it comes to the various ways that clapping has developed into a life of it's own. Whilst thinking about such things, it makes me want to rant more - so here I go.
Simply this: if the artist hasn’t asked you to sing along, then shut up. Nobody paid to come and hear you. Accept this fact and spare us all.
There really should be a law against this. Why shout anything at an artist. We don’t want to be part of a dialogue between you and them and they don’t want to get into a conversation with you. Leave them alone so that they can do what we are hoping that they will do. The very worst call out is “We love you” which I have heard at many gigs. This can’t be tolerated. First of all there is the use of the word “We” – don’t speak for me or anyone else – don’t pretend to be a spokesperson for the audience – we didn’t vote for you. As a general point, I think that we can assume that the people at a gig are there because they like the act – surely that makes sense. If you “love them” then that’s great – but don’t tell us all about it. Grow up.
Turn you phone off or put it to silent. Nobody (especially the act) deserves to be disturbed by a phone call or message.
Why can’t a venue advertise the time an act will actually start their performance? Some do, but most don’t or they give a time that isn’t when the act actually starts. As for what that time might be, why do acts feel the desire to start so late? Or is this the venues choice? Music is a form of entertainment like going to the movies. If movies started at the same time as a lot of gigs do, then a lot less people would go along. The same works the other way around – if gigs started earlier, then more people would go. I say this based upon what I have heard from many people – this isn’t me talking.
A lot of gigs don’t warrant having an interval as they aren’t that long, yet an interval is taken. The general reason for this is so that people take that break as a time for buying more drinks etc – which is fair enough too. But intervals don’t need to be for longer than 15 minutes yet a lot of them are over 30 mi9nutes. For a punter who has come to see an act and had to wait for them to start and then stand around for 30+ minutes during an interval isn’t much fun. Maybe show the audience more respect and put on a good show in a timely manner for them. Just a suggestion.
I am fed up with encores. I’ve paid for a gig and I want you to put on your best show and I will thank you afterwards. But don’t pretend you’ve finished when you haven’t. Don’t write a set that includes your encore. Let’s be honest with each other. You do the show and we will thank you. If we don’t stop applauding and we call you back for more, then how about asking us for which dong we’d like you to perform again for us and do that. Don’t hold back from us. I realise that this will fall on deaf ears, but it is a nice thought.
People who are disrespectful to other patrons by being loud and disruptive should be spoken to by people who work at the venue. Far too many venues do anything about people who are ruining things for others and it puts the punters in the position of having to confront people whereas the venue should take that responsibility.
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