Anti social behaviour at gigs

In any large group of people there will be a couple of anti social idiots, usually down to alcohol.

Sadly, we have had the same - and it's variably exacerbated by alcohol. Why people can't just enjoy the event without behaving in such a manner is beyond me.

Develop a taste for classical music instead. The audiences are virtually always well behaved. Why is that?

We went to an arena concert recently.

We didn't experience any behaviour as bad as the OP.

What really annoyed me though was people coming in late. We were up in the gods and half of the seats were empty when the (very good) support band came on.

Quite a few people came in to go to their seats when the band started. We were at the end of the row near the aisle. This meant they were blocking our view standing in the aisles whilst faffing about trying to work out what row they were on, then people having to stand up to let them go along the row to their seats.

When the main band came on the same thing happened again. Obviously some people didn't want to see the support band.

Our tickets were not cheap (£270 for 2) even though we were up in the gods.

The same thing happens at our much smaller local theatre.

I think they should put an announcement out saying 'x minutes to the act coming on, doors will be closed in five minutes'.

Or am I being unreasonable

Grandma70s

Develop a taste for classical music instead. The audiences are virtually always well behaved. Why is that?

What makes you think that those of us who go to gigs don't enjoy classical music too? My musical taste is nothing if not eclectic...

DH's business partner and his wife were at the opera last Tuesday. He was very unhappy when two men arrived all dressed up ( in OTT highland dress) and bringing with them a dog in a pram. This creature barked and whimpered throughout.
Surely that's anti social behaviour.

Many years ago we saw The Jam in concert at Hammersmith Odeon, sitting in the circle. A few people got up to dance and the bouncers immediately threw them out. I thought that was a bit harsh because they could have told them to stay in their seats.

Rather more recently, (about 20 years ago) we saw the Kinks at Cambridge Corn Exchange. We were standing downstairs, close to the front when some very tall youths moved in front of us. They were rather drunk and leaping about. My elbows came into play and at least one of them would have had some bruises. Someone else punched one of them and he just didn't notice. It was a shame because the age range of the audience was late teens to 60 plus.

Aveline

DH's business partner and his wife were at the opera last Tuesday. He was very unhappy when two men arrived all dressed up ( in OTT highland dress) and bringing with them a dog in a pram. This creature barked and whimpered throughout.
Surely that's anti social behaviour.

Sitting in the Grand Tier at Covent Garden, several years ago (ballet not opera) I notice that two seats were occupied by a different couple for each act. I suppose they were swapping between those and cheaper sets. That wasn't a problem but they continued to talk as the house lights went down and the curtains went up. I like to settle myself, ready for he performance before the curtains open.

You are not allowed into the theatres at the Royal opera House
after the start of the performance.

I'm one of the lucky generation that was able to see the best bands in smallish venues. I've been to two large venues -Roundhay Park in Leeds to see the Stones in 1982 with the J Geils Band. It was a lovely day but spoiled because of the discrepancy between sound and vision. The other one was Bruce Springsteen at the old Wembley Stadium where we sat directly opposite the stage. We could see by the arm waving how long it was taking for the sound to reach us.

So no more large venues.

westendgirl

You are not allowed into the theatres at the Royal opera House
after the start of the performance.

Quite right. These people were already in the theatre and had time to move to the different levels in the interval.

Once, we were standing at the highest level (ticket £4) and I noticed two empty seats in the stalls and so we moved down during the first interval.

FYI - standing at the back of the stalls is good. More space than in the seats and a direct line to the stage with no one tall in front of one.

Grandma70s

Develop a taste for classical music instead. The audiences are virtually always well behaved. Why is that?

Have you ever been to Glyndebourne? I went some time ago with my sister and some of the behaviour was appalling.
They pushed in front of us in the loo queue, they talked, not just through the overture, they even hummed along with some of the arias. They rustled and fidgeted. As some of them were clearly bored, they even 'secretly' got their phones out. There was a man sitting next to us who kept wagging his leg along with the music.

When we got to the car park afterwards somebody had scraped the car and left a long scratch, needless to say they had not left a note under the windscreen with their details.

I don't go to gigs but my sister does and she said they were far worse behaved at Glyndebourne than anything she had encountered at any gig.

Never again!

But why take a dog to the opera?!

Thats such a shame OP ....I love pet shop boys .....they were special guests when we saw the killers.
We saw Take that this week at Manchester in the new co op live arena....it was so well managed ....any sign of an issue and security were onto it ...they didn't stand any messing....hope your next gig goes well

Aveline

DH's business partner and his wife were at the opera last Tuesday. He was very unhappy when two men arrived all dressed up ( in OTT highland dress) and bringing with them a dog in a pram. This creature barked and whimpered throughout.
Surely that's anti social behaviour.

Who on earth takes a dog to a concert. Surely that should not be allowed. If the dog was yowling they should have been told to leave. Over entitled anti social pests.

Once at an Alysen Moyet gig a dispute broke out at the end and a fight broke out at the edge of the circle, almost knocking someone over the edge. The police were called and we had to leave quickly. Luckily it was the end of the gig.

I don't really go to gigs anymore. Lots of people talk over the acts or even worse, sing!

I think there should be reminders to people at the start that they will be removed if they don't behave.

Aveline

But why take a dog to the opera?!

Baffles me. Absolutely no need. I'm sure the dog didn't particularly enjoy being dragged out to something like that either.

I love seeing live music but the tickets are so expensive and it’s often a bunfight to get tickets .utilising all your devices and constantly refreshing, and then a mad panic to finish the transaction within 15 minutes or so .
I love the theatre as well and hate it when people turn up late . I’ve been at several productions where latecomers have to stand at the side until a song break if it’s a musical or the interval , and I don’t blame them , it’s disruptive to the cast and the audience.

Dinahmo

Many years ago we saw The Jam in concert at Hammersmith Odeon, sitting in the circle. A few people got up to dance and the bouncers immediately threw them out. I thought that was a bit harsh because they could have told them to stay in their seats.
…..,,,,..
Around 20 odd years ago. A friend & myself went to an Elton John outdoor concert at a Stately home , all seated 🪑
We dared to get up to dance to “ 🐊 Rock” & were told to go to the back of the seats !!

😂😂😂😂😂

keepingquiet
I understand that in theatres 🎭 now you are asked not to sing during the performance, which I understand. However if you are at a musical gig then the act of singing along to your favourite tracks is a natural thing & it’s entirely ok in my book

Bumface
” A man wagging his leg in time with the music “ !!!
Are you being critical of that ?
Believe me , I have been to concerts where most of the audience look half dead , sit not moving a muscle . Hats off to the leg wagging 😀

Dinahmo
I think if you have t been to an arena or stadium since 1982 , you’ll find the acoustics / speakers are a tad better nowadays .

I can’t believe what I’m seeing here. How can anyone go to a gig and sit still?
I can barely sit with a drink in a pub and sit still if the jukebox is playing.