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AIBU

...to think dancing at a music show is OK?

(98 Posts)
V3ra Fri 31-Jan-25 08:03:35

I remember being at a Maroon 5 concert and the lead singer actually said halfway through- ‘why don’t you put your phones away, stop filming us and actually enjoy the show!’

We went to see Abba Voyage and the audience was told before the show started that mobile phones were forbidden.
A lady arrived in front of us after the announcement and got her phone out. A steward swooped in immediately and explained the ruling to her.

BlueBelle Fri 31-Jan-25 07:57:51

ftm420

Next time I'll just sit on my hands and video the whole thing. Or same my money & just watch it on TV.

Sorry to be blunt but you sound very petulant it didn’t go your way so you’re going to stomp

I ve been to shows where everyone stands up and dances which is great but this wasn’t one of them so yes you were definitely in the wrong and no wonder your husband was embarrassed
Go to the aisle if no one else is up or sit down and tap your feet or clap your hands
It’s horrible when you have paid good money and someone stands up in front of you completely thoughtless and very selfish

It happened once at a gig I was at and everyone started shouting ‘sit down’ even more disruptive
You ve got to think of others however excited you are

karmalady Fri 31-Jan-25 07:47:32

sounds like op made a proper show of herself (Liverpudlian slang) self-centred and selfish behaviour

GrannyIvy Fri 31-Jan-25 07:37:08

I feel very irritated when people stand up and block my view at a seated performance. I am sure the people behind you were very relieved to see you walk out!

Kandinsky Fri 31-Jan-25 07:27:07

At least she was actively participating and enjoying herself and not sitting there filming it all.
I remember being at a Maroon 5 concert and the lead singer actually said halfway through- ‘why don’t you put your phones away, stop filming us and actually enjoy the show!’

Kandinsky Fri 31-Jan-25 07:21:37

Ikwym Calendargirl but this could have been her 1st night out in years, and hearing all those old songs brought back happy times. If I’d been sitting behind her I would probably have got up & danced with her.

Calendargirl Fri 31-Jan-25 07:14:19

But the OP said she didn’t want to sit with her arms crossed for the second half Kandinsky, so she walked out.

Sounds like her dancing would have lasted for the whole of that time, not just 3 minutes, if she had stayed.

Very irritating for anyone stuck behind her.

Kandinsky Fri 31-Jan-25 07:06:01

Usually towards the end of the concert everyone gets up & dances, certainly at every concert I’ve been to anyway grin
I think you have to ‘read the room’ and if no one else is up and dancing then best not to I guess? But it wouldn’t bother me.
The replies on here are a bit harsh, I mean, you weren’t at the opera were you. You were at an 80’s disco show, what do people expect? To sit there quietly gently tapping your foot?
And your husband was being very unreasonable. You were enjoying yourself fgs, and I really hope for those 3 minutes you were up & dancing you felt great!

Calendargirl Fri 31-Jan-25 06:54:20

ftm420

Next time I'll just sit on my hands and video the whole thing. Or same my money & just watch it on TV.

That’s probably for the best then.

NotSpaghetti Fri 31-Jan-25 00:12:20

ftm420
It was a seated event so yes, you are being unreasonable to think that dancing at a music show is OK?

I would have asked you (politely) to sit down.

Kate1949 Fri 31-Jan-25 00:04:30

I get up to dance but only after most people in the theatre, including the people behind me, have got up.

ftm420 Thu 30-Jan-25 23:42:28

Next time I'll just sit on my hands and video the whole thing. Or same my money & just watch it on TV.

henetha Thu 30-Jan-25 23:20:16

I can understand the desire to get up and dance, but probably not in the theatre where there are people behind you. It might seem a bit sad but we have to consider others.

Allira Thu 30-Jan-25 23:16:47

The quotation marks disappeared in ths post preview.

Then there was a break so I picked up my stuff and walked out. Maybe an overreaction but I felt so angry.

Allira Thu 30-Jan-25 23:15:39

Sago yes, absolutely, I've been to a show where all the much younger people in the seats next to us got up and bopped in the aisles. It was great fun to see them but if they had been in the row in front and stood up there to dance I'd have been annoyed.

Then there was a break so I picked up my stuff and walked out. Maybe an overreaction but I felt so angry.

So you missed the second half ftm420?
Oh dear. What a shame.
I expect the people in the row behind were rather relieved, though.

Sago Thu 30-Jan-25 23:05:29

The expression “dancing in the aisles” is I assume literally that so nobody’s view is blocked.

escaped Thu 30-Jan-25 22:59:41

I think it depends whether those on stage encourage audience participation. For example, nearly everyone got up to dance to The Time of my Life in Dirty Dancing (at The Dominion), likewise Mamma Mia (at The Novello), and I thought it made the shows more enjoyable. But it was certainly only towards the end of the performances.

I understand the urge to join in if, like me, you're a dancer, but I content myself with tapping my feet on the floor rather than looking silly or obstructing anyone's view.

keepingquiet Thu 30-Jan-25 22:49:23

I agree- people pay money to see the act on stage, not someone dancing around obscuring their view.

Sometimes I have danced at gigs when there is a space or towards the end when most people are on their feet, but I would never get up and dance on my own.

Summerlove Thu 30-Jan-25 22:44:10

Happy to be a curmudgeon but I hate people dancing in the rows in front of me. Usually means I then need to stand to see the performer.

If you want to dance go to the back

Grannynannywanny Thu 30-Jan-25 22:36:56

If I’d paid for a ticket at a seated performance I wouldn’t be happy if the person in front of me stood up and blocked my view.

There are plenty of concerts which are standing events but if concert goers are at a seated event they should expect to be able to remain in their seats and enjoy the show without their view being obstructed.

Barleyfields Thu 30-Jan-25 22:36:02

It sounds very selfish to me. ‘When the music’s good I dance’.

Smileless2012 Thu 30-Jan-25 22:30:03

You say you checked with the row behind and thought they were OK with you standing up confused. Even if they were, what about those in the other rows behind you?

ftm420 Thu 30-Jan-25 22:21:50

Went to a music show last night at our local theatre. First half a well known disco diva; 2nd half an popular 80s band.

I got up to dance towards the end of the first half, having checked with the row behind and thinking they were OK about my standing up.

However, DH then started telling me to sit down and stop embarrassing him and everyone else.

I did, for the following number. Then there was a break so I picked up my stuff and walked out. Maybe an overreaction but I felt so angry.

What annoys me too is the amount of people in the theatre, videoing the performance so all you could see was a sea of screens between us and the stage. If anything, that's ruder than dancing. I was not the only one up either and when the music's good, I dance! (Classical music is totally different of course)

I just didn't want to sit through the 2nd half with my arms crossed as that to me is just not fun.

Have I missed the memo where the etiquette at performances like this is laid out?