bums on seats

Petra ... I am with you ! My daughter and I can't sit still and want to dance ..... ever thought of joining " Rock Choir " ? You can dance and sing to your hearts content

I have been in drama for 26 years now and I love it! I still belong to a few drama groups and I love it! I do a lot of volunteering as well and things like front of house. I think I just like people I guess. Its the only thing that I'm really good at I think. I haven't any experience in any other work related things and that is virtually all I know. I do it occasionally for my old drama group and basically anyone who wants me. I couldn't do without my drama though. I think its part of my life now - BIG COL

I went to see Paul McCartney, oooo about 25 years ago now I suppose, at the Birmingham NEC, and we chose the side seats especially because there was no standing allowed! I think only the downstairs part in front of the stage stood up.

I hate to have to stand for a concert, and having a bad back I can’t for long. we went to see an ABBA tribute band at an outdoor location and the instructions were you brought your own seats, but what was the point? Everyone stood up when they started and I was fed up not being able to see and wouldn’t go again.

Completely agree. We went to see mark knopler in Manchester and I couldn’t see a thing. People coming and going with alcohol and waving their phones in the air and standing blocking my view. Never again.

I’m an American and I’ve never “whooped”. It’s funny but most Americans have no clue you blame us for so many things.

Haven't watched the last two series of Strictly because of the whooping and screaming, can't stand it.

My gripe is with people talking all the way through the performance why pay good money when you're not going to watch or listen seems strange to me. Also mobile phones I've been to concerts and the singer has asked people not to use their mobiles but even they've been ignored. Some people see the world through the view from their mobiles if only they could see how much they're missing.

I went to the local Town Hall concert where the band actually asked the audience why no-one was standing up dancing. 'Because they won't let us.' was the reply, 'they' being the venue staff. Presumably for safety reasons, anyone who stood up was asked to sit down. I was so pleased! Everyone could see and the music was brilliant.

Having been to the (now ) Genting on several occasions I am really surprised that they were allowed to take fish and chips in. I certainly have seen people stopped from doing that. As far as drink is concerned, soft drinks only that have been purchased inside the venue.
I have been to the Principality stadium in Cardiff also and had several handbags ruined due to plastic glasses of beer being kicked over and not finding out until the end of the event - and the don't allow bottled water in !
As far as the standing up thing, I must say I think I have only actually sat through one concert - like you, I always choose the tiered seats but this time unusually, the people in the front row stayed seated so everyone else behind them did! Very unusual for a Westlife concert!!! lol But I do like getting up and singing and dancing along !!

I fully empathise with this. At a musical on Saturday and I could not believe the audience stayed seated for the whole performance inky standing for the ovation at the end. This was in contrast to the previous show I attended where people where up dancing,waving arms and singing. I was seated in a very steep area of about 5 rows and I was really concerned about the safety aspect. In the stalls at least it was flat but I did notice some seated people who seemed trapped amongst all those on their feet. Nowadays all performances involving music seems to be turned into a 'Glastonbury' with alcohol, dancing and total disregard for others. At my recent night out staff did stop the use of phones getting them switched off. Definitely feel my days of live performance attendance are coming to an end.

I go to quite a few shows and concerts. I find it very annoying when people are in and out of their seats getting drinks and snacks. The big venues obviously encourage eating and drinking in your seats . At a Neil Diamond show at the O2, I could barely hear ND over the very loud and tipsy man next to me. (Voice like Brian Blessed!). Also, I have the old-fashioned idea that I like to actually see the person I’ve paid to see. Consequently, the pool of acts I am prepared to risk my money on seeing is getting smaller.

I went to a gig this week in a small venue. The gentleman sitting in front of me on the front row, was absolutely massive, tall with broad shoulders. I could not see a thing for the whole show.

I would only ever stand / dance at a Bruce Springsteen... and have done on several occasions!

The answer, Teetime, is to get front row tickets but, to be honest, I still usually try to run to stand at the front of the stage, if I can, so I'd still be in front of you. Maybe you will have to buy platform boots to give yourself some height!

Artols- they whoop!!

In 2013 DH and i queued all day from 9 am till opening of doors to get gold circle bands for Bruce Springsteen in Cardiff. We got the bands and stood right at the front and danced and sang till concert finished. We went home exhausted but happy. Once the music's in you, it's always in you.

And what’s wrong with being American Jane10?

Is Sunny Afternoon still on? If so I would recommend that Supermum48

Re Live Music
I think that the shuffling in and out of rows during concerts in theatres for beer or toilet trips is very annoying! I get the standing for a dance number or the finale but from the moment someone is on stage..all through the slow/ quieter numbers..no thanks!

I used to go as a teen to see the various road shows that came to the local Granada, I have been to smaller specialist venues like Eel Pie Island, open air places from Battersea to Hyde Park and the big stadia too and to different festivals including seeing Jimmy Hendrix on IoW. Had huge fun and ruined my hearing in the process!

But there is a lack of consideration now! Or so it feels. Particularly in New York at a Paul Simon & London with Alison Moyet in concert / theatre venues people were up and down, having conversations as if they were in their sitting room and watching on the TV! I wanted to say 'you are not at home.. just sit still, shut up & listen!'

People have yet to get up and dance during my choir's performances, though we do a bit of movin' 'n groovin' in some numbers.
We usually get a standing ovation, and even the occasional whoop at the end, which is very gratifying. Trying to perform over audience noise would be very annoying. Even someone's phone ringing, after they have been requested to silence them, is very distracting.
I rarely go to the big shows. They are too expensive, though I would have loved to see Shen Yun. I can't imagine anyone being disruptive during their beautiful dancing.

I thoroughly enjoy the Glastonbury Festival from the comfort and safety of my sofa with a few friends who we used to attend festivals with in the 70s. We rotate round to each others houses, make a weekend of it, have festival food and no worries about crowds, not being able to see, or the weather. Also of course save a fortune.

Totally agree, petunia. My friend and I experienced this for the first time about a year ago. Resultingly, we had to leave early. Haven't been to another since. Obviously don't have your resilience!

Tina - no contest! Followed by Motown.

To all you theatre lovers! We have been given some theatre tokens and would like to see a musical show in London. The only one we have seen is Jersey Boys, which was amazing. We have narrowed it down to Tina, The Motown story or Phantom. Any recommendations ?

Maybe try a music festival. I find that I can almost always find a spot to seeeverything even though I am a 5’4” midget. I take my fold up chair but only use it between performances as everyone always dances during the performances, well they dobat the”antique folk and sixties” festivals I go to where at 68 I am one of the younger GrandDads (and my DGCs adore seeing GrandDad having fun)

Lovebeigecardigans. Been to see Paul Carrack several times and his concerts seem to be attended by people who behave very well. Hes a fab performer with a great voice.