I saw Pearl Jam this past weekend, for what was at least my ninth time in the last twenty one years. I have noticed quite a change in the concert going experience in the last two decades. These are a few things that I believe should be addressed. 1. Put your damn phones away! Its okay to take a few pictures. (But turn off the flash. Its just lighting the backs of the heads in front of you. It wont make it to the stage.). But trying to record the whole concert on your phone is asinine and rude. If you want to watch a concert on your phone, save yourself some money stay home and find some clips on the internet. Or, you could put the damn thing away and participate in the concert going experience around you. Most of the other attendees would prefer not to have their experience derailed by you blocking their view with the distraction and your symbiotic electronics. This goes for Facebook posts and Twitter and all other social media, too. Fine post that youre at the show or a pic or two, great. But, nobody wants your play by play of a concert. Thats just stupid. 2. Sit in your own seat. They put numbers on the tickets and on the chairs, so it isnt that difficult. If I tell you that youre in my seat, and you are, dont say, So you want me to move? Like Im the one putting you out. Youre just a jackass who either cant count, has a false sense of entitlement, or are, quite simply, an idiot. 3. Sitting can be okay. If the band starts to play ballads or a slow set and everyone sits down, dont be the lone jackass who still stands. I mean if the band is sitting down, so can you. Dont kid yourself, youre not their biggest fan. That title is usually reserved for the mothers of the band members. 4. Dont cut in line. I dont care if its a line to get into the venue, to get concessions or to go to the bathroom. Wait your for your turn like everyone else. Contrary to what your mother may tell you, you arent that special or important. At least no more so than I am, just ask my mom. 5. When leaving the parking lot be patient, courteous and wait your turn. This is similar to the waiting in line above, but I think it needs its own dialogue. Follow the flow of traffic and signage. Dont try to create a new lane and then merge at the last second. If everyone just goes in an orderly fashion, we will all get out sooner. As a side note, dont blare the music of the band we just saw on your car stereo. We know what songs they sing. Thats why we just saw them play them live. 6. Have fun, drink beer, sing, dance, whatever, just dont be an a-hole. We all payed for tickets. We all overpaid for parking, drinks and food. We all had to deal with the traffic. You are no more entitled to a good time than the rest of us. Sing along if you want, but remember no one came to hear your drunken rendition. Go ahead, flail around like a meth head at a Baptist revival, just be considerate of other peoples personal space. I get great enjoyment out of people watching at concerts, especially that guy. You all know what I mean. That guy who has probably drank a little too much. Who dances like an idiot without abandon. That every song is his favorite. That is sure that he could be best friends with the band. That may even give us an air guitar solo. That his friends are even slightly embarrassed by him, but cant wait to tell him what a fool he was later. You know, that guy. Its alright to be that guy. Im sure I may have even been that guy a time or two myself. We need that guy. As long as he can just be that guy and doesnt become that a-hole.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 22:38:54 +0000
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