Talking At Concerts

ThePhanastasio · 02-22-2011, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burning Down

I went to see Elton John and Billy Joel about 2 years ago, and was stuck beside two women who would not shut up or stop laughing. I can't remember what they were talking about but they really only quieted down for Piano Man, which was the last song played. I'm betting that was the only song they cared about. I could hear the whole show just fine, but man were they ever annoying. Great concert, though

Ugh, I can imagine that would be horrible! I'm glad the concert was good, though, definitely! I was extremely annoyed at one Phish concert I went to - I was right in front of Mike's bass rig, and the girls to my right were SCREAMING to hear each other over the thing. During the second set, Phish started playing "Carini", which they'd not played since 2004, and I looked over at my friend and he was still trying to figure out what it was. I leaned in to his ear and was really excited and said, "Dude, it's Carini!" and those girls who'd been talking all night told ME to shut up. When I was actually referencing the show itself and having fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

I don't think I've ever been to a concert where I could possibly hear someone nearby talking during the music, but I could imagine that it'd be just as annoying as people talking during a movie, if the music was soft or something.

Oh, the problem isn't necessarily the volume of the music. I get stuck next to the people who are screaming over the music to be heard, and as I'm right beside them, I can hear too. It gets really distracting when I'm trying to listen to really complex instrumental sections of songs. Again, at a Phish concert, everytime I've seen them play "Time Turns Elastic" which is a very complex newer song, people take that time to chat amongst themselves when there are still a lot of people in the audience who really want to hear it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by downwardspiral

this annoys me in certain circumstances, like if the song they're talking during is quiet and mellow and one you're wanting to stand and appreciate but you can't cos of people talking. reminds me of when I went to see NiN a few years ago, this couple were sat a few seats up from me and they saw this guy they knew and they were screaming and constantly talking and this was during Hurt

I don't understand how people can even do it, really. If they've paid all of that money for a concert ticket, it would make sense if they enjoyed the concert and listened to it. I personally wouldn't pay $30 or more to stand around and talk, when I can do that pretty much anywhere for free.

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_k

I more than once asked people to be quiet at concerts.
I'm there for the music. I don't even mind when the audience sings along out of tune, I just don't mind as long as they enjoy the music, whatever way they like.
But I'm there for the band and so should they.

See, I have a problem asking people to be quiet. Most of the people I've encountered at concerts seem to be the type who would get really confrontational if I asked them to stop talking, maybe even misconstruing me as being a confrontational sort of person. I'm really not - I'm super chilled out and hate confrontation. I just find them horribly distracting - it's like, I spent all of this money to see this band live, not hear about those peoples' boring lives the entire concert.

s_k · 02-22-2011, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePhanastasio

See, I have a problem asking people to be quiet. Most of the people I've encountered at concerts seem to be the type who would get really confrontational if I asked them to stop talking,

Maybe that's a cultural thing? People at concerts here (and I mean concerts of proper bands, obviously

) are usually the intelligent type.
And then I have a beard and broad shoulders, people tend to be slightly afraid of me and keep their mouths shut. I ask politely though because, like you, I hate confrontation and I'd rather leave the concert than cause any trouble.

Overhere there's three groups of people at concerts.
You have the actual music lovers, who shut up.
You have youngsters who are just having a good time out.
And you have old people at old men concerts (Dylan, Eagles) who drink a lot and shout all the ****ing time.

Luckily I go to concerts where the average age lies between 25 and 45 and most of the people are genuinly interested in the music (e.g. The Bees, Calexico). So usually people don't talk that much and if they do, I will go and stand somewhere else.