Standing Room Only

Subject: RE: Standing Room Only
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 23 Nov 17 - 08:08 AM

[emoticons have gone ?? again..]

Subject: RE: Standing Room Only
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 23 Nov 17 - 08:07 AM

Everybody take their own inflatable camping armchairs & mattresses to gigs that are abandoning seating... ??

Subject: RE: Standing Room Only
From: Johnny J
Date: 23 Nov 17 - 07:29 AM

No band names have been mentioned so far and I made sure of not doing so in my original post.

I get your point though and it's not the band's fault, usually, if a gig is standing or seating unless they are running the gig themselves.

Of course, some bands may have a preference but, usually, it's a case of taking the work where it can be found.

Subject: RE: Standing Room Only
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 23 Nov 17 - 07:15 AM

There was a long thread that I started in 2011 about standing-only gigs after I'd felt a bit excluded from seeing a particular band due to my non-wheelchair disability. A lot of good points were made but it turned into something of an off-topic attack-fest on the band in question by a bunch of opportunists. Keep band names out of the thread is my advice!

Subject: RE: Standing Room Only
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 23 Nov 17 - 06:41 AM

Anyway, I believe there is a place for standing at gigs as long as there is sufficient seating for those who want, or in many cases, really need it.

The seating would have to have a view uninterrupted by those standing. As a person of limited height, I would more than likely be surrounded by people taller than me and would see nothing if I chose to stand. I might as well stay at home and listen to a recording. I want to both see and hear the act.

I believe the only place for standing at gigs is behind or to the sides of the seating area or in a pit where the seating is raised up above those standing. I would prefer that venues should be primarily seated with permitted standing rather than standing with limited seating.

If standing at gigs became the norm, the number of seats for those who wanted or needed them would, inevitably, be small and competition for them would be high. Most people who wanted them would end up having to stand. Although I don't have a diagnosed medical condition that prevents me from standing, I find it unpleasant and distracting to have to stand still for any length of time. I would never go to any event where I was expected to stand.

DC

Subject: RE: Standing Room Only
From: Will Fly
Date: 23 Nov 17 - 05:48 AM

I could never be a caller! If the dancers were talking over my instructions, I'd be too tempted to shout out "Shut the **** up!"

Subject: RE: Standing Room Only
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 Nov 17 - 05:25 AM

Standing - at the back leads to people talking over the music. It is an annoyance for those who want to hear. And beer on the floor. Not desirable facet IMNSHO.

But then I don't go to concerts much. I am a ceilidhnaut and talking over the walk-through is just as annoying because inevitably those that have talked don't know what is happening when the music starts.

Subject: RE: Standing Room Only
From: Johnny J
Date: 23 Nov 17 - 05:13 AM

A job for "the Bizzies" methinks... ;-))

Subject: RE: Standing Room Only
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 22 Nov 17 - 12:37 PM

I overheard a feller in a Liverpool club once say that it was so crowded he was paying for his drinks with the feller standing next to him's money
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Standing Room Only
From: Will Fly
Date: 22 Nov 17 - 11:56 AM

An ageing back precludes me from standing throughout a gig, unfortunately, though I'm tempted to bring my shooting stick to one sometimes.

The monthly Brighton Acoustic Session, which I MC, is sometimes so full that all seats are taken 45 minutes before the start time, and later comers are forced to either stand or squat on the floor! Common sense would say we ought to get a bigger venue, but we've been in the pub (the Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Street) for ten years - and we get the room for free - so we just live with it.

Subject: RE: Standing Room Only
From: Johnny J
Date: 22 Nov 17 - 07:54 AM

I didn't think it was relevant as this was one only particular gig.

Obviously many venues and rooms aren't suitable for standing and I wasn't suggesting that it should be either universal or obligatory practice.

Re wheel chair access, every effort must be made to ensure this is possible. Also for disabled people in general.

I'm not sure if the legislation applies to all entertainment venues or not? However, there are certainly some "folkie" places where access is difficult e.g. Edinburgh's Wee Folk Club and, over the years, many clubs have been held in cellars, lofts and "wee rooms" in general. This was part of the charm but, obviously, we need to be much more inclusive these days.

Subject: RE: Standing Room Only
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 22 Nov 17 - 07:37 AM

You don't say what type of venue in which the gig was held. The local fire chief was a member of our folk club for a while (held in upstairs pub room)and he pointed out to us that standing in a capacity audience in such a location constituted a fire risk.

Subject: RE: Standing Room Only
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 22 Nov 17 - 07:09 AM

Has the fashion for 'promenade' folk performances now departed the scene?
There was a somewhat acrimonious thread some time ago concerning someone in a wheelchair being refused admission into a concert by their favourite performers
It's a practice that's always seemed as pretentious as the Albert Hall Proms to me
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Standing Room Only
From: Jack Campin
Date: 22 Nov 17 - 06:47 AM

I'm usually okay with it, but I am NOT okay with it when drinking at the same time is part of the show. I hate standing around with a glass in my hand. (I suspect most people feel the same, but let themselves get manipulated into disposing of the drink as fast as possible, which is what pubs want).

Subject: Standing Room Only
From: Johnny J
Date: 22 Nov 17 - 05:52 AM

I was at a gig on Sunday where it was mainly standing although a limited number of seats were made available for old codgers like myself. This particular concert was actually very enjoyable and many of the younger members of the audience (Under 60s ;-))) enjoyed the atmosphere and standing experience.

The organisers saw this gig as an opportunity to attract and appeal to younger people. There were quite a few there but it was really an audience of all ages.

I'm just wondering how you all feel about such arrangements in concerts, especially in view of recent discussions about "What is wrong with folk clubs?" and so on. Could this even be adopted in clubs, for example?

Personally, I think the "young" argument doesn't necessarily mean that much. It's more about what is "fashionable or trendy thing" to do and the actual atmosphere at a gig. Many older people lap this up too.

When I was young, we were expected to sit at most concerts and didn't really think there was anything strange about that. It was the norm.
Sometimes, when we saw live bands in ballrooms, small venues, or festivals, we generally didn't stand up either. It was generally sitting on the floor "cross legged" and enjoying "the groove" that way. Of course, many of the audience were "stoned" although I was more interested in beer or a wee dram etc.

Anyway, I believe there is a place for standing at gigs as long as there is sufficient seating for those who want, or in many cases, really need it. How do you feel?