People who talk during concerts

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 03:06 PM

thanks hesk.

olddude-i,ve thought of that but not done it as yet.i,m assuming you,re USA.Dont know about the reserved english?.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: olddude
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 04:09 PM

Amergin
That is priceless ... OMG ... Seamus is a master ... how he can work a crowd and so quick on his feet ... what a master entertainer .. LOVE IT

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Amergin
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 03:56 PM

If you watch this clip for a couple minutes or so, you can see how one of our own deals with both a woman answering her mobile, and a young heckler...

answering the phone at a concert

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Hesk
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 03:36 PM

Pete from Seven Stars.

I agree with your post. Well said.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: olddude
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 12:59 PM

I like playing at my local park. I just sit on the bench and practice and it gets me out of the house and doesn't drive my wife nuts. She is not a fan of folk music ... Loud head banging rock is her taste.

People will come over sit and listen .. those that want to talk just walk on and don't bother ... works for me. .. free is free .. better than sitting at a tiki bar. That I enjoy and usually lots of people will sit and listen and enjoy it. Funny thing, most are young people. One high school kids went home and came back with his guitar. He was pretty good too, played along with a couple of my songs.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 12:41 PM

assuming the least accomplished is respecting all the other performers when they sing/play,i like to return the favour,remembering that i at least was not a naturally blessed talent but have had to work hard at it.
of course,i hope the said participants are aiming for greater proficiency;there being some, admittedly, who cant be bothered to pra ctise at all.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 04:53 AM

Horses for courses, isn't it, as ripov set it out a few posts ago.

At formal concerts where I've been playing, I've rarely suffered from audience noise. On the odd occasion when someone has been noisy, I've found - just like Liszt - that stopping playing was the most effective way of getting complete attention.

On the other hand, if I'm playing in a public bar to a mixture of people who've come for the music and those who've come as usual for the drink and the 'craic', I accept that background noise is par for the course - and play on regardless. And of course if you run a session for yourselves in a public bar, don't be offended if the locals chat away throughout - it's your choice to play for nothing in a public bar.

As for heckling, well... there are plenty of good put-downs that you can learn and use as required.

I've only cut up rough once in over 45 years of playing, many years ago - when I was playing an intricate guitar piece at a singaround. Two other members of the circle were chatting to each other throughout, to the annoyance of all concerned. I stopped playing and, when they looked at me, said very calmly and slowly, "Shut the fuck up while I'm playing." THAT worked... but I was young and fiery in those days.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 07:43 PM

Martin Ryan took me to a singers' session in Dublin, within sight of the Guinness Brewery. This was several years ago, and I think Frank Harte was one of the singers. Most of the singers were older men, and few had voices that were very strong - but their singing was wonderful, and I wanted to hear every word.
Unfortunately, I couldn't hear the singing very well. The Guinness neighborhood has become gentrified, and the pub was full of Young Urban Professionals who had no interest in traditional singing. The bar noise drowned out the session, and I could hardly hear anything above the din.

Now, I suppose I have to admit that I have a hearing loss, which makes it well-nigh impossible to distinguish multiple sounds. If there's conversation going on during singing, all I hear is a scramble of sound. It's very frustrating.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: olddude
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 04:46 PM

Last night at 6 the owner of a restaurant asked me if I would do a couple of songs at the outdoor tiki bar while people wait for their table. Well since he is a friend I said sure and came down. Perfect, people listening enjoying the music beautiful setting next to the lake. Most of them young people. Then four people walk in (age in their 50's) walk right next to me and start yaking and laughing and carrying on a loud conversation. Now there was a lot of room to do that, they had no reason other than incredibly rude to walk right in front of me a couple of feet while I am playing and start their laughing and talking. I got pissed, packed up and left .. I won't do it again

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: GUEST,mayomick
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 04:32 PM

I had to ask the people behind the bar to turn down the piped music they were playing before a pub session a few weeks ago .They did turn it down but not off . All the way through the performance the Eurovision song contest was showing on the televisions that the pub has on every wall . Between songs I could still hear the televisions going. I think I was the only one bothered though.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: GUEST,Guest - Lin
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 03:51 PM

To Tattie Bogle who posted a message on 02, July 11 at 07:47 PM
Re: Mobile Phones/Texting:

I read an interesting article in The Los Angeles Times today,
July 09, 2011 by writer Nina Metz.
Article is titled, "Texting is a silent intruder in theaters."

It's a good and informative article and to quote one thing she wrote, "Those little LED screens can break the spell in a darkened theater, and it doesn't matter that you're not making a sound. Anything intrusive is a noise and the light is intrusive."

She talks about the "compulsion" of people doing this, etc.

I wanted to mention this article to you because you did talk about texting at clubs, etc. The article primarily mentions theaters but mentions concerts as well where this is happening.

Oh by the way, I agree with what you had to say completely.

I hope you have a way to access this article in the Los Angeles Times, July 9, 2011. I get the paper delivered so not sure if the article is available online or not.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 10:47 AM

I was on at one club when I asked the sound man if he could hear an echo (I had asked for the echo to be turned off before I went on) he scowled and stomped off to the toilet next to the stage and punched a poor guy practicing in the cubicle, the scream clearly audible to all present, he returned and declared "the echo has now been removed" It really was not what I meant!

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 05:38 AM

I was once at a concert at the arena at Sidmouth quite near the front, when someone who knew me came and sat beside me. She talked loudly through most of the concert, then turned on the people behind us and demanded that they be quiet, as she had come to hear the concert, not to listen to them talking.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Hesk
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 04:24 AM

Silas, I knew you'd say that!
But someone has to be the least accomplished singer in a group, if only to make the others feel better!

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Silas
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 04:14 AM

Well Hesk, if that were to happen, the 'least accomplished' singer sould be asking themselves some searching questions...

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Hesk
Date: 08 Jul 11 - 05:16 PM

Silas, Not really a disagreement, but a confirmation that this happens.
Take the scenario to it's extreme, and the least accomplished singer at a singaround could find themselves performing to an empty room!
Hardly encouraging amongst a group of friends.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 08 Jul 11 - 04:44 PM

Once went to a session (not in the Sheffield area -- I was on holiday in the south of England) where folks who were not performing used the time to tune their instruments or practice their chops. They were doing so quietly, but it was a small group in a small area and it was impossible not to hear what they were doing while others performed -- and they were so near by that it really did make it difficult to listen properly to whoever's turn it was.

I was a bit gob-smacked & thought it incredibly rude, but said nothing, since I was just a visitor...

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: jacqui.c
Date: 08 Jul 11 - 02:38 PM

At one Folk singaround that I used to attend there were a small group who spent the time when others were singing just chatting and laughing amongst themselves, while sitting within the group. They had a very limited number of songs that they would perform week after week, none of which could really be said to be folk, and obviously weren't interested in folk music.

I eventually got into the habit of using the time when they were performing to go the the loo or order drinks at the bar. This upset them to the degree that they gave the club organiser an ultimatum - she goes or we won't come again. I continued to go to that session but they, unfortunately, didn't carry out their threat.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Silas
Date: 08 Jul 11 - 01:16 PM

Hesk, I have to disagree. If there is a performer that you don't want to hear, I think it perfectly acceptable to leave the room.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: goatfell
Date: 08 Jul 11 - 12:50 PM

and if you don't like people sing at concert then don't go. I don't like people that DON'T sing at concert but that is their choice.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 07:37 PM

100

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 07:33 PM

Hesk, I was not talking about singarounds, but concerts or folk club guest nights, where moving bodies and the kerfuffle they create (climbing out of the middle of a row of seats, noisy shoes, creaky or banging doors) is very intrusive. I agree that the situation in singarounds is a bit more informal but would still probably wait until the end of a song or tune before heading for the loo: and we'd usually take a short break for re-filling glasses, emptying bladders, anyway.
I would also echo what Ana has said about people talking through instrumentals: seems there's a double standard at work there. At one of our mixed sessions, an instrumentalist stopped playing and berated the singers for doing just this: "you wouldn't like me to talk all the way through one of your songs, would you?"

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Hesk
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 07:11 PM

Tattie Bogle,

I can see where you are coming from when you express annoyance at people leaving and entering the room whilst a performance is in progress.
At our singaround it is, normally acceptable to return during a song, especially in bad weather, as the club room leads directly outdoors. A hurried, but quiet, return enables one more person to join in the remaining choruses. This is especially useful on a poorly attended night.
Personally I get more annoyed when I notice a member always choosing to leave just before their least favourite singer performs. In this case they never return during the song, thus emphasising their dislike of that particular performance.
That is also bad manners, in my opinion

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: PHJim
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 05:58 PM

Some songs invite singing on the chorus and most audiences seem to know where it would be welcome and where it would be intrusive. A song where the performers have worked out an intricate three or four part harmony would not be appropriate songs to have a sing-along chorus. When I am performing solo, I would welcome audience participation on the chorus by people who knew the song, especially if they can add a harmony. Sometimes the audience members might know the chorus by the time it comes around the second time and sometimes I will outline it for them before the song.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 04:44 PM

Bozo - you were doing what? Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 as amended. You are a pirate.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: stallion
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 03:56 PM

yes try getting in touch with Charley Noble (mudcat name)aka Charlie Ipcar, Richmond Maine, he knows just about everything going on in your kneck of the woods

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Elmore
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 10:24 AM

Attn: Stallion Thanks for the advice about the Press Room. also, I hear that the maritime festival in Portsmouth is a lot of fun There's some thread creep going on here, but it's good thread creep.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Ana
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 08:01 AM

I'm a singer, and find that people invariably become quite if I sing a song (either unaccompanied or with my partner on an instrument); people will often shush each other. However! if he plays one of his beautiful solo melodic guitar pieces it's often just treated as 'wallpaper'. I suspect listeners are less likely to be a respectful audience to an instrumentalist. Don't now why.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 05:50 AM

Sometimes you can shut an audience up just by playing quietly.

Here's me at an open mic in Devon:

Axminster Open Mic

The previous song I'd done included some vigorous strumming and vocals. It's interesting to hear the audience "recalibrate" themselves during this quiet instrumental. The first 40 seconds they're very noisy, but by 50 seconds they're getting quiet, and from about halfway through you can hear a pin drop.

I don't think it was my fascinating playing...it's a fairly simple tune, not played with any unusual technical skill, but I think they just shut up when they realised it was a quiet one!

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 05:45 AM

In defense of my own ancestors from "easetern eurpope etc" I must insist that the art of performing ballad-like songs is known and appreciated there as well. But concerts are not only about singing or virtuoso soloists; a good accompaniment or sophisticated arrangement also deserves an ear.

We all agree that various codes of etiquette apply for various styles. The problem is not only about rude audiences, inexperienced concert-goers (whose habits were formed while sitting in front of their TV sets), or conceited performers, but also about "misunderestimating" the character of an event. Good PR management will try to minimise these risks.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: stallion
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 05:38 AM

Oh my, the only time i heard a mobile phone going off when performing was my own! Elmore, get yourself to the shanty sing in the Press room at Portsmouth NH and try to stop people joining in! Of course some people need listening to, we happen to like as many people to join in as possible although a couple of years ago at Mystic i and a couple of others joined in with a chorus and i heard a couple of tuts but I had Ally Kelly to my right and Bonnie Milner to my left the sounds were awesome, ahhhh a truly memorable moment. I think it is part of the raport with the audience, I like to think of it being an extended family gathering. Anyway if we were not all different it would be a boring grey old world

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: GUEST,ivan the tenable
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 05:15 AM

fair point Joe.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: goatfell
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 04:57 AM

I thought you were suppsed to sing at concerts but I agree I hate folk that talk through a oncert just bad manners.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 03:34 AM

Well, Ivan-
I suppose it doesn't make a lot of difference if people talk when the music is loud, but English-language folksingers are usually trying to tell a story with their songs. If people can't hear the singer because of background noise, that's a problem.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: GUEST,ivan the tenable
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 03:15 AM

this thread is full of fuddy duddys.

i would put a pound to a penny that concert etiquette
is not the only thing you have gripes out.

i don't much listen to english folk , just came here through a search but your attitudes seem a world away from the conventions of folk music performance across the world (south america, africa, easetern eurpope etc) where talking, singing and dancing is the norm at concerts.

i reckon you lot need to humble yourselves and realise your own quirks and requirements aren't ones that other people should need to concern themselves with.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 07:47 PM

Mobile phones even on silent can be a nuisance in concerts: I once sat next to a couple who spent the whole concert texting on their brilliant blue flashing screen: very distracting in a darkened theatre! Why did they bother going, I ask?
There does seem to be a sort of inverse proportion law that the more informal the night is perceived to be, the more it's "okay to talk". As for those folk who think it's Ok to get out of their seats, clatter and stamp across a boarded floor, push the door open forcibly, all on their way to the loo IN THE MIDDLE OF A SONG, and do the same in reverse on their way back from it............sadly we now have to ask our MCs to remind folk to wait to the end of a song before entering or leaving (shouldn't have to if they had any manners, sensitivity or consideration for others). On one occasion I was waiting outside the door with my arm across it, only to have it nearly broken by some bad-tempered loud/foul-mouthed drunken woman determined to blast her way back in.
As for classical concerts, it seems there's a band of people who now think it's fine to talk all the way through the overture: NO, it's actually part of the performance!

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Booklynrose
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 09:42 PM

What about age differences? At our concerts we ask people to turn off phones. We would shush anyone who were to talk during the concert. We worry about not attracting young people, but when I went to a venue that had lots of young people, many of them were talking as if the concert was just background music. Maybe they would not want to sit still and listen as we do????

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 08:20 PM

Technology exists to block mobile phone signals from concert halls by lining them with a conductive material to form a Faraday shield. However, the use of such a shield is against the law in the UK as a result of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006

Really? That would make Anderson shelters illegal.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: GUEST,David E.
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 08:00 PM

"This is one of the worst, The great Bonnie Raitt doing Angel from Montgomery..."

How embarrassing. Someone made the comment about that's what happens when people are raised in front of their televisions, so very true. I can tell you however as someone who saw Bonnie in her early years, people listened back then. I do believe that the more popular you become the ruder your audience becomes as well. The fans are out numbered by the "it's something to do" people.

David E.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: olddude
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 04:01 PM

This is one of the worst, The great Bonnie Raitt doing Angel from Montgomery last year or so live, listen to the crowd
Bonnie

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: fat B****rd
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 03:38 PM

Slight thread drift.
"Sir Peter Maxwell Davies has called for a fine to be imposed on audience members whose mobile phones ring during concerts.

His comments follow a concert at the St Magnus Festival, which he runs on the Orkneys, in which at least three mobile phones rang.

The Master of the Queen's Music described audience members who use mobile phones as "artistic terrorists". He plans to write to mobile phone companies to enquire about the viability of fines, which he suggests should go to the Musicians' Benevolent Fund.

Technology exists to block mobile phone signals from concert halls by lining them with a conductive material to form a Faraday shield. However, the use of such a shield is against the law in the UK as a result of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006"

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Elmore
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 03:34 PM

When we lived near Cambridge and Boston, ma., everybody used to sing along on choruses.Here in New Hampshire nobody does. I find that rude.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 03:30 PM

Last night I was remastering a recording I downloaded of the Bon Jovi gig at Manchester Old Trafford last Saturday. I was amazed at the amount of talking, mobile phones and general hubbub!

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: John P
Date: 01 Jul 11 - 03:16 PM

When I'm talking about singing along inappropriately, I'm talking about audience members who start singing when no one else is doing so. I've experienced it several times, and I always come away thinking that these people want to use someone else's concert to display themselves.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 11:16 PM

If they don't want people singing along they should certainly say so right up front, preferably when the performance is advertised and tickets are sold. Some people will like it. Some won't. To each her own...the musicians are of course free to set it up how they like it but I would assume the default is to sing along in the chorus. Some cultures are more shut up and listen to the singer and some (many Americans) are *** you probably know how inclusive I am of who wants to be an American..join in the nomenclature if you want***...are more "let's sing something we all know" and are more asuming that you will join in. But if you are in your own homegrown culture and that is the norm to join in, then join in unless told not to and then decide if you want to attend a performance under those conditions again. mg

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 08:18 PM

I would never invite an audience to join in the chorus - I'd just be very hurt and disappointed if they didn't.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: John P
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 07:59 PM

Well, spoons, now . . . I never mind hearing spoons playing along at concerts. Especially on the really quiet songs -- the spoons come through very clear!

It's a good point, though. If uninvited singing is OK, why shouldn't I bring my guitar and play along on the choruses?

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: PHJim
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 07:49 PM

Next you're gonna tell me not to bring my spoons to the show.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: John P
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 07:45 PM

So, you're sitting in a concert and everyone is being quiet and listening to the musicians. A chorus comes along and you start booming it out. Why??? Even if no one else is singing? If you haven't been invited to sing? What about if the musicians want to arrange the chorus differently? What about if they have some beautiful harmonies all worked out and want them to be heard? What if they just don't want people singing along? Do you really think that means they are self-important? If you perform, do you really like people interrupting your performance uninvited?

Oh, and I'm really NOT a rule maker. I just think that foisting your voice on a bunch of people who paid to hear someone else's voice is rude. I'm not talking about situations where singing along is expected and part of normal behavior.

Subject: RE: People who talk during concerts
From: PHJim
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 07:28 PM

GUEST:Lln's pet peeves:
1. Loud and inconsiderate people who talk loud and especially those who just cannot refrain from talking loud on their cell phones while the performer is on the stage. It just seems that people cannot be without their cell phones no matter what. I just think it is so rude to talk when a folk/acoustic performer is singing.

This also goes for restaurants and public libraries. People on cell phones seem to have to talk at a very high volume. Occasionally I have answered a person who asked a question, not realizing they were on their cell phone. Often I get an annoyed,"I wasn't talking to you." It happens even more often now that the in ear phones are here.

2. People who sing-along to the performer's song (when the performer) has not asked for the audience to participate and sing on that song. It actually is very inconsiderate of those around who want to hear the performer only!! If the singer asks for a sing-a-long then that's different.

This depends on the venue for me. in a soft seat theatre show where listeners have paid an admittance fee it would not be appreciated. In a pub or an outdoor concert, it might be fine.

3. People who stand up in front of you when most people are sitting.
Some people are physically unable to stand at a concert and therefore when someone stands up, and stays standing, it makes it difficult for other's to enjoy the concert. I'm not even talking about someone in a wheelchair (who cannot stand at all) but even other people who cannot stand up at a concert.

This seems to be a trend. Many concerts where I have paid for a seat, I find that if I want to use it, I have to spend the evening looking at someone's rear end. I've yet to be behind an attractive rear end.

The dancing crowd are one of my pet peeves. Some festivals (Winnipeg and Shelter Valley) have places at the side for dancers, so they won't block the view of the audience, but there are other venues where the dancers want to become a part of the show and choose to do their dancing in front of the stage, blocking the view of the audience. At one festival that i attended last year, the M.C. announced to the folks who had been sitting on blankets at the front of the stage,"This next group likes to get the dancing crowd up, so you folks sitting at the front had better move if you don't want to get trampled. As a result, these people lost their prime viewing places and were forced to find a place way at the back of the crowd.