What should you not do at concerts?

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 05:59 AM

Richard. Bonzo is a serious bootlegger. Not sure why, He seems to be rich enough to pay for records. (Or at least have the good grace to ask permission from the artists first)

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Howard Jones
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 04:49 AM

There are many ways of responding to music - what is appropriate depends on many factors, including the genre, style of music, nature of the event and venue, and cultural norms. Moving to musio or even dancing may be the most appropriate response in some circumstances, but in others it can show a mindless inability to appreciate what the music is really trying to convey.

Just because people are sitting still and concentrating does not mean they are not appreciating or enjoying the music.

As for earplugs, the Musicians Union and RNID have both been campaigning for a long time to encourage both musicians and audiences to wear earplugs. Loud music can damage the hearing very easily, but takes years to make itself evident. Wearing earplugs should be encouraged - why and to whom is it offensive?

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 04:27 AM

Absolutely!

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 04:01 AM

Threads are lke concerts. People leap around out of time and make all sorts of inappropriate noises. At least most are in tune but one or two sound like they are farting. It is probably a form of Tourettes Syndrome!

:D tG

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 03:31 AM

Is there any basis for any of Bridge's comments?

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 03:28 AM

I alluded to that earlier, leeneia - People do quite often dance (or just jig along) out of time to the music. It is quite disconcerting (pun intended :-) ) It's even worse when they stamp their feet of clap hands out of time too. I have heard Reggae versions of many jugs and reels!

DtG

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 03:22 AM

Is there any basis for the above two remarks by Bozo, or are they just offensive for the sake of it?

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 02:57 AM

And I shouldn't think you need to worry about anyone recording your gigs!!

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 02:52 AM

I suggest that you see a specialist for your condition Ralphie.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 07:45 PM

I was once at the Symphony when Tony Trishka was a guest soloist. The woman in front of me was determined to impress her date with how much she was LOVING IT, and she bounced her head up and down and back and forth. Trouble is, she was moving one way at one speed, and the performers were moving quite differently. In time she actually made me feel sick to my stomach with motion sickness.

Same thing recently at a concert of stride piano. Fortunately, I could get up and sit elsewhere.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 05:33 PM

I'm struggling with the concept that earplugs are offensive...? To whom?
When I'm gigging with a PA, I always use In-Ear monitors...(sort of posh ear plugs) Don't think anybody noticed!
As For Knitting. I once saw Ivor Cutler at a gig with his partner Phyllis April King (another poet) who spent most of the evening knitting on stage whilst Ivor did his stuff. Didn't seem to bother Ivor.
As I said earlier...It's bootlegging artists performances that really pisses me off. To quote the late, lamented Mr Cutler..."Are you recording me?...................................DON'T)

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: GUEST,Ian Gill
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 04:55 PM

Simple really. What to do is to be polite, if you really don't like it leave discreetly. Hopefully the performer/s are trying their best - so should you.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 04:48 PM

OK - And now a more coherent post. I left the last one as it was purposely, because that is the way I type. It takes a long time and a lot of concentration to get it right. I usually cut and paste from MS Word or Open Office to get my posts into some semblance of order. If people chose to take the piss because the odd mistake gets though then that is their prerogative and I accept that, for them, it is good to score points.

Now, are we agreed that knItting and ear plugs are acceptable or do we carry on pointless arguments?

:D tG

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 04:39 PM

Sorry Lizzie - Have you taken to poking fun at people who cannoy typw now as well? Sorry, but I don;t find that partiulalrly funny.

And yopu did NOT speak about a folk ckub, the pst wa about a Pete Seeger concert on a BBC documentry. I took your quote directly and did not post ot out if context or try to distort anythiojng. If you did post something earlier you did not refr to it in the post I mentioned,

Anyroads - As I said. I am quite happy so I ma not hoing to argue. People in ghenerla are quite appy wit h knitting and earplugs. You are in a minority. Yough shit.

DtG

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: gnu
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 02:51 PM

Holler out requests between songs. I once said, "Sure you can up and sing it but the audience came to see me and I don't get paid if I don't perform." And worse... depending on the time of night.

Sorry if that was mentioned before... my memory ain't what it should have been.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: olddude
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 02:11 PM

Sit next to Spaw after a Mexican before concert dinner

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 02:05 PM

Oh my heavens, now you're all starting 'knotting' as well as knitting! Is this what you do at Shanty Sessions?




>>>>"Oh - and sorry again - I didn't answer your question

When did folk music get so darn SERIOUS???????????????

In the 1950s. When that clip was recorded. It's very different now but I think you propbably know that already. Yes?

:D tG"<<<<<<

No. I spoke about a folk club I went to backalong to see a particular singer, where almost the exact same audience was sat, eyes front, backs rigid...The one where the dear ol' lady tapped me on the shoulder and said how me dancing in my seat reminded her of when she was young. Remember? She said it so wistfully, and when I saw her VERY serious husband, the one who scowled at my children, stared at them, coming close up to do so, just to check they WERE children, I could understand the sorrow in her eyes...for now she was doomed to be a 'serious folkie' forevermore..

Of course, had she attended an Oysterband gig with me, she'd have been up there in the Mosh Pit with Joolzy and the Gang, some of the BEST dancing fans in the land, Those Gorgeous Oysters have! And...her eyes would have got their Sparkle back too...

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 01:50 PM

OK - I'm happy. Apart from one person there does not seem to be an issue with knotting - Should the girls ever decide to take theirs to the folk club with them I don't thing anyone would bam them.

Ear-plugs are fine. I never understood why not anyway.

Dancing is good at the appropriate time and in the approprite places.

Making any sort of adverse noises, uninvited by the act and disruptive to the audience, is a no-no. Which I always thought.

Sounds like we get it right most of the time :-)

Thanks everyone - and I do mean everyone - for the serious and not so serious replies.

DtG

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: PHJim
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 12:00 PM

Dancing is fine, but not in front of the stage. The Shelter Valley Folk Festival has places at the side of the audience where folks who want to dance can go and it works fine. Some dancers, however, don't like having to go where people can't see them. They want to be part of the show.
I don't see this much at folk shows, but I hate it when people stand for a show. I paid for a seat to see Paul McCartney and ended up having to look at some woman's butt for the whole show...and it was not a particularly attractive butt.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 05:48 AM

As someone who was acting as an usher at a Bert Jansch concert a few years ago where he kept cranking the level of his instrument up himself, forcing the sound techie in the box to follow suit with everything else, I and quite a few of the audience could have done with earplugs.I could feel the vibrations through the floor via my feet (and everything else) sitting at the back, and even with attempts to block both ears with fingers it was still fearsomely loud (and not much fun with the tinnitus I suffer from either). So nothing wrong with earplugs. (After all a fair few musicians at our venue during the week wear them while performing - and I do mean earplugs and not in-ears).

As to dancing in the aisles, that is generally a Health and Safety no -no,and normally subject to the rules of the venue, not the Folk Police. (For instance the forthcoming Belloowhead in the spanking new arts venue 1000+ seater in Guildford will be a seated only gig, and I have no doubt that will probably be down to a mix of need for specific number of bums on seats and the Health and Safety regs.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 05:41 AM

"Here in Brittany people always get up to dance during concerts if there is a suitable tune or song. I think the performers would be offended if people DIDN'T dance."

It's the same in South America - you know that huge lump that isn't the USA. At a Mercedes Sosa concert at the Festival Hall in 1999, the stewards and stewardesses went crazy when the largely Argentine audience jumped up and started dancing at the front!!!

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: janemick
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 03:33 AM

A bloke brought along a bongo-type drum to a concert we were playing last week. I didn't notice him during our set (thank goodness - we sing 4-part acapella) but he joined in with the set following us and irritated much of the audience.

This seems to me like the ultimate no-no. Just about acceptable at a session, but not at a concert.

Here in Brittany people always get up to dance during concerts if there is a suitable tune or song. I think the performers would be offended if people DIDN'T dance.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 02:38 AM

All these things appear to bother folks at concerts - and yet it seems to bother nobody that beer is often allowed in a concert venue, which I find disgusting.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 09:37 PM

What if - he asked seriously - if the ear plugs were really hearing aids? As one who is hearing impaired, and growing worse I fear, my hearing aids look like ear plugs if one does not look closely.

Neither would bother me in response to the original question -

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 07:29 PM

NO.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Bainbo
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 05:44 PM

Don & Genie - if you are farting in time to the music, make sure first that everyone else can hear the music as well; that you're not just listening to your iPod. You can get some funny looks that way.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 04:15 PM

Would the occasional shakey egg be acceptable?

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 02:27 PM

That was English. Very nearly...

:D

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 02:22 PM

True, Peter. I think that either way though was that it was not someone in the 'Folk Gestapo' that wanted to stop it as some would have us believe;-) Thanks for the correction anyway.

D.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 02:10 PM

That's fine, Lizzie - Seth invited the dancers. He has every right to as it is his gig.

<pedant>Actually its the promoter's gig

Was the venue licensed for dancing? Its not just singing that gets stuffed by our licensing regulations.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 01:46 PM

Oh - and sorry again - I didn't answer your question

When did folk music get so darn SERIOUS???????????????

In the 1950s. When that clip was recorded. It's very different now but I think you propbably know that already. Yes?

:D tG

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 01:43 PM

I'll also repeat my question in case you didn't spot it before -

"I would also like to know how, in any way shape or form, inserting earplugs or knitting detracts one jot from anyone's enjoyment of the gig. No need to get your knickers in a twist as I am not arguing - Just asking a simple enough question. "

DtG

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 01:24 PM

Very poor example, Lizzie - Look at some old TOTP repeats - Especially the B&W ones - They look like all the dancers had brushes up their arses and a 'hey, seriously heavy' look (man) :-)

Find us something from this millennium of miserable people in a concert. Have a look at the Folk Proms maybe?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 12:48 PM

Biggest No-No.
Doing Video/Audio recordings without permission of the artist/s concerned. And then sticking them up on line.(Anybody culprits spring to mind?)

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: kendall
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 12:43 PM

Pete Seeger could mesmerize the Road Runner.

Definition of manners:
The art of making others comfortable.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 12:30 PM

I know the clip that Lizzie means. They were singing "Pharoah's army got drownded" (Is it called "Mary don't you weep"? - that may help you find it, Lizzie) and no-one moved or even smiled. I just assumed that's how folk clubs were in the 1950s!

I've gone deaf in one ear and am really worried about damaging the other one so have to put my finger in my ear now. I think that's probably worse than earplugs and I feel very awkward about doing it. But it's either that or never see the Saw Doctors again.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Young Buchan
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 12:14 PM

DON'T try to sell the Warcry to the audience in the middle of a song.
(Yes. In Bristol - that's where.)

Knitting is generally ok, but can be a bit worrying if the knitters bring a large open basket and a portable guillotine.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 11:42 AM

Off the top of my head I think it was a BBC studio made to look like a folk club (or more like a mini - concert) It was probably recorded some forty years ago too.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 11:35 AM

I wish I could find that wonderful clip from Folk Britannia, where Pete Seeger is singing in a UK Folk Club. Pete's up on stage having a whale of a time, singing, smiling, rocking his song along..moving his body too (I know, DREAFUL behaviour) ;0)

But it's his *audience* that mesmerised me. I'm sure they were dead, honest! They were sat there stock still to the last one. Eyes forward, minds concentrating on the song, hands in laps, backs straight...Why, for the world of me it looked more like a Lecture on Quantam Physics to me, than a Pete Seeger gig...

Mind you, not a *soul* was knitting, so that was something, I suppose... ;0)

When did folk music get so darn SERIOUS???????????????

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: open mike
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 11:34 AM

I heard that friends don't let friends clap on 1 and 3
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=2359059345

I keep hearing about this but am not quite sure i get it (?)

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 10:55 AM

Not sure about that - Are you saying that concerts with no rules are acceptable? I understand that it may be a joke but sure as eggs is eggs someone will assume you seriously want a free for all!

D.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 10:35 AM

There should be separate concerts for folks who love rules!

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 09:33 AM

Sorry J&K - That is you two banned from any concerts that Lizzie is dancing at :-)

DtG

(Sorry Lizzie - I can't resist the odd jibe for old times sake)

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Midchuck
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 09:27 AM

There should be different rules for classical, folk, "cool" jazz, and other concerts where the sound level is reasonable, and for rock or hip-hop or whatever concerts where the average person's pain threshold is exceeded on a regular basis.

In the former sort, I'd suggest as most important:

1) If you bring children too young to understand the need to be quiet, or with physical, mental, or emotional issues that make it impossible for them, or who simply have never been taught to (that last may include "children" of any age), be prepared to remove them - quickly and quietly - if they start to make noise.

2) Leave your cell phone home. If you can't stand to do that, leave it in your vehicle. If you are a doctor and are on call, or are the President and need to be accessible if there is a nuke launch, put your phone on "vibrate," and sit near the aisle so you can leave quickly and quietly if you need to answer it. A person who uses his or her phone in a concert of the less noisy sort should die a horrible and painful death, then go to hell for all eternity, and all of his/her loathsome spawn for seven generations the same.

There really aren't many rules in the latter sort. Perhaps, "If you kill someone, don't get blood on the people near you."

In Peace and Love, Peter

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 09:06 AM

What if I love the music but it is too damned loud?. I paid to get in and I got in because I like the performers music. My choices? Leave or use ear plugs.
It will be ear plugs and I don't care if I upset the control freaks.

I have a tee shirt that says on the front, IF IT'S TOO LOUD, and on the back it says, 'IT'S TOO FUCKING LOUD."

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 08:55 AM

I've crocheted at sessions and concerts on two continents and have never had any complaint, from artiste or audience. In fact, at a concert in Scotland, the performer actually commented on the fact that I could crochet and sing along with the chorus at the same time.

I know that there are quite a few needlecrafters who are capable of doing their craft and listening to a performer at the same time. It has been said that knitting and crochet can be as beneficial as Yoga and I do find that working with yarn relaxes me, which means that I can enjoy a performance even more. I agree with Dave - these crafts are fairly closely related to folk music.

When I give a piece of work away it is nice to be able to tell the recipient that it has some music worked into it.

So far as earplugs are concerned I must admit that there have been occasions when I wished that I had some - the level of sound can sometimes be uncomfortable and does do damage to the hearing. Since this does not affect the enjoyment of anyone else and, presumably, an entrance fee has been paid, what does it matter if someone puts in earplugs? If the performer's ego is that fragile then maybe they should not be performing publicly. If they want to know why the earplugs have been used they can ask - that might lead them to maybe checking the volume on their sound system.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 08:38 AM

for folk music is a dangerous thing to love and the weirdest things can happen if you dare to 'let go' at a concert...

So it seems. Although personally, I think I prefer effect of "disinterested in folk knitting" leading to getting up to a session standard on whistle to what the side effects of "genuine love of folk music" appear to be.

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 08:29 AM

Arthur_itus - I'm disappointed! I was looking forward to dropping that phrase into casual conversation ("I was on top of things this morning, but since lunch it's all gone quite Richard...")

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 08:08 AM

Is that from experience Patsy :-)

DtG

(Are you a Cornish Patsy by any chance?)

Subject: RE: What should you not do at concerts?
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 08:02 AM

Don't attempt to crowd surf especially in front of teenage or twenty something sons!

1) Someone is bound to fail to catch you.
2) The sons will die of embarrasment.