Chatty Crowds
Why do people pay good money to go out to a club, see music and talk the entire time?
I understand the need to converse every now and then, but when the band is pouring themselves out on stage (especially in some of those 'quiet' moments) I cringe at the overwhelming patter of discussion and general chit chat that is likely nowhere near the substance or expressive potency of what's coming off the stage.
Sure, there are those who will tell you that they paid their good money to be there and they're entitled to do whatever the hell they want. They may be right, but when you are diminshing the quality of experience for those around you, it might be time to self-check and ask if what you're saying is really all that important at that moment.
OK I'll admit, I'm guilty of doing it sometimes too. We can't help it.
What can we do to quell out desire for expression and just for a brief and shining few moments be there to aborb and reflect the art, without needing to chime in with random conversation?
I've never seen it, but I've heard the crowds in Japan are pin-drop quiet and respectful during shows. They also often know all the words and changes and are dialed into the vibe with perfect attention...how incredible it must be to perform for such an attentive audience.
posted by Andy @ 10:26 AM
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I was at the Umphrey's McGee X-Mas acoustic show and Joel (keys) came out to do some acoustic piano numbers to open the show.
Not only were people talking (very loudly) even though Joel was displayed prominently on the show info, there were others yelling obscenities just for the hope that Joel would take notice and maybe the fan would get mentioned on the tape? Hugely annoying and hugely frustrating, to the point that you wonder if you could silence that fan yourself with some good ol' fashioned agression? Now, I'm really not an angry person (at least I don't think I am), so that shows me just how much that really bothers me...
Great post. I've heard the same about Japan. Sounds like a cool environment to see a show in.
Talkers & Clappers & Spunions oh my.
Have some repsect people.
this is an all too common occurrence. i live in the south (birmingham, al), where most of the bands i listen to, visit once a year or less. ive gotten quite accustomed to telling people to please be quiet. i don't know any other way to try to fix this problem. the problem really seems to be lack of consideration or concern for other people. just because you paid to get in, should not be justification to do whatever the hell you please. i paid my money to hear a show and/or see a perfomance, not your conversation. when i only get to see a band in my home town occasionly, it really aggrivates me more when people are disrespectful of the other audience members, and the artist.
Japanese audiences are amazingly respectful. The first show I saw over here was Derek Trucks, and I was blown away by the amount of people and the level of silence. Seeing Steve Kimock was a real treat, as you can imagine. The only disappointment was Jack Johnson down in Hiroshima due to all of the Americans, from the Iwo Jima base, in attendance. I continue to be humbled and sometimes embarrassed to be an American here, but still love it, and not planning on coming home any time soon.
JamB in Tokyo
*currently remembering the yeller behind me at Phish 2.15.03 - 'whoo-hooing' from first to last note of 'Life On Mars'*
I know when I saw 2 nights of Kings of Convenience at the Bowery Ballroom it was dead quiet...so quiet Erlend mentioned he heard people's cameras clicking.
*currently remembering the yeller behind me at Phish 2.15.03 - 'whoo-hooing' from first to last note of 'Life On Mars'*
I know when I saw 2 nights of Kings of Convenience at the Bowery Ballroom it was dead quiet...so quiet Erlend mentioned he heard people's cameras clicking.
I've seen a some MMW shows when they were just doing free jazz and it was the same way
Not that it takes away from any of the relevancy, but I just found this while searching for something else...
Old Relix Letter to the Editor
at the Trey Show at Roseland back in November '05 there was some loud chick talking during the Page and Trey encore, and I shushhed her, then she looked back at me and i was like "hey, history is being made here!" and then she shut up. Sometimes, it doesnt hurt to ask.
But there's also ritual suicide in Japan. I hate chatty crowds, but I ain't fallin' on a sword just for talking at a show.
Just caught the New Monsoon show at the Bamboo Room, Lake Worth, Fl, last night. They limit the crowd to 150 ppl. and reserve bar stools and tables for their patrons -an idyllic situation.
Luck has it, I get these 2 morons sitting next to me at the bar who wouldn't shut up the entire night. After many cold stares, the host had to shut them both up, much to my delight.
Why go see live music if you have no interest in hearing the music? I don't get it...
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