The CultureMap staff is accepting contributions to buy this T-shirt for DouglasNewman to wear the next time he goes to a concert
Sit down! Stop talking! Is screaming really necessary?!?! Put that away! Think I’m talking to a toddler? Nope. That was me scolding the people sitting next to me at The Cure concert last year at the Toyota Center.
That’s right, I’m a rock 'n' roll kvetch.
Ever since I hit the big 3-0, I’ve had little or no tolerance for my fellow live music fans. It saddens me that I’ve become such a royal grump, but for me, seeing a band in concert is a sacred experience that requires concentration and respect.
I used to love the small, smokey clubs where the music was deafening and the guy standing next to you was literally dripping sweat on your shoulder. Alas, those days have past. I know what you’re thinking. “Why don’t you go to the symphony if you want that kind of environment. This is rock and roll!” Perhaps, but I still prefer my live music sitting down in a smoke free, air-conditioned venue (preferably with velvet seats). But most of all, I like live music without background chatter from my fellow fans.
I've had some horrible concert experiences in the past few years, especially at clubs here in Houston. I’ve actually left shows early because the din of people talking and cocktail glasses clanking drowned out the music.
When Regina Spektor rolled into Warehouse Live back in 2008, there was a group of women loudly discussing everything from recent hookups to the latest shoe fashions. Asking them to please keep it down only got me a middle finger and some giggles. Why would people pay a $20 admission price to stand around and talk when there are plenty of bars (on the same street even) that allow that behavior free of charge?
Unfortunately, the management at the venues don't seem to be too concerned about the quality of the music experience. For them it's all about the Benjamins. Their primary interest is to sell drinks. As a result, the more alcohol consumed, the more talking ensues, and the louder the volume of said conversations tend to be.
I’m not the only one kvetching, either. The artists are starting to show their ire. At the Warehouse show Regina Spektor clearly was annoyed by the seeming lack of interest of most of the sold-out crowd. Jenny Lewis, also solo at a recent Warehouse Live gig, stopped several times mid-song to lecture the audience for acting like restless school children. Her guitarist even went so far as to declare that Dallas was way cooler than Houston because we couldn't keep our mouths shut. (Ouch!)
I’ve witnessed angry outbursts by Alejandro Escovedo (who cut his set short at the Continental Club) and Sun Kil Moon's Mark Kozelek (at a particularly rowdy show in New York). Heck, Tori Amos even kicked out two “fans” sitting in the front row who she believed were abusing the privilege by gabbing during her set in San Diego. There are also well documented freak outs by artists (Ryan Adams, Josh Homme, Joe Jackson) who are fed up with the obnoxious heckling of “Freebird” (don't even get me started on that offense) and other nonsensical "requests."
It’s time for the booking agents and especially artists to demand a better environment for their concerts. Dinosaur Jr. and The Pixies are great for a raucous club environment. The hushed sounds of Jose Gonzalez? Not so much.
Looking back over this post, I guess I come across kind of harsh. But trust me, I’m not the fun police. Have a great time, dance the night away, just be respectful to the musicians and your fellow concert goers… and SHUT UP!
