Sit or Stand During a Concert?

[RevDavidLee]

All decent shows in Nashville are at the Ryman. My wife has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. There is not one single wheelchair seat in the Ryman that does not have a regular seats in front of it. So when my wife and I go to see shows she gets to spend the entire time looking at someones ***.

 

I was very nearly arrested at an acoustic Alice in Chains show there years ago when I asked a guy to sit down for just a few song so the people in wheelchairs behind him could see the show too. His response "Faq them! They got in for free! I paid $60 for this seat and I can stand if I want too!" Why morons think wheelchair seats are free I have no idea. I asked security to do something about it and they just shrugged. So I went back and and stood nose to nose with him grabbed him by the shoulders and forces him into his seat. This makes me the bad guy... Security was on me like a cop on a black kid.

 

I will not pay to see another live show because of people standing for the entire show at the Ryman. I am disinclined to pay to see any shows at all these days.

 

Wow. I cannot imagine someone not willing to accommodate a person in a wheelchair. What a **** wad. People can be such neandrethals. I would not wish anyone in a wheelchair but at some point in that guys future it would be karma for him to end up in one and hopefully he would remember how he behaved. That's one of the major problems in this world today - people thinking about themselves and not being able to experience the world from someone else's shoes. I feel badly that your wife had to experience that.

[Bender 4 Life]

Oh, geez, I didn't see anything. The guy kept standing up and the next thing you know he had a bunch of footprints on his back.

 

[Bender 4 Life]

Wow. I cannot imagine someone not willing to accommodate a person in a wheelchair. What a **** wad. People can be such neandrethals. I would not wish anyone in a wheelchair but at some point in that guys future it would be karma for him to end up in one and hopefully he would remember how he behaved. That's one of the major problems in this world today - people thinking about themselves and not being able to experience the world from someone else's shoes. I feel badly that your wife had to experience that.

 

Birmingham Alabamas "Verizon Wireless Ampitheater" (Formerly Oak Mountain) has the best layout for this situation i've ever seen.

it's only 2 sections tall, and the front rail of the upper center section has a "yellow zone" about 6-8 ft deep just behind it for those in wheelchairs and their spouses etc.

Behind them, is the walkway and the stairwells to go up.

[Cougar]

If a person wants to stand during a good rock concert, is that rude if the person or people behind him wants to SIT during the show, thus blocking the view?

 

I don't get it. What's standing got to do with it? Is this supposed to indicate that you're appreciating the show more than if you were sitting down? Do you hear the music better when you're standing as opposed to sitting? Obviously, everybody wants to see the show. So, yes, it's inconsiderate to stand throughout a show when someone behind you is not so inclined. Whenever this "standing throughout a concert" started, it was not a good precedent.

[zigzag]

I really think it depends on the band, the music, and the venue. First, if the musician(s) is(are) sitting, then obviously, the crowd should be seated. (Dance bands are another matter, and in that case, a dance floor should exist.) Second, if you are in an auditorium with permanent seats, being seated is more appropriate. If the band is in a stadium or arena where the stage is raised and the seats are temporary, then I think standing on the floor should be perfectly permissible (but not in seated areas above the floor).

[bonzoboy]

Where I am dealing with significant health issues-as too many other people of my vintage are-it is necessary for me to sit for a concert.A few years ago,I went to a concert at a venue I was unfamiliar with and found out that there were no provisions for people who would need to sit.By the time the concert was over,I was ready for the Emerg. department.I think that concert promoters should be aware by now of the rapidly growing number of Baby Boomers who are now approaching or have reached senior citizen status.With the proliferation of British Invasion,New Wave and punk era bands that have decided to do reunion tours,it would behoove promoters to have sections of each venue set aside for those who aren't able to stand for prolonged periods.I'm sure that they would sell a lot more tickets if they advertised the fact that seating only sections were available.If they reserved several front rows for wheelchairs and for people who were obliged to sit more Baby Boomers would be able to see their favourite bands and the musicians who they idolized in their youth.

[kelly campbell]

Where I am dealing with significant health issues-as too many other people of my vintage are-it is necessary for me to sit for a concert.A few years ago,I went to a concert at a venue I was unfamiliar with and found out that there were no provisions for people who would need to sit.By the time the concert was over,I was ready for the Emerg. department.I think that concert promoters should be aware by now of the rapidly growing number of Baby Boomers who are now approaching or have reached senior citizen status.With the proliferation of British Invasion,New Wave and punk era bands that have decided to do reunion tours,it would behoove promoters to have sections of each venue set aside for those who aren't able to stand for prolonged periods.I'm sure that they would sell a lot more tickets if they advertised the fact that seating only sections were available.If they reserved several front rows for wheelchairs and for people who were obliged to sit more Baby Boomers would be able to see their favourite bands and the musicians who they idolized in their youth.

 

I agree ..for a while some venues were offering a no drinking alcohol sections but that seems to have faded..there should be a non standing section or zone, the problem is they floor seats will never go to that and some people feel they have to be close so the sales drop off....I agree with you with me it is medical issues so I have pretty much resigned to sitting across the venue to ensure sitting but there are still some times you get that couple who feels they have to stand even when the rest of your section is sitting..to me it is rude not to consider others and to feel that you are better than everyone else.

[HeadCase]

Sitting at a rock concert on the main floor is wrong.

Feels completely awkward.

Kills the vibe...

If ya need to sit, get in back or up top.

But I'm talking about ROCK music, your definition

of "rock" might be different than mine.

[Searcy]

Here's a little more to the Ryman story from before.

 

First, I should mention that before I put my hands on the guy I actually wheeled my wife into the isle so she could see and security quickly told her she had to go back to her designated seat because she was blocking the isle and in violation of the fire code...

 

Now, let me say that I moshed the pit at Metallica in 88. I have stood at many shows and I know sitting at a rock and roll show is very un-rock and roll. I understand. But I also know that in 1984, at the ripe old age of 14, when I was asked to sit by the folks behind me at a KISS show I sat. It's called not being a doochbag.

 

After the fiasco at the acoustic Alice in Chains show at the Ryman my wife and I decided to give it one more try. We went to see Peter Frampton at the same venue. Much older crowd. Everyone sat for the show. We had a great time. So a few years later we decided to see Ted Nugent at the Ryman when he came to town. Now... I knew this would be the same old fart crowd from the Frampton show but... I knew they would be more inclined to stand for the show it being Ted and all. So I bought wheelchair seats in the BACK ROW of the balcony figuring this would offer an unobstructed view if everyone stood. Nope.. Not only did everyone stand as I figured they would.... they stood on the back of their seats even in the balcony which effectively blocks the view of every wheelchair seat in the house. There is not one single seat in the Ryman that has an unobstructed view of the stage if the crowd chooses to stand.

 

Will the crowd stand at the show? Who knows... luck of the draw.

 

 

 

I don't blame the fans. I blame the venue and their security for allowing folks to do what ever the hell they want so long as it's right there at their own seat. I have written to the manager at the Ryman and told her of the issues my wife and I faced. She told me they were 100% ADA compliant and nothing more could be done. So I decided that I will simply not pay $120 for the opportunity to stare into an asscrack all night and potentially go to jail. I will not give the Ryman any more of my money.

[surfpup]

I've enjoyed this thread. The wife and I have been going to shows for a lot of years and have experienced many of the same things that you all have experienced.

 

When we go to shows it's because we want to hear the band more than dance. Generally I'd say if there are seats you should sit except for ovations etc. Our local amphitheater has horizontal walkways dividing the sections. When possible we try to get the row right in front of one of those dividers - no one can stand right in front of us that way.

 

At general admission/no seats shows, our only problem has been the people who push their way through to stand right in front of us. I'm 5'7" and my wife is 5'3". I have tapped more than one tall guy on the shoulder, pointed to the wife, and said something to the effect of.... "Really, dude... she's 5'3"". This has always been met with an apology and a willing relocation of the giant person.

 

Related to this topic... and more bothersome, IMO is talking at shows. Why someone would pay good money to see a performer and the TALK THROUGH THE WHOLE SHOW is baffling to me. Often the PA volume solves this problem, but not always.

[flyingfrets]

If they reserved several front rows for wheelchairs...

 

That's a truly noble idea. The only hitch, and I hate to be so cynical but I've seen the policy abused with parking too many times, can you guess how many people would become temporarily "disabled" the night of the show just to get into those reserved areas?

 

I also agree that it would be much appreciated by those of us who are of a certain age and have the "battle scars" that come with the territory, if the venue or the promoter took the act's demographic into account, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

Oddly, having lived just outside Atlantic City for the last 12 years, I've noticed that at a lot of the casino shows I've been to, the whole standing thing has been much less of an issue (except at the House Of Blues). Don't know if it's the smaller, more intimate venue itself, or just the demeanor of the people in attendance, but they seem to enjoy hearing the acoustic, deep cuts you don't hear at an arena show, and MOST actually stay in their seats.

 

House of Blues here was arranged such that the floor tickets were all SRO. Reserved seats were all on the balcony, but they didn't sell them to "John Q. Public." You had to be staying at the hotel, or blown enough money in the casino to get them comped. Couldn't tell you how many nights the balcony was almost empty, but they wouldn't budge on their policy, even though thanks to herniated discs in my spine, like you, I nearly ended up in the E.R. after a "Get The Led Out" show in '06. Haven't been back to HOB since. Guess it's a moot point now since HOB closed along with the Showboat hotel/casino last weekend, but I'm not up for paying ANY venue to abuse/cripple me, or allow conditions that prevent me from seeing the event I paid to see.

 

Trouble is, without the kind of info shared in this thread, it's not always easy to figure out which venues treat ticket-holders that way.

[Californiaman]

I'm 51 years old. Been going to shows since the '70s.

First show I went to was at Anahiem stadium. It was a summer show and it was hot. We saw Sammy Hagar, Van Halen, Boston and Black Sabbath.

That was definitely a sit down show from where I was. I was straight back from the stage in the seats. I was young, stoned and well just kicking back that day.

The last time I saw Joe Bonamassa it was sit down in Anahiem. The first time I saw him, it was stand up in Santa Ana.

I remember seeing John Mellancamp during the '80s. We sat in our seats in the back of the Universal Amphitheater, but after I worked up a good ol' beer buzz I made way down closer to the stage. That's when it was time for dancing with the ladies (who outnumber the guys at this show two, maybe three-to-one.

Last time I saw Jethro Tull at the Universal Amphitheater, I sat. I had been refereeing soccer matches all day, ate a super prime rib dinner, drank a pitcher of Guinness and almost fell asleep in my seat, casue I was tired, full of great food and had a wonderful beer buzz going on.

It always depends on several factors. I've stood through Alice In Chains and sat a Disturbed show. Stood at countless others. Sat at some and even walked out to go to another venue and review that show for the paper. Hell I've even brawled and then stood my ground unmoved for the rest of a Social Distortion show.

I'm telling you straight up, it's always different.

Again, always different circumstances.

[LPguitarman]

September of '87, the wife, one of my assistant managers, his wife & I got 4th row center tickets for Clapton at the Philadelphia Spectrum. He was on the "Crossroads" tour with Mark Knopfler so we were expecting a great show.

 

Yeah, I get folks want to stand and I can live with that to a point...and as long as it isn't the whole damned show. Making matters worse that night was the fact that a...uhh...rather LARGE man seated immediately in front of us decided that standing wasn't enough - he had to stand on his chair.

 

I asked him several times to please either sit or at least get off the chair. I reminded him that we'd paid for our seats too and wanted to see the show. He barked back, "yeah well that's tough because so did I" or something to that effect. My co-worker finally told him, "Look a$$hole, he ASKED you to sit. I'm TELLING you. GET OFF THE CHAIR." The belligerent S.O.B. flipped us off and kept shaking his butt in our faces.

 

About 10 minutes later, my buddy got waaaay down in his seat, took aim and kicked the bastard square in the pants. Of course he went down and took 3 or 4 others with him. Security came down and wanted to know what happened. We told him the guy was clearly drunk (true) and had been jumping on his chair (slight exaggeration) and as far as we could tell, the chair just gave out (they were just folding chairs on the main floor). That seemed to satisfy them and he was escorted to the medical facilities.

 

Don't know what became of him. He wasn't seriously hurt, but we didn't see him again. The show was incredible after that.

 

Been to plenty of SRO shows over the years, but you know what you're getting into when you buy the tickets. That's why I haven't done so in at least 20 years. If I pay for a SEAT, I want to be able to use it without causing a riot.

+1

[LPguitarman]

I go to a loy of concerts and have watched this happen time and time again..I too think it is rude to stand and block the people behind you, I mean they paid as much as you in most cases..my rule of thumb is I will not stand unless the people in front of me stand , When they sit I do as well. The exception is after certain songs or at times when they are getting a standing ovation I will stand briefly. I think you see more of the selfishness now days, people really do not consider the feelings of others as much...too bad. Also I will add that there are times when people want to stand the whole show and I just can not do it anymore due to age and health problems so there are times when I see nothing of what is going on...One of my biggest pet-peeves is people who go just to say they went because it is the happening of the night..Those people go and talk/yelling over the music the whole concert..really ticks me off because I go to hear the music if you want to socialize go somewhere else why ruin it for everyone around you, once again selfishness..Just my opinion.

I agree... I hate it when people talk over the music.

[LPguitarman]

I don't get it. What's standing got to do with it? Is this supposed to indicate that you're appreciating the show more than if you were sitting down? Do you hear the music better when you're standing as opposed to sitting? Obviously, everybody wants to see the show. So, yes, it's inconsiderate to stand throughout a show when someone behind you is not so inclined. Whenever this "standing throughout a concert" started, it was not a good precedent.

Exactly... the band can't even see you way back in the back sections. Why does it make any difference? Just sit down and enjoy the music.

[LPguitarman]

Sitting at a rock concert on the main floor is wrong.

Feels completely awkward.

Kills the vibe...

If ya need to sit, get in back or up top.

But I'm talking about ROCK music, your definition

of "rock" might be different than mine.

I agree with this too. Standing on the floor is ok. But we're talking about people who stand in front of people in the seating area.

[rct]

People still go to concerts?

 

rct

[Guest Farnsbarns]

People still go to concerts?

 

rct

 

And pay for it? I've not done that in quite some time but the standers still p1ss me off when it's free!

[guitar_randy]

I honestly cannot think of one concert I have attened where people actually sat during the show,especially the headlining act,seats or no seats.With mybad back I wish it wasn't the case but it comes to point where if I wanna see the band I have tostand because everyone in front of me is. Maybe its people emotions taking over or maybe its the alcohol kicking in but as soon as a popular band starts playing a familiar song everyone seems to stand up. You can't tell or expect everyone in front of you to sit down and if you want to see you need to stand so it ends up being what it is. like I say,as I get older and still like to see the band and my back hurts the longer I stand,I reallywish people would stay seated, but never once that I can recall ,has people stayed seated.

[Edlo]

I honestly cannot think of one concert I have attened where people actually sat during the show,especially the headlining act,seats or no seats.With mybad back I wish it wasn't the case but it comes to point where if I wanna see the band I have tostand because everyone in front of me is. Maybe its people emotions taking over or maybe its the alcohol kicking in but as soon as a popular band starts playing a familiar song everyone seems to stand up. You can't tell or expect everyone in front of you to sit down and if you want to see you need to stand so it ends up being what it is. like I say,as I get older and still like to see the band and my back hurts the longer I stand,I reallywish people would stay seated, but never once that I can recall ,has people stayed seated.

I actually went to the FabFour concert in July and the crowd was actually sitting. And of course the band did ask the crowd to stand up for a couple the songs. But it was actually good to sit for once.

[Izzy]

I prefer Balcony now so I can see the show and sit. Floor is for the ones who want to rock out and dance or mosh. Seats are for sitting, floor is for the nutty ones who want to build energy, and god bless them, but they need a standing room area.

[Searcy]

Clazz out the azz

 

 

http://metro.co.uk/2014/09/13/imma-let-you-sit-there-kanye-west-stops-show-to-make-sure-everyone-is-standing-including-fan-in-a-wheelchair-4867674/#item-attachment_4854914

 

 

Kanye West called a halt to his concert in Sydney when he saw an audience member was not on his feet dancing to the music. Then he realised the fan was in a wheelchair.

 

Two life lessons we’re taught when we’re young – always wear clean underwear, and think before you speak.

 

Only Kim K knows if he abides by the former, but Kanye West definitely does not go by the latter.

 

At his recent concert in Sydney for the Yeezus tour, the rapper allegedly caused a major kafuffle by calling a stop to proceedings because he saw that a couple of crowd members were not dancing along with the rest of them.

 

He yelled to the audience: ‘I can’t do this song, I can’t do this show until everybody stand up.

 

‘Unless you got a handicap pass and you get special parking and s**t.’

 

He then spotted two fans not enjoying the music as they should, and refused to continue until they got up and boogied.

 

Embarrassingly for the star, the people he’d picked on had good reasons not to be bopping along – one waved their prosthetic limb in explanation, to which Kim Kardashian’s hubby gave a swift: ‘Okay, you fine.’

 

But gunning for the other audience member, the star went on to say: ‘This is the longest I’ve had to wait to do a song, it’s unbelievable,’ according to the MailOnline.

 

A concert goer tweeted that it was an awkward three minutes:

 

I have a three minute video of Kanye waiting for a guy in a wheelchair to stand up

 

— jasmyn (@dahmynn) September 12, 2014

Despite the crowd trying to alert Kanye to his mistake, he sent his body guard to double check the fan was indeed confined to a wheelchair.

 

On discovering that that fan too was physically impaired and unable to get on their feet as requested, Kanye said: ‘He is in a wheelchair? It’s fine!’

 

Unsurprisingly, fans were not amused: