Date: October 8, 2023
By: Kay Arnal
Before we talk about local bands, it's important to understand concert etiquette.
I have attended many shows in the past year and noticed the crowds have become increasingly disrespectful. The last show I attended was Bad Omens. I was in the second row as I got VIP, which included early entry. People started entering the venue, and the first band played.
As the second band came on, people from the back, likely late attendees, swarmed to the front. It was a fight for the front row, and they were pushing and elbowing us. Many of us were pushed to the back, some separated from friends, others bruised because of the chaos. Up against the barricade, people were so squished they couldn't breathe. While rowdy crowds come with the territory of metal music, purposefully swarming the front because you didn't arrive earlier and injuring others is unacceptable.
Near the end of the Bad Omens set, a young man collapsed, and medics were called to assess the situation. We waited for what felt like five minutes for this man to be helped. But this could have been avoided if everyone had followed concert etiquette.
Photo of medics pushing through a crowd to get to a man who fainted near the barricade. (Taken by Kay Arnal Creative)
Why is concert etiquette important?
Concert etiquette is important to ensure that you are safe and that everyone around you is having a good time.
No one likes it when a fight breaks out, and neither do the bands. Your favourite band might even stop playing the set. So here are some measures to ensure no one gets hurt and your favourite artists don't stop the show.
1. Don't push people out of their spots.
To guarantee a spot at the front, you should arrive at the venue at a decent hour or pay extra, like VIP or early access fees. If you're late, you're late. Do not shove or push people out of the way. Take it like a champ and watch the show from where you are. Pushing crushes people at the barricade, leading to passing out and bands stopping the performance.
2. When someone falls you pick them up.
It's okay to be rowdy and have fun, but pay attention to your surroundings if you see someone fall. Help each other out, make space and help them up or get security attention.
3. Don’t throw things on stage.
You may want to give your favourite artists a present, but you risk injuring them when you throw it on stage. Instead, ask the person working the merch table if they can pass along your gift.
4. Don’t record the entire show.
It’s okay to snap some pictures and maybe record your favourite part of a song, but it’s also important to live in the moment and disconnect from your device. After all, you’re here to see a live show, right?
5. Know your limits.
Don’t drink too much. If you know you can’t handle liquor, especially if it makes you aggressive, reconsider how much you should drink. No one wants to fight, and no one wants to kick you out for causing a scene. So it’s important to know when to cut the liquor. Also, keep your drinks out of the pit. One bump and drink lands on someone else or the floor.
6. Put your signs away.
No one wants their view blocked by a massive sign. We're all here to watch a show, not the back of a cardboard sign. If you still insist on bringing one, please keep it small and hold the sign up for less than a minute.
Even though local concerts are small, and the crowds are unlikely to create mass disruption, it’s still important to respect each etiquette in this list and practice these measures when you visit a bigger show so that no one gets hurt and everyone has a good time.
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