When I saw Paramore on their This Is Why tour in July 2023, Hayley Williams reminded the crowd who a concert really belongs to. “This is your show, so be present for it. It is also the person next to you’s show. So look out for them, OK?” From the band to the audience, we all have a role in contributing to the energy of the show, regardless of the venue.
What Williams said stuck with me because I’ve noticed that being part of the crowd at a concert is a different experience than it used to be. I expect a concert to be a place where people who enjoy the same music come together to celebrate it. Unfortunately, some of the shows I’ve been to recently have disappointed me; not because of the performer, but because of the crowd.
It seems like there’s always a phone in my face, or the energy in the room is dead and the crowd is stiff. While it takes a great performer to excite a crowd, they feed off of the vibrations of the audience just as much as we do.
Alternatively, I’ve also attended shows where some members of the audience don’t respect others’ personal space. While the punk rock scene has a bad reputation for violent crowds with dangerous mosh pits, punk shows have had some of the most respectful crowds I’ve been a part of. I encountered some of the most inconsiderate fans at The 1975 concert of all places.
The auditorium was packed. eople in front of my friend and I were complaining because we were standing too close to them. I was conscious of my surroundings and doing my best to respect others’ personal space, but that didn’t soften the tension. I tried to put myself in their shoes to reflect on my actions, but I concluded that coming to a concert expecting not to touch strangers is delusional. I’m not going to keep my head down and stop dancing because someone doesn’t understand how a concert works.
Part of the point of conflict in this situation was a lack of communication. These people in front of us were very obviously badmouthing my friend and me, but couldn’t turn around to express their concern civilly.
Social media has already taken over our generation’s method of communication, but this doesn’t go without its consequences. It seems like being locked up with our phones for years during a pandemic has made us forget how to share live music with others and be present.
At intimate shows I’ve been to, concert etiquette isn’t a thing of the past. But in bigger crowds, it’s even more important that we look after each other. Some pits are rowdier than others, and it’s understandable if some members of the crowd would rather chill in their own space than be pushed around. While those moshing have a responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and avoid shoving, those who would rather have a more laid-back experience should be aware of the risks involved in entering a pit.
When I saw Pity Party (Girls Club) at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, almost everyone was on the same page when it came to moshing. Naturally, most of the energy shifted toward the stage where the pit formed. I noticed some girls standing next to the stage looking at the rest of the crowd in disbelief, like they couldn’t fathom that we dared to mosh near them.
While I understand not wanting to be touched or shoved, that can be part of the concert experience, especially when the band encourages moshing. Of course, safety and respect should be a priority, and the most respectful way to mosh is to form a border, which the crowd at this show did.
Those of us who would rather not participate in this are always free to move to a more relaxed part of the crowd, but expecting people to act like they’re at church instead of a concert screams entitlement.
The golden rule of a mosh pit is if you see someone fall, you help them back up, and that’s what this crowd did. This show was special because people were looking out for each other. By the time the concert ended, I felt a bond with the crowd because we shared an experience that had come and gone, and most of us had fun living in the moment.
At the end of the day, we all go to concerts for the same reasons; to enjoy music and have fun. Some of us have fun in different ways and that’s fine, but we have to set ourselves up to have the experience that we want to have.
All too often there’s a drunk girl behind me trying to sing at the top of her lungs so that I can’t hear the performer I paid dearly to see and HEAR!!!
Went to a concert in Denver recently. The crowd appeared to be all rich yuppies who couldn’t be seen enjoying themselves. I guess you’d better have money since it costs $500 for a couple of tickets and parking and a few $10 beers.
I think cell phones should be banned at concerts. It just ruins the whole experience. A concert should be a memory that you & your friends will keep forever in your mind; something only you & whoever attended with you can only appreciate. Nobody cares that you went to a concert & post pics of it on social media. And while you’re looking at your phone screen to catch that post worthy Pic, you’re missing out on the moment & tossing what could have been a magical memory. It’s just stupid. And it ruins it for the few that are there for the music & the experience. Phones should not be allowed.