FEATURE:
All Quiet on the Suggestion Front
IMAGE CREDIT: Lucy May Walker
Is It Right for Artists to Impose Etiquette Rules at Gigs?
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IT is ironic that …
PHOTO CREDIT: Wendy Wei
there has been a swirling and exchange of anger, argument and debate around a topic and question that must have been present in music for decades. Can artists impose etiquette guidelines for its audience? I guess, depending on the genre and size of gig, there are going to be different concerns. For a more acoustic or quitter gig, talking might be more noticeable - or quieter songs during any type of gig. Audience members chatting between songs or during them. That irks so many people (myself included!). Filming gigs might seem intrusive, though it is not something that seems to be so noticeable at a stadium gig – seeing as so many people film and there is a massive amount of space. As we have seen quite a few artists performing being hit by objects from the crowd, I can understand why some might want to impose restrictions and politely ask their audience to adhere to some ground rules! I guess it all comes down the definition of etiquette and manners. For me, I dislike when you can hear people talking at a gig. It is about respecting the artist and paying attention to the music. It seems like the crowd are ignoring what is going on, so I get why some artists might feel angered or invisible. This has all come about because an artist, Lucy May Walker, has shared a post/list of etiquette rules for those attending her gigs. It has divided opinion and sparked arguments as to whether she was right. Can you really tell an audience how or how not they should act at gigs?! NME provided details of what has been happening:
“An artist who shared a poster of ‘gig etiquette’ they would like fans to abide by has gone viral and stirred a debate online.
Last week, singer-songwriter Lucy May Walker shared a photo of a series of rules she wanted fans to stick to on her upcoming tour of the UK.
“After my many interviews with various news outlets about gig etiquette, I’ve decided to print these off for my upcoming solo tour,” she wrote on X/Twitter.
IMAGE CREDIT: Lucy May Walker
“I’ve not seen this done before (& I’m sad it’s come to this) but I’m hoping it will encourage people to behave. Thoughts?”
The stipulations include asking fans to “read the room” and not sing along too loudly if no-one else is, and to “keep your flash off” when taking photos, trying “not to watch the whole thing through your phone”.
In response, Walker has been widely criticised online and in the media. In an appearance on Good Morning Britain, Happy Mondays singer Rowetta hit out at the poster, saying: “To have a set of rules for a gig when they’re paying, I think that’s really awful, honestly. You should be a teacher or a prison officer.”
Others hit out at the poster for being entitled, and suggested that fans should enjoy live music however they wish.
The original tweet has been quote tweeted over 1,000 times, with one writing: “imagine someones having a panic attack in pit or something and they need to leave but lucy may wants u to wait until the end of the song to go.”
Another wrote: “you’re out of your goddamn mind if you think i’m paying to watch a show where i’m being treated like a damn toddler, if i want to scream my heart out i’m going to scream my heart out, if i want to record i’m going to record!!!! this new wave of concert “etiquette” is astonishing”.
PHOTO CREDIT: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels
Gig etiquette and the do’s and don’ts have been part of debate for years now. If you are attending a heavier-sounding gig then there may be some unique and rather extreme consideration. In 2012, The Guardian wrote their gig commandments. Seemingly obvious points like do onto others was a big one. Don’t throw beer around, act like you are at home, or generally be a bit of a lairy cu*t. A few points from this article back in July are sensible that should be applied to all gigs:
“3. TAKE CARE OF YOUR PERSONAL HYGIENE
A concert is most likely going to be full of people.
The more popular the band, the more people will attend a gig, and you might find that you are stood or sat quite close to complete strangers for a few hours.
Personal hygiene is always important but think about the other people at the gig and make sure your personal hygiene is at a good level.
This is even more important when going to a festival and camping over a long weekend.
4. DON’T STAND DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF PEOPLE DURING THE SHOW
Obviously, you can stand closer to the front than people who are choosing to stand further back but be aware of people around you and don’t go and stand right in front of someone who has been stood there for a while. It just comes across as rude and a little entitled.
We’d say the same goes for having people on your shoulders or going on someone’s shoulders, this is okay if it’s for one song, but you’re blocking people’s views behind you so don’t spend the whole concert doing it.
There is an unspoken rule about concert etiquette that every person finds their own spot whilst being mindful of everyone around them.
Obviously, not every person does this, but it will make for a more enjoyable experience.
PHOTO CREDIT: fxquadro via Freepik
5. DANCE WITHIN YOUR OWN SPACE
Most people want to dance at a gig, that is human nature as the whole point is to have fun and enjoy your favourite artist or band.
You should go and dance to your hearts content at the next concert you go to, but we would say that you should always be aware of everyone around you.
Dance away, but don’t encroach in another person’s space, so they have the room to dance and enjoy themselves as much as you do.
6. DON’T THROW DRINKS IN THE AIR
There are certain types of bands (we’re looking at your Indie guitar bands) that welcome a certain type of crowd.
Sometimes, you’ll be mid chorus singing along to the band’s anthem and you’ll feel the thud of a plastic glass on the top of your head and some remnants of lager all over you.
It’s gross, it’s sticky, disgusting, and more than anything else drinks are way too expensive at gig venues these days to be lashing half of it up in the air during your favourite song. Don’t be an idiot, actually drink your drink.
PHOTO CREDIT: Monstera Production/Pexels
7. BE RESPECTFUL OF THE ACTS
There is nothing worse than hearing loads of people talking when there is a quiet song being played during a gig, so don’t be one of those annoying people.
Be respectful of the acts, especially the support act, as they will be nervous enough as it is, playing in front of a load of people who are there to see the artist or band coming on after they have finished their set.
8. HELP OTHERS IN TROUBLE
Concert venues can be very hot places, especially if the music is lively.
Think about a gig where there is a ‘mosh pit’ for example, this can be a raucous, very fun place to be for a while.
However, always be careful that you are safe, and always keep an eye on your fellow concertgoers and if any person seems like they are in trouble, have fallen over, or look dazed, help them as best as you can to get out of there and to safety.
If you’re next to where water is being handed out, try to pass a cup back to those further behind you, or anyone who looks like they’re dehydrated”.
The problem is, there is no set textbook or guide that apply to all gigs. All gigs are different when it comes to the type of crowd and the dynamic. Some might be more physical in terms of crowd involvement. A singer-songwriter might operate at a slightly less frantic and noisy environment…so they would want to keep it that way. I think it is down to the artist to say what they want from their audience. They are the ones who are performing and you have paid to see.
Why are people upset and angry about what Lucy May Walker posted when they have never seen her perform or do not intend to?! It does not impact them in any way! I feel many used this post to have a rant and generally get angry about someone who dared to ask for decency at a gig! Maybe some rules are a little strict but, again, you are there to see an artist who has rehearsed hard and worked a long time to get people to their gigs. Nothing that Lucy May Walker shared was extreme or something you might ask a child to do. If grown adults perceive it that way, then it says much more about them than what they are protesting against. Consider how hard it is for artists to get regular gigs and make money from what they are doing. Their earnings are typically pretty low, so they want their audience engaged so that they can share their experiences and perhaps get other people to go to future gigs. That word of mouth thing. Sure, it may seem a little harsh or like being at school in some cases, though I genuinely think artists want to focus and they want their crowd to be engaged. Many are happy for there to be interaction at appropriate times…but can anyone say that they need to talk during songs?! This does open up a debate about proper gig etiquette and how does an artist enforce it. As I say, there have been a worrying amount of cases of artists being attacked on stage and injured. It is understandable that there should be an industry-wide assessment of security, how audiences behave, and what happens to those who violate an artist’s safety. If someone feels affronted at the suggestion they should be able to talk freely at a gig and resent any sort of guideline that says otherwise than that…
PHOTO CREDIT: Rahul Pandit/Pexels
SPEAKS volumes!