more "shut the fuck up" narrative

At a recent event at TXR I asked the loud talkers behind me if they could please be quieter so I could hear the nuances in the music. They were quiet for about 4 minutes, then I heard the word "nuance" and quiet laughter. The chatting picked up from there. Except for the drumming, which was too loud and kind of predictable, there were plenty of nuances to hear...

How 'bout a "chut up"?

Good one, Gravy.

I don't really understand the folks who work their way to the first 5 rows and then not pay attention to the music. It seems like a lot of work and effort.

brian, you are having a rough day today!!!!

chill bro.

In the instance I mentioned above, I was in the front row, ADA seating, and these people were standing right behind me.  I'm sorry that what we wanted from our experiences didn't mesh more  thoroughly. 

ssh Jon, stop talking. People are tying to listen.

I've seen the warning signs before Brian k. Take a break from the zone or a breakdown is right around the corner.

A few summers ago I saw a woman get kicked out of a Bonnie Raitt show. She was definitely buzzed, but dancing, having a great time and putting off good vibes. All those around her, mind you, in the first few rows, were sitting down, talking, drinking wine and eating cheese.

She got booted for being a great concert-goer amidst a crowd of lame-asses. Weird.

Can someone touch on Jackie greens stalker who set up shrines in his honor at the foot of the stage?

A well written and spot-on article.

I'm becoming less & less patient with the issue lately. I actually created a nasty little scene at a show not long ago where after asking two people yammering behind me nicely a couple of times, I lost my cool a bit and began slowly backing into them, physically bumping them. Those of you who have met me know that I am not a petite individual, so it was a significant message sent.

Not surprisingly the guy took immediate exception and got surly with me, to which I replied, "Oh, am I invading your space? Am I disrupting your good time? Well your conversation is invading my space and disrupting my good time". Needless to say he didn't see it the same way and I had to move away to keep it from getting uglier. Mostly nowadays I tell people you're not supposed to talk like that at a movie, why do you think it's different here. Nothing works very well though, and if you get one group to shut up there are five others going at it continually.

I really believe that it's time for the venues & promoters to start making a direct effort to get the point across, take it on as a campaign and instruct their staff to be as hard on vocal disruption as they are on other types of interference.

Before movies there is usually a clip shown about shushing up and turning off cell phones. Jazz concerts routinely ask people to turn off all electrical devices before the show. I think rock venues should begin doing something similar.

Of course the common answer, which is repeated often enough even on the zone discussions about this over the years, is "Fuck off, it's a rock concert man, lighten up!"

I'm sure that would be the reaction from many people if rock venues began posting signs, making announcements and having staff actively enforce a "no on-giong conversations during the performance" rule, but educating people is rarely easy and doesn't happen overnight, and as the greatest concert promoter of our time used to say, "Don't give 'em what they want, give 'em what they SHOULD want!"

The fact that the event is a "rock concert" is a detail to the larger fact that the event is a musical/auditory performance, and loud on-going conversations are just as disruptive and unacceptable as loud talking is at a movie or continually holding up large signs is at a ballgame, both of which are not allowed and are clamped down on quickly by staff.

IMO it's a much better use of staff time to bust people for talking than for smoking, and as much as I hate cigarette smoke I would rather deal with a smoky room than a noisy one.

Well said, Lance.

If the people at shows bother some of you this much maybe it's time to take more drugs or just find a new hobby.  

I agree with Lance. I truly wish people would just STFU or hang out and talk by the bar at the back of the venue.

Chatting through a performance is absolutely on par with talking through a movie. It's disrespectful, and annoying AF.

you guys, i want you all to be extra tender with brian today...

Sorry lance thats not fun . Ivs had to move more than id like....

My answer is have the venues turn up the fucking volume and crowd move dance...

We talkin' like Spinal Tap loud here, Turts?

I support that. 

freedom rock.

Baby Boomer shows are minefields of crass behavior. Emasculated men who aren't allowed to leave their wives at home so they make it a date night excursion and the ladies (Kitty, Karen, etc) inevitably spend most of the show catching up on their children and home remodeling projects. 

Millennials? Beyond saving at this point. The mirage-like self confidence they receive from technology and social media has corrupted their DNA. However a good "shut the fuck up" usually ends up working as they're shocked someone would speak to them in that manner.

Tatters makes some very good points there.

If all the people who claim they hate show talkers would stop talking at shows, this problem wouldn't exist.

I only talk during the quiet songs.

I see. It's the fault of Baby Boomers and Millennials. You guys don't even try anymore. So sad.

Most people talk about show talkers at shows...there's just so much to talk about. 

Not sure that promoters or venues want to "go down that road" re: establishing and posting rules with respect to the frequency, volume, locations, etc. where "speech" is acceptable or not.

There's a Nepalize lunch buffet I go to regularly in Montrose, CO (Gurus) that has a sign on it's buffet that simply says "Please do not waste food" ... which I think could be the sort of parallel approach venues could take.  Perhaps something along the lines of "Please be considerate of other concert goers who are trying to listen to the performance.  Loud conversations can be a distraction." (or whatever)

Having said that, I've found that closing my eyes can "help" if show talkers are nearby.

How about a Talking Heads show?

I also do not like anything that distracts from the music. Many times I close eyes, and if there are no audio distractions (talking) I can get lost in a very good way. You just hear more when isolating on that sense. If I'm standing it can get dicey as I've come close to falling forward. When eyes are open I'm usually shuffling a bit or even a little dancing (not a natural at the dance thing). But of course many times we cannot control the universe around us, only our reaction. If you can find a nice way to ask someone to be quiet I think that's the way to go. Otherwise you pretty much have to put up with it or move if possible. I do like the idea of having promoters, venues, etc. help in any way they can with signage or staff, etc.

I believe the mind is a terrible thing. Really. By that I mean the Ego/Monkey mind that is inbreed in all for generations. The I/Me and constant chatter in your own mind/thoughts. If you had a friend in your car while you were driving who spoke the same thoughts you constantly run through your mind, you'd pull over and let them out in order to enjoy some peace. Some folks get deeper in the Ego path (The talkers that don't even realize how self identified they are), others resist through mindfulness practice. 

Be mindful. Spread the Vibe.

A nice sign at the front door .Please Don't Waste Space If You Want To Talk Please Go Out Side .////Also Phones Only Work Out Side of Our Venue Please Do Not Use Your Phone In The Theater And Light Up The Audience . If I owned a restaurant or a venue first thing I would buy would be a cell blocker 

A nice sign at the front door .Please Don't Waste Space If You Want To Talk Please Go Out Side .////Also Phones Only Work Out Side of Our Venue Please Do Not Use Your Phone In The Theater And Light Up The Audience . If I owned a restaurant or a venue first thing I would buy would be a cell blocker <<< YES.

 >>>I see. It's the fault of Baby Boomers and Millennials. 

In fairness, we are talking about the consensus #1 and #2 worst generations in American history there.

I think Tatters' observations are spot on.

Avett Brothers shows should be banned altogether.

In defense of Millennials, these were raised by the Boomers. So they get a bit of a pass. A bit.

Well, some Gen Xers were also raised by Boomers, and we turned out great. 

There are also some millenials who were raised by Gen Xers, and obviously things didn't work out so well for those poor bastards.

It's a complicated issue. The bottom line is that neither generation should be allowed to talk, ever. 

I dont mind if people are talking about the show occasionally.  Like "man Sless is on fire", or "hear that playin tease?" But if someone looks at me or asks for quiet respectfully I dont mind that either. Do we need a "Nanny State" at rock concerts?  I think comparing it to an acoustic setting or the orchestra or even a movie is a bit off. In those situations quiet should be expected and enforced.  At a GA  rock concert, not so much.  If you really want nuance, I find closing eyes and cupping your ears works great and sends a subtle message to those around you. if i get the drunk asshole next to me I just move. To each their own i suppose.

the drunks are the worst

If you really want nuance, I find closing eyes and cupping your ears works great and sends a subtle message to those around you.

I was going to mention that I cup my ears, but sometimes the band sound gets so loud it ends up being uncomfortable. Isn't it shocking that the (yes, mostly drunk) people talking around me can cut even through that?

And the Baby Boomer vs Gen X vs Millenial competition is ridiculous. Self-centered people come from all generations.

I didn't say anything at Cubensis/Moonalice last night. I was too stoned. 

I leaned up against wall near the bar and listened and swayed. I drank

smoked and ate a lot during the day. Vacationing ain't easy. 

Slacker, were you a Dirtbag?

No but my dad took me to a bunch of games at Blair Field. My wife is a 49er.

Maybe they should sort people at shows like they do at Rainbow Gatherings. Alcohol in the A Camp and Baby Boomers in the B Camp.

Boomers who drink would be in the B subA Camp.

And then everyone will be happy.

I don't have an answer for you all but I believe shows were much better when people were high or tripping and NOT drinking alcohol. 

^this. 

^ this doubled.

More of a problem on the West Coast in my opinion. My first experience with this was at Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds "acoustic duo" tour at the Warfield in San Francisco in 1997 and I was sitting third row on floor. Two college aged ladies in front of me babbled about nothing all show. Rich kids with best seats just to impress there music loving friends.

Terrapin Crossroads weirdness - Marin trustafarian's and divorcees mixing with counter culture deadheads

East Coast deadhead complaint is everybody in crowd singing along. Who sings this song?? Good, keep it that way!

>>in 1997 and I was sitting third row on floor. Two college aged ladies in front of me babbled about nothing all show.

If they were college age in 1997 - then they were Gen-Xers! OMG! How dare they! Don't they know they are from the perfect generation that does no wrong?

Sometimes, if a whole bunch of people find an unspoken consciousness, and in a sort of synchronicity all start dancing really hard at the same time, the mad talkers get the idea and move along because they are vibed out of the space.

Sixy, those girls were at a fuckin' Dave Matthews show, for gods sake. They are in no way representative of Gen X.

How come DMB got such a shitty fan-base? Their music isn't terrible, and their message is kind of incongruous with their Greek life followers. Are they just a kind of drug-band lite that coked up bros can be irie to?

Dave Mathews himself is a GenXer. That's a huge shame for YOU and YOUR generation. I would take that shame and go home and STFU if I were you.

Songs about drinking and drugs. 

^^^^^perfect generation that does no wrong?

Don't get St. Mark going on generational warfare. He thrives in such threads!

People have been on this planet a shit long time and treated each other pretty poorly throughout all of our history.

NOTHING'S CHANGED OR EVER WILL!

He's South African and grew up under apartheid. He ain't no American Gen Xer!

Of course, Oaksterdude, but St. Mark's generational tirades can be very amusing. It can be much fun to wind him up and watch him spin around.

>>He ain't no American Gen Xer!

Since when are you Donald Trump, Bri?

Sheesh!

Well, let's hope that we can make Amerika great again by having laws to keep future Dave Matthews' out! 

I do t care what DMs passport says, he's not African American.

Six has seen Dave Matthews in concert many, many times.

Fact.

Zero is many times?

Alternate fact.

You're denying the fact that you went through a big Dave Matthews phase in the 90's, Six?

Seriously, dude. Just own it.

>>>comparing it to an acoustic setting or the orchestra or even a movie is a bit off. In those situations quiet should be expected and enforced<<<

What's the difference? Obviously in those settings loud on-going conversations disrupt the event. Loud on-going conversations at a GA rock concert disrupt the event equally. A direct and obvious disruption is a direct obvious disruption, no matter the type of auditory performance, whether the performance is loud or quiet or if people are standing or sitting. Why shouldn't an obvious disruption be enforced equally?

And no one is complaining about short comments like, "Man, Sless is on fire."

It's the... "OH HELL YEAH HE IS!!!! JUST LIKE THAT NELSON SHOW AT MOE'S LAST YEAR!!! REMEMBER THAT!?!" "OH FUCK YEAH I ABSOLUTELY REMEMBER THAT!!! THEY JAMMED OUT THAT EARLS GIRLS FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES AT THAT SHOW!!!" "YEAH MAN, THEY MELTED MINDS THAT NIGHT!!! IT WAS EPIC!!! DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE THE SHOWS AT TxR NEXT MONTH!!?!!" "OH FOR SURE!!! I NEVER MISS 'EM AT TxR!!!" "FOR SURE MAN!!! THE NELSON BAND BLOOOOOWS AWAY ANYTHING PHIL IS DOING THESE DAYS!!!" FUCKIN'A RIGHT MAN!!!" "WHERE YOU STAYIN!!??!! "I ALWAYS STAY AT THE FOUR POINTS!!!" OH DUDE, THE EMBASSY SUITES IS WAY BETTER!!!" "REALLY!!?!! MAYBE I'LL TRY IT THIS TIME!!!" "COOL MAN, WE STAY THERE EVERY TIME!!! THE ROOMS ARE HUGE, WE CAN PREGAME BIGTIME!!!" "FAR OUT!!! SOUNDS GREAT!!!" "OH MAN, SLESS IS ON FIRE HERE!!!" "OH HELL YEAH HE IS!!!!!!!"

That type of jabber seem familiar to anyone? Is that in any way considered acceptable, in any auditory performance setting?

And I always close my eyes at any show if the music is any good. That only amplifies the talking.

It's no different than someone physically bumping into me.

That type of chronic loud conversation is invasive, it's disruptive, is self-centered and it's rude, whether it's a movie, a jazz show, a symphony or a GA rock concert. The difference is it's become a constant issue at GA rock concerts, far more than ever before.

The venues should begin putting up respectful signs, make stage announcements (a lost art at shows) and work the media intelligently to get the message out - "Remember folks, when you talk during the music your voices carry more than you realize, and you're disrupting the performance for your neighbors. We have speakers in the hallway/lobby, please have your conversations there. Thank you."

That will of course be ignored, for a while, but little by little, if done consistently & correctly it will begin to have an affect, and would certainly give more awareness and power to the individual asking, "Hey guys, could you hold it down, we're listening to music here."

So there's another .90 cents from me on the subject.

Good thing (for me) I always have LOTS of change.

All fun aside - I have never seen the guy, Mark. His voice is grating and that herky-jerky music makes me nauseous.

It's good that we have something in common - even if it is disgust for something/someone.

Indeed, Six.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend and all that.

Can this stupid thread just end.  If you're too much of an old fart to get bothered by talkers than stay home.

Jesus Christ thread over.

threads about talkers are worse than talkers..

The talking epidemic began at a stadium show for Foghat or REO Speedwagon

Chatting away during Foghat?

how is  your day today bri ?

That type of jabber seem familiar to anyone? Is that in any way considered acceptable, in any auditory performance setting?<<<

Yes.  

Perhaps it's was an exception, but yesterday was the last day the lifts ran in Telluride & there were two end of season parties with bands playing at two different base areas.  While people probably weren't talking about prior DNB shows, people were definitely making lots of small talk about what a great last day it turned out to be, "off season" plans, etc.  At least half the people were dressed in some sort of "costume" (not yours truly) and many were boisterous.  At the same time, many talkers and "listeners" were able to dance freely and do their own thing.  The sound wasn't exactly overbearing to drown out all conversations, yet it was still a "jam band" that lended itself to listening (or dancing), but everyone seemed to get along very well.

Yes Lance all too familiar.

My last ABB show at the Beacon a line line of six or seven bros sat/stood just behind me and never stopped, and so fucking wrong. "Derek is Butch Trucks son", "Dickey is wailing". Um, no Betts...

Just across the aisle a drunken deplorable cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled full volume "TURN IT UP, GREGG!". 

Every five minutes, all night.  

As for staying home if it bothers me?  Pretty much what Im doing. 

Kimock's VooDoo Dead in NO last time was great. Talking was between songs and listening was during songs.

There is a term, Google it. Called Theatre etiquette. 

What the hell, I'll Google it for you!

http://www.musical-theater-kids.com/theater-etiquette.html

Now I am not saying everything is appropriate for a rock music event but you really don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. 

A bit of home training might not be a bad idea tho'. 

Perhaps venues should start renting earphones with the soundboard mix? Might miss out out on the applause or audience energy but it could be a solution. I think a lot of this has to do with expectation. Like would you expect it to be louder at Jorma acoustic or electric Hot Tuna show?  I don't like talkers, but Im not going to let them ruin my show.  Its a tricky issue no doubt.

Is it interesting to anybody else that Phish has, by far, the most attentive, respectful audience in Rock n roll today?

Would not have predicted that in the 90's, but there it is.

When I'm at a Musical performance and neighbors get too chatty, I tap them on the shoulder and show them Fotos of Hüsky.

"Here He is at the Lake, Check H.I.M. out at the FireHouse,  I have videos of H.I.M. at Houdini's funeral."

Of course I whisper, and they all shut up or leave.

Sometimes I offer them a nibble of Datura Root, if they will only shut up.

"Hey I know where there's a half-rotten Deer Carcass, young Bitch..."

"OK Big Hüsky, if you're rich, I'm Single."

That's how it's done at Phish shows, Klondie.

I'm not saying it was right in that scenario (you were by the bar, which is a chatty area) but I do have to respect the young lady's glare game. Clearly it was strong.

Mr. Klondike,

From your story it seems like that young Lady just wanted to become more intimate with you.  Society's repression of Nature has overloaded her sexual stress to the point that She wishes to smile, but can only glare. It's up to you to help clean up the World.

Also the show-chatter. Next time, go whisper in Her ear how you hate the chatter, and if we could only just coëxist, maybe be naked together, and the World would be a better place.

Maybe She just needs some help rearranging the furniture.

>>>"When I'm at a Musical performance on the zone and neighbors zoners get too chatty are conversing , I tap them on the shoulder and show them post Fotos of Hüsky.

"Here He is at the Lake, Check H.I.M. out at the FireHouse,  I have videos of H.I.M. at Houdini's funeral getting pluked by other H.I.M.s"

Of course I whisper never desist so they all shut up logoff or leave [for good]."

Methinks Mr. Googly has been injected w/ that "Green-Eyed Monster" strain called "Envy".

Somewhere near you, there is a Hüsky locked up in a 'Shelter' wishing for a Good Home.

Perhaps you are not up to the task.  Sibes are a time-consuming breed of Canine.  They want to run a lot, and destroy stuff if bored.

Although I never expected to co-exist with a Northern hound, my  last two years have been vastly enriched by his presence.  Boy keeps me Biking & Hiking almost every day.  We go to swimming spots in hot weather.  He keeps me isolated from the tragic boredom of Desk-Job and resulting heart attack.

And he never chit-chats at Shows.

I feel ya hall.

Imagine how creepy it would be if someone plastered pictures of their children randomly on every thread.

I would like to see admin give a 30 day timeout to stu. 

I'd like to see jr. spend 30 minutes with a Shovel or hedge-clippers doing ordinary Farm-work.

But working tools don't fit those hands. Those sneaky hands are fit for insulting Farmers on a keyboard, or heisting items belonging to Workers. 

How creepy would it be if jr. showed up on my Farm ?? I would need to hire regular working people to keep an open eye, lest things go missing.