birmingham n.e.c may 22nd

[douglip]

QUOTE (MarkyWarky @ May 25 2011, 10:50 AM)

You'd only get a handle on what the majority wanted with an exit poll! I suspect that, like us in the first half, an awful lot of people wanted to stand, but were prevented from doing so by the atmosphere around them. The majority does matter. The majority of people at rock concerts stand, and I see no reason why I should be prevented from doing so at this one just because the atmosphere was muted for whatever reason. And anyway, you said it yourself; people DID stand when people in front of them did. That's the solution, plain and simple, unless you're suggesting that of those standers, only the ones at the front actually wanted to? If people in front of me had stood for the first half I'd have been delighted not upset, because it would have allowed me to too, and I can't believe a lot of other rock fans didn't feel the same. For every person behind us that was cursing us for making them stand, I'll bet there were two that were enjoying the show more as a result. Why do you think most people stood for the last few numbers? It was because, by then, the atmosphere had built. If it's right for the end of the show, how is it wrong for the rest? If it's selfish to stand, its selfish no matter what part of the show we're at, unless we all have a little chat and agree when to stand? We need to be careful here, because next we'll have venues banning standing up, just like many have banned banners, and where will that leave the atmosphere at rock concerts?

I'm happy for us to agree to disagree and leave it there

[MarkyWarky]

@Angua, yes I know, and I understand that it's not easy, but there's a limit to how much people must modify their perfectly normal behaviour to account for one person who has difficulties.

 

If you go to a rock concert, you should expect that people will stand in front of you, because that's what happens at rock concerts. If that's going to be a problem, talking to the box office will almost certainly get you a seat at the front of one block or another, where you'll see no matter what. If you choose not to do that, that's fine, but it's at your risk.

 

Heck if I was in the front of a block, there's no way I'd refuse to swap seats with someone who can't stand, if they asked, within limits obviously.

 

@douglip,

QUOTE

I'm told it gets bleedin' cold up there

You'll be warmer if you stand and move about a bit

[MarkyWarky]

QUOTE (douglip @ May 25 2011, 10:25 AM)

I'm happy for us to agree to disagree and leave it there

Of course, no problem. I hope you enjoy tonights show.

Edited May 25, 2011 by MarkyWarky

[Alvy Singer]

QUOTE (MarkyWarky @ May 25 2011, 03:12 AM)

@douglip. Given the location and what you describe (I've checked, and we were in block 13, not 14), I think it's pretty obvious that the small group in front of you was us, so lets correct the facts shall we: We stood up at the beginning of the second half, as did many many others below and off to either side of us. Not directly in front, as you say, but I'd say at least half of those in the banked seating were standing. That's what happens at rock concerts; people stand. It's nothing to do with seeing over the people in front, it's to do with getting into the music, and giving some feedback to the band. If it were just about being able to see, everyone in the stalls would sit too, as you see LESS when everyone stands there. Re threats of violence, what actually happened was that someone tapped my brother on the shoulder and asked, quite nicely, if he'd mind sitting down (no mention of anyone being disabled). He said, equally nicely, that he'd rather not as it's a rock concert, and carried on enjoying the show. A few seconds later someone grabbed him by his shoulders and his shirt, and pulled him backwards onto the seat backs. He turned and knocked the person's arms away, as anyone would. The only violence, and it was more than a threat, was from the person behind, not from us. I'm genuinely sorry if your friend couldn't see, but no one mentioned that he had trouble, and venues of this type provide facilities for people who have difficulties. I don't blame your friend for not taking up those facilities, but if he chooses not to he's got to expect that at a rock concert, people will stand. On the last two Rush tours, virtually everyone has stood at the LG, with a resulting much better atmosphere, whereas this time it was about 50%. If someone had explained that your friend was disabled, we'd have gladly swapped seats, though that would only have helped by chance, as in other blocks everyone was standing right to the front. If that had happened in our block, would everyone in front of you have been considered selfish? Yes, we were selfish in the sense that we didn't agree to the request to sit down, but in fact it was the request that we stop doing what people do at rock concerts that was most selfish. If we'd stood through a Shakespeare play, you'd have a very valid point, but I'll say it one last time: it was a rock concert - people stand at rock concerts. All of that said, I think it's pretty amazing that we've "met" on here, and it's a shame it couldn't be in friendlier circumstances, as we just wanted to enjoy the concert the way countless rock fans always have done. Mark

 

I too was disappointed with the number of people sitting on Sunday night, it detracts from the atmosphere.

 

However, at a rock concert you have to expect people will stand. If you don't like it don't go. It isn't the opera.

[Humbleanddumb]

QUOTE (latter-day-warrior @ May 25 2011, 03:45 AM)

I agree with the comments (MarkyWarky) about the LG Arena and the sound - it's very poor. And, it's unfortnate that a 'dispute' occurred between individuals who were there to enjoy the same event but brought into conflict because of the design of the place. Standing at a concert of this type 'is' to be expected and they state this on the tickets .......a nice little disclaimer because they pack us in for maximum financial return/minimal outlay, all in their favour. You can stand at many US arena's and people who choose not to can still see over you ! I promised I'd not go back to LG Arena after the R30 tour, but hey - the band are worth it. "But" I'll be trying the O2 for the next tour ....

if you thought the sound at LG was bad try Motorpoint at Sheffield. The LG was a delight compared to Sheff.

[Humbleanddumb]

QUOTE (MarkyWarky @ May 25 2011, 03:12 AM)

@douglip. Given the location and what you describe (I've checked, and we were in block 13, not 14), I think it's pretty obvious that the small group in front of you was us, so lets correct the facts shall we: We stood up at the beginning of the second half, as did many many others below and off to either side of us. Not directly in front, as you say, but I'd say at least half of those in the banked seating were standing. That's what happens at rock concerts; people stand. It's nothing to do with seeing over the people in front, it's to do with getting into the music, and giving some feedback to the band. If it were just about being able to see, everyone in the stalls would sit too, as you see LESS when everyone stands there. Re threats of violence, what actually happened was that someone tapped my brother on the shoulder and asked, quite nicely, if he'd mind sitting down (no mention of anyone being disabled). He said, equally nicely, that he'd rather not as it's a rock concert, and carried on enjoying the show. A few seconds later someone grabbed him by his shoulders and his shirt, and pulled him backwards onto the seat backs. He turned and knocked the person's arms away, as anyone would. The only violence, and it was more than a threat, was from the person behind, not from us. I'm genuinely sorry if your friend couldn't see, but no one mentioned that he had trouble, and venues of this type provide facilities for people who have difficulties. I don't blame your friend for not taking up those facilities, but if he chooses not to he's got to expect that at a rock concert, people will stand. On the last two Rush tours, virtually everyone has stood at the LG, with a resulting much better atmosphere, whereas this time it was about 50%. If someone had explained that your friend was disabled, we'd have gladly swapped seats, though that would only have helped by chance, as in other blocks everyone was standing right to the front. If that had happened in our block, would everyone in front of you have been considered selfish? Yes, we were selfish in the sense that we didn't agree to the request to sit down, but in fact it was the request that we stop doing what people do at rock concerts that was most selfish. If we'd stood through a Shakespeare play, you'd have a very valid point, but I'll say it one last time: it was a rock concert - people stand at rock concerts. All of that said, I think it's pretty amazing that we've "met" on here, and it's a shame it couldn't be in friendlier circumstances, as we just wanted to enjoy the concert the way countless rock fans always have done. Mark

let me know the next time you go to a concert, i will come and stand directly in front of you.

 

 

[LyndseyG]

QUOTE (GroovyRockChick @ May 25 2011, 02:42 AM)

I have a t shirt that says on the front 'God doesn't play dice' and on the back it says 'he plays the drums' nobody gets it.

I would!! Any chance you could post any pics?

[MarkyWarky]

QUOTE (Humbleanddumb @ May 25 2011, 04:20 PM)

let me know the next time you go to a concert, i will come and stand directly in front of you.

Ah sorry, you missed your chance I've just left the O2, where just about everybody stood, and created an atmosphere that put Birmingham to shame by a very very large margin.