A few things tarnished my experience

[HemiBeers]

Too bad you didn't run into me while you were there, I was going nuts the whole time!

 

Which section were you in? Pretty sure I just got bad seats

I was on the floor, row 12 on Geddy's side. Although, even down there, I noticed some lame people; the guy next to me and my friend sat down during Xanadu!

 

I almost lost it during Xanadu! I wanted to scream and sing along but felt so awkward because the people next to me had no reaction. We were also the only ones to stand during Natural Science, everyone else took it as a clue to sit down.

That's so weird, I was all stoked to see Rush in their homeland because I thought the crowd would be crazy lol, I guess not! Xanadu and Natural Science were both off the chain; they were the highlights of the show! (along with the Hemispheres Prelude, Losing It, and Jacob's Ladder). How could anyone be sitting down for that?? I guess some Canadians attend Rush shows out of a sense of obligation

 

it's a canadien thing for not making a big fuss. Toronto has been known to be fuddy duds at their concerts. Imagine a whole audience of Neil Pearts.

[Bard]

Rush is not exactly dance music. I dunno why people get their knickers in a bunch about people chillin' and watchin' their favorite band without jumpin' around or headbangin'. This ain't the 80's anymore, and Rush never had mosh pits anyway. Absorb the moment. It's all good. :)

[x1yyz]

Rush is not exactly dance music. I dunno why people get their knickers in a bunch about people chillin' and watchin' their favorite band without jumpin' around or headbangin'. This ain't the 80's anymore, and Rush never had mosh pits anyway. Absorb the moment. It's all good. :)

 

No, they re not a dance band, but I just couldn't sit still and watch them. My foot moves of its own accord and taps out the beat. And the music goes through my body and I can't help but wiggle around. But I draw the line at dancing to the drum solo :D

[bill1971]

The fans are usually subdued for some reason. I only sat on the floor section twice and it wasn't too much better. Then I sadly find myself being subdued. Still enjoy very much though.

[toymaker]

Rush is not exactly dance music. I dunno why people get their knickers in a bunch about people chillin' and watchin' their favorite band without jumpin' around or headbangin'. This ain't the 80's anymore, and Rush never had mosh pits anyway. Absorb the moment. It's all good. :)

 

I was going to say something similar. People do enjoy music and performance in different ways. I would hazard to guess that at least some of these fans who seem subdued or not "into it" are really just filtering out the stuff around them and doing what they can to absorb what they are witnessing. Like they don't want to miss a second. When I was younger, 14 or whatever, I did the air drumming and screaming and fist pumping stuff. When I go to shows now, I tend to pay more attention to the details. I wonder if people seeing me standing or sitting there with my arms folded and gazing intently at the stage are thinking I'm subdued?

Edited July 22, 2015 by toymaker

[x1yyz]

I was going to say something similar. People do enjoy music and performance in different ways. I would hazard to guess that at least some of these fans who seem subdued or not "into it" are really just filtering out the stuff around them and doing what they can to absorb what they are witnessing. Like they don't want to miss a second. When I was younger, 14 or whatever, I did the air drumming and screaming and fist pumping stuff. When I go to shows now, I tend to pay more attention to the details. I wonder if people seeing me standing or sitting there with my arms folded and gazing intently at the stage are thinking I'm subdued?

 

Although I understand what you're saying, when I see people just standing there I wonder how they can do so. Doesn't the power of the music make you at least want to tap your foot? Also, since crossing your arms is body language for protecting oneself and putting up a barrier, standing there like that makes one look like they are not comfortable in their surroundings.

[EagleMoon]

Rush is not exactly dance music. I dunno why people get their knickers in a bunch about people chillin' and watchin' their favorite band without jumpin' around or headbangin'. This ain't the 80's anymore, and Rush never had mosh pits anyway. Absorb the moment. It's all good. :)

 

I wish I could jump around and do some headbanging but I'd be in pain for weeks afterwards.

[Tombstone Mountain]

I was going to say something similar. People do enjoy music and performance in different ways. I would hazard to guess that at least some of these fans who seem subdued or not "into it" are really just filtering out the stuff around them and doing what they can to absorb what they are witnessing. Like they don't want to miss a second. When I was younger, 14 or whatever, I did the air drumming and screaming and fist pumping stuff. When I go to shows now, I tend to pay more attention to the details. I wonder if people seeing me standing or sitting there with my arms folded and gazing intently at the stage are thinking I'm subdued?

 

Although I understand what you're saying, when I see people just standing there I wonder how they can do so. Doesn't the power of the music make you at least want to tap your foot? Also, since crossing your arms is body language for protecting oneself and putting up a barrier, standing there like that makes one look like they are not comfortable in their surroundings.

I've gotta admit the first set I was an animal. Second set was just soaking in the performance until the energy exploded.

[x1yyz]

The one nice thing about going to a show by myself is that I can sing and jump around and whatever without having to worry about what others think. :D

[HemiBeers]

Rush is not exactly dance music. I dunno why people get their knickers in a bunch about people chillin' and watchin' their favorite band without jumpin' around or headbangin'. This ain't the 80's anymore, and Rush never had mosh pits anyway. Absorb the moment. It's all good. :)

 

I was going to say something similar. People do enjoy music and performance in different ways. I would hazard to guess that at least some of these fans who seem subdued or not "into it" are really just filtering out the stuff around them and doing what they can to absorb what they are witnessing. Like they don't want to miss a second. When I was younger, 14 or whatever, I did the air drumming and screaming and fist pumping stuff. When I go to shows now, I tend to pay more attention to the details. I wonder if people seeing me standing or sitting there with my arms folded and gazing intently at the stage are thinking I'm subdued?

 

I'm like that. Usually I'm focusing on Al to pick up some tricks on how he's plays certain songs.

[Tombstone Mountain]

Rush is not exactly dance music. I dunno why people get their knickers in a bunch about people chillin' and watchin' their favorite band without jumpin' around or headbangin'. This ain't the 80's anymore, and Rush never had mosh pits anyway. Absorb the moment. It's all good. :)

 

I was going to say something similar. People do enjoy music and performance in different ways. I would hazard to guess that at least some of these fans who seem subdued or not "into it" are really just filtering out the stuff around them and doing what they can to absorb what they are witnessing. Like they don't want to miss a second. When I was younger, 14 or whatever, I did the air drumming and screaming and fist pumping stuff. When I go to shows now, I tend to pay more attention to the details. I wonder if people seeing me standing or sitting there with my arms folded and gazing intently at the stage are thinking I'm subdued?

 

I'm like that. Usually I'm focusing on Al to pick up some tricks on how he's plays certain songs.

For me it's all about Geddy's feet and Neil. He's a human version of this:

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/10/article-2359403-14B94873000005DC-111_634x377.jpg

[On TheRoad To Adventure]

Yep, unless you are inside the first 5 rows of center section, floor sucks if you actually wanna see the show. I had 8th row floor for Austin and it ended up being the least enjoyable of the 3 shows I've seen this tour. Too many heads in the way. Give me lower bowl any day, standing or not.

 

Works ok if your 6'4" like me. ;)

I'm sure it does. :P

 

I am 5'0" and I actually prefer the floor. In Vancouver, I was in the 8th row, with a guy in front of me who was 6'5". Ironically, I had the clearest view of the stage I've ever had! I had a clear line of vision on either side of this guy, and there weren't very many tall people in my line of vision. So it's really just the luck of the draw. I find the bowl to be worse for short people like me. :7up:

[toymaker]

I was going to say something similar. People do enjoy music and performance in different ways. I would hazard to guess that at least some of these fans who seem subdued or not "into it" are really just filtering out the stuff around them and doing what they can to absorb what they are witnessing. Like they don't want to miss a second. When I was younger, 14 or whatever, I did the air drumming and screaming and fist pumping stuff. When I go to shows now, I tend to pay more attention to the details. I wonder if people seeing me standing or sitting there with my arms folded and gazing intently at the stage are thinking I'm subdued?

 

Although I understand what you're saying, when I see people just standing there I wonder how they can do so. Doesn't the power of the music make you at least want to tap your foot? Also, since crossing your arms is body language for protecting oneself and putting up a barrier, standing there like that makes one look like they are not comfortable in their surroundings.

 

I'm one of those fidgety guys who taps out beats with my feet and drums on the edges of tables even when there is no music playing (drove my sister nuts when we were growing up). I think what happens with me is that I can feel and respond to a rhythm without overtly doing things like slapping my thighs or dancing and all that stuff. I'm not saying I'm standing there all rigid, but I'm not all out shuckin' and jivin' like some other folks.

 

The arms folded thing . . . yeah, I talk about the body language stuff in my communications classes, but I also think that sometimes folded arms are just folded arms. I don't have jacket pockets and I feel weird having my arms hanging at my sides, so I just fold 'em (you got to know when to fold 'em).

 

When I saw the Clockwork Angels show, I was sitting with my wife and three good friends. I'm sure we must have look subdued, but there was a lot of knowing glances and grinning happening - that sort of "did you catch that?" and "pretty f***ing great, right?" without having to say anything. I don't know, maybe there is something to the idea that I'm not feeling something "to the utmost" if I don't express it in some overt way. I've always been a kind of a laid back sort of cat - I don't laugh as hard as others at the same jokes and all that. But I do know that music can affect me very emotionally - it's why I'm a musician, but not one who's trying to be a star or make a living at it, I guess.

[toymaker]

Rush is not exactly dance music. I dunno why people get their knickers in a bunch about people chillin' and watchin' their favorite band without jumpin' around or headbangin'. This ain't the 80's anymore, and Rush never had mosh pits anyway. Absorb the moment. It's all good. :)

 

I was going to say something similar. People do enjoy music and performance in different ways. I would hazard to guess that at least some of these fans who seem subdued or not "into it" are really just filtering out the stuff around them and doing what they can to absorb what they are witnessing. Like they don't want to miss a second. When I was younger, 14 or whatever, I did the air drumming and screaming and fist pumping stuff. When I go to shows now, I tend to pay more attention to the details. I wonder if people seeing me standing or sitting there with my arms folded and gazing intently at the stage are thinking I'm subdued?

 

I'm like that. Usually I'm focusing on Al to pick up some tricks on how he's plays certain songs.

 

You know, the thing about this band is that you want to be focusing on so many things all at the same time, and you just can't. I want to have my eyes watching Peart's every move, and checking out Lifeson's expressions and his playing, and Lee's performance (especially when he's multitasking), and check out the lights, and the background action, and pull back and get the whole picture. But you can't catch everything, no matter how hard you try! Maybe that's another reason some people seem so intensely focused. It's like that listening to their music sometimes, too. You get to the end of Digital Man and think, I was so focused on the bass that I'm not sure I fully appreciated the guitar - I better listen to it again . . .

[Nw_Analogkid]

6th row for Salt Lake, wont say it was a riot but people were into it- We were rocking out ! Vegas nosebleeds for CA/2012 were actually more spirited that I would have thought- Got some hilarious guy rocking air guitar and dancing the whole night on video.

 

Vegas this Saturday- Still playing ticket roulette. :)

[Bard]

Rush is not exactly dance music. I dunno why people get their knickers in a bunch about people chillin' and watchin' their favorite band without jumpin' around or headbangin'. This ain't the 80's anymore, and Rush never had mosh pits anyway. Absorb the moment. It's all good. :)

 

I was going to say something similar. People do enjoy music and performance in different ways. I would hazard to guess that at least some of these fans who seem subdued or not "into it" are really just filtering out the stuff around them and doing what they can to absorb what they are witnessing. Like they don't want to miss a second. When I was younger, 14 or whatever, I did the air drumming and screaming and fist pumping stuff. When I go to shows now, I tend to pay more attention to the details. I wonder if people seeing me standing or sitting there with my arms folded and gazing intently at the stage are thinking I'm subdued?

 

Exactly. As I've grown older, I'm far more inclined to study and absorb the experience, to immerse within so to speak, rather than to let loose some abandon. That's for kids. Been there, done that. I see people all the time at some of these older guys' gigs and their eyes are closed and they're simply grooving privately to music they've listened to for a very long time.

[Bard]

I was going to say something similar. People do enjoy music and performance in different ways. I would hazard to guess that at least some of these fans who seem subdued or not "into it" are really just filtering out the stuff around them and doing what they can to absorb what they are witnessing. Like they don't want to miss a second. When I was younger, 14 or whatever, I did the air drumming and screaming and fist pumping stuff. When I go to shows now, I tend to pay more attention to the details. I wonder if people seeing me standing or sitting there with my arms folded and gazing intently at the stage are thinking I'm subdued?

 

Although I understand what you're saying, when I see people just standing there I wonder how they can do so. Doesn't the power of the music make you at least want to tap your foot? Also, since crossing your arms is body language for protecting oneself and putting up a barrier, standing there like that makes one look like they are not comfortable in their surroundings.

 

The power of music has varying levels of symbiosis. You're defining an experience based solely on what you prefer doing. That doesn't mean the guy standing there quietly isn't enjoying it as much, perhaps far more, than yourself.

[Bard]

The one nice thing about going to a show by myself is that I can sing and jump around and whatever without having to worry about what others think. :D

 

Except for everyone else around you.

 

We've all had this discussion before. :)

 

Generally speaking, concert etiquette dictates to ensure maximum flow and energy for all attendees possible, one ought to follow suit with what their section is doing. If one doesn't like what their section is doing, one ought to ask an usher to escort them to a section that is.

[x1yyz]

The power of music has varying levels of symbiosis. You're defining an experience based solely on what you prefer doing. That doesn't mean the guy standing there quietly isn't enjoying it as much, perhaps far more, than yourself.

 

Yup, good point. Last night I saw a guy in the first row with his eyes closed. At first glance it might look like he's bored, but having been there, I know he is truly having a moment.

 

 

The one nice thing about going to a show by myself is that I can sing and jump around and whatever without having to worry about what others think. :D

 

Except for everyone else around you.

 

Whatever I do I do within my own personal space, without bumping into other people :)

[Bard]

 

Whatever I do I do within my own personal space, without bumping into other people :)

 

Unfortunately, at a concert venue, your personal space also tends to involve sight lines and potential distractions of people behind you. You can either respect that or you can't.

 

We tend to give up the 'right' of personal space in a concert venue holding 20 thousand folks. The best way to ensure everyone has maximum enjoyment is cooperation.

[Mr. JD]

The one nice thing about going to a show by myself is that I can sing and jump around and whatever without having to worry about what others think. :D

 

Except for everyone else around you.

 

We've all had this discussion before. :)

 

Generally speaking, concert etiquette dictates to ensure maximum flow and energy for all attendees possible, one ought to follow suit with what their section is doing. If one doesn't like what their section is doing, one ought to ask an usher to escort them to a section that is.

I agree. That is good concert etiquette. In Montreal, we sat in a section in the lower bowl. Everyone sat for about 80% of the show. Even sat during the encore. I haven't sat at a Rush show in over 20 years. Luckily, our seats were on an isle at a corridor. I went into the corridor and stood for a large portion of the show. I just couldn't sit down. It didn't feel right! The usher understood and just left me alone.

[toymaker]

Whatever I do I do within my own personal space, without bumping into other people :)

 

Unfortunately, at a concert venue, your personal space also tends to involve sight lines and potential distractions of people behind you. You can either respect that or you can't.

 

We tend to give up the 'right' of personal space in a concert venue holding 20 thousand folks. The best way to ensure everyone has maximum enjoyment is cooperation.

 

I agree to a point, but people go to a concert to have a great time, and if they want to shout and scream and whistle and sing and dance and fist pump and air drum, I would never ask them to stop. I do get bugged by a few things at concerts:

 

- people who whistle as loud as possible during really quiet moments, so loud that it actually seems to pierce your eardrum

 

- people with great lung capacity who go "whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo" as if they're trying for a Guiness world record, or maybe thinking that some really attractive woman will be really impressed with their ability to go "whooooo" for 45 seconds

 

- people who get obnoxiously drunk and fall into people and spill their beer on people

 

I don't know where I stand (no pun intended) on the "one guy who insists on standing when everyone else is sitting" thing. I get it to some extent, but . . . if you know you're blocking someone's view by standing, why continue to stand? Maybe they don't want to stand because their feet are sore. Maybe they get a better experience of a show when they're seated comfortably? There's no obvious solution to this one, but I'd say that courtesy should reign. Sit down until there's a general consensus to stand.

[Bard]

 

 

I don't know where I stand (no pun intended) on the "one guy who insists on standing when everyone else is sitting" thing. I get it to some extent, but . . . if you know you're blocking someone's view by standing, why continue to stand? Maybe they don't want to stand because their feet are sore. Maybe they get a better experience of a show when they're seated comfortably? There's no obvious solution to this one, but I'd say that courtesy should reign. Sit down until there's a general consensus to stand.

 

Precisely. It's not rocket science. Courtesy gives everyone a maximum experience. Most venues' staff will move you to the floor or a standing area if you request nicely and point out you'd rather not block others while you rock out.