in defense of the unenthusiastic concert goer

Hinn

TunnelThroughDenial wrote:

Complaining about people who are unenthusiastic is stupid. I can accept complaints about people who are so over the top it's intrusive though.

Bring it! I can take anything! I can't help that the 10 year old kid behind me had no chance to see Mike all night while Fleur (101 row 8 inner aisle) and I (the yellow and black stripey blur right behind her) bounced all night long. When you're that little, the stands are a much easier place to take in a show!

Gotta be annoying for the others who constantly had to make way for those who just kept streaming out for beer and toilet breaks. So glad I didn't had to do this even once. Or maybe I just didn't notice it.

Kudos to dad, though, for not telling me once to stop bouncing so much.

Bird889

Cosmo wrote:

TunnelThroughDenial wrote:

Complaining about people who are unenthusiastic is stupid. I can accept complaints about people who are so over the top it's intrusive though.

...
Ever been near the person whose singing talents rivals William Hung? And it's a gal... who thinks she's good... and has a loud voice?
Yeah... kinda sucks.

yep, thats me...I sing like sh*t. I still remember my 1st grade teacher asking me to lip sync during our christmas pagent. And that was 30 years ago!!!

So if I sang out loud to every song like a TRUE FAN there would be 12 threads started about the jerk in section 213 that ruined their experience.

Another thing, I went to all four shows with a slightly dislocated kneecap. I stood the entire time except for Just Breathe the last show.( I was pacing myself just incase they did play to 2 am) But I wasn't jumping up and down like a TRUE FAN or I would have not been able to walk. Although I did a good job of bobbing my head up and down.

decides2dream

it's funny, i thought more about this thread/topic...fuck if i know why and i realize that my husband would most definitely get labelled "unenthusiastic concert goer." i do not pogo, but i dance and sing and all....all night. hubby does not sing, doesn't really ever dance at shows. if we share a show he may sway a lot more b/c i am with him, etc. in fact, i remember in DC in 2008 was the first time he really seemed to get into it more than usual. thing is tho, he almost always gets into it, just in his own way. he is a musician, so he loves to truly watch them all play - particularly jeff since hubby is a bass player too. he likes to just LISTEN and ABSORB. sure, he applauds but i don't think i've ever heard him yell out at a show and he certainly never gets crazy. and ya know what? he is a rather quiet and chill person all the rest of his time too, so why would his personality suddenly change at a concert? people enjoy things - music included - in different ways. and sure, we make quite a pair.

Get_Right

personally
I really dont care how you choose to enjoy the show, sitting, squatting, sleeping whatever

just dont intrude on my experience and the way I choose to enjoy the show and all is good

Wed, there were these two dudes sitting next to me doing what I call the NYC jig-arms crossed, heads bobbing slowly-no sign of conversation or emotion the entire show
when blood came on and I started to loose my shit, the guy next to me was like WTF is wrong with that dude?

guacamolejoe

norm wrote:

Tiki Barber wrote:

i feel like some of you think that you have to act a certain way at a pj show and if you don't you are an outcast. some people don't feel comfortable dancing and singing and jumping up and down in a crowd of people. every hear of anxiety? some people may be able to pay better attention to the show without all of the unneccessary arm movements (which are cool to see from a big crowd, but we all don't need to do it) and jumping around. just because someone is standing there stairing at the stage the whole time doesn't mean that they aren't having a good time. maybe they are just in awe? anyway, i just don't think it's fair to single people out for the way they conduct themselves at a concert. there are reasons for everything. everyone paid to see the same show and should be allowed to enjoy it in their own way. probably starting to blab here, just felt the need to rant.

i agree with this...back in march i saw dmb in vegas and a few rows down from me was this girl who was dancing...jumping around, flaying her arms is dancing i guess...anyway normally i don't notice what the crowd is doing but her movements kept catching my eye and the only thing i wondered "is she even watching the show?" i mean, the band is performing and you're there to watch and listen to the band so how can she if she's jumping around like she's a gnat on a coke bender? but if that's the way she enjoys a show, more power to her...i enjoy a show by watching the band and listening to the music...yeah i'm moving...bobbing my head, singing as loud as my neighbor will allow but i am enjoying the show whether the small minded crowd watchers think i am or not

and as for sitting, i have chronic pain so standing in one place for longer than 5 minutes is pure torture...yet if the crowd is standing, i will stand but please allow me to sit during the encore breaks...it's not much, but it is a welcome relief

I know how you feel. Not only am I old (50), but I have 11 screws holding my pelvis & hip together from a wall collapsing on me. I also need my rt knee replaced & have nerve damage down that leg. I "NEED" every break I can get. I "WANT" to stand & rock out as much as possible. I "KNOW" I will pay for it days after the show. PJ shows are 1 of the few things I'm willing to sacrifice my body for, I'll pay the price later . We're "ALL" different with different circumstances. To each his own on the way you want to "act" at a rock concert.

kenny olav

JL19851 wrote:

This is the first time I am posting here, but I think this is such a valid point, and I think it brings up something very interesting.

I think it is honestly time for some fans to hang it up and stop going. Not fans who "aren't enthusiastic". Fans who are simply not enjoying themselves at the shows anymore. When I came here to look around and see what people thought, I saw a ton on complaints about the Philly 4 setlist from people who were there (complaints of repeats, not enough obscure songs, etc.). I mean, when you hit the point where they play 41 songs, 3 hours and 40 minutes, and basically play their hearts out the whole time, and you have have a bone to pick about setlist selection, just hang it up, man. You've been to too many shows. I've been to a lot of them, and have seen Even Flow at almost all of them, and yet, when those opening chords blare out of those amps, I still get excited. Every time. Pearl Jam shows are supposed to be fun, and entertaining, and uplifting, and all that fun stuff that I still get out of seeing them every time. When you start treating it like a math equation (what ratio are they playing this song) and/or treating hit songs like you are taking lumps for the greater personal good of just maybe seeing a couple of songs you haven't already seen...just seems a little unhealthy.

I've been feeling this way for about 3 or 4 years...Pearl Jam fans have always seemed so great, and friendly, and make for the most phenomenal atmosphere (whether standing, sitting, or dancing), but the last few tours have been very strange. The band seemed to expand the number of songs they play on tour because the fans eat up rarely played songs, but at the same token, seems like a lot of people are going in the hopes that they will only play unreleased tracks. It got to the point last year where I had more fun in the non-10 Club seats because those fans seemed more appreciative of the band and what they do night in and night out.

So my plea is appreciate it. They just played a 3.5 hour, 41 song set. Stop splitting hairs on what was a landmark show in this band's career. Their energy was great, the crowd's energy was great, and the whole concert was simply out of this world phenomenal. And most of all, thank you Pearl Jam for doing what you do, night in and night out.

Great first post, and welcome to the fray. It's bizarre how some people expect so much from a band that has already given much more than most bands, maybe more than any other rock band in history. Most bands will just play the same set every night, or maybe have some minor variations night by night. Pearl Jam will mix it up, and fuck it up, and recover, and exceed their own expectations... every night they play. And what they play is not easy. Unless people can do what they do, they shouldn't bitch.

Cosmo

Bird889 wrote:

yep, thats me...I sing like sh*t. I still remember my 1st grade teacher asking me to lip sync during our christmas pagent. And that was 30 years ago!!!

So if I sang out loud to every song like a TRUE FAN there would be 12 threads started about the jerk in section 213 that ruined their experience.

Another thing, I went to all four shows with a slightly dislocated kneecap. I stood the entire time except for Just Breathe the last show.( I was pacing myself just incase they did play to 2 am) But I wasn't jumping up and down like a TRUE FAN or I would have not been able to walk. Although I did a good job of bobbing my head up and down.

...
I am right there with you. I even had to quit singing in the shower because my singing was peeling the enamel off of the ceramic tiles. So... I do an Ashley Simpson and lip sync at the gigs. I can do the choruses where everyone else's voices drown me out... but, seriously, you really don't want to hear me sing.
And the whole going apeshit thing... that's a crock of shit. It's usually the kook that's looking for attention... most likely from the band. Like, they think Eddie's going to think, "Wow... that guy is going apeshit. He MUST be a TRUE FAN... because no one else was going apeshit during 'Just Breathe'. Wow, I'm impressed... he has to be the bestest fan ever."

The Champ

On Friday I rocked it with my cock out, and on Saturday I was more behaved taking everything in...

decides2dream

The Champ wrote:

On Friday I rocked it with my cock out, and on Saturday I was more behaved taking everything in...

well sure, cause you blew your load friday.
glad pearl jam, the band, has more stamina than many of their fans...;)

Heatherj43

Interesting! Just why do people care what I do at a show? If they are paying attention to the show, what I do should be insignicant. I like to sit at certain points. I am getting older and my legs will hurt. Why does anyone else care?

RVM1978

This is a very interesting post. I do understand everyone's feelings in this regard. For example, in 2006 I saw PJ at Grand Rapids, MI. I was sitting behind a woman who had seen the band off and on for the past 8 or so years in Michigan when they would come around. She was more of a casual fan, saying that "Ten" is her favorite record and she still listens to it regularly. So she was excited and standing up when the band took the stage and played the first few songs, (Small Town, Given to Fly, Life Wasted, etc.) but pretty much sat down for the majority of the show except when a song from "Ten" was played. Before the show started she mentioned the one song she was really anxious to hear was "Black". She had seen them around 4-5 times and they've never played "Black". I've seen "Black" around 3 times live and on that tour they played it in Chicago about 2 shows prior to that, and I said to her, "Since they didn't play it last show, the chances are decent they'll play it tonight, but you never know with these guys." So with my crazy luck, the whole night I got treated to some real big fan favorites, "Around the Bend", "Parting Ways", "Sleight of Hand", "Satan's Bed", "Off He Goes", "Leatherman", "Red Mosquito", "Hard to Imagine", and "Sad". Even with all of that, I still felt bad for the fan in front of me because they didn't play "Black" that night.

I guess what I'm trying to say is if you're fortunate enough to get to the show early, talk with the people around you about the band and see what is the biggest reason/song they are there for. Most people will say "It's f**king Pearl Jam, man!" But, just because someone doesn't go crazy for every song, it doesn't mean they are a bad fan. That woman who was there was still dedicated to "Ten" after 15 years of its release as of 2006. I'll never forget Grand Rapids because of that conversation we had before the show. So if people from the band or their staff read this, please play "Black" in Grand Rapids for this tour if you play there! You have a fan who deserves it!

Heatherj43

RVM1978 wrote:

This is a very interesting post. I do understand everyone's feelings in this regard. For example, in 2006 I saw PJ at Grand Rapids, MI. I was sitting behind a woman who had seen the band off and on for the past 8 or so years in Michigan when they would come around. She was more of a casual fan, saying that "Ten" is her favorite record and she still listens to it regularly. So she was excited and standing up when the band took the stage and played the first few songs, (Small Town, Given to Fly, Life Wasted, etc.) but pretty much sat down for the majority of the show except when a song from "Ten" was played. Before the show started she mentioned the one song she was really anxious to hear was "Black". She had seen them around 4-5 times and they've never played "Black". I've seen "Black" around 3 times live and on that tour they played it in Chicago about 2 shows prior to that, and I said to her, "Since they didn't play it last show, the chances are decent they'll play it tonight, but you never know with these guys." So with my crazy luck, the whole night I got treated to some real big fan favorites, "Around the Bend", "Parting Ways", "Sleight of Hand", "Satan's Bed", "Off He Goes", "Leatherman", "Red Mosquito", "Hard to Imagine", and "Sad". Even with all of that, I still felt bad for the fan in front of me because they didn't play "Black" that night.

I guess what I'm trying to say is if you're fortunate enough to get to the show early, talk with the people around you about the band and see what is the biggest reason/song they are there for. Most people will say "It's f**king Pearl Jam, man!" But, just because someone doesn't go crazy for every song, it doesn't mean they are a bad fan. That woman who was there was still dedicated to "Ten" after 15 years of its release as of 2006. I'll never forget Grand Rapids because of that conversation we had before the show. So if people from the band or their staff read this, please play "Black" in Grand Rapids for this tour if you play there! You have a fan who deserves it!

Was that the Grand Rapids show where they gave people with high numbers front row seats?
I didn't go and went to the Palace the next night and found out about the people in my number range getting front row seats. I could have kicked myself.

FirstExit

Hey man, were you in section 202 about 5-10 rows back?

eddieved24

This post has been a nice time killer for me at work tonight. I guess I will add in my 2 cents. Personally, I am the type that pogo's and sings and waves my hands. If others don't it's not that big of a deal to me, just kind of a Debbie Downer. However, I will say that when people arn't really into the music, or don't seem to be having fun, it does make me feel bad. Bad because I totally worship this band. I love their music so much sometimes it makes my chest hurt. All of us are waiting for that special night when we get to be the ones actually going to the show instead of reading the setlist online. And when that time comes and I totally explode with all this adoration, well it is a buzz kill to have to person next to you acting like they are waiting in line for the DMV. I also don't want the band to be dissapointed. Not in me personally, because I totally rock out. But dissapointed in the crowd in general.If the crowd sucks I know it is not a direct relection of how I feel about the band, but I want to make them proud. Like " here we all are, see how much we love you all? You make me feel so good everyday, and this is the one time that I can give it all back to you." I guess in a way maybe we are all seeking approval from the band and we don't want the cell phone junkies or crazy make out session couple getting in the way of our experience. And it is kind of a shared experience, they play the songs, we rock out to them. It is our end of the bargin. For most of us, listening to PJ is not a half ass exersise, we are fully on the train so to speak. Sometimes it is hard for me to realize that many other people go to the show because they think Pearl Jam has some good songs and that it, just some good songs. I guess I tend to see the band in a more utopian way, and then when I go to the show it is a bit of a reality check. If we were talking about fan club only shows, and people were still stiting down and still texting the whole show, well then I guess it would be more cause for alarm

Red Mosqito

JL19851 wrote:

This is the first time I am posting here, but I think this is such a valid point, and I think it brings up something very interesting.

I think it is honestly time for some fans to hang it up and stop going. Not fans who "aren't enthusiastic". Fans who are simply not enjoying themselves at the shows anymore. When I came here to look around and see what people thought, I saw a ton on complaints about the Philly 4 setlist from people who were there (complaints of repeats, not enough obscure songs, etc.). I mean, when you hit the point where they play 41 songs, 3 hours and 40 minutes, and basically play their hearts out the whole time, and you have have a bone to pick about setlist selection, just hang it up, man. You've been to too many shows. I've been to a lot of them, and have seen Even Flow at almost all of them, and yet, when those opening chords blare out of those amps, I still get excited. Every time. Pearl Jam shows are supposed to be fun, and entertaining, and uplifting, and all that fun stuff that I still get out of seeing them every time. When you start treating it like a math equation (what ratio are they playing this song) and/or treating hit songs like you are taking lumps for the greater personal good of just maybe seeing a couple of songs you haven't already seen...just seems a little unhealthy.

I've been feeling this way for about 3 or 4 years...Pearl Jam fans have always seemed so great, and friendly, and make for the most phenomenal atmosphere (whether standing, sitting, or dancing), but the last few tours have been very strange. The band seemed to expand the number of songs they play on tour because the fans eat up rarely played songs, but at the same token, seems like a lot of people are going in the hopes that they will only play unreleased tracks. It got to the point last year where I had more fun in the non-10 Club seats because those fans seemed more appreciative of the band and what they do night in and night out.

So my plea is appreciate it. They just played a 3.5 hour, 41 song set. Stop splitting hairs on what was a landmark show in this band's career. Their energy was great, the crowd's energy was great, and the whole concert was simply out of this world phenomenal. And most of all, thank you Pearl Jam for doing what you do, night in and night out.

Amen brutha!! (or sista!) ;-)

I've felt this way for a long time as well. I rarely come on here anymore because it seems like going to shows and what shows you've attended has become a "competition". It's all about this show being EPIC....that show is EPIC...woohoo they broke out RIVAL!! (when was Rival really that rare of a gem anyway?) etc, etc, etc.

When you consider that they play a different set list each night that to me pretty much makes ANY show of theirs EPIC!

RM

megatron

i'm not a sitting down snob. and for some sing alongs and such i'll be looking around with a big dumb smile on my face takin in the crowd. and also these shows can be long. the friend i was with got tired so i would sit down with her when she was beat. plus not everyone knows the songs. like when sweet lue came on. the place chilled out. but then evolution was next. everyone jumped up in the building. except the 3 rows in front of me..it kinda bugged me i'll admit

Indifference71

I think it's cool for everyone to do whatever they want when they're at a show. I wasn't at any of the Philly shows, but it sounds like a lot of the complaining about the "unenthusiastic concertgoers" was due to the fact that some of the people who preferred to sit were bitching at the people in front of them who chose to stand. No way am I sitting down at a PJ show just because someone behind me would prefer to sit.....it's just not happening. I've never faced this issue and hope that I don't have to deal with it anytime soon.

megatron

i had a girl scream PLAY NOTHINGMAN for the entire show once...they didn't play it. and i was happy

morgie2

I'm not sure "non-screaming"="unenthusiastic". I LOVE this band and its music and love when the crowd sings loudly and screams appreciation. That being said, I'm older now and am not one of the loudest at these events, although I do sing when I can. I've been to shows in Boston (pretty loud crowds) and Seattle (not so loud) and enjoyed both but.......the problem is the band needs to feed off the crowd. That's why I can't say I don't care about how the crowd is. If everyone acted like me, the show wouldn't be nearly as good because it would be quiet and the band would HATE it. So please, all you younger folks, RAISE THE FUCKING ROOF.