Do Performers On-Stage Get Annoyed By Demonstrative Audience Members?

[chalkpie]

I think you actually are trying to be a dick.

You're right about Mahler 5, though. So, there's that.

Are you trying to make him cry?

[Halmyre]

26 posts in and nobody's mentioned Roger Waters.

[chalkpie]

Roger's Water.

[Rarebird]

26 posts in and nobody's mentioned Roger Waters.

Why should we mention him? We might just as well mention Robert Fripp.

[markwoll]

Okay, fine. Keith Jarrett then.

[Rarebird]

Okay, fine. Keith Jarrett then.

What's up with him?

[Plasmatopia]

I remember some NEARFest patrons that were super annoyed at a couple people dancing in the aisles off to one side. I think this was during Gong's set.

[Digital_Man]

I'm a little surprised to hear that security didn't approve of moshing, at a Haken show. There was a...well-behaved pit, when I saw them in Toronto. When the music was heavy they moshed, when it was more subtle, or quieter they listened. I'd think you'd have to expect the possibility of moshing at any heavier show.

Neil

Well, people can get hurt at moshing. I think maybe part of the issue was the other people weren't into it and it was mainly just one guy doing it but I don't remember for sure since this was a while ago. The other bands on the bill were the Tea Party and Thank You Scientist (Haken were headliners) so this was maybe not too much of a metal crowd either.

[markwoll]

What's up with him?

Famously prickly about audience interruptions. Photo taking, extraneous noises, etc. He would halt the performance.
https://www.npr.org/sections/ablogsu...arrett-concert

[JKL2000]

I remember some NEARFest patrons that were super annoyed at a couple people dancing in the aisles off to one side. I think this was during Gong's set.

The women on CTTE dancing to Steve Hackett were a little annoying.

[mozo-pg]

Get off my lawn. I hate when I go to an arena show and people are dancing and block my view.

[progmatist]

Get off my lawn. I hate when I go to an arena show and people are dancing and block my view.

I hate when they sing along. I paid to hear the performers sing, not the audience.

[pb2015]

Famously prickly about audience interruptions. Photo taking, extraneous noises, etc. He would halt the performance.
https://www.npr.org/sections/ablogsu...arrett-concert

I saw Jarrett once and some woman shouted "I love you" and other stuff. He didn't seem to like that but kept answering her. Most seasoned performers would have either pretended not to hear or had a conversation-stopping retort ready.

[hFx]

I'm a little surprised to hear that security didn't approve of moshing, at a Haken show. There was a...well-behaved pit, when I saw them in Toronto. When the music was heavy they moshed, when it was more subtle, or quieter they listened. I'd think you'd have to expect the possibility of moshing at any heavier show.

Neil

In Stockholm there happened a mosh at a Plini concert Probably as he's a big influence for metal guitarists... They had moshed to a Holdsworth show, had he still be around...

[pb2015]

I remember reading that They Might Be Giants (!) would tell audiences to stop moshing at their shows since it happened a few times.

[boilk]

I remember reading that They Might Be Giants (!) would tell audiences to stop moshing at their shows since it happened a few times.

I think that Tool has done that in the past, also.

Neil

[Digital_Man]

I think that Tool has done that in the past, also.

Neil

So if Tool has done it why would anyone think Haken would be different especially since it's often the staff anyway and not even necessarily the band themselves who makes the decision.

[3LockBox]

I dunno man... crying in public

[boilk]

So if Tool has done it why would anyone think Haken would be different especially since it's often the staff anyway and not even necessarily the band themselves who makes the decision.

Because Tool doesn't like mosh pits and Haken does like them. Charlie Griffiths, one of Haken's guitarists, commented on how awesome the pit was and looked that way a lot, when they played Toronto.

But you're right, it can be the staff calling the shots. I remember seeing the band Unexpect in a club (somewhat like SGM) and one guy was determined to get a pit going, and NOBODY else had any interest at all, haha. Security eventually tossed the guy, who was incensed and calling people lame on his way out. No one cared. It was a great show too.

Neil

[moecurlythanu]

Whenever they give me a hard time for demonstrative flailing, I always tell them that I'm signing for the deaf.

[progmatist]

I think that Tool has done that in the past, also.

Neil

That Maynard guy is funny that way.

[Trane]

For example, if I'm in club listening to Jazz or Rock or whatever, I get into it. I start "vibing" to the music. For Jazz that means that sort of moving to the beat with my eyes closed thing. Another example is when I went to see a performance of Mahler's 5th Symphony and I was swaying and crying during the vocal section all the way to the end. I got the distinct impression that the people around me were a little annoyed at my emotions. I guess I was supposed to sit there stiffly with my hands folded. I guess my demonstrations of emotion would be more welcomed at a gospel church service.

I can't see this being a problem in 99% of the case, whether in classical or jazz/rock/folk, etc.... either for the band or the audience. As long as you don't interfere in others' enjoyment in a physical manner it should never be a problem.

TBH, I really enjoy someone "headbanging" to classical or jazz in front of me, and in some cases, it can help me to enjoy the music more.
I've seen some people act like an orchestra conductor with their hands and it doesn't bother me, unless (s)he starts using his arms


As for the musicians on stage, I've helped my buddies a few times by systematically headbang Schizoid Man a half-measure tone ahead of time (actually it wasn't planned that way, it just happened the first time). they told me that at first, it actually helped them. They often considered me the "6th man" of the band because of that type of encouragement. Of course, when I was behind the mixing desk doing the light show, the headbanging disappeared and I was too far away, unless doing it on the side of the stage.

[SteveSly]

Because Tool doesn't like mosh pits and Haken does like them. Charlie Griffiths, one of Haken's guitarists, commented on how awesome the pit was and looked that way a lot, when they played Toronto.

But you're right, it can be the staff calling the shots. I remember seeing the band Unexpect in a club (somewhat like SGM) and one guy was determined to get a pit going, and NOBODY else had any interest at all, haha. Security eventually tossed the guy, who was incensed and calling people lame on his way out. No one cared. It was a great show too.

Neil

Every time I have seen Tool they have had seats on the floor which makes it very difficult for mosh pits to form. The audience stands through the show, but I have never seen them mosh.