Concert Etiquette: A Lost Art?
Attending Elton John's final concert in Washington, DC Saturday night suggests that manners have deteriorated.
I suspect most of you have attended major concerts. Most of us are baby boomers, after all, and are bequeathed with the greatest music heritage of the 20th Century.
Over my 6-plus decades, I've attended performances in Oklahoma City (Neil Diamond, Rare Earth, a Rock and Roll revival featuring Wolfman Jack and Jerry Lee Lewis, and more), Tulsa (Neil Diamond, again), Philadelphia (Billy Joel twice, Elton John twice, James Taylor, The Eagles, and Neil Diamond), and Camden, NJ (Doobie Brothers, America, Dan Fogelberg, Chicago, etc.) and bunches more, especially scores of Kenny Loggins concerts from Nashville to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.
And how can we forget watching the Rolling Stones at FedEx Field?
Sadly, we have not yet seen Paul McCartney. It remains on our bucket list, but time is drawing nye, as they say. He is at least 81 years old, after all.
All wonderful. Some inside, some outside (including a terrific Elton John/Billy Joel concert at Philly's Citizen Bank Park).
On Saturday, my wife and I attended Elton John's final DC appearance at National Park in DC as part of his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" global tour. It was a birthday present to my forever-youthful spouse. And the experience was great, with exceptions.
Thus this post.
It may seem weird to say this, but I find concert-goers in Philly more respectful of their neighbors than the ones we sat around in Washington, DC, on Saturday night. Maybe it was just our luck. I don’t think it’s the nature of Elton John fans - every famous musician has a unique set of fans, but his seem more mature and well-mannered. At least during the previous concerts of his that we’ve attended.
Etiquette at concerts has deteriorated. Blame the pandemic, but the pattern is unmistakable. People have either forgotten or never learned basic manners and common courtesies at concerts, especially those outdoors. So I have a few suggestions and reminders for all.
Show up early or at least on time.
While I know traffic can be a problem (it's no worse in DC than Philly), a few things are more frustrating than having ticket holders show up at the show is beginning or is in its first song or two and having to be interrupted by late arrivers. There really is no excuse. If I had my way, concerts would follow hockey rules - no one is allowed to interrupt "play" by traversing to their seats until there's a break in the action.
Clear your bladder, and get your drinks and food BEFORE arriving at your seat.
We were "blessed" with a gaggle of teeny-boppers with tiny bladders showing up halfway through the concert, only to interrupt us constantly by exiting for bathroom breaks or whatever in the middle of songs. That is incredibly rude and disrupts the experience for your neighbors.
Keep your conservation at a minimum or at low decibels.
We're all excited to be with friends and enjoy a wonderful outside venue in great weather with a legendary performer. But your loud conversations spoil the experience for those around you. Be respectful, even outdoors. The neighbors behind us were noisier than anything I've experienced in Philly. Think about that. Philly, loudness personified.
Follow the rules and guidelines.
The concert's screen encouraged people to "express themselves" in their seats and keep the aisles clear. There's a reason for that. It's for your safety and in respect of your neighbors. That was ignored at Nationals Park, at least where we sat. Apparently, "respect for others" is no longer a thing among Washington, DC concert goers.
I'm done. Four simple rules, summed up by three simple words: respect your neighbors. That's all I ask. All of my friends get this. Share this widely for the great unwashed you may know. Let's all enjoy these great concerts together.