I was at a gig last week. I didn't know the band but they played Reading/Leeds a few days later and this was a warm up show promoted by the Music Venues Trust (MVT) and I liked what I heard online so thought I'd give them a go.
About half way into a fairly rocking set they slowed it down and the singer started a mellow song intro on his own. After about 2 lines he stopped and said "Could you guys shut the fuck up" to a couple that were loudly chatting to each other to the side of the crowd. It wasn't a big crowd so it was obvious who it was aimed at. They duly shut the fuck up and then walked out, probably embarrassed.
I thought the singer was a bit of an arrogant twat before that anyway, but I really didn't like his style. It seemed aggressive and, whilst I get the sentiment, I do feel that there are better ways to deal with it. I also think it is the band's job to capture the audience, they don't have a god given right to be listened to.
I remember going to see Mark Morriss of The Bluetones some years ago, playing an acoustic gig locally. My wife and my sister were chatting loudly and he paused then made a little quip, something like "sorry guys, didn't realise you were still talking, it's OK I'll wait". He's renowned for his humour, and we've chatted to him several times after gigs so knew it was a fun jibe. It dealt with the situation and added a bit of humour to it.
What's cool? Should a band act like the one last week, or more like Mark Morriss? Or even just play through and ignore it.
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My general view is that if they can talk - the band is too quiet!
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I immediately turned the words of the tune we were playing and sang
"he can't talk now he's at a fucking gig,
he's at a fucking gig,
he's at a fucking gig,
he can't talk now he's at a fucking gig,
and he can shove his fucking phone up his arse".
Audience went ballistic, guy bought me a pint, I got more hugs and hand-shakes off audience members after that gig than ever before or since.
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For any paid entrance gig, though, I neve understand why people chat away. I've been at Wembley Arena gigs where people have solid conversations all night, and just think what the hell are they doing? Why pay the money for an arena gig, for a loud-ish rock band (Black Stone Cherry was memorable for it). Just to shout at your mate all night. Fuck off to a bar if you want to catch up.
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The parents would be really loud at the back and ruin it for the kids. It was even worse if it was a small party and I didn't take a PA.
One of the best things to do is to ask the parents if they wanted to ruin the birthday child's party.
Or tell the kids that I will be expecting them to be really loud when I need them to be and get the kids to drown them out.
I did start taking a little PA to every show and it made a massive difference.
But I also (eventually) started every show by asking everyone to refrain from chatting during it, or even better come and sit with their kids for the show because they will want to share the experience with them.
Then I'd pick on a couple of adults to be the stooge in a trick, making the kid look clever and the adult look thick. The kids loved it. Most of the adults were happy to go along with it.
The occasional arsehole was easily dealt with... "Hey kids, why are we here" (Jim's birthday) "Do we want this to be the best birthday he ever has?" (YEEEEESSSSSSS). "Do we want anyone to ruin it for Jim?" (NOOOOOOO)
Combined with a stare at the arsehole and a raised eyebrow did the trick.
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One of them yelled "what time is it mate? "
I said back calmly, "time you bugger off".
Again, 250 very entertained scousers falling into laughter and applause.
The scallies buggered off pronto.
I was at a Fish gig a few years ago, between songs he was pouring out his heart over the death of an old friend and people just kept talking at the back, he asked them to stop and they just continued. He got really pissed off and it rather spoiled the gig at the time.
I think the guy misjudged his crowd. That's some craft he could do with learning. I hadn't warmed to him or the band really - too much showing off for my liking.