Question about security at concerts

[wolfontherun]

Originally Posted by LukeA

Its the area directly in front of your seat too.

Well that is pretty much a given. The rest of the area is open space. There is plenty of space at the foot of the stage for both front row people as well as those in rows further back.

Hell anyone that can get to the stage is welcome as far as i am concerned.

For me it is kinda like a communal experience being with other FM/Stevie fans at the stage. The first time I shook her hand this women next to me was almost as happy as I was, gave me a big smile and a big high five!

You will have obnoxious people in every section of the venue, it is a rock concert after all.

[Zombie]

Originally Posted by LukeA

Its the area directly in front of your seat too.

What about the air about 2 feet above my seat? Cos if my elation makes me spontaneously levitate, I don't want to be pissing anyone off for being in space I didn't pay for, like.



On a more serious note, successfully moseying up front when you aren't technically supposed to be there is all about attitude. Be polite, don't argue with security if they tell you to go away, and don't get in anyone else's way.

Stay away from the front row people that have enormous chips on their shoulders - they will go batty and attract attention from security that you don't want. Those people are easy to spot out - while they've generally got a sour look on their faces and patently do not look happy to be there, they'll be damned if anyone else is going to have a good time in their general direction, either.

On several occasions, I've been able to amble my happy ass right on into the actual security pits at various shows without anyone giving me a hard time.

As for drunk and obnoxious fellow concertgoers, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I have encountered more of these types at the Stevie shows I've been to than any other concert in my life - hell, the pit at the GWAR show I recently attended was like the concert equivalent of everyone holding hands and singing "Kumbaya" compared to the behavior I was subjected to at Stevie's show in Reading last year. Lawdy, lawdy.

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by goldustsongbird

You should ask to be upgraded to a glassed-in VIP box.

I think it entirely depends on the situation.
I remember at one Mac show where they let the first few rows up there were a few people behind me who had sneaked up from Row Q, but what did it matter? We were all standing anyway, they were pretty respectful and they were simply enjoying themselves. I didn't shout for security and demand for them to be sent back.
At another Mac show one (young) couple in front row moaned that they wanted to sit and everyone was standing and it was partially blocking their view (although no one was directly in front of them). If EVERYBODY is standing, it seems silly to insist that you have the right to sit. In contrast at an acoustic Neil Young show I attended absolutely everyone was sitting and one bloke decided he wanted to stand blocking the view for a lot of people and practically causing a fight. Again, I think, that guy should have respected the majority and gone with the flow. It makes a much more enjoyable and happy gig for everyone.

[iamnotafraid]

Originally Posted by skcin

So you bought the security guys a beer, huh? Maybe the road crew?

My beer secret worked to perfection (again I'm not a drinker myself).


I understand all of you who want their space. Most of you spent big
money to get those seats. But there are ways to get to the front that
aren't disrespectful to others. Most of the shows I've been to, I've had
very good seats. So it hasn't been hard to walk right up to the stage.
But that being said, as long as people aren't pushing each other down,
etc..etc... I don't see what the big problem is, especially towards the
end of the show.

I was lucky enough to have seen Elvis Presley when I was a young child.
Three times actually. And even though we had good seats at two of the
shows, I didn't make it to the stage. Mostly because of my age. But still,
I've always regretted not getting to the stage to shake his hand.

So I say to all that can....GET TO THE STAGE, IT MIGHT BE YOUR ONLY
CHANCE!!!!! (don't hurt anyone though!).

[kennation]

Here we go... In my opinion, lol... Everyone has their place. You are given an area based on when you bought you're ticket, or how much you spent... That said, front row ticket holders reserve the right to stand, sit, and moan in the front. (With the right to set down any time they want.) What if my mom came? What if my grandmom came? These are people who enjoy music. These are people that love Fleetwood Mac, but these are NOT people who are sturdy enough to "plant their feet," or "stand their ground." These are people who can barely stand for more than 30 minutes. Should they be pushed around all night? Should they have to struggle to see when they spent HUGE amounts of money to sit where they are setting? NO. That simple. These are rules that we learned in grade school. Stand in a line. Do not push. Do not shove. To the point: we have rows and seat numbers for a reason. Sorry, but that is the ultimate truth. "Trying to get upfront," no matter what is an art, but honestly, so few do it respectfully. So... please don't invade my space. I will have a great time next to anyone, but I will not tolerate having to watch myself all night for fear of having my area invaded. Not going to happen. I would rather focus my energy on Stevie's mic stand ribbons, lol. I hope that I will not have to worry about it, like the rep from our venue said. Infact, I plan to talk to security when I get there to see what that plan is all about.

Side Note: I was in detroit when that woman stage jumped. (Not the same thing, but still... it's about concert etiquette.) The mood changed, it became fear that something more could happen. What if that chick wasn't just excited, but rather wanted to hurt Stevie? That kind of fan mania is unacceptable. So IMO, no stage rushing, and no stage jumping. Everyone file into their areas and be kind to one another. That's all I am saying.

[Regina]

This allowing people to the stage thing is FM's policy. I remember being in Hershey--and I was in the second row, side section. Well, this concert was held in this outdoor venue and the side section was NOTHING like the seating chart would have you believe. I was so far away, I could literally only see Brett Tuggle and a bit of Stevie and Lindsey (kind of looked like ants). After a few minutes, I saw Lindsey step over to a security guy, and all of a sudden, he walked to our section and told the first three rows to go up to the stage.
Before that, I think only front row was up there (the venue still kind of sucked because the stage was really high. I don't think I ever saw Mick or John through the whole concert--well, maybe when they were taking their bows and during the World Turning thing).

As for the sitting thing, it's just not going to happen. I've been trying to drag my mom to a concert for years, but she won't go for just that reason. She doesn't want to be a 'wet blanket" and sit while everyone is standing, and she can't stand for nearly 3 hours. But, on the other hand, I have a friend who doesn't like standing either and she never even attempts to get floor seats. Elsewhere, she can sit comfortably. On the floor--especially close to the stage, you can't--because you can't even see the monitors. And if one or two people want to sit, you know--on a practical level--no one is going to listen to them. And security won't enforce it.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by kennation

Here we go... In my opinion, lol... Everyone has their place. You are given an area based on when you bought you're ticket, or how much you spent... That said, front row ticket holders reserve the right to stand, sit, and moan in the front. (With the right to set down any time they want.) What if my mom came? What if my grandmom came? These are people who enjoy music. These are people that love Fleetwood Mac, but these are NOT people who are sturdy enough to "plant their feet," or "stand their ground." These are people who can barely stand for more than 30 minutes. Should they be pushed around all night? Should they have to struggle to see when they spent HUGE amounts of money to sit where they are setting? NO. That simple. These are rules that we learned in grade school. Stand in a line. Do not push. Do not shove. To the point: we have rows and seat numbers for a reason. Sorry, but that is the ultimate truth. "Trying to get upfront," no matter what is an art, but honestly, so few do it respectfully. So... please don't invade my space. I will have a great time next to anyone, but I will not tolerate having to watch myself all night for fear of having my area invaded. Not going to happen. I would rather focus my energy on Stevie's mic stand ribbons, lol. I hope that I will not have to worry about it, like the rep from our venue said. Infact, I plan to talk to security when I get there to see what that plan is all about.

Side Note: I was in detroit when that woman stage jumped. (Not the same thing, but still... it's about concert etiquette.) The mood changed, it became fear that something more could happen. What if that chick wasn't just excited, but rather wanted to hurt Stevie? That kind of fan mania is unacceptable. So IMO, no stage rushing, and no stage jumping. Everyone file into their areas and be kind to one another. That's all I am saying.

So if you don't land front row seats, you're going to try to get up there. But if you do, anyone who didn't had better stay back & keep away from you?

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by Regina

As for the sitting thing, it's just not going to happen. I've been trying to drag my mom to a concert for years, but she won't go for just that reason. She doesn't want to be a 'wet blanket" and sit while everyone is standing, and she can't stand for nearly 3 hours. But, on the other hand, I have a friend who doesn't like standing either and she never even attempts to get floor seats. Elsewhere, she can sit comfortably. On the floor--especially close to the stage, you can't--because you can't even see the monitors. And if one or two people want to sit, you know--on a practical level--no one is going to listen to them. And security won't enforce it.

This is key, I think, in a crowd you may well have paid a lot of your seat but if everyone wants to stand then you just have to accept it. No amount of complaining is going to make a couple of hundred people sit down for the few who want to remain seated. Anyone who does want to sit I'd advise strongly against floor seats anyway, you'll have more chance of sitting and keeping your view in the side or balcony seats. At the Neil Diamond concert I went to last year (read: not exactly an audience full of spring chickens, I may have been the youngest person there), EVERYONE sitting in the floor seats stood the moment the Diamond man hit the stage and, aside from a couple of acoustic numbers, remained standing throughout.

[kennation]

Originally Posted by skcin

So if you don't land front row seats, you're going to try to get up there. But if you do, anyone who didn't had better stay back & keep away from you?

What would make you say that? I didn't say it. Clarify, please lol... I wouldn't try it. I would rather be by my seat that reaching, grabbing, and sweating all over people. I am not down with that. I have before, but realize that it's too much for me. I don't like it.

[TheScoop]

Originally Posted by kennation

Here we go... In my opinion, lol... Everyone has their place. You are given an area based on when you bought you're ticket, or how much you spent... That said, front row ticket holders reserve the right to stand, sit, and moan in the front. (With the right to set down any time they want.) What if my mom came? What if my grandmom came? These are people who enjoy music. These are people that love Fleetwood Mac, but these are NOT people who are sturdy enough to "plant their feet," or "stand their ground." These are people who can barely stand for more than 30 minutes. Should they be pushed around all night? Should they have to struggle to see when they spent HUGE amounts of money to sit where they are setting? NO. That simple. These are rules that we learned in grade school. Stand in a line. Do not push. Do not shove. To the point: we have rows and seat numbers for a reason. Sorry, but that is the ultimate truth. "Trying to get upfront," no matter what is an art, but honestly, so few do it respectfully. So... please don't invade my space. I will have a great time next to anyone, but I will not tolerate having to watch myself all night for fear of having my area invaded. Not going to happen. I would rather focus my energy on Stevie's mic stand ribbons, lol. I hope that I will not have to worry about it, like the rep from our venue said. Infact, I plan to talk to security when I get there to see what that plan is all about.

Side Note: I was in detroit when that woman stage jumped. (Not the same thing, but still... it's about concert etiquette.) The mood changed, it became fear that something more could happen. What if that chick wasn't just excited, but rather wanted to hurt Stevie? That kind of fan mania is unacceptable. So IMO, no stage rushing, and no stage jumping. Everyone file into their areas and be kind to one another. That's all I am saying.

Please tell me you're not going to be at the Pittsburgh show on Sunday.

Originally Posted by kennation

What if my mom came? What if my grandmom came? These are people who enjoy music. These are people that love Fleetwood Mac, but these are NOT people who are sturdy enough to "plant their feet," or "stand their ground." These are people who can barely stand for more than 30 minutes.

Then they should be sitting in the mezzanine section where they belong. Sorry if that offends you, but to be honest, this is a rock concert. If you're planning on getting floor seats (especially those near the stage), you're almost expected to stand throughout the show. I'm guessing you're the type of fan that likes to sit in his seat expressionless while Steve is twirling during Stand Back. How fun. But really, most fans that purchase tickets close to the stage like to enjoy themselves and get into it. You know, standing, clapping, dancing - normal stuff.

As far as your simple rules are concerned, they don't really apply at rock and roll concerts. That's not to say that people are going to be rude and trampling all over you the entire night. But you should expect that at some point during the show, another fan is going to "invade your space" and you're just going to have to get over that. Whining to security the whole night is only going to ruin the experience for yourself and the other person (people) involved. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and just deal with it for one night.

[kak125]

Its funny, I get in arguments with people over the whole standing thing all the time. If you plan to sit, then dont buy floor seats cuz everybody on the floor will be standing. I have only been to one show which was Sheryl Crow at Heinz Hall where we werent allowed to stand due to security but then all of us in the pitt got irritated and decided to stand anyway. It's a rock concert and at a rock concert people will always be singing, dancing and just generally rowdy. I wouldnt want it any other way.
If the day ever comes that everybody on the floor is sitting then I wont be going to shows anymore, HA! I always want to take my mother or mother in law to see FM but I dont think they could stand especially up at the front of the stage. If they ever wanted to go, I would buy them seats next to the stage.

[kennation]

Originally Posted by TheScoop

Please tell me you're not going to be at the Pittsburgh show on Sunday.



Then they should be sitting in the mezzanine section where they belong. Sorry if that offends you, but to be honest, this is a rock concert. If you're planning on getting floor seats (especially those near the stage), you're almost expected to stand throughout the show. I'm guessing you're the type of fan that likes to sit in his seat expressionless while Steve is twirling during Stand Back. How fun. But really, most fans that purchase tickets close to the stage like to enjoy themselves and get into it. You know, standing, clapping, dancing - normal stuff.

As far as your simple rules are concerned, they don't really apply at rock and roll concerts. That's not to say that people are going to be rude and trampling all over you the entire night. But you should expect that at some point during the show, another fan is going to "invade your space" and you're just going to have to get over that. Whining to security the whole night is only going to ruin the experience for yourself and the other person (people) involved. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and just deal with it for one night.

Here is an idea you send me the money we spent, WHICH IS NO DOUBT more than YOU and you can be in my space all you want, how about that? As for people needing to be put in a special area you should be ashamed. What if someone was in a wheel chair and couldn't see because you were being selfish and could care less. What if someone got hurt becuase you thought the rules didn't apply? Shameful. As long as everyone is having fun and everyone is respectful that's fine. You should deal with the fact that there are rules, so get over it.

[Zombie]

^^^^

Kennation, out of curiosity, do you go to many concerts?

[kennation]

Originally Posted by Zombie

^^^^

Kennation, out of curiosity, do you go to many concerts?

yes! I go to many concerts... Last October... at Madonna... PEOPLE STAYED IN THEIR AREA!!! No one was being rude to anyone else! Alanis Morissette? Everyone stayed in their place- no one got crazy. Of course we all danced and had fun, but no one rushed up to the end of the stage. No one got pushed around. Everyone was respectful of everyone else because they have common sense.That's the difference in chaos and having a good time. It seems as though Ledgies want chaos. I don't do chaos. I have been to concerts ALL MY LIFE... and have NEVER acted the way some of these posts have described. Never.

[Zombie]

Originally Posted by kennation

yes! I go to many concerts... Last October... at Madonna... PEOPLE STAYED IN THEIR AREA!!! No one was being rude to anyone else! Alanis Morissette? Everyone stayed in their place- no one got crazy. Of course we all danced and had fun, but no one rushed up to the end of the stage. No one got pushed around. Everyone was respectful of everyone else because they have common sense.That's the difference in chaos and having a good time. It seems as though Ledgies want chaos. I don't do chaos. I have been to concerts ALL MY LIFE... and have NEVER acted the way some of these posts have described. Never.

All right, then, I think perhaps it would do good for you to go back and read this thread again with a more critical eye. No one is advocating chaos - it's been said repeatedly that you should be respectful and courteous and not shove.

Also, persons in wheelchairs are not, as a rule, seated on the floor. There are special seating areas for those people. And the entire floor does not have to sit down just because one or two people cannot stand for the whole show. That's why there are different seating levels and seating areas.

No one need get hurt, no one need be disrespectful, but an entire arena floor need not also cater to the whims of one or two individuals.

Calm thyself.