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

[Splicer]

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.

Should I sit near the back if I'm going to be this way rather than near the front of a club?

[MudShark22]

As long as you're not flailing in the aisles - I see no reason to adjust your approach.

At the PG show @ msg - I didn't know he was doing Washing of the Water - caught me unawares and the faucets opened; and that was track 1 of the show! lol

[Sputnik]

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.

I can't for one instant believe this would bother a performer, quite the opposite. As a performer, I definitely notice when people are grooving to the music (when I can see the audience), and it really gets me more into it. For quieter moments or more intimate musical styles, I'd prefer people to be silent, but grooving along is encouraged, in my book, and I think the vast majority of performers would agree.

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.

This is a different issue altogether. I'm not sure how the performer might respond to seeing someone crying, possibly favorably. But as an audience member, I'd find this distracting. If you're that overcome with emotion, I would suggest moving to the back, similar to if you had a coughing fit. It's unfair to distract the audience from the performance they paid to see. Likewise, as a performer, I wouldn't want people yelling during quiet moments, or talking through the performance, because I would find that distracting, both as a performer and as a member of the audience.

Bill

[Digital_Man]

I would say it depends on the vibe of the show and the audience but for the most part how you respond isn't for others to judge. However, some behavior is inappropriate at concerts imo. For example I have only been to one show where moshing took place and it was during a Haken concert. It was the only time I ever went to a show where moshing happened. It didn't last too long because the security or whoever didn't approve. I suppose if it was a hardcore punk show or death metal then it probably would have continued and it would have been seen as more "normal." I guess the bottom line is that different kinds of concerts have different expectations.

[Splicer]

OK, so lifting my hand like I'm testifying during a guitar solo is too distracting.

[Sputnik]

OK, so lifting my hand like I'm testifying during a guitar solo is too distracting.

Are you asking about performers or audience members? For performers, probably not, as it doesn't involve noise. For other audience members, if you do it at certain key moments in the show, probably not. If you're constantly flailing your arms through the whole show, blocking people's view, then yeah... unless it's a really rowdy show and everybody is doing that.

You have to kind of read the room and adjust your behavior accordingly, and I think everyone should start out with the idea of being considerate of other people in the audience... of course, I want world peace and a pony, too.

Bill

[progmatist]

In the Yes Symphonic DVD, they made it a point to show the one guy half dancing, half running in the aisle.

[Splicer]

When I go see comics perform, I usually sit in the back because I'm not really a laugher unless something is crazy funny to me. I usually just chuckle to myself. I figure the comics would rather have the people who are big laughers in the front.

[markwoll]

If they could tell, I suppose it might be annoying.
They can clearly tell when someone yells during the quiet parts.
And for some performers I guess it goes with the territory that there will be audience members that try to draw attention.
It seems that a percentage of front row/pit audience are there to express their emotions towards one or all of the people on stage, thus security.
I remember going to a Robert Plant Alison Krauss show and watching an audience member in the front row run back and forth to be where ever Plant was.
At one Bill Frisell show at the Barns of Wolf Trap ( a fairly small venue ) there was an audience member who had some form of "Spectrum Disorder". He clearly was enjoying the show while making a lot of noises, verbal and with his hands and feet. The band did not react much, but it was really distracting to the audience.

[JKL2000]

I would probably opt to not be the only person in an audience doing any particular thing. I'd figure, as a rule of thumb, if it's only me, it's probably not a good idea. So I guess I'm not the one starting The Wave. There should be a corral in back for the people who want to do non-standard, silent things. But I'm talking about the more extreme things, not just swaying a bit in your seat or quietly weeping within your own zone.

There are a few people who go to every Marillion show and bring these inflatable plastic guitars that they wave around, which really bugs the shit out of me, even now when I only see them on the Blu-Rays. It's the "being in the audience but wanting attention" thing. Gag.

[moecurlythanu]

In the Yes Symphonic DVD, they made it a point to show the one guy half dancing, half running in the aisle.

Maybe he was having a conniption?

[clivey]

Handclaps. Grrrr. The average audience are always capable of demonstrating a complete inability to keep or maintain any kind of rhythm.
"Cringomatic" "if that's even a word" , sums it up for me.
https://www.classicfm.com/discover-m...-displacement/

[chalkpie]

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'm not trying to be a dick, but Mahler 5 is entirely instrumental. You might be thinking of M2, M3, M4, M8, or Das Lied von der Erde. I absolutely had tears in the finale of Mahler 2 when I saw that back in 2010 (or so) with the NYP. How do you NOT cry during that piece? Cool thread idea!

[Rick L.]

I'm not trying to be a dick, but Mahler 5 is entirely instrumental. You might be thinking of M2, M3, M4, M8, or Das Lied von der Erde. I absolutely had tears in the finale of Mahler 2 when I saw that back in 2010 (or so) with the NYP. How do you NOT cry during that piece? Cool thread idea!

I think you actually are trying to be a dick.

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

[Dave (in MA)]

I think you actually are trying to be a dick.

Are you trying to make him cry?

[Rick L.]

Are you trying to make him cry?

Yes. Not sway, though. Tears only is what I'm going for.

[boilk]

I would say it depends on the vibe of the show and the audience but for the most part how you respond isn't for others to judge. However, some behavior is inappropriate at concerts imo. For example I have only been to one show where moshing took place and it was during a Haken concert. It was the only time I ever went to a show where moshing happened. It didn't last too long because the security or whoever didn't approve. I suppose if it was a hardcore punk show or death metal then it probably would have continued and it would have been seen as more "normal." I guess the bottom line is that different kinds of concerts have different expectations.

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

[Sean]

Ask Steve Howe.

[SteveSly]

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

Absolutely. I am too old to Mosh, but it can be cool to watch from the sidelines.

[Splicer]

I'm not trying to be a dick, but Mahler 5 is entirely instrumental. You might be thinking of M2, M3, M4, M8, or Das Lied von der Erde. I absolutely had tears in the finale of Mahler 2 when I saw that back in 2010 (or so) with the NYP. How do you NOT cry during that piece? Cool thread idea!

You're right. I might have been crying because I was thinking that I would've added a choral section in #5 and was lamenting Mahler didn't think of it.

[Brad 2 the Bone]

I can't for one instant believe this would bother a performer, quite the opposite. As a performer, I definitely notice when people are grooving to the music (when I can see the audience), and it really gets me more into it. For quieter moments or more intimate musical styles, I'd prefer people to be silent, but grooving along is encouraged, in my book, and I think the vast majority of performers would agree.

Sitting in the front row at a Han Bennink concert, he saw me tapping my foot and starting playing faster until I gave up trying to tap my foot in time to the music, and then he winked at me.

[progmatist]

At a classical concert in particular, absolute silence rules supreme. Between movements, fits of coughing break out across the audience. Because everyone holds their coughs until a movement is concluded.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

Sitting in the front row at a Han Bennink concert, he saw me tapping my foot and starting playing faster until I gave up trying to tap my foot in time to the music, and then he winked at me.

LOL Wonderful.

[Rarebird]

At a classical concert in particular, absolute silence rules supreme. Between movements, fits of coughing break out across the audience. Because everyone holds their coughs until a movement is concluded.

And don't applaude between movements

[chalkpie]

At a classical concert in particular, absolute silence rules supreme. Between movements, fits of coughing break out across the audience. Because everyone holds their coughs until a movement is concluded.

Farting is encouraged too....it's the perfect time.