The only thing we all have in common is we bought a ticket to this particular concert. That means we want to hear the music. We don’t want to hear you talking. If you don’t like the opener or you’re bored at any particular moment, head to the lobby or concourse, order a drink, and chat away. You and your buddy can do a live read of the My Dinner With Andre script for all we care. Just please don’t stay in your seats and yell to each other over the music.
Ah, the concert experience. It’s a magical place where the air is thick with excitement, the lights are blinding, and the music is pulsating through your very bones. You can almost taste the energy in the atmosphere. But then, just as you’re about to lose yourself in the rhythm, you hear it: the unmistakable sound of someone yelling about their day over the top of the band’s hard work.
Let’s talk about those people, shall we? You know who I mean—the ones who seem to think that a concert is just a fancy backdrop for their social hour. I recently attended a Modest Mouse show (which, by the way, was AMAZING) and I was treated to a live performance of “Loud Conversations in Front of the Stage.” It was like a two-for-one deal: I got to enjoy the music and simultaneously eavesdrop on a couple’s riveting discussion about their weekend plans. Spoiler alert: it was just as thrilling as it sounds.
Now, I understand that some folks may not be as enamored with the band as I am. Perhaps they were dragged there by a friend or maybe they just came for the overpriced nachos (I mean, who doesn’t love nachos?). But if you’re going to a concert, why on Earth would you choose to talk loudly over the music? It’s like going to a fine dining restaurant and deciding to whip out a can of beans. Totally missing the point!
What’s even more entertaining is when someone finally has the courage to tell these chatty Cathys to pipe down. At my concert, someone politely asked the couple to “Shut the Fck up,” and what do you know? Karen immediately took offense! Because, of course, she’s the real victim here for wanting to have a loud, two-sided conversation in the middle of a concert. I can just hear her now: “Excuse me, sir, but I paid for this ticket, and I also paid for the right to ruin your experience!”
And let’s not forget the icing on the cake: after 20 minutes of their precious conversation, they decided to leave early. But not without making a pit stop at the merch booth, where they proudly purchased shirts and hats as if they were the biggest fans in the universe. I guess they figured that wearing the band’s logo would somehow absolve them of their concert faux pas. Newsflash! It doesn’t work that way.
I’m not trying to be a concert snob here. I get it—everyone enjoys concerts for different reasons. But if you’re going to spend your hard-earned cash to attend a live show, at least try to engage with the music instead of your friend’s latest gossip. Trust me, the band worked hard to create that atmosphere, and they deserve more than just background noise while you discuss your life decisions.
So, the next time you find yourself at a concert, remember: the music is the main event, not your conversation. Let’s keep the volume at a reasonable level, shall we? And if you need to talk, there’s always the good old-fashioned coffee shop where you can discuss your weekend plans without ruining someone else’s night.
In conclusion, be a good concert-goer. Respect the music, respect the artists, and for the love of all that is holy, please keep your volume down. Because nothing ruins the experience more than a loud conversation drowning out the band you came to see. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a concert to get to—where I plan to yell at the top of my lungs, but only when it’s appropriate. Like during the guitar solos.
Inspired by: “People who talk to others LOUDLY at concerts…” (r/mildlyinfuriating)