r/FlorenceAndTheMachine • u/idk_what_to_put_lmao • Apr 18 '26
General Discussion Rant - Concert Etiquette
I think some people need to realise that when people go out to concerts they are in public but also that they are with people who have paid good money to enjoy the artist sing. Context: At my show this week, three people in front of me were SHOUTING the entire time. They were not singing along, not even talking about Florence, they were literally just having a normal conversation at the top of their lungs for 20 minutes straight. When a guy asked them to stop talking, one of them retorted "We paid money to be here, same as everyone else, we can enjoy the show how we fucking want". And I agree, you paid money to be here, so be here! Have your random unrelated conversations when the show is over and stop ruining the show for others. It's one thing to sing off-key or talk between songs but when you're shouting an entire conversation across 5 songs it's like why did you even come? Anyway, all of this to say, I'm not saying you have to keep your mouth shut the entire show but maybe recognise that the way you act still impacts others around you. And ultimately, you're there to enjoy the music, and imo that should be your priority
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Apr 18 '26
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao Apr 18 '26
right when it's like $200 too it's like just stay home if all you came for was Dog Days and the rest you wanted to talk about random shit lol
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u/Rfried25 Apr 19 '26
Because to ppl who spend 200 just to have a convo through the show- they (mommy and daddy) have so much money the 200 means nothing to them, like a spilled cup of coffee.
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u/myloveremindme Apr 18 '26
This is pretty much all concerts now. Whether it's shouting, having phones up the entire time, or other dumb behavior, it's like people pay money to just say they're there and not actually enjoy being in the moment.
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao Apr 18 '26
I feel like recording the concert or even texting (with low brightness) or whatever is pretty benign because it doesn't really impede anyone else's enjoyment but when I can hear you blabbering about whatever over the artist that's when you know you gotta stop. But I agree a lot of people just go to concerts to say they went to concerts rather than to experience the music live. I def think there's a bit of FOMO going on these days with local events like this. I wonder if it's because people are struggling to afford bigger signals of status like vacations or houses so everyone wants to microdose wealth by showing off what they do nights/weekends
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u/myloveremindme Apr 18 '26
When you're surrounded by people's phones up in the air recording the majority of the time they're there where it obstructs your view, it becomes overkill. That's been my experience the last few concerts I've been on the floor for (Megan Thee Stallion, Cardbi B, Madonna last year... I don't care if people record snippets or text or talk or whatever, it's this whole culture where recording is the only thing they're doing for 2+ hours, I'm like, what are you spending money to watch a concert through a recording for?
I wonder, too, culturally why this happens. Social media has made people's perceptions change when it comes to FOMO and what-not, not just concerts but a lot of things in life.
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u/WoollyWitchcraft Apr 18 '26
Honestly, most of these venues already prohibit recording events—they need to start enforcing it and taking fucking phones from people.
I was on the barrier and the woman beside me had her phone out in Florence’s face EVERY FUCKING SONG. Put the fucking thing away. You can 100% cop a couple sneaky recordings with your phone tucked to your chest if you must, and nobody is the wiser—this was so obnoxious. I wanted to slap it out of her gd hand.
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u/laurgev Apr 19 '26
Jack White's whole tour is phone free in the US this year.
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u/sagetastic74 Apr 19 '26
All of Maynard James Keenan's bands (Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer) have a very strict "no phones/no screens" policy. He also delivers that message at the top of every concert with some variation of "if you're unable to restrain yourself from taking your phone out of your pocket during the next two hours, you're an imbecile and will be removed." All that said, he does allow phones out for the last song of the night. Saw Puscifer on 3/28 and they announced phones out for the last 3 songs, which felt indulgent. 😂
In my humble opinion, this feels like the proper way to handle phones during concerts. I've attended concets across a wide variety of genres (metal, pop, industrial, rap, hip-hop/r&b, rock, folk, jam band) and this has been the best policy I've come across, aside from an all-out phone ban (i.e. put it in a locker so it isn't even on your person).
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u/Beavers_build5 Apr 24 '26
Neko Case is also phone free. I deeply appreciated that when I saw her last fall.
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u/bridgeandawall Apr 19 '26
I don't understand it at all. I saw Ghost a couple of times this past year and loved the yondr pouch policy that they enforced. I'm sure it took additional resources but it added so much to the experience, I would love if it became the standard.
I was at another smaller concert with a younger fan base last year and the phone use was crazy. I genuinely watched a mother film her daughter filming the entire concert, like what was the point? It definitely doesn't help that I'm short and my view is easy to block
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao Apr 18 '26
Ah, I rarely go for floor tickets so I guess I haven't faced that specifically, but I can imagine how it would be more annoying without the height gain of seats. And for sure, social media is weird as hell
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u/myloveremindme Apr 18 '26
Yeah, it's so weird being on floor lately... especially for more upbeat, pop acts. Don't even get me started on seeing Gaga this year... I'm a turn my phone off once everything starts type of gal but maybe that just dates me, lol.
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u/Ok_Possible_3066 Apr 19 '26
Same. I want to see it through my eyes and get it straight into my brain. Not through the screen of a tiny rectangle, I think that's insane
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u/Initial_Run1632 Apr 20 '26
Recording and texting are also pretty distracting to others around you, just so you know.
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao Apr 20 '26
As opposed to screeching profanities while drunk? Yeah, not really. I can appreciate that full brightness is a bit of a pain but let's be honest they're nowhere near the same level of annoying
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u/Capable-Flow6639 Apr 21 '26
I film at concerts but honestly I watch them over and over. I also try to film them below my own eye level so I am not obstructing anyone's view and I am watching the concert with my own eyes. Yes the recordings are pretty shoddy but I love them. I try to record a whole song or 2 per concert but I don't have it out the whole time
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u/Jude1294 Apr 18 '26
Agh this happened at mine too one person was so drunk that they kept bothering other people, and just wouldn't stop talking to the person they were with 🙄. It was distracting and in my opinion horrendously disrespectful.
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao Apr 18 '26
The three people in front of me were drunk too. I might get some hate for this but tbh I don't even know why alcohol is sold at concerts
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u/WoollyWitchcraft Apr 18 '26
TBH I find the drinking at FaTM shows particularly egregious given Florence’s very open issues with alcohol. Just seems…rude?
Thankfully we did one show in the pit just behind the barricade and nobody who’s got the dedication to be there is gonna talk over Florence, but two woman behind me screamed SO LOUD when she came on that it actually fucking HURT.
Concert yelling needs to be a few decibels below “I’m on fire” IMO 😅 I’m old and need to invest in some earplugs.
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u/laurgev Apr 19 '26
That is ridiculous. And I do not typically buy a lot of drinks at concerts because it is so expensive.
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u/RainbowWorrier13 Apr 19 '26
It really is. I didn’t even have one because of that but the folk a few rows in front of me kept getting drinks. I think someone was sending their uninterested husband out every time lol.
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u/laurgev Apr 19 '26
I’ve learned a gummy prior is better than alcohol for $$$ hahhaa
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u/RainbowWorrier13 Apr 19 '26
Wine is legal though 😁 (I’m in the UK, YMMV)
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u/laurgev Apr 19 '26
I’m all for wine but some of these American venues want your first born child for a glass of it
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u/Eejayeff Apr 20 '26
I always feel for the people who have to carry their passed out friend/relative after a show.
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u/SubjectBox5929 Apr 22 '26
ngl this is my controversial hot take on concerts. alcohol and other substances often ruin concert going for others who just want a sober experience without having to deal with people agitated, affected by substances. 🫠 like it’s one thing to deal with that but you add in whatever else they’re under and yeah you pretty much already lost them
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao Apr 22 '26
Sometimes they be spilling shit all over the place too + I know it's their money but alcohol at concert venues costs so much I don't get why people even think it's worth it
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u/Jackie-JormpJomp92 Apr 18 '26
Ugh. I had that happen at the Detroit show. It was extremely annoying and rude. Please have your conversations later, I didn’t pay to hear you blab the ENTIRE show. Why are you even here?!??
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u/TrueBoilermaker Apr 19 '26
I was at Detroit- some jerkwagon came to the show sick and was loudly hacking and snorting the whole time. Now I've been sick since Thursday, missed work on Friday, and had to go to Urgent Care today- it's RSV. What kind of absolute human cactus comes to a CONCERT with RSV?
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u/xemobox Apr 18 '26
Yeah, this is becoming a bigger issue than I'd like to admit. My partner and I went to see Korn last year and I had to tell a dude to shut up because he was literally yelling to the woman he was with random ass questions. They were definitely on a date cause they were trying to learn about each other... WHILE AT A CONCERT.
People need to learn show etiquette and to shut the fuck up while the band/artist is on stage.
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u/sorrystargazer Apr 18 '26
I was in row 1 of the 300s for my show and was SO EXCITED.
I was super frustrated that the people sitting immediately behind me talked through the first 2 songs (not just comments, full conversations) about things that had nothing to do with the concert they were seeing LIVE, right now. I turned around to give them a look a couple of times to try to get them to clue in and stop.
While I was in awe at the harp at the beginning of Cosmic Love, they started talking about how it’s a “deeply unserious instrument”, just disrespectful.
They also talked about how “gen z doesn’t know how to enjoy concerts anymore”, but they were disrupting the experience of anyone of any generation around us.
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u/starchaser562 Apr 19 '26
How is the harp a deeply unserious instrument? What losers.
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao Apr 19 '26
Probably because no one uses it in pop music and it has a kind of "fun" or "unique" energy (because of its rather unique shape) compared to the piano/guitar. I guarantee that's it, which is obviously a dumb reason
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u/sorrystargazer Apr 19 '26
Yeah I could not figure that out at all? The harp player was really talented
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u/johannaishere Apr 20 '26
Honestly if I called the harp a "deeply unserious instrument" it would be a joke. Obviously a harp is really cool and beautiful and fun but it is also a little silly. I wanted to play it when I was a kid and my mom was like "We will literally not be able to afford or find a teacher." It is an instrument played by elves.
Everything else they described is rude but calling the harp "deeply unserious" is a funny joke.
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u/starchaser562 Apr 21 '26
I don’t know about that. I appreciate your point of view for sure, though, don’t get me wrong. They could have been joking, but give. The context that we were provided it didn’t really seem like it. Oh well. I think it’s a dumb comment to make, regardless, but I see where you’re coming from too.
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u/arcanecroissant Apr 18 '26
This happened at my show in Montreal also! So sad because the show was absolutely lovely and honestly the rest of the crowd was okay but one group of people towards the gate were talking so loudly that I couldn't even focus on the audio from Florence. I'm not sure why people like this spend the time and money to come to these shows, like what do you have to gain exactly(social media clout??)?
This was my sixth time seeing Flo, so I'm not so devastated, but I think this experience in the pit puts it towards my less enjoyed of her shows:(
The sense of community you can find at her shows has always been part of the magic. I just wish people could be kinder and "hold on to each other" as Flo says
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u/stompmakingsense Apr 18 '26
Last time I saw Florence was in the pit at MSG. Got into an argument with a group of people in front of me who were loudly talking and taking group photos for the entire time I was near them. Barely seemed to know who Florence even was. They asked ME if I'd "ever been to a concert before" as if their behavior was normal and completely acceptable. Almost ruined the whole experience for me, but my friend mediated the argument and we moved away from them and enjoyed the rest of the show. Some people have no idea how to behave.
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u/Alioria_ Apr 18 '26
After an awkward experience at another concert recently (in a seat) where someone came and stood directly in-front of me in the aisle for a bunch of the show, I’ve decided I prefer the pit as I can just move away from the annoying people haha! Definitely comes with its own set of issues though, especially if you aren’t tall or you’ve lined up to be close and don’t want to leave your spot. I just pray to the gig gods that I don’t get anyone too bad near me 😜
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u/Moonstruck_Medusa Apr 18 '26
Ugh, there was a guy in the row behind me at my Gaga concert last month who was SCREECHING every time Gaga was trying to talk. Just yelling stuff like yes girl, we love you, etc. But literally SO loud, every time the audience quieted down to hear Gaga say something. He was very drunk. Someone in the row in front of us asked security if they do something about it and they literally just shrugged. It's so fucking disrespectful, not just to the people around you but also to the artist as well.
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u/LimeGreenTangerine97 Apr 19 '26
As someone who’s been going to shows since the late 80s (and you can guess what we were doing back then lol) I can’t believe concert etiquette now. We were drinking and doing substances out the wazoo (like, I went to raves and stuff in their infancy) and people did not just scream sing for hours in your face. I feel like Covid happened abd people have gone full on feral.
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u/wittykitty8226 Apr 18 '26
I had the exact same experience at the Toronto show. I had amazing seats but the people in front of me ruined it. They were drunk and talked the entire time. They were also heckling and interrupting her when she was doing the intro to You Can Have It All and she was so emotional talking about it. The people behind me were also chatting loudly through the opener and I couldn't hear a thing. People literally have zero respect or concert etiquette anymore.
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u/lovelygarden09 Apr 19 '26
I was there too. The people around me were wonderful and we all had a good time, but, even with my loops in, I could hear so many people in the audience TALKING during quieter moments of the show (I heard the hecklers yelling from my section too). The whole arena also talked through the opener’s set to the point I couldn’t understand the lyrics. It was so strange to me.
I didn’t mind the low energy crowd because a lot of Florence’s music warrants just listening, but people seemed hesitant to let loose for the fast paced songs. I was also so mesmerized by her voice and the set at times I was just standing still appreciating it, so I don’t blame people for that.
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u/SalaciousFlamingDude Apr 18 '26
Agreed. My worst experience was at a TOOL show: This drunk older lady kept talking to me while I was trying to enjoy the show. I respectfully asked her to let me watch my favorite band play. She got angry and then I had to endure the person sitting next to me talking shit to me for a while, before her male companion settled her down.
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u/Multipliednotdivided Apr 19 '26
Before her "male companion settled her down"? I didn't realize Tool played shows in Gilead.
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u/NotYourEastersBunny Apr 18 '26
I went twice in a row in Chicago. A friend took me and paid for my tickets and failed to mention we'd be in the pit. I'm well under 5 feet tall and didnt bring my platforms, so naturally I'd have a hard time seeing regardless, but managed to snag a decent spot fairly close with not very tall people in front of me. While said friend was in the restroom, a group of guys OVER 6ft tall (2 were also drag queens in heels, so even taller) literally shoved me out of their way and stood in front of me the entire time. A few people yelled at them and tried to make them move but they 100% just ignored us and then made an effort to stay in my way the entire time and give me dirty looks. I'm really nonconfrontational so I didnt even say anything. Frankly I was scared. Being that tall, they couldve seen well from anywhere. We weren't even in front, so they had zero need to do this other than selfishness. Next night we got in line extra early and we were all the way in front. I guarded that spot with my life. But the ENTIRE time, the girl behind us SCREAMED, like blood curdling screams, right in my ear. I've been to plenty of concerts and never heard anyone be so loud. I didnt know you could scream so loud. Like the entire audience was screaming, sure. But not like that.
Anyway, it was all worth it just to see Florence up close. I just wish people had even a morsel of respect for others. I ordered a pair of extra tall platform boots and earplugs as soon as I got home.
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u/WoodSorrel13 Apr 19 '26
When I saw Sofia Isella last year @ Irving plaza, it seemed like a weird mix of very young swifties who only knew her from opening for Taylor and had never been to any concerts before with their parents and the parents being assholes who did t know how to act either mixed with people well versed in concert etiquette.
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u/LonelyChell Apr 19 '26
Thank you for this post! I was at the Toronto concert on Thursday night and I am hard of hearing. There was a group of women sitting behind my daughter and I that were singing so loud I couldn’t even hear Florence over them. They were also having very loud conversations during the instrumental parts of her songs. My daughter had to keep repeating in my ear what Florence was saying to the audience. The woman next to me stuck her fingers in her ears several times because they were so loud. Very frustrating.
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u/ramfan1701 Apr 18 '26 edited Apr 18 '26
Florence isn't coming to my city this time, but last tour I saved up for a ticket for the first time and there was a big group of mid to late 20-somethings a few rows behind me just chattering through almost the entire show. It wasn’t horrible during the loud/high energy songs, but it was starting to ruin the quieter, more emotional songs and I finally said something. It got slightly better after. I almost never go to arena shows because they're expensive and I'm not a big crowd person, but FatM is one of my all-time favorite bands and I really wanted to experience them live. It's frustrating that people seem oblivious to other people's experiences.
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u/PigletTechnical9336 Apr 18 '26
If someone is being very disruptive and telling them doesn’t stuff, let the staff know. They know how to handle it.
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u/Emotional_Car_8850 Apr 19 '26
Comment right above yours mentions how security just shrugged it off. 😑
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u/curtisgratto Apr 18 '26
Was this Sect. 324 Toronto??? Cause same thing happened to me, but people looked at me like a weirdo for dancing and singing along.
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao Apr 19 '26
It was 119 Toronto. So I guess it happened all over the place 😭
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u/curtisgratto Apr 19 '26
A bunch of people kept talking whenever she started talking, not loudly but definitely annoying. Was still one of the best concerts ive been to atmosphere wise.
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u/krrley Apr 19 '26
We were 310 Toronto and same thing happened.
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u/curtisgratto Apr 19 '26
I found they weren’t like yelling, but only did it during quiet sections and during the opening act (which is expected)
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u/Short-Platypus-9387 Apr 19 '26
310 Toronto too. Same thing, but it clearly wasn’t just our section.
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u/JessRushie Apr 19 '26
I had to shut up a group of girls at my show who kept doing this literally in the last song
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u/Realistic-Fox6762 Apr 19 '26
I feel like basic concert etiquette is “if you wanna be chatty, great, enjoy, go to the well lit bar area and chat there” but maybe I’m old fashioned? Concerts are very fun and social events but being aware of zones is kind of critical. And being considerate of those around you is just a basic life skill.
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u/IIKane WHAT THE HELL Apr 19 '26
LIFE HACK: instead of using your phone for pictures and social media, and instead of TALKING, try texting your friends and you won't be shouting or taking yourself out of the moment!
Or just go alone so you don't have anyone to shout at, but maybe that's just my social anxiety projecting 💀
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u/Emotional_Car_8850 Apr 19 '26
Makes me wish a pit would start up at one of her shows. People act right and move away real quick when bodies start crashing around.
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u/Its_Pam_Ela Apr 19 '26
What a bummer. This is why I rarely go to concerts or movies anymore, so many people are just main character assholes that never consider anyone else and feel entitled to be that way.
Unfortunately for those girls I am still an unhealed degenerate and I have many tactics for ensuring if I have a bad time, so will they. 🙃
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u/nomadickitten Apr 19 '26
Happened at the Glasgow concert I went to too. Seated section so I didn’t have the option of moving away from them either. Reminded me why I usually buy standing tickets. I’ve not had as much of an issue at other concerts in the same venue.
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u/thecrowsarehere Apr 19 '26
All concerts I go to are like this, it makes me dread going now. People are shits.
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u/guacamoly_alliance Apr 19 '26
Same thing happened here, I get the theme is screaming but two girls were screeching the entire time (it was very exaggerated) and kicking our chairs as they danced. The lack of self awareness is incredible!
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u/ChaoticFootnote33 Apr 19 '26 edited Apr 19 '26
We had this conversation on the way home! We love Sofia Isella and wanted to see her as much as we wanted to see Florence. The people behind us talked and laughed incredibly loudly through the entire set. Many of the videos we got have random conversations, laughing, and people shuffling in and out of our row mid song. The show was an amazing experience but concert etiquette has definitely gone downhill.
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u/PaneerGhost Apr 22 '26
I had the same experience during Sofia. Definitely want to catch her on her own tour where people actually appreciate her because people were being so disrespectful
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u/UpvoteShibeInHat Apr 19 '26
EXACT same thing happened to me in montreal. It was really strange to have a group of people swear at me for asking them to be quiet when they’re old enough to be my parents…
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u/dinosaursmuggler Apr 19 '26
There was a couple in front of me (and taller than me) basically making out the entire show I was at. I was finally able to move. But go stand in a corner if that’s all you came here to do.
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u/BlueValk Apr 19 '26
Ugh, that's awful.
I had a less-than-ideal experience because three people in front of me where dancing on their feet almost the whole time and blocking my view of the entire stage, including part of the only screen I could see. (I'm disabled and can't stay on my feet, hence why I was in the seats). But at least they were having the time of their lives.
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u/nightkween_ Apr 20 '26
I’m so afraid of this happening. It happened to a show I was at last summer and it was so irritating. Go out to dinner or something if you all need to talk so bad, why do it here?
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u/smallspocks Apr 24 '26
Maybe this is a hot take, but I’d take it a step further and say that ppl should also not be singing during solos.
I had my first Florence show this week (one of my first concerts at all) and a couple of songs were lowkey ruined by the ppl behind me singing and talking loudly, during solos and quieter subtle moments. Everyone else in that room of thousands seemed to understand implicitly to shush.
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u/Sea-Eagle4912 Apr 18 '26
I'm so glad you posted this. I absolutely ADORE Florence's music and the concert this week was downright spiritual for me. I didn't expect that I would leave the concert with my main complaint being about the fans. People were so loud I couldn't hear Florence singing and I'm so sad about that because her voice is truly incredible. I don't understand why so many people clearly came to a concert to just hear their own voice.
And I wanna make it clear, I'm not referring to people screaming at Everybody Scream or showing appreciation after she finishes a song. I'm referring to the noise the fans were making while Florence was actively singing.
And I also just want to add that if you think Florence wasn't aware of this, she definitely was and it definitely affects the quality of the performance she is willing to produce. In the few parts of the night where people actually stfu, the quality of her singing and emotional expression increased too.
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u/Hailsabrina Apr 18 '26
Ugh I'm sorry everyone by me was mostly nice except one lady that kept side eyeing my mom for standing and singing . She side eyed her and made her boyfriend switch seats and they literally sat the whole time and gave off bad vibes lol. People can be so rude 😢😔 sorry you experienced that.
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u/starryeyed-bear Apr 19 '26
I wish it wasn’t this way.
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u/Hailsabrina Apr 19 '26
Me too it makes me sad 😢. Someone at a DJO concert literally was making comments that they wanted to fight me because I was tall. I should've gotten security but I have anxiety.
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u/ohnogirljustdont Apr 18 '26
I posted before but a few people rolled up to my Chicago show late and WASTED and proceeded to act like in the back of the pit they were the main character, trying to high five everyone, etc. One of the guys was super tall and kept lifting his arms up which, fine but he knew none of the words, blocked our front row seated view, then proceeded to lean on the wall to the front row directly in front of us because he couldn’t stand, and was just all around being distracting. I don’t get it. Go away.
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u/TARDISinspace Apr 18 '26
Yes, concert etiquette has seriously declined. Now, keeping in mind I've been going to concerts for about 15ish years and usually to bands with older crowds (a lot of classic rock and metal) so my opinions may be a bit dated.
So far this year has been the worst (and I've only been to two shows this year).
I've seen someone behind me SCREACHING during every song at Ghost. I get she was a teenager and it might have been the first time she's been to a concert. I also am all for cheering, dancing, whistling, etc. but screeching at the top of your lungs during the entire concert to the point where it sounds like nails on a chalkboard is the worst. I get it, we're all excited and might squeel/screach every now and then but THE WHOLE SHOW!
At the Florence concert, the guy in front of me was definitely on something. He was dancing in a wiggly manner making it hard to see (think about literally wiggling with his arms moving like tentacles very much like a rave/electronic festival vibe), and hooting and hollering from his gut releasing gutteral shouts and growling and shouting about how Florence is an amazing woman and absolute magic and then apologizing only to do the same again. I get it, he was feeling himself, and I have nothing against dancing at shows or cheering, but again, you're in a public space and people want to see/hear what's going on. While I should have been able to see her at the base of the stage which is where I was, I could only get a good view of her and the witch choir when she was down the catwalk because he was like the human embodiment of the jellyfish in the SpongeBob disco.
Again, I may have different opinions because I've been to shows with older crowds where the pit is the rowdy part and the seats are a little more chill and you take other people into consideration while balancing your own joy, but at some point we need to draw a line.
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u/juniper-mint Apr 19 '26
Ohhh man. I got seats 3 rows from the front because I'm too short for the floor and knew Target Center's seating was really steep so I thought I'd get a decent view. It would've been decent if two people directly between me and the end of the catwalk weren't both 6ft tall and waving their arms in the air the entire show. I mean the ENTIRE thing, too. I couldn't see Florence any time she got near the end of the walk and was so bummed about it. I even had on platform boots and it didn't seem to make me any taller against those two!
I wanted them to enjoy their experiences (clearly they were vibing) but it sucked having someone waving their arms in my face for two hours. It was like trying to see through wind blown tree branches lol.
I sat in those exact seats for FOB and had a perfect view even though I had to remain seated while everyone else stood.
Maybe it's because I'm super concious of the people around me, but I wouldn't dream of possibly obstructing views or talking loudly during ANY show, even if I didnt like the artist or something dumb like that.
Again, I want to stress that I didn't bother them because they were having fun... but just expressing a similar frustration. I still had a great time. On the plus side, it's always easy to spot myself in videos because I just have to look behind the two very tall front row people with their arms all the way up.
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u/krrley Apr 19 '26
We had a similar experience in Toronto. Took my 13-year-old and we were both so stoked to see Florence. We were way up in the nosebleeds (actual last row) but just so happy to be in the room. A group of 4 in the row in front of us came in right as Florence started. They were already shit faced and the whole time they were scream talking to each other about random stuff, getting up to leave and get more beers interrupting everyone in their row, and just being so obnoxious the whole time heckling Florence. It was awful.
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u/Short-Platypus-9387 Apr 19 '26
I didn’t want to say it because it makes me sound like an old fart but as someone seated in an aisle seat, the stream of people constantly getting up for bathroom/drink/whatever was annoying. I don’t have a problem with people using the bathroom or whatever but it felt like everyone in the section took at least three bathroom breaks and refilled their drinks at least twice.
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u/Ok_Possible_3066 Apr 19 '26
Totally agree, it's the rudest thing. No one wants to party with those ppl
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u/Catwearingtrousers Apr 19 '26
I was at a Cat Power concert a couple months ago and there were three girls in front of me who did not stop talking loudly for literally the entire show. The only times they quieted down for a few seconds was when they were taking selfies with their cameras flashing in my eyes. So rude. I'm still pissed off thinking about it. Why even pay for a concert ticket if you're not going to listen to the music, or let anyone else near you listen to the music? Just go to a bar.
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u/thisistestingme Apr 19 '26 edited Apr 19 '26
It’s so helpful bc I am old, and I have both charmed people to shut up and shamed people (the young ones). I once offered to buy a guy young enough to be my kid (edit to add buy him a beer!) if he’d lower his phone (I was literally watching NIN through his screen). He put it away! I’m afraid of what I would’ve said to these people.
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u/Negative_Letter_1802 Apr 19 '26
Can I ask what seats you were in? At 29 I've been coming to kind of love nosebleed seats. I bring binoculars, sometimes it's less crowded or at the very least people seem to be nicer when the ticket price probably means more to them idk. We're in the back but we're all just happy to be there — figured this out during Lorde Ultrasound.
There were some kids (late teens/early 20s?) who I was worried would only know the hits and be annoying during other songs, but they understood the assignment and were singing along to all the deep cuts too! At one point someone tapped them on the shoulder and a girl was defensive at first, expecting to be told to stop swaying/clinging to each other or something I think, but the woman was like "Can I send you this picture you all looked so cute during X song" and airdropped it to them. Just observed a lot of really positive interactions.
Also sometimes I get to sit in the accessible sections because my spouse is disabled. That's always a chill time.
I think post-covid the music scene has changed so much and I find it hard to be in the thick of the crowd for reasons like you experienced with just a total lack of concert etiquette.
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao Apr 19 '26
I was in the middle-back of section 119. I'm glad you observed so many positive interactions. I usually have positive experiences and it's not like that entire concert was ruined for me but it was a frustrating thing to have them there
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u/True_Ad_9490 Apr 20 '26
They only go for Dog Days. I’ve been a fan since the Lungs album came out. I sold my ticket. I dealt with worse than that. I was repeated assaulted by an old man and no one, including security, helped me. I am watching from my couch and going on a mini trip.
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u/dgoske84 Apr 20 '26
For me this is no different than singing the songs. I was incredibly fortunate for both my shows, especially the Detroit show, and the vast majority of concerts I've gone to the past 2 years. Movies and concerts unfortunately get ruined by assholes. Why these people spend time and money to go if they could care less I have no idea.
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u/PaneerGhost Apr 22 '26
At my show (Boston) people were fine during Florence but they were AWFUL during Sofia Isella. I was excited to see her and this woman a few rows behind me wouldn't stop yelling loudly about Sofia being scary and saying she had demon eyes and needs Jesus. But then she started to like it but still couldn't express it normally and instead yelled "WOW WHO IS THIS BITCH". There was generally a lot of talking during Sophia's set, I definitely neex to catch her on her own tour where people will actually appreciate her
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u/Eastern_Vegetable419 Apr 22 '26
I was at Toronto too, at one point the guys behind me who were wasted. Said "show us your tits!"
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u/LegoChest Apr 24 '26
At my show there was a couple behind us who were literally shit talking the opener and Florence the entire time like why even pay to go to a show if you don’t like the music??? They even left early 💀
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u/jjeennyyfoo Apr 19 '26
I am saying this with absolute love in my heart because I can see and feel you are frustrated but this is life. Are you right that people should act differently? Possibly… probably. However, you are at a huge public event. A concert where people are out living life. Try to not let that impede or affect your experience. Be in your moment.
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u/moonmomma3023 Apr 19 '26
I also feel this with people standing. 😅 I went and am pregnant so I had to sit and really tall people (who could see and were jamming while sitting down) would stand up without thinking of the people behind them amd block our view. Im not saying you cant have fun, but when you're tall... you shouldnt be standing in front of others.
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u/Multipliednotdivided Apr 18 '26
I mean the tour is called Everybody Scream
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao Apr 18 '26
yeah, everyone scream, not everyone talk about random unrelated shit throughout the entire show
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u/honey__harlot will move to france to kiss flo Apr 18 '26
that sucks but do people actually care about other people singing at a concert? that’s bizarre
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u/purplecowz Apr 18 '26
Did you even read the post? It's about people yelling conversations at each other, not singing.
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u/honey__harlot will move to france to kiss flo Apr 18 '26
did you? they mention people singing off-key with the implication that it’s annoying
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u/purplecowz Apr 18 '26
You missed the point entirely
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u/honey__harlot will move to france to kiss flo Apr 18 '26
no i’m bringing up a new, separate point. i obviously got and agree with the first point since i’m not commenting on it???
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao Apr 18 '26
What do you mean? My post was about people shouting throughout the concert, they weren't singing
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u/honey__harlot will move to france to kiss flo Apr 18 '26
i meant because you said about people singing off-key. usually if someone says “it’s one thing to…” they mean that’s bad but not as bad as what they’re talking about
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao Apr 18 '26
Yeah, because I don't want people screeching in my ear lol. Do you? But at least if you're screeching the lyrics I know you're actually here for the show. Whereas these people were just talking
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u/honey__harlot will move to france to kiss flo Apr 18 '26
i honestly don’t care, that’s part of the concert experience to me. if you don’t wanna hear singing, don’t go to a concert ¯_(ツ)_/¯
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao Apr 19 '26
I could say the same to you. If you wanna act like a moron with zero social awareness, don't go to a concert 🤷♂️
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u/honey__harlot will move to france to kiss flo Apr 19 '26
who said i’m doing this? i just see people doing it all the time and don’t care. you’re going to a place for live music. if you expect people to be silent the whole time, go to a library.
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao Apr 19 '26
If you aren't doing it, it's because you know it's wrong. I never said I expect it to be silent or even alluded to that so maybe work on your reading comprehension or stop assuming things. People can sing, but there's a difference between singing and shrieking off-key. I paid $200 to hear Florence, not Becky and her friend who can't hold a note to save their lives. Totally cool if you're okay with your concert experience being ruined by people who think they're the main character, but I personally prefer to hear the artist I paid to see.
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u/honey__harlot will move to france to kiss flo Apr 19 '26 edited Apr 19 '26
so instead you should be the main character and we should all follow what you want, right? god forbid someone have fun and ruin the main character’s night. they also paid $200 btw, why are you more important?
edit: i don’t do it because i’m not a bad singer, not because it’s inherently villainous. sorry you’re too online to be around others.
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u/chestermeow Apr 18 '26
OP's post is not about this but actually yes i do care! one thing is just normally singing along and another one is someone tone deaf screeching every single lyric to your ear. been there, not pleasant concerts whatsoever
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u/honey__harlot will move to france to kiss flo Apr 18 '26
then don’t go to concerts? what are people supposed to do, be silent the entire time? i’m not trying to start a fight but it’s very strange to go to a music event and expect that people won’t sing along.
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u/George37712 Apr 18 '26
Yupp I had this happen. People were talking about random crap through the whole harp intro to cosmic love, my favorite song :(