I’m a big fan of live music, which is one of many reasons that I decided to move to Seattle. But the concert culture here can be so annoying, especially in venues where there are seats, like the Paramount, Moore Theatre, or Climate Pledge Arena. I went to a Future Islands concert at the Paramount where singer Samuel T. Herring was literally throwing himself across the stage, pouring his heart out while the band played fun, upbeat songs, while people just sat there and stared. Get up and dance, you idiots!

I don’t care if you think you’re too cool to dance. If you don’t like live music, then what are you doing here? This was in contrast to a show where I saw Future Islands a couple of years ago in a different city, where there were quite literally people dancing their hearts out with strangers and making new friends (myself included).

I went to the Maggie Rogers concert at the Climate Pledge Arena, and she called people out who were sitting up close and begged them to get up and dance! It’s so embarrassing for our city, to be honest. And I feel like people think I’m an inconvenience for wanting to stand at a concert. It’s… a concert…? You’re supposed to enjoy the music…? I get it if it’s a slower song or not the type of artist that requires dancing or even standing. But that’s not what I’m talking about. And I’m obviously not talking about people who are not able to stand up and dance—this is not an ableist commentary. This is a commentary on how everyone here thinks they’re too cool to be seen enjoying things.

News flash: We’re all a bunch of nerds. Let your freak flag fly. I also hate how there’s absolutely no love for the opening acts. At almost every single show I’ve been to in Seattle, the place is basically empty until the headliner starts. Supporting smaller or local artists is so important! I’ve discovered some of my favorite artists by going to the show on time to see the opening act. As someone who has performed on a stage before, there is absolutely nothing worse than when the audience isn’t matching your energy or when the room is practically empty. For a city known for its music, Seattle doesn’t support musicians the way they could and should be doing. The concert culture needs to change!

Do you need to get something off your chest? Submit an I, Anonymous and we’ll illustrate it! Send your unsigned rant, love letter, confession, or accusation to ianonymous@thestranger.com. Please remember to change the names of the innocent and the guilty.

16 replies on “Crappy Concert Culture”

  1. I am 100% in favor of dancing and don’t mind bad singing or woo-ing really at all but conversations, loud enough to be heard over the music, really bug the shit out of me

  2. Might I suggest supporting smaller acts at smaller venues? The Paramount and Climate Pledge are crappy places to see and hear live music. Try Neumos, Barboza, the Showbox, etc. Lots of good bands and mostly better crowds (though don’t get me started with people taking cell phone videos…those are the true assholes).

  7. oh Well

    it’s too Late now

    the donold’ll have any-

    one bobbing their heads

    along with the Music carted

    off in straightjackets. he’ll Have

    NO Dancing whilst HE Holds the

    Presidency. which’ll be like Forever

    ya Blew it Seattle

    but it’s

    too Late

    now. buh-Bye

    miss American pie

  8. This person just seems f’ing annoying. Come on everyone you gotta dance. I don’t want to dance. I don’t particularly like dancing. At a standing venue, I don’t mind if you dance, and I don’t mind standing and swaying to the music if people are dancing around me. I’m pretty chill. That said, if I’m at a seated venue, I like it when people sit and enjoy the music and not get up and block other people’s views of the concert. I don’t lose my shit if I have to stand at a seated music venue, it’s just my preference. You don’t seem to think other people are enjoying the concert. They are. Stop projecting. Also, @2, I cannot agree more with your thoughts on cell phones and others’ thoughts on smaller venues. Love them.

  10. I think there’s a few things at play here. First; you’re not crazy, a lot Seattle audiences tend to be reserved, especially fans of genres that skew whiter and more middle-class. Add to that the curse of high-ticket-price arena shows and you’re going to get a lot of moneyed “I’m just here bacause it seemed like a thing to do” crowd up front while the younger fans dance up in the 300 level.

    The other thing at play here might just be your timing—bet those earlier tours right before your favorite band blew up at smaller, standing room venues were lively as hell. Ditch the boring theater and stadium crowds and start checking who’s selling out the Crododile/Showbox/Tractor/etc. etc. etc.

    If you got it in you, you could always try to get your seat neighbors dancing, especially if the artist is asking for it. No gaurantee you won’t be met with annoyed stares—just read the room.

  11. If I buy seats for a concert its because …I want to sit down. Standing on cement for hours kills my back and feet and I simply can’t do it anymore. And if you stand in front of me while I’m seated, now I can’t see the show. Go to El Corazon or buy floor tickets.

  12. If there isn’t a dedicated dance floor, it seems insane to stand in front of my seat, effectively blocking the view for at least two rows behind me, just to jiggle my wiggle in 8 inches of floor space. Heaven help me if my wild dancing feet slip off the platform edge and I fall head first into the row in front of me.

    How’s about we all just sit back and enjoy the sound from the seated position the universe has given us?

  13. @6, what the fuck does that have to do with anything? I hate the orange clown as much as anyone, but your boring ass schtick is just that…boring.

    Maybe you could

    Try something different

    For once in your

    Goddamn

    Life

Comments are closed.