More Concert Attendance Pet Peeves

I had mentioned in an earlier post that there are certain etiquettes that should be followed when attending any kind of concert event that would encourage applause. I have a few more pet peeves to add to my list.

For performers:

1. It's great that your concert starts at 7:30 and that the announcement to silence your cell phones is prompt. However, it is rude to then wait 8 minutes before actually appearing on the stage. Once an announcement is made, the audience settles down and awaits the beginning of the performance. Once that much time has elapsed, the crowd begins to get rowdy again. So if you are going to start late, do the announcement late as well.
2. Please don't tell your audience how to applaud. This last event I attended, the conductor told the audience that rythmic clapping in unison is the way that European audiences show appreciation. Now that it's been mentioned the audience feels obligated to do as you suggest. Telling someone how to applaud is almost as bad as demanding a standing ovation.
3. Concerts that last too long. I absolutely adore the University of Utah Singers and can usually be found at most of their events, however it drives me absolutely insane when their concerts drag on and on. To be fair this year they are much better at time management than they were last year, but it still bears mentioning.

For attendees:

1. If you plan on paying money to attend an event, please realize that other people have as well. You may not have the same appreciation for the type of music that those around you do, but that doesn't give you the right to ruin it for everyone else by talking. That might actually be okay in a loud, crowded sports arena, but in a small, quiet concert hall everyone can hear you even if they don't know what you are saying.
2. If you are upset that someone is talking while the performers are doing their thing, don't lean over and talk to your neighbor about it! You are just contributing to the noise.
3. People who critique the performance who have no clue what they are talking about. I went to a concert and a person in my group (whom I did not invite) proceeded to use her extensive knowledge of mathematics to prattle on about the concert as if she knew what she was talking about. If you are trying to impress someone, don't try to do it by shooting your mouth off about something you know nothing about. To those of us who do know what we are talking about you just sound dumb.

Enough venting for now, I'm sure I will have more later. There is always something to complain about, right?