Eyes fixed on the stage, I find my usually jumpy, animated self as still as possible, watching Pinback play an inspiring set, highlighting the proficiency of their two bassists. Focused intently on the music, taking it all in, I forget that, if I so desired, I could move. Then, in a flash, one guy, probably no older than me, starts jumping around trying to make an earthquake. This isn’t metal, this is melody, and I have no idea what he is doing.
People this raucous can be frustrating, sure, but they’re just compensating for the stoicism of myself and countless other attendees. Maybe if I just swayed some, or smiled more, and the people near me joined in, that guy would not have felt the burden of energizing the whole venue, and he wouldn’t have gotten in everybody’s way.
My new year’s resolution (and yours too) is to change this attitude problem prevalent in practically every show I attended this year. We should all find the middle ground between obnoxious and disinterested, for good energy would definitely add to everybody’s concert experience.
Young or old, energetic or catatonically rigid, these actions can best be described as disrespectful. Those getting in others’ way, making dangerous scenes when we just wanted to hear Built To Spill play “Carry The Zero,” are not why people go to concerts. Refusing to acknowledge any enjoyment with more than a couple of claps and a half-smile, though, does not pay any respect to the band, and is hardly a better option to being overeager.
As much enjoyment as we, the fans, are getting out of Andrew Bird’s set, if we stand around loafing and merely clap politely after each song, how is Mr. Bird going to keep up the energy required to sing, play guitar, violin and whistle? Furthermore, why should he want to?
Bird was one of the most popular acts to come this fall, quickly selling out both nights at a time when few bands can sell out one. So, people knew what to expect, were anticipating it for weeks, and probably recognized every song he played. You wouldn’t guess any of this if you looked at the crowd.
One guy toward the front of the stage started yelling enthusiastically (often before Bird’s songs were done, ruining the mood) as a way to keep him hyped up, saying it was his duty as a concertgoer and “friend.” The two extremes of concert-going no-no’s were presented that night.
Somewhere between the holier-than-thou hipster perpetually judging every touring act and the inebriated guy in a jersey totally wrecking the ambience these musicians work so hard to create is a music utopia where everybody is expressive and, most importantly, on the same page.
A rare glimpse of this was dance-electronica maven Dan Deacon’s October set. Deacon made the crowd get into it, encouraging people to dance on stage, have dance-offs, and run through the parking lot. Everybody was having so much fun that they didn’t even notice his music was nothing more than a bunch of beeps and annoying vocal snippets.
There seemed to be plenty of college students at Deacon’s show, and these kids came out to have fun and (attempt to) enjoy the music, and nobody had to be over-the-top to compensate for apparent boredom on this night.
Memories of Deacon’s show are vivid, and people were able to laugh about how outrageous Deacon was long after the show had passed. Imagine this energy created with more thought-provoking music!
Musicians feed off the crowd’s energy, and a polarized environment where everyone is either stiff or outrageous does not a great show make.
So, when you feel like moving or dancing, do so! And if the person next to you loosens up, don’t judge him, but join in.
J.J. Lang hits the high notes of the local music scene each week for The Chapel Hill Herald. Send e-mail to JJLang@email.unc.edu.
