Sleepyjack

What's people's thoughts on taller people blocking views at music shows etc?

I was at the Muse concert the other night and ran into this, to a degree. Basically, my brother and myself got in early enough to set up some stools right on this balcony in front of the stage. As i was quickly soaking up the atmosphere, this guy had sorta wedge himself partially in front of me. Although his act was quickly justified by him asking us how keen we were about the show; which i found quite amusing, cause he was implying he was more keen, so he had more right to be in front. Anyway, he was a tad in the way whilst the supporting band was on, but i was uninterested. Of course, when Muse came on, i kindly leant forward and edged him out of my way

However, he was quite tall and nobody behind him would've really been able to see much of the show. I was sitting on a stool leaning forward (slouched), as most others were as well, but i thought it was a little bit rude for him to stand right up for the entire thing (also we were on a balcony). Although on the flipside, he shouldn't have to go to the back cause he's tall, that's just unfair. Although the fact that he didn't really appreciate the situation he was putting others in was a little rude. Also, he seemed to be one of those guys who knew all these excruiting nonsensical details about the band, which he was probably just saying to imply how much of a hotshot he was; which made the situation more annoying for myself, although quite amusing at the same time

Basically it's no ones fault for being tall, yet they should have some kind of appreciation for others? or is it all a free for all...

Also, it's so funny when some people finally get let in to a venue and they want to act cool, like they don't have a care in the world, yet they subtly race to get in front at the same time (no one wants to appear too desperate!). Seeing the internal confliction is funny - although i was probably doing it as well at the same time

MSD

Stools and balconies at a concert? You lost me right there. I get the bad side of being tall, my head attracts spiked/studded boots worn by crowd surfers. On the positive side, the ladies are always grabbing on to me when they want to climb up to crowd surf, so it's all good.

bookerV

Well being one of these tall people you speak of (6'5") I feel I should get the same rights as anyone else at a public venue. Just because I am tall does not mean I should have less rights to be at the front of a show or somehow not have the same status as a short person. Basically at a concert where you can stand wherever you want it's a free for all. That's part of why concerts are set on stages so that people at the back behind the tall people can see them.

This one particular guy in your case seems to be a bit over the top and sounds annoying. But in the general sense concerts = free for all especially in general admission settings and such. Nobody can help how tall they are and as such all should be given the same rights to go wherever they want.

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animosity

yea....

I am not tall. I am 5'11. but I do not have a problem seeing in general admission. sometimes I do feel bad for my friends who are 5'6... I look down at them and say, "damn, I wouldnt want to be you right now." I suppose that is what crowd surfing is for.

This guy does sound like a dick though... maybe you should have given him a little nudge off the balcony?

radioguy

I'm 6'6" and am somewhat conscious of people not being able to see over me at a concert. But if I get to a place before other people, they just have to find a way to see around of they can move. I'm not being as ass about it, but I can't help being tall. I'm not about to stand in the back just so short people can see.

kutulu

Just because the are tall shouldn't mean that they can't stand up and enjoy the concert like everyone else.

klep

i'm a tall guy. I'm about 6ft5. I've heard the attitude that because i'm tall i should be at the back. It bugs me. At the last gig i went to (a perfect circle) i hung back a bit from the front barrier because im not fussed about getting to within feet of the band playing. It was still pretty packed. Atleast 6 or 7 people must have pushed their way passed me and a few of them, when catching my eye, used "i'd just like to be able to see better" or something similar as an excuse. If you wanted to see better why didnt you get to the gig a bit earlier? Only 1 couple actually asked to stand in front of me so they could see better (and i was perfectly happy to let them through).

I've really got no problem with letting people go in front of me as long as i myself can still see fine. I've even less of a problem if the people are polite about it. It just pisses me off when people expect me to move for them just because i'm tall.

For the most part, i think people like me, BookerV and Radioguy will actually be some of the most curteous people you'll meet at gigs. If other tall people are like me they'll be quite concious of the fact we tower over most people and will be happy to help out shorter people. But there is a limit and most people aren't going to worsen a concert experience so someone who got their later than us gets a better view.

pocon1

The oaks can't help their feelings, and the like the way their made,
and they wonder why the maples can't be happy in their shade.

clavus

Nice Rush reference.

I am 5'7" on a good day, and I can't see shit at concerts. In my younger days, I'd dive into the pit and tear it up. Now that I am an old bastard, I hang back or find a good seat from which to watch the show.

We are what we are. Deal with it. Tall people and little people have equal rights to their space up front.

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pocon1

Thanks, by the way, I am only 5'8" (not to one up you, clavus).

BuddyHawks

make the stage taller??
the problem i run into is people with dirty long hair infront of me whipping it in my face.

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pinkie

I'm 5'7, and the last show I went to I stood in the front row. The people in back of me got annoyed that I went and stood in front of them, even though I was with a 12 year old who wouldn't have been able to see otherwise. Concerts are free for alls, and no one reserves seats when you’re in a standing situation like that from what I’ve experienced.

Later, the same woman got mad at me for dancing, and shoved me. I shoved back and she left me alone. I was shocked that this lady would shove a mother at a concert, but she just seemed to not really have a clue about how people actually act at a show. I'm sorry, but I move around and get down when I paid $90, and drove 130 miles! It was a rock concert, and I love to dance.

wwcd101

It would be tough to navigate concert venues as shorter person.

This question made me think of another question. If you are at a concert at a venue with seats, yet people are standing, but not all of them, do you stand? There have been times that I've been right on the line between the people standing and those sitting. It's very uncomfortable.

In the end, I tend to stand. How does that make those in back of me feel?

Thanks for listening.

hu-man

I am quite tall, 6'5", and I often stand close to the stage. Not right up front, but 10 feet or so from the stage is always a good position for me - I get to see everything, and people shorter than me who really wants to see everything can get in front of me. I feel I have every right to be wherever I want to be, and if people behind me can't see, they can either ask me nicely to move a little, or move themselves. People tend to do the latter, and generally I have no problem with being tall and attending concerts.
I often go with my girlfriend, who is only 5'2" and she almost never is able to see. Sometimes I lift her up so her head is where mine is and stand like that for a while, but she's fine with not being able to see as much.

MSD

Maybe she was trying to start a mosh pit. What show was it?

roachboy

i am 6'3" and i suppose that i am also an obstacle at a show.

but i usually find the soundboard and stand near it because that is the focal point--best sound in the house is right around the place from which it is organized. in the front, you are usually too close to hear the outs properly and too low to hear the monitor mix.

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DelayedReaction

I'm 6'9", and while I do my best to make sure other people can see I'm not going to inconvenience myself because someone else is shorter than me. If someone is going to antagonize me because of my genes, they're going to get ignored.

On the plus side, people love riding my shoulders. So that's a plus.

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pinkie

The Flaming lips.

No, she wasn't. She was just kind of a square.

strcrssd

I have a somewhat similar problem in classes. I'm 6'3" and prefer to be in front, but I hate blocking everyone around me (I go to a mostly hispanic school, everyone is short), so I tend to gravitate to the edges of the front rows. This generally keeps me from blocking others, and gives me a relatively good seat.

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AlBob

I generally go to sit down concerts. I'm 6'4" and slump down in my seat, uncomfortable but a conscession to the vertically challenged. Usually by my date and I switching seats we can accomodate the people behind us. I get my share of sighs and rude comments but hey why don't short people buy front row seats?

monkeydriven

I am 6' 6"...I go to many shows...I am aware and try not to bop around too much to hinder peoples views, but I am not apologetic about it...if confronted, I always say, "Don't blame me, blame your parents, shorty."

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dobster

LOL for ages!

magnum_xxxl

I'm 6'6" & about 325 lbs. so I'm not only a height obstacle, if you are behind me you are screwed. I do feel a little bad someitmes & make a comprimise. If a shorty behind me can't see I will let them move in front of me if don't have to move more than a foot or two back.

Astrocloud

Short People


Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
To live

They got little hands
Little eyes
They walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little feet

Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
`Round here

Short People are just the same
As you and I
(A Fool Such As I)
All men are brothers
Until the day they die
(It's A Wonderful World)

Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
To love

They got little baby legs
That stand so low
You got to pick 'em up
Just to say hello
They got little cars
That go beep, beep, beep
They got little voices
Goin' peep, peep, peep
They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
'Round here

Tovie

I'm 5' so people are always taller than me. I find though that asking them politely, and discussing the problem most people at any and all types of shows will be nice enough to do thier best at solving the problem of blocking the stage.

exizldelfuego

I'm 6'2 so am on the tallerish side of things and am VERY conscious about the people behind me. Makes me feel slightly insecure, actually. I just try to maneuver myself as best I can so I'm not right in front of a significantly shorter person.

This past spring, I went and saw Rasputina at Chop Suey here in Seattle. Chop Suey is a small venue and they have a stage which is probably about a foot raised off the ground. Well, because the two girls and the guy were all playing sit-down instruments, no one except the first few rows could see them so they convinced the audience to sit down. Had a neat, almost kindergardenish feel to it. Excellent show, though.

Kush

I'm 5'11 and at most concerts i just presume the person behind me will get behind one of my shoulders. My concert buddie is about 6'4 so i think he takes all the attention off me.

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