What makes a good crowd good?
 

I'd say that, in some ways, the crowd is even more important to the mood of a show than the performer.

Maybe it's just because we're a bunch of apathetic cynics up here in Providence, but I've never been to a really energetic concert. We sort of stand there and goggle. The artists obviously hate it; you can tell they're bored.

So. What makes a good crowd good? What are the signs of an energetic audience, and how do you change an audience from bored to kickin'?

Its up to the performer to get the crowd involved, energetic. I've seen shows where the band sucked, but had great stage presence and the crowd went wild, and the opposite as well. Great musicians, but that have no clue about how to draw a crowd into the show, have the crowd just sit there.

I would say that a good crowd is simply a crowd that is interested in groovin' to the music and not in going to a concert simply to get stoned or drunk or hit on the girl next to them, or talk to each other during songs. You always get a mixture at every show you go to. But yes, it's the job of the artist or group to get the crowd moving. There are still too many bands out there who get on stage, put on their instruments, and then just look down at the floor the entire show.

I saw Norah Jones at the Beacon Theater a few months ago. I love her, I think she has a great voice, she plays beautiful piano and her band is great. But she has ZERO stage presence. In between songs, she awkwardly said things to the audience like "I don't know what to say right now." It dampened the concert and after a while, I got pretty bored.

My favorite bands are ones that make me laugh and then just play amazing music. If you can create a balance between entertainment and art - and if you look like you're having FUN on stage, then you're my kind of band. A really good band will get the crowd moving.

Sledge, what kind of music do you like? Maybe we can find you some bands that play the RI area that generally draw good audiences.

Come to New Mexico, we dont have much else but i believe we have a really great crowd for concerts. the fans get into it so much, the band loves it, you can tell. On time at a Static X concert, after the band finished their set, they got off stage and we kept going until they came back for an encour, and then another encour and like 2 more after that. They played until the venue closed and they ended up having to cut the power to get Static X off the stage.

So basically, all you need to be a good crowd is to just really be into the music.

I have never been to a concert, But i have been to plenty of Raves...The first Rave I ever went to, over 12,000 thousand people packed this building...I spent the whole night in the Jungle room...I did venture off to the house room to check out Paul Oakenfold for about an Hour or so...2 totally different crowds.

Anyways..there was not 1 fight that night, 12,000 ravers aged probably from 16 to the late 20's and everybody was there for the love of the music and to see there favourite DJ's rip up the decks.

I have even been to raves where it was strictly Jungle all night...Now Jungle is listened to mostly by people that are into Hip Hop also...Not everyone, but the majority of them. When you walk into the Venue it looks like it's a rough crowd...Cause is rammed with pure jungle heads.

If everyone is there just to have a good time..And listen to the music..it will always be a good crowd...it's when you get assholes that have nothing better to do than piss people off that ruin it.

The best shows to me are small clubs with 3 bands on the bill. The people there to see the first band have a good time, then at the set break, usually make room for the fans of the nxt band, and so forth. At plenty of rockabilly shows I see, many people come for the opening bands.

The Metro in Chicago is great because the bar is upstairs in the balcony, meaning people have to get off the main floor to drink for the most part (there are a few waitresses wandering around, but only between sets)

Good crowds are when the girls start floppin titties around and throwing underwear :D

Asta!!

It's enthusiasm, but even that varies within a crowd. I was at a Motorhead show at the House of Blues in west Hollywood, and if you were back by the bars, it was quiet and civil, and what generally would be a lame crowd.

but if you were on the show floor, especially right up front, the crowd was going nuts.

It's all about the energy of a crowd. Sometimes the crawd will only flip out for the first minute of the hit songs, and other times the crowd will just go and go. But it does take a lot of energy. I was deaf and exhaused after that Motorhead show. :D

crowds with women lifting thier shirtz up.

I went to a show in the uk at a rock club called the tivoli. There were about 500 people squeezed in to see Love/Hate who where making a name for themselves around 92/93, and there was a buzz of expectation going around the place for them as it was, then we found out that a group called Thunder who were really big in the uk at the same time were opening the gig as a warm up before the monsters of rock show the following weekend. So we had come to see one really hot group to end up being blown away by two. The atmosphere was the best I have ever experienced and it wasnt the biggest show I have been to by a long way.

booze.


oh, and i guess energy and excitement about the show.

A good crowd knows more songs than just the singles and aren't elitist.

quadro2000 - My philosophy is that, within any genre, 99% of everything is shit, but you have to crawl through it to find the diamonds. (Because diamonds obviously come from shit. Forgive the metaphor.)

Bands I've always enjoyed include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pat Metheny Group, and BT. More recently I've been listening to Lisa Loeb, Ozomatli, Ok Go, and Ben Folds Five. Any recommendations?

A good crowd does what should be expected from them.

If you're at a punk rock show, there should loads of sweaty drunk/drugged people pitfighting. Sing and scream along! It doesn't matter as long as you feel like shit afterwards.

If you're at a Blind Guardian consert or another power metal band, people should headbang and sing along even though most people cant hit the high notes.

If you're at a Yes consert or some other cosy 70ies band, people should shut up and listen, while occationally hugging each other and playing airkeyboard solos on their friends back.

If you're at a rap show, people should wear baggy jeans and hold one hand in the air, moving it slowly but according to the beat while making a 'cool' symbol with their fingers.

If you're at a classical music consert. People should listen, and applaude intensly in the right places.

If you're at a boyband show, the audience should be under 14 and nearly faint from screaming with ultra high pitched voices.

Sledge, i just had say that Ozomatli is awesome.

Typically I have found the best crowds tend to be at smaller concerts, there tends to be more of a brotherhood in the crowd. You know everyone there is there to see the band thats on stage and that "pit honor code" of picking someone up that falls down and stuff like that is more prevelant. Also the lack of the stereotypical frat guy who is just there to hold up his sign that says "show me your tits" is always a plus.

If you like them check out Damien Rice....and you might wanna give Haven a listen too. They are a great band in my opinion. I also really like Dredg but they have a different sound than the rest of those guys.

Asta!!

Yes, I've noticed this as well. At the local punk rock things can get rather rough, and there is no security, but everyone takes care of each other so no one ever gets seriously hurt :)

If the pit's moshing hard but not getting violent, and people who go down get helped up, it's all good from my point of view.

YaWhateva: We had them here for Spring Weekend. God, what a GREAT band! The Wallflowers, who were the main attraction and came after them, kind of sucked in comparison.

Thats great, i wish they would come here.