This Singer Just Told Concert-Goers How To Behave At Gigs. Not Everyone Agrees

Do you agree with her points?
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If you’ve been to a gig in the past year or so (or just know someone who has), chances are you will have heard complaints about the, well, different behaviour of post-lockdown gig-goers.

Perhaps it was all the time spent away from public spaces. Maybe it’s a classic case of β€œlook how rowdy these kids are!”.

But facts are facts; whether it’s Cardi B getting a drink thrown at her, overenthusiastic singers at Billie Eilish’s concerts, or the now-infamous violence at a Manchester production of The Bodyguard this year, it’s fair to say that far too many of us are acting out at gigs.

Recently, Lucy May Walker, a singer from Redditch, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her thoughts on the matter in the leadup to her solo tour. ”I’ve not seen this done before (& I’m sad it’s come to this) but I’m hoping it will encourage people to behave,” she shared on the site.

Here are her thoughts:

After my many interviews with various news outlets about gig etiquette, I’ve decided to print these off for my upcoming solo tour. I’ve not seen this done before (& I’m sad it’s come to this) but I’m hoping it will encourage people to behave. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/3CrEt4PNfV

β€” Lucy May Walker (@Lucymaywalker) September 7, 2023

The post has received some backlash

Some took issue with the print-out’s details ― specifically those about not leaving the room during a song and not singing too loudly.

β€œIf i walked into a show and was handed something that basically says β€˜don’t sing along or enjoy yourself in ur own way and if u faint or get sick u have to actually wait til the end of the song to do that’ i would just have to immediately turn around,” one responder wrote.

Another said. β€œtelling people not to sing along at a gig is actually so insane lmfao.”

Some chose to edit the sign by crossing out all sections of advice except the bottom one, advising people to have a good time.

Fixed it https://t.co/CXH0d0NLmV pic.twitter.com/QiMUf8Q4Op

β€” π–†π–“π–Œπ–Šπ–‘π–†π– (@angelalive11) September 9, 2023

The singer got some positive responses, too

β€œOh I am so glad this is happening I hate it when I’ve paid to see a gig and have to stand behind numerous people watching the gig through their phones - I find it infuriating and puts me off now Don’t mind people taking a few photos etc but bloody hell just watch please,” an X user commented under the post.

β€œWent to a gig last week where the family and friends of the support act talked over the headline at a gig of 150/200 people. You’d think they’d know better but apparently only their daughter/friend mattered,” said another.

Walker commented under her post saying that the guidelines were tailor-made to her intimate, acoustic, seated gigs.

β€œThese rules are really specific for my kind of music,” the singer, and original poster of the list, told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

β€œI’m not talking about all gigs although I still will never understand why someone would buy a ticket to any show and then talk through it, even in an arena,” she added.

How do you feel about the guidelines?

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