If youβve 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 itβs a classic case of βlook how rowdy these kids are!β.
But facts are facts; whether itβs Cardi B getting a drink thrown at her, overenthusiastic singers at Billie Eilishβs concerts, or the now-infamous violence at a Manchester production of The Bodyguard this year, itβs 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. βIβve not seen this done before (& Iβm sad itβs come to this) but Iβm hoping it will encourage people to behave,β she shared on the site.
Here are her thoughts:
The post has received some backlash
Some took issue with the print-outβs details β specifically those about not leaving the room during a song and not singing too loudly.
βIf i walked into a show and was handed something that basically says βdonβt 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 thatβ i would just have to immediately turn around,β one responder wrote.
Another said. βtelling people not to sing along at a gig is actually so insane lmfao.β
Some chose to edit the sign by crossing out all sections of advice except the bottom one, advising people to have a good time.
The singer got some positive responses, too
βOh I am so glad this is happening I hate it when Iβve 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 Donβt mind people taking a few photos etc but bloody hell just watch please,β an X user commented under the post.
βWent 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. Youβd think theyβd know better but apparently only their daughter/friend mattered,β said another.
Walker commented under her post saying that the guidelines were tailor-made to her intimate, acoustic, seated gigs.
βThese rules are really specific for my kind of music,β the singer, and original poster of the list, told BBC Hereford and Worcester.
βIβm 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,β she added.
How do you feel about the guidelines?