What The Game's Been Missing: Show Etiquette



The venue is dark. Hundreds of bodies are pressed against each other in anticipation of the show of a lifetime. You are there with a friend and don't really know what to expect, you just jumped at the chance for front row tickets. The lights go up, the crowd screams. And you give the artist the Vulcan death stare.

OK, so maybe it's not your type of music (perhaps you can't really get jiggy with Travis Porter), but you are still stuck. Let's say you continue to mean mug, cross your arms, and turn your back because you simply cannot stand this sh-t. That's fine, but then you need to leave. Because your actions are a by-product of what the game's been missing not from artists or the industry but from audiences: show etiquette.
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Even though it seems like being apathetic during a show you don't like isn't that harmful, consider how the artist feels, especially if you're in the front row. They will only see your unsmiling, disaffected hoodrat grimace, and that has the potential to mess up the energy of the event. Even fellow audience members hate that type of behavior. Example: I saw Maxwell at the Verizon Center two years ago with my significant other. The show was like that. But the couple next to us was fast asleep while we were busy belting out "Fistful of Tears," and I was furious. And baffled. How dare they?! It's Maxwell!!! Now, I know that's just something I had to get over, but the bottom line is that how you act when you go to see an act perform matters.

Show etiquette goes hand in hand with "audience development," which is a fancy term for how audiences are socialized to engage with artwork. For example: when I go to the Magic Johnson Theatre for the newest Tyler Perry movie, I know that I can probably definitely get away with sneaking in some food and having a full dialogue with the screen. I also know that if try to do the same at a showing of Madame Butterfly I'll be promptly escorted out of the establishment.

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So how should you know how to act when you go to a show? Here are a few tips on how to keep it tight the next time you hit up a concert/musical/stageplay:

  • Style for the occasion

    Your outfit has the potential to make an event significantly crappy for yourself and other concert-goers. Do not wear high heels if you are going to be at a place without available seating then proceed to complain about your swollen feet hurting instead of enjoying the show. Do not wear an oversized headwrap if it blocks the view of other people. It's not a fashion show, and you're not made of glass.  Just make sure you're comfortable and dressed appropriately for the event type and you should be straight and not piss everyone around you off. Speaking of which, please -- PLEASE -- wash that azz and wear freshly washed clothes, clean underwear, and deodorant because no one -- NO ONE -- wants to smell your crusty, musty behind in such close quarters.

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  • Shut the f--k up (or don't)

    It's important to pick up on context clues. Is the artist encouraging raucous crowd participation, or is everyone trying to fall back and receive the music as it washes over them? This can be tricky, because sometimes the audience isn't necessarily doing what the artist wants. To be on the safe side, "fake it until you make it" and mirror the actions of those around you. Unless they are just beset by the wackness, then just rock out. However, it should be noted to keep your loud conversations to a minimum when an artist performs. That's just rude behavior toward them and everyone around you. Remember: no one paid to hear you talk all night.

  • Do your research

    Know what types of things you can and cannot bring into a venue. I got popped one time for bringing recording equipment into the Black Cat in DC. It was only because I had interviewed the artist prior to the show, but a lot of people try to illegally tape during live shows (which you may not be able to do for much longer, since Apple has already patented a way to prevent it on iPhones). Some places have rules against cameras and recording, so notify them beforehand or you'll have to leave your expensive toys with Debo at the front door. Also, some artists don't take too kindly to being recorded, so save yourself the embarrassment of being called out by Ledisi. You may want to also scope out parking (it could cost extra and/or be hard to find), and plan your night out accordingly. CP Time is real, but be cognizant of the start and intermission times that way you have an idea of how much time you are working with and not climbing over people, stepping on their good shoes, and spilling your Dr. Pepper on their dry-clean-only outfits just to get to your seat in the middle of the row.

What it all boils down to is consideration, consideration, consideration, for yourself and for your fellow audience members and, ultimately, for the artist. Manners matter, y'all! Please share your own show etiquette tips and pet peeves, Bouncers. Each one teach one! 

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*Shout out to Vivrant Thang for inspiring this post

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