I know I'm getting older, but I'm finding it harder and harder to gather the motivation to deal with crowds at shows. It's gotten to the point where I hesitate going to shows that get 'critics choice' because I don't want to deal with a total clusterfuck. Then again, if you want to see your favorite bands, sometimes you have to fight the crowds. Anyway, how do others here deal with crowds? No problem at all? Do you fight your way up to the front? Do you deal with standing further back? Do you avoid shows that you know will be jam packed?

It all depends on my mood. My tolerance for crowded shows has gone up a bit since smoking bans have taken place in Minneapolis and St. Paul (I can tolerate a smoky show, and I can tolerate a crowded show, but the two together seem a bit much for me). I don't opt out of as much stuff as I did the previous couple year, though - if there's a good show coming to town, I want to see it, regardless of the crowd.

anarchyinthebronx wrote:

I've tried the plastic bubble at shows -- it never works... people always popping it with their studded belts...

If you are talking about the mega-stadium show.
Then yes.

These days the bands i go to see play at much smaller venues.
So even if the show is sold out and i'm packed in like a sardine i tend not to mind. Getting a drink is a chore. At least i'm not looking at a humongous screen of the rock und role.

I guess this is a crowds in general question.
Crowds suck.

Oh Jesus, don't even get me started about staduim shows.

You're right. Getting a drink is a chore and then pissing it out is almost as much of an inconvenience. I've tested the limits of my bladder before, guarding a spot up front near the stage.

I'm tired of all the selfishness, of frat-dudes starting mosh pits, of burning cigarettes getting waved near my face. I hate those hipsters in vintage clothes with sharp elbows. They want a space to dance around in and they're not afraid to injure you to get it. And the tall, big people, who force their way in front of me as soon as the band starts so I can stare at the back of their head. Cheaters.

Sorry to whine, but all the selfishness just seems against the spirit of music.

Pretty much the only way I can deal with it is to just drink tons of alcohol.

oh I got this one..
Only attend conformists shows.
The eight people that come are very polite and nice and considerate.
you will have plenty of room.
Problem solved

i like crowds.

gives me a chance to grab some man-ass and get away with it.

buzzsaw wrote:oh I got this one..
Only attend conformists shows.
The eight people that come are very polite and nice and considerate.
you will have plenty of room.
Problem solved

Didn't The Conformists break up? If they reunited, sounds like they might get critic's choice! I won't go... too crowded.