[thompson girl]

Personally, I feel really stupid when I'm at a concert and I'm not singing along while everyone else is. You really feel like you're an outsider and missing out on something.

So essentially what you're saying here is that insecurity might prompt one to sing aloud? See, that reinforces part of my point:

Singing along is sometimes demonstrative rather than interactive.

You know, you're probably right. Its most likely the "I'm a bigger fan than you because I know all the words to every song and can sing it louder than you" mentality that seems to occur at live shows.

And just so you know....that's definitely not me!

[smg333]

this may be slightly off topic but,the last show i saw(wayyyyy back in 99) everyone behind me was pissed off because i was standing up. i thought they were nuts to sit at a hip show, i mean it's not shakespeare.is there some sort of rule or proper etiquite? i mean i will think twice about how loud i sing out of key next time, but what about standing up? cratch:

[gratts99]

I have never been too a concert where the crowd has drown out gord, and nor do i want to be at one. I totally agree that singing at a concert is fine, screaming at somones hear...not fine, but i do think outdoor general admission is part of the problem. I for one am too old to get water bottles in the head anymore..

[Summiteer]

, there is one moment that stands out more than any other in my mind. It was 1996 for the Henhouse tour, in Saskatoon. The crowd was really excited and showing it for the whole concert, then when Scared started, the place got real quiet and the crowd started to clap along with the beat. Pretty soon absolutely everyone was clapping. Then, when Gord started to sing, so did the audience, and eveyone kept it up for the whole song. It was one of those electric moments that sent chills through my whole body and I had tears welling up in my eyes. It was the fact that everybody was completely sharing the same vibe and collectely getting off on the Hip. I've had plenty of great memories since, but that one will remain firmly cemented as the best to date.

I remember that like it was 15mins ago, that was awesome hock: :thumb: :thumb:

[eatmecompletely]

First off, my apologies to Lance & Hipase for my role in muddling up the Fort York review thread with this crap.

But why am I not surprised that the voicing of an objection would be systematically picked apart and distorted on an online forum?

Most of us sing at a concert. And most of us typically don't mind that such a thing occurs.

But then again, most concertgoers sing quietly enough so as to not be audible over the amplifiers, and do so out of respect for others, out of self-consciousness, and MOSTLY, one would hope, so as to hear the actual performance.

Am I right?

And, most every show, there is a moment or two where the audience autonomously sings in unison, either to an "anthem" of sorts, or at the invitation of the artist. I don't think too many of us mind this type of droning sing-along, either.

Correct?

But some people find it acceptable to sing loudly and obnoxiously along with whatever they deem as a "favorite" or "gem", effectively ruining songs that I want to hear THE ARTIST perform, songs where the artist isn't imploring us to "help" or "join in".

THAT bothers me, and I'm betting it bothers others, too.

And it surprises the hell out of me that "Steve" and I are the only ones who would want to hear GORD, not half of Ontario, sing when TTH blow the dust off "38 Years Old".

But hey -- whaddya gunna do?

What do you have against Ontario

Stubborn American

This guy needs some good old US Manufactured Prozac in my opinion

DUDE YOU TAKE CONCERT WAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY TO SERIOUSLY ITS JUST GOOD OLD ENTERTAINMENT DONT BE A MUSIC NAZI!!!!!!

[gentoo]

this may be slightly off topic but,the last show i saw(wayyyyy back in 99) everyone behind me was pissed off because i was standing up. i thought they were nuts to sit at a hip show, i mean it's not shakespeare.is there some sort of rule or proper etiquite? i mean i will think twice about how loud i sing out of key next time, but what about standing up? cratch:

Yikes, don't start the standing/sitting debate. That was a huge topic recently on another forum I'm on and it got very nasty. Don't need to go through that again!

As for the singing, yes, I admit it, I'm a singer. Its part of the whole live concert experience as far as I'm concerned. But if I'm next to a taper I'll just sing to myself or I'll move away, like I did on Friday night when I didn't want to mess up bigA's recording.

Many years ago, the first time I ever saw the Stones, there was a guy sitting behind me from Amsterdam. He sung every word of Honky Tonk Women at the top of his lungs with his very strong Dutch accent. It was hysterical and something I certainly will never forget.

[Detrious]

I think when it comes to people thinking they can sing, all you have to do it watch an episode of either the UK or Amercan Idol early round shows where the public come off the street thinking that thay are Perry Como...

I am glad to have friends that will tell me that my singing sucks, sadly most of these tone deaf instruments of aural torture don't.

I sing, but at a reasonable volume.

To give an example of idiots at concerts, Elbow used the crowd during a Glastonbury show for their song 'Grace under pressure' and had them singing along. Sadly they had some numpty screeching during it, which spoils it slightly for me..

[skippy the wonder dog]

... Then, when Gord started to sing, so did the audience, and eveyone kept it up for the whole song. It was one of those electric moments that sent chills through my whole body and I had tears welling up in my eyes. It was the fact that everybody was completely sharing the same vibe and collectely getting off on the Hip.

And that's what makes live music good: interaction.

Let's go all John Cage on Esthete's ass and say that "the band" is not just five guys up front playing, but also several thousand yelling, cheering, whooping, discussing the weather, and asking the girl in front what she's doing after the show. All that noise is the performance. It's just like a great big jam session. When it all comes together, it's magic.

And just like any jam session can be, and likely will be, ruined by the wanker with no ears who's only interested in showing off all his cool licks, that great big jam session sometimes gets ruined by wankers who aren't interested in being a part of the show, but want to make themselves into the show by getting everyone to look at them.

Look at me! they shout. I just discovered something that makes me really cool! I call it "beer!"

[The Horrible Esthete]

DUDE YOU TAKE CONCERT WAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY TO SERIOUSLY ITS JUST GOOD OLD ENTERTAINMENT DONT BE A MUSIC NAZI!!!!!!

So explain to me how I'm a "Music Nazi" when I purchase a ticket to be "entertained", and your rendition of "Dying Mule Sings The Hip" prevents me from being "entertained"?

See, there used to be a day where if you were the one doing the "Dying Mule" bit, you stood a very good chance of getting decked, so people would do a decent job of keeping themselves in check. And if you didn't, somebody would actually deck you, and people wouldn't be forced to tolerate Mr. Dying Mule.

Ah....the good ole days.....

[eatmecompletely]

HAHAHAHA

Hopefully no one will be coming out swinging at the next show

Maybe the hip should supply earphones linked up to the soundboard for those hardcores that are there just for the music

But what is better than having a sing along with all your friends and people that have all been touched one way or another by the same band perfoming. Not too many bands are powerful enough to reach 5000 people at a concert to sing. There is something magical, cool and unreal when 5000 people are all singing along with a performer. I also think Gord gets more pumped with interaction from the crowd

I remember how i got into the hip, sitting around a camp fire and everyone singing along to these lovely songs about the landscape that surrounded us. There is nothing better than singing 3 pistols on Canoe lake while passing the Tom Thompson memorial or everyone siging along to wheat kings

I dont see anything wrong with everyone being touched by the song soo much that they cant control themselves and start singing

Sorry you dont feel the same way, maybe you should wait for a copy of DVD from the show so you can analyse Gord's voice

just a reco

[The Horrible Esthete]

And that's what makes live music good: interaction.

Well, I'll agree that a certain type of interaction can help improve live music.

Let's be real here: Billy's Saskatoon anecdote is something completely different than your London anecdote. I'd be the first to admit that what Billy experienced is something magical. What you experienced is something miserable.

I'll always remember a Phish show I saw in the mid 90's, and being the casual fan I am, I fail to recollect the tune ("Bouncing Around the Room", perhaps?), but it featured the entire crowd literally bouncing up and down during a jam, and then the band started lightening up the groove, easing off the tempo, and lowering the actual volume of their instruments, until they arrived at complete silence.... and the once rambunctious crowd went perfectly still, serene and eerily hushed.....until the band started slowly playing again, turning the volume back up at a steady rate, until the crowd was in hysterical chaos. It was an incredible experience.

Again, it all goes back whether your right to enjoy a show enfringes on another's. Some aspects of the concert atmosphere are wonderful, some are distracting but tolerable, and others are completely disruptive.

The only thing "magical" that can come from a run-of-the-mill rendition of Pigeon Camera is listening to Mr. Downie masterfully impart the vocal melody as Baker delivers a smooth, clean lead. The dude in the Red Wings jersey beside me booming out "OOOOOOhhhverrrr theyyyrrrre thaaat's myyy roooom!!!" does nothing but detract from the experience.

Perhaps I'm an idealist, but why can't we keep the "magical" and eliminate the "miserable"?

[eatmecompletely]

But what about his experience and the experience of the other 20 000 concert goers that are enlightened by singing

That brings up the debate should 20 000 people have to stand and behave in a proper manner so this guy can enjoy a concert

Maybe you should get into musicals or opera, they do not tolerate the behavor that angers you

Once again this is a rock concert if you dont like it dont go

That is like complaining about smelling pot at a show

[Chris Tanz]

"keep it at a level that is barely audible to yourself."

right. at an outdoor rock concert. with a beer tent.

I think a better rule of thumb is "don't scream in people's ears. otherwise, enjoy yourself."

ct

[eatmecompletely]

That is true, but the key think is to make sure you have fun and you are being respectful to everyone around you.

I have seen people doing everything at shows from Nitrice ballons to fucking and as long as they arent fucking on my than I am cool with it!

To be honset the worst concerts I have seen where in theatres with strict rules it is hard to let loose with a security gaurd shining their flashlight on you all concert and people telling you sit down when you are just trying to grove to some tunes - that is far worse than someone singing in your ear

[Billy]

Let's be real here: Billy's Saskatoon anecdote is something completely different than your London anecdote. I'd be the first to admit that what Billy experienced is something magical. What you experienced is something miserable.

You're wrong, the two incidences are the exact same thing, the only difference is who the experience is reletive to. I'm sure there were people at Sask Place that night who probably thought the same as you and Steve, just as I know there were people who experienced the same thing I did for 38 Years Old a week ago.