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I’ve just been sent another setlist to put up, this time from Spartanburg, and find myself disheartened with the footnote to Fields of Gray – “Interrupted”.
Sure enough, another e-mail indicates that this was due to the obnoxious chuntering of someone in the audience.
I can tolerate dancers. A cell phone is forgetfulness at best. But yapping through a concert performance is nothing short of inconsiderate, and completely ignorant of those around. Why would you do it? Is it time to put out the same warning that movie-goers now hear, because of the moronic few? Or does that not happen so much now? (Did people realise they don’t have to get drunk to watch a movie? If only the concert followers would follow suit).
I had the painful experience in Oyster Bay this August of seeing Bruce walk off stage, mid-song. Loud, obnoxious guffawing from a few idiots spread around the crowd did nothing for a ballad, and in Bruce’s shoes, I’d probably have done the same. Only I probably wouldn’t have returned.
In a band scenario, that’s bad enough. But Spartanburg wasn’t even the first time that Bruce was been “interrupted” in a solo setting.
What on earth has happened to people’s manners??
Steve Kimock once famously tore a strip off his audience. Good for him. Keith Jarrett has been known to walk off for as little as a sneeze.
For crying out loud, if you’ve paid the money for a ticket, make the most of your time, and let all the others do the same.
Or otherwise, don’t let yourself get caught in a seat near me!
And the considerate majority – who far outnumber the socially inept – either point the attendants toward them, or otherwise tell them to SHUT UP!!!
Rant over… 😯
Interruptions
Unfortunately, a few representatives of the Moronic Minority sometimes find their way into a Bruce show, as was apparently the case in Oyster Bay, Biltmo’, and Spottin’Bug.
I suppose some people must become confused by the manner in which Bruce mixes it up between fast and slow songs, but … surely not. No, they’re just morons. You’re right, Si. Carry on.
I love those crescendos and diminuendos in a show. If I were sitting next to one of these jokers, I’d go ahead and punch the guy out, if I didn’t think it would cause even more of a disturbance.
Vic
How right you are Si. People spend good money to go to a show and enjoy themselves. I was at a blue festival sitting in the front row and the people behind me would not shut up until Susan Tedeschi said something to them. Also it never fails that a radio station gives away tickets to people who do not even know who is on stage and could talk through an entire show. I have had to leave my seat and go find another area to stand or find a seat to get away from these people. well there is my rant.
Indeed…
so, it was the auditorium personnel that were talking?!? or did they not intervene and ask the talkers to shush?
rant…et…al
I was once at a Bruce show, where he opened for Chris Isacc. At the time Bruce was a Baldwin Artist. I was employed at the time by Baldwin, and we had a rather large group there. The venue was a local tennis stadium. The seats were rather more like bleachers. I looked to my neighbor and he was noticably upset. I asked why. He responded that the guy behind him would not shut up. I was into the show and hadn’t noticed. Now that my attention was drawn to it, it now disturbed me. My neighbor is a good friend of mine, and very quiet and easy going…so am I. But, this guy would not let up. Ok, I’ve had enough. I turned to him and asked, politely, if he would give it a rest. His reply was “I’m not into this show”. He was waiting for Chris. My reply was “well maybe you should wait out side…I can help you if need it”. You know what I’m implying. He shut up.
I may have failed to mention I am a rather large individual.
Any way.
Si, I was at the O’bay concert and did my RANT on the Oyster bay topic . Not just the audience but MS. Joel also 😈
To recap I was quite disgusted with the whole night – waiting a year to the day for Bruce’s return engagement. I actually thought that “a friend of the arts” venue would be more conducive for a great concert but it was not be, pray tell.
Not to applaud us here but maybe we (the hardcore fans) are of a different breed. I think we have different expectations of the live concert and that’s one of the things that draws us to Bruce. BUT as Bruce says in A Night on the Town at the end of the concert – “we attract a diverse crowd”. Unfortunately those few ruin it for everyone else.
I also think Bruce has a different expectation of the people in the audience – why else would we be there unless to HEAR HIM perform? He expects more from us.
Unfortunately the behavior we encountered is becoming more the norm for any concert – Rap, Hip HOP, Heavy Metal, Rock, …Cher 😆
It’s not about the music for them it’s just a spectacle, an event, and they believe they are entitled to act anyway they want as they paid their money.Well – I’m the eternal optimist and I’m going to give it another chance 10 days till I see Bruce again 11/10/o6. Ironically performing at The New York Society for Ethical Culture Town Hall. Let’s hope for the best!
Talking during fields of gray
It was not two auditorium workers talking during the performance. It was two contributors to this site that were out of their seats and standing in front of the stage chatting it up. I was there, I know who they are, and I know their names. And I would have thought that they knew better. I dont get to see Bruce much, and their talking by the stage which led to Bruce shooting off his piano stool almost ruined my show.
Re: Talking during fields of gray
tenacjed wrote:It was not two auditorium workers talking during the performance. It was two contributors to this site that were out of their seats and standing in front of the stage chatting it up. I was there, I know who they are, and I know their names.Oooohhhhh …. the plot thickens! Anybody want to ‘fess up?
Yes, I was one of Those People standing up at the stage, but I was not “chatting it up”. I was up there to listen and groove to the solos.
You know, at my workplace, I am currently going through this same problem of one or two individuals making a mistake, and having a grumbling horde verbally attack en masse. The difference between the horde on the “FoG:I” forum and the horde that I work with is – – – I teach second grade students, and we call it tattling!!!!!
Grumbling hordes tend to take on a ‘holier than thou’ attitude. I guarantee that every one of you has “chatted it up” at a concert. I believe I remember reading somewhere “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”.
The Other Individual involved and I met up with Bruce at the hotel after the concert. We apologized and “chatted it up” with Bruce about what had happened. He has forgiven us, and we all parted best of friends. I hope that, when everyone here has finished venting their spleens about this whole affair, I can still say that I am the best of friends with them, too.
Just to clarify, this wasn’t an attack on anyone personally, since I didn’t know who was involved, and I wasn’t referring to any one incident. It’s a growing trend, and, I think, a worrying one.
No offence to anyone intended, just a plea for consideration.
Miss Virginia Former wrote:The Other Individual involved and I met up with Bruce at the hotel after the concert. We apologized and “chatted it up” with Bruce about what had happened. He has forgiven us, and we all parted best of friends. I hope that, when everyone here has finished venting their spleens about this whole affair, I can still say that I am the best of friends with them, too.That doesn’t change the fact that you created a distraction for other audience members that weren’t fortunate enough to meet up with Bruce after the concert.
I’m going to my first Bruce concert next week in NYC (birthday present), and I’m so not in the mood for people wrecking the show for others.
Can we hold back from any personal comments on this board, please… the original post was not in reference to any one person – or couple – and I’m going to assume that nor are the comments that followed. I was reflecting on people talking in general, which I still maintain is distracting Bruce and the audience.
If I wasn’t clear enough on that in the original post, then I’ll either amend it, or delete this topic, on request.
Otherwise, disagree by all means, but no attacks please!
Sorry, Si. I have a real problem with audience members that act like they’re somehow entitled to “become part of the show” without being mindful of not intruding on someone else’s enjoyment of the show (whether it’s through singing along at the top of their lungs, distracting the performer, or whatever). I get so frustrated with the rudeness on display to the point where I really don’t go to many concerts anymore. Next week’s Bruce concert is a rare exception, and if someone insists on wrecking it for others, my box set is Intersecting with their face… 👿
Man enough to “fess up”!
Have you ever heard the saying that you hurt the ones you love most?
I’m sorry that it has taken me so long to respond and please believe that I would have responded earlier if I could. It does bother me to see all the rumors, accusations and finger pointing that has taken place. Things aren’t always as they appear.
I do appreciate the fact that Miss Virginia Former has tried to place some of the blame on her, but the truth is, I am fully responsible for what happened at Spartanburg and Miss Virginia Former is fully exonerated. The buck stops right here!
We were to the far left of the stage away from the front row not even blocking anyone’s view. Everyone was yelling, screaming and clapping for an encore. When Bruce started playing, I turned to Miss Virginia Former and started talking. Being away from the crowd, I had no idea anyone could hear me. I thought I was making a conscience effort to make sure no one could hear. There was no yelling, screaming, loud talking or heckling at all. I turned to Miss Virginia Former and made a comment and I was shocked when I realized Bruce was distracted because of me. 😯
After the concert, it was just a coincidence that we ran into Bruce. When I saw Bruce I made a beeline to him to apologize. He was sort of surprised at first and didn’t believe it was me that interrupted him. Why would anyone admit they had done such a thing? I told him sadly enough that it was me, told him how bad I felt about it and offered another apology.
What I did was an honest mistake. You can bet it will never happen again. Don’t get me wrong, I not trying to discount it or sugar coat it in any way. In fact it was a stupid mistake. I feel so very, very bad about what happened. Right now, I’m having a hard time living with myself because of it. 😥
I would never, ever do anything intentional to hurt Bruce. I would never, ever do anything intentional to hurt you guys. I asked Bruce to forgive me and he said, “I forgive you.” I now ask you to do the same.
You seem to hurt the ones you love the most.
David Day
Lake Lanier, GAWOW I’m impressed Miss Virginia and David. Not often do I find many anywhere taking that step and accepting blame. You’ve restored my faith. I doubt that anyone causing THE “disturbance” at Oyster Bay would admit to doing anything wrong.
But I agree with SI – we’re not trying to crucify anyone here just commenting and venting on a trend that we are seeing. I hope that I don’t see it in NYC next week!
… While we are coming clean here I’m embarrassed to say my wife caused a “minor” localized situation at Oyster bay. At one point she and her girlfriend were talking about something during a song and I kept giving them dirty looks to no avail. Well I guess it got distracting to the person in front of them because he very nicely turned around and said he would ask Bruce to play more softly if it was interfering with their conversation!!! YES!!! Well from that point on my wife and girlfriend kept quiet and enjoyed the show!!
Then I read her the riot act on Bruce Hornsby Concert etiquette as we were waiting to exit the planting fields!David and Miss Virginia,
I was at the “Spottin’ Bug” show and I was also upset that Bruce stopped Fields of Gray ( I always forget, it it “gray” or “grey”). I forgive you also and admit that I am not without fault. I made a couple of comments to people around me during the concert. I realize now that Bruce could have stopped playing because of me. Double :oops:!
I also had to restrain myself from singing along during the show. I am sure that people around me would have preferred to listen to Buce sing and not me. I reserved my singing for myself in the car.
I guess that we now know how good the acoustics at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium really are.
Larry
Intersections & Interruptions
I’ll be selling the official David-Day-brand cease-and-desist order and the Miss Virginia Muzzle at the next Bruce event. 😈
Seriously, guys, I hope you know I don’t think you’re the types of characters we were talking about earlier. You’re just plain characters. This was obviously an unintentional happenstance.
And — dare I say it? — it seems Bruce can be a bit thin-skinned about these things at times.
WOW!!! This is so very cool!!! Conflict AND Resolution…WOW!!!
Ms. VA-Fmr and DD — impressive and well-done.
Lola
From the looks of the front page of bruuuce.com, people *still* aren’t getting it. 👿 👿 👿
I can’t hear the clip in the office. What happened in Richmond?
Disruption
According to the guy who did the taping, “some jackass yelled ‘Not Fade Away,’ and Bruce left the stage.” There were a bunch of shouted requests after Bruce was already commited to “Shenandoah,” and this guy was apparently the final straw.
And I didn’t even know David Day had made the trip to Richmond.
uugggggghhhhhhh!!!!
Well Si now you went and did it – I had to sit through that song at Oyster Bay embarrassed in front of my friends and I HAD convinced myself that it wasn’t really all that bad.
WELL IT SOUNDS A WHOLE LOT WORSE than when I was there. I can’t believe that people acted that way. They really ruined a great segue of songs and a great rendition of them.
I know I am beating on this topic and THIS concert – but what in god’s name are people going to concerts for if not to listen.
As I am going to the concert on Friday I would like to steal from the title of a conservative book and advise people to SHUT UP AND LISTEN! – I know I will.
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