8 CONCERT PET PEEVES

Live music is back and so are all of these truly awful things about going to concerts. Here are eight pet peeves of mine when attending a concert:

1. The people moving through the crowd looking for a spot up closer and they just stop right in front of you even though there isn’t space for them. Like, just have the tiniest bit of awareness.
2. Being packed like sardines in Kilby Court and you immediately enter and are met with the smell of a thousand dirty youths of varying ages and it’s easily 20 degrees hotter than it is outside. This also can apply to Velour or any small, local venue.
3. The dude who thinks he’s being funny by yelling loudly and cheering during soundcheck. Anyone who tries to get the crowd clapping while the guy sounchecks the bass drum deserves to die or at least be banned from the venue for life. This is also the same guy who yells at the band to play “Free Bird.” This dude sucks.
4. The guy who is way too drunk. This guy is sometimes ironically a huge fan of the artist playing but is definitely being the most disrespectful yelling at the worst times. Occasionally, this is a Woo Girl who gets way too drunk, but you'll notice that most of the time, the people who are the most annoying at concerts are guys. 
5. The guitarist who won’t shut the fuck up with his hands so that they can do a proper soundcheck. This strictly a local band problem since they don’t do soundcheck like this for bigger venues.
6. When the crowd starts to clap and they are immediately off within two or three claps. It’s not that hard to follow along with the beat. Because of this, I almost never clap at concerts. Yeah, I’m that guy.
7. Talking. People, if you get there in time for the opener, show some goddamn respect and not talk over the music. Also, don’t talk over the artist period. I have been to way too many concerts recently where you can just hear the murmur of the crowd during the opener or can barely hear the artist as they bare their soul to the crowd in between songs because people just won’t shut up. It’s really annoying.
8. My least favorite thing though about attending a concert is that certain dude who goes to a concert with his girlfriend, wife, significant other, etc. and goes out of his way to show everyone around him that he does not want to be there. This guy is usually wearing jeans and a black t-shirt. He has a beard and more often than not has the Macklemore haircut. As a friend of mine put it, this guy is the embodiment of toxic masculinity as he remains perfectly still for the entire concert. I get that some people observe and consume live music differently. I am not much of a dancer, but I swear this guy goes out of his way to stand still as if someone will take away his man card if he gives the slightest hint that he is actually enjoying the music. This guy is the WORST.