Or is it just me who seems to be seeing more and more artists fighting with fans on stage in what seems like a cultural shift away from proper concert etiquette? Is it because of my music school days or the Midwest? Perhaps it’s because of the politeness of artists, but there seems to be a growing trend of criticizing artists’ expectations of their audiences.
In fact, some arguments against these expectations are willing to completely dissolve artist boundaries and place the responsibility for determining appropriate behavior at a concert in the hands of those off stage rather than the artists on stage. That’s it. everyone. Can’t you?
Backlash against artists demanding concert etiquette
On October 18, 2024, country star Brett Young had to leave the stage because so many fights broke out in the audience. Chapel Lawn, Charli XCX and Billie Eilish have all come under fire for publicly criticizing a performer who ignored them during a performance. Brass in Pocket frontwoman Chrissie Hynde has come under fire for suggesting that local fans should be prioritized over concertgoers who travel from city to city for tour dates.
Remember when the country music fan community tore Miranda Lambert to shreds? Because she said she didn’t want people to take full-flash selfies in the front row while she sang a song about painful emotional vulnerability. I know, I know. Since time immemorial, people have thrown rotten tomatoes, beer cans, and heckled musicians. However, with that said, things get weird when it comes to live shows.
Blame it on a post-COVID-19 world, the age of streaming and soundbites, the dominance of smartphones, or a dystopian combination of the three, audiences are finding themselves at concerts large and small. It seems that they are no longer able to grasp the role that they play. This may sound a little preachy, but please hear me out. I advocate why I’m on the side of artists and fans.
Recalibrating the way artists think about their work
The relationship between musician and listener must be symbiotic to be worth the time of either party. Without listeners, musicians are playing music to themselves. Without the musicians, the listener would not be able to hear anything. Each party serves a unique purpose in the art consumption cycle. But lately, it seems like fans are asking for more than they’re willing to give.
Before I get hit with a tidal wave of my own backlash, let me be clear: As a fan, I get it. Money is tight, and if you’re going to spend your hard-earned money on live music, there’s a part of you that wants to experience it on your own terms. I also realize that once an artist steps on stage, no matter how big or small, they lose personal and artistic control. They sealed the deal, literally or figuratively. Entertainers must entertain.
But that being said, it’s the listener’s job to listen. Part of the beauty of live music is the active energy that builds between performers and audience. It may sound like the most unpleasant thing ever, but cell phone eyeballs destroy that connection. It takes the magic out of it, whether you feel it at the time or not.
Look, I’m not advocating leaving your phone in your car when you go to your next concert. Nor am I saying all artists who criticize their fans are right (well, Liam Gallagher). But if you take anything from my humble opinion, dear reader, let me say this. In this online age where dehumanized, AI-generated media and albums have been reduced to TikTok soundbites, make it a small act of concert courtesy to show your care and empathy. A rebel who says, “I value and want to support real human art.”
Photo credit: Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
