Chatty audience

merlin · September 2022

stickyfiddle said:

@merlin that's excellent

axisus said:

You are my hero!!!!!!!!!!

TheOtherDennis said:

I have to say @Merlin's approach was genius, though.

I was very lucky. We were playing an instrumental version of a very sacred Jewish prayer, Eli Ato, which is usually sung at the end of Passover. Luckily, no-one was offended.

warhead · September 2022

It depends on circumstance....I mean, it IS rude if audience members just talk loudly while someone's playing. And it is weird that someone might have the urge to do it on a "proper" gig.
But if it is a pub gig, with bands playing covers. It might be expected in a way, dunno? I mean, people are going to those kind of places to have fun, not because the band playing is some kind of a highly sophisticated art.

chickenbonejohn · September 2022

Playing in a noisy venue can be problematic, sometimes you just have to put up with it and accept that it comes with the territory, especially if you are simply paid to perform at a venue as "the entertainment". I've done everything from noisy biker rallies to intimate groovy loft clubs, and truth be told you may find that you've been booked just as aural wallpaper for people to drink along to, whether it's with a full electric 5 piece blues rock outfit or a mellow jazz combo. You have to weigh up what's needed and deliver in the most appropriate manner. You also need to have the attitude that you simply can't play "at" the audience, you have to play "for" them, even if that means it's just a background for their conversations, you need to wind your ego and neck in and tailor it to the situation. If you really want to get the audience to quieten down and pay attention, then dropping the volume and going for a more intimate approach is always a good move, but not everyone can do it successfully. I've seen some performers who are really good at this, and it is a technique that needs to be worked on and properly thought out in order to get it to work.

Lewy · September 2022

You can't demand "pin drop" moments of any live audience, you have to earn them through communication and engagement. and by being the most interesting thing happening at that moment. Humility and humour go a long way, and you start building from the outset, not just when you want them to shut up and listen.

And sometimes nothing works in which case you pick out whoever in the audience is engaged and you play to them, and you play the numbers you know you can deliver in a noisier setting.

PolarityMan · September 2022

This sounds like you might need a bigger amp.

lustycourtier · September 2022

merlin said:

I was doing a trio gig with a bassist and a pianist once. Someone answered their phone and said loudly and very audibly "I can't talk now I'm at a gig".

I immediately turned the words of the tune we were playing and sang

"he can't talk now he's at a fucking gig,
he's at a fucking gig,
he's at a fucking gig,
he can't talk now he's at a fucking gig,
and he can shove his fucking phone up his arse".

Audience went ballistic, guy bought me a pint, I got more hugs and hand-shakes off audience members after that gig than ever before or since.

Swearing on stage is a massive no no.

Snags · September 2022

lustycourtier said:

merlin said:

I was doing a trio gig with a bassist and a pianist once. Someone answered their phone and said loudly and very audibly "I can't talk now I'm at a gig".

I immediately turned the words of the tune we were playing and sang

"he can't talk now he's at a fucking gig,
he's at a fucking gig,
he's at a fucking gig,
he can't talk now he's at a fucking gig,
and he can shove his fucking phone up his arse".

Audience went ballistic, guy bought me a pint, I got more hugs and hand-shakes off audience members after that gig than ever before or since.

Swearing on stage is a massive no no.

So are blanket statements ... damn. But even so.

Very much depends on the gig and the audience.

chrisj1602 · September 2022

lustycourtier said:

merlin said:

I was doing a trio gig with a bassist and a pianist once. Someone answered their phone and said loudly and very audibly "I can't talk now I'm at a gig".

I immediately turned the words of the tune we were playing and sang

"he can't talk now he's at a fucking gig,
he's at a fucking gig,
he's at a fucking gig,
he can't talk now he's at a fucking gig,
and he can shove his fucking phone up his arse".

Audience went ballistic, guy bought me a pint, I got more hugs and hand-shakes off audience members after that gig than ever before or since.

Swearing on stage is a massive no no.

Unless…

fretmeister · September 2022

lustycourtier said:

merlin said:

I was doing a trio gig with a bassist and a pianist once. Someone answered their phone and said loudly and very audibly "I can't talk now I'm at a gig".

I immediately turned the words of the tune we were playing and sang

"he can't talk now he's at a fucking gig,
he's at a fucking gig,
he's at a fucking gig,
he can't talk now he's at a fucking gig,
and he can shove his fucking phone up his arse".

Audience went ballistic, guy bought me a pint, I got more hugs and hand-shakes off audience members after that gig than ever before or since.

Swearing on stage is a massive no no.

I think that depends on the gig, and the individual audience make up.

mrkb · September 2022

lustycourtier said:

merlin said:

I was doing a trio gig with a bassist and a pianist once. Someone answered their phone and said loudly and very audibly "I can't talk now I'm at a gig".

I immediately turned the words of the tune we were playing and sang

"he can't talk now he's at a fucking gig,
he's at a fucking gig,
he's at a fucking gig,
he can't talk now he's at a fucking gig,
and he can shove his fucking phone up his arse".

Audience went ballistic, guy bought me a pint, I got more hugs and hand-shakes off audience members after that gig than ever before or since.

Swearing on stage is a massive no no.

Agreed - Dave Grohl didnt get where he is today by swearing onstage.....

45 seconds onward....

TheBigDipper · September 2022

mrkb said:

lustycourtier said:

merlin said:

I was doing a trio gig with a bassist and a pianist once. Someone answered their phone and said loudly and very audibly "I can't talk now I'm at a gig".

I immediately turned the words of the tune we were playing and sang

"he can't talk now he's at a fucking gig,
he's at a fucking gig,
he's at a fucking gig,
he can't talk now he's at a fucking gig,
and he can shove his fucking phone up his arse".

Audience went ballistic, guy bought me a pint, I got more hugs and hand-shakes off audience members after that gig than ever before or since.

Swearing on stage is a massive no no.

Agreed - Dave Grohl didnt get where he is today by swearing onstage.....

45 seconds onward....

True. It was DESPITE swearing onstage. (I don't like to hear it, myself, nor do it when I'm up there - although I do swear more than I should in real life).

Grangousier · September 2022

I think that depends on the gig, and the individual audience make up.

If the audience are all wearing individual make up, you're at a Juggalos convention and your problems have only just started.

khaotic · September 2022

Not quite the same, but I saw Al Murray last weekend, and he had a problem with some nob who insisted (after an earlier warning) on filming the show. AM responded by very subtly influencing the punter to put his camera away. I think his interaction was something along the lines of "You've been asked not to fucking film, I'm up her trying to put on a fucking show and you're shining a blinding light at me... either put it away or you'll be thrown out, for fuck's sake. Fucking wanker!". There were probably a couple more expletives involved.

4on6 · September 2022

Haven’t been for a while but Ronnies and the Vortex (2 jazz clubs in London) used to have a pretty strict no talking during the performance rule (which I was always pleased about cos I was there purely to listen most of the time) also I used to work at the Barbican Centre where it was considered part of my duty to ask people to be quiet at classical concerts if necessary and the vast majority of the audience understood …. but I wouldn’t expect the ignorant riff raff to be quiet down at the local Dog and Duck after 15 pints and a bit of nose candy…that’s why I play obnoxiously loud in those places to drown them out.

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