Where You Stand at a Concert Says Something About You
The latest bit of music-related psychoanalysis comes from Pitchfork, which claims that where you stand at a gig says something about your personality.
I tend to be a back-of-the-room guy, but not because I want to “cultivate an image of indifference toward the things that you like, including the live music that [I] just paid to see.” I prefer the sight lines and the audio from the back of the venue–and I don’t like getting jostled, shoved, soaked and otherwise physically abused in the crowd at the front of the stage. Been there, done that.
And if possible, I will watch a show from a balcony. If you’re familiar with The Mod Club in Toronto, they have a great balcony for watching shows. This does not mean I call shows “concerts,” as Pitchfork claims of balcony dwellers.
Other spots singled out in the article:
- Directly behind the people directly in front of the stage
- In the middle of the room
- By the bar
- Along the outer wall
Take a look and see if you agree with the assessments.
I’m also a back-of-the-room-because-I-don’t-want-to-be-assaulted guy, but it’s also because I get claustrophobic easily and a nearby escape-route is key. I also find that being in the thick of the crowd, you get stuck with people that socialize the entire concert, or are really doing anything other than enjoying the music. You’re also stuck with the drunkest people there.
Amen.
They forgot “Start at the back of the crowd and push your way to the front in total disregard for everyone who staked out their space already, and then proceed to slam dance into others”.
They’re usually 22-year-old drunk guys who call everyone “Bro” and what is says about them is that they’re complete assholes.
Amusing. However, my position in the room isn’t based on my personality, it’s based on where it sounds best (which, not surprisingly, is usually right beside the FOH). Although, I guess that says something about my personality, doesn’t it?