SOAD & What Not To Do At Gigs

I thought I'd use this post as part feature about the Deftones and System of a Down gig we went to on Tuesday night and part rant about what you shouldn't do at gigs just as a general humorous rant.

But first lets start with the gig from Tuesday night. It was held at the DTE Energy Music Theatre which is a part covered amphitheater with seating going upwards finished off by a load of lawns surrounding. Even though we were pretty far back we still had an amazing view and the venue has live filming broadcasting on screens either side of the stage. Extreme traffic back up meant we arrived part way though the Deftones supporting set but from what we did hear they were certainly on form.

But System of a Down really nailed it, they appeared from behind their white curtain, playing loud and hard and did so for a full hour and thirty minutes. Predominately playing their big hits from Hypnotise and Toxicity and a few of their older songs thrown in for good matter. Ariel's, Lonely Day, Old School Hollywood and BOYB certainly got the biggest cheers with Cigaro even starting as a somewhat ballad was hilarious. Watching them sing they are so animated - just as you imagine and they sounded fantastic.

There are some things as a person who loves to attend gigs I've noticed. I don't mean to be cynical and ranting but there are things I wish people didn't do. You're there for the music and if you're full attention isn't on that, then you're missing out.

Driving - if you're driving to a gig in a venue that's in the middle of nowhere be prepared for the traffic to be insane. It took us 45 mins to go a mile once the traffic built up before the turn off on the interstate. If you don't want to piss off you're fellow gig goers don't think it's cool pushing you're car in before theirs and especially don't do it in front of our car - because we won't let you in. Get you and your car to be back of the queue like everyone else.


People who film the whole concert with their phone - stood in-front of us was one girl filming the entire gig on her phone. Even I could see over her shoulder that the film was blurry and just comprised of all the pretty flashes of lighting. The sound will be horrid so why bother wasting you're time and you're more likely annoying the people behind you with your arm in the air?!

Taking pictures the whole way through - granted you'll want to take a couple, maybe even a few - I do. But don't spend the whole concert doing it and like mine you'll just get tiny figures that looked something like the band.

Prepare for everything to be overpriced - from paying $8.50 for a pint of beer to them waiting $40 for a tee gigs are overpriced to the hilt. Saying that my Trivium tee was only $20 which in comparison is a bargain. All goes by the size of the band. Nevertheless take lots of cash with you.

Pushing and shoving - if your at a metal gig it comes with the territory, get over it.

I thought I'd leave you with the lighter moment from the Lonely Day song. Being outside people were actually able to use lighters too [like the UK there's the whole non indoor smoking thing too over here] and well the modern version of using your phone. Quite a goosebumps moment seeing all those lights coming up from crowds watching from the hillside.

What would be your gigging rants or tips?