I've never been to a Tori concert, nor any other concert with seats. I was supposed to see Nick Cave once, but couldn't get there due to "flight issues", and that was a seated concert. I've only been to rock concerts where everyone is clamped together like fish in a barrel, where I have been groped, punched, kicked, moshed, spat at, sprayed with water and pressed so hard against the fence I nearly fainted. In fact, one concert I could barely follow the show, I was too concentrated on not being squished like a bug. But I have to admit, sitting still at a concert would be freakishly boring... Especially if close to the front. You guys would hate me, I'd be singing off the top of my lungs, tapping my feet, clapping and bouncing up and down. Altho,if no one else around me does it I will sit down and shut up. But it would be hard. I don't think it's disrespectful at all, but an homage to how much the artist is loved.
I'm glad for this thread, tho, cos I'm hoping next time around I'll get to see her show, and I know her music can be very quiet at times, and I wouldn't want anyone to disrupt the experience either. But during songs like Big Wheel (which, btw, is my 'happy song'), I won't be able to hold it in. I know I'm sounding very contradictory now, but I can see it both ways. Tori's music isn't screaming in your ear constantly and therefore you can hear the crowds better, and being seated vs unseated, well, that all depends on the venue she chooses, I guess. As far as I know she's only played festivals in Norway (which are never seated(unless you count a folding chair or an empty case of beer way in the back)).
Oh Tori, get your ass to Bergen!!! Pwetty pwease? The Grieg Hall would be excellent! Screw Oslo, it's a crap city anyway....
Sorry for the rant, and I don't mean to disrespect anyone of you, just venting my thoughts. I'm kicking myself for not going to her show last year...... that's the one that's bugged me the most.

Anette

Well, I think it's a cultural thing to behave in one way or another. I guess that a Tori's show in sudamerica (I'm from Argentina and I wish she come someday) would be totally different than a show in the USA and no one would stay sit for the whole show.
I consider that you MUST stay sit and quiet if people around you does so in order not to disturb, but there's a "general behaviour" that will change all the story and you will find people jumping, dancing and singing during Tori's show in different places all over the world.
So "rules" should change geographically in accordance to culture

Could that be a matter of cultural difference? Some places, a loud burp is complementary... in others, it is considered vulgar.

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"Cut it again!"
- Tori...

Well I kind of disagree with the not singing out loud to her songs. When she appeared in Greece, everyone (including me) where singing along, clapping and dancing to Big Wheel, Bliss, Bouncing Off Clouds etc and Tori seemed to be enjoying herself along with us.

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-=You have her face and her eyes... but you are not her=-

I agree 100%!!
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You are probably right but people are so anal about being respectful of Tori I think this is a hard habit to break.

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Devils and Gods, they are you and I.
Devils and Gods, safe and inside.

Just go with the flow... you will know what is appropriate.

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"Cut it again!"
- Tori...

Ears, I think people who are rhythm-centric (like drummers, or wannabe drummers) are tappers. I'm sure it is combined with nervous energy too. Regarding when to sit or stand at a Tori show: I have a gripe with sitting down in the middle of Big Wheel. After costume change/Professional Widow which begs for getting up and dancing after Code Red, the rest of the audience has stood for Tori's return to the stage. But then somewhere around halfway through BW, people start to sit down. Must be the rules you state. Since this is a very different and more energetic tour for Tori, I think it would better etiquette to stand/dance throughout BW and then let Tori make the decision on whether we should sit down for the next song based on what song she picks to play. Just a suggestion.

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The sexiest thing is trust.

Yes you only stand during Tori shows when she comes out, when she leaves and during encores

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Devils and Gods, they are you and I.
Devils and Gods, safe and inside.

No, most venues are designed to accommodate vision for all. But if people stand, it ruins the design. I like it when people sit and behave. But, I'm standing if everyone else is. You kind of have no choice.

I was at a high school football game for one of my friend's kids. All the people in front of us were standing on the bleachers. So, I did the same. A short while passed and a man from behind started in on how I was blocking his view. I turned to this bulldog of a man and said "can't you see this is what it is. I will not sit until I can see while sitting. " He was intimidating for his size and I knew things could escalate. But, eventually, he gave up, and they moved to a different spot. I will say that no body sat during the entire game. The bulldog dad simply needed to sit where he could really sit. Not behind all these standing kids where we were. I was glad he realized this. I don't think fighting him would have been good. Sure, I might have hurt him... but man he was big.

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"Cut it again!"
- Tori...

Well I tap my foot, not like that man was doing though. It is hard for me to sit at a concert. I wanted to stand the whole time, but everyone sits at her concerts I guess. I can understand the slower songs, but during Big Wheel everyone was sitting during most of the performance. Don't you think she feels as though the crowd is not into it if no one stands?

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Sure that star can twinkle.

I don't get tappers. To me that is like the most top-surface response to music. I am glad I am able to internalize better than that. I mean, who taps?

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Devils and Gods, they are you and I.
Devils and Gods, safe and inside.

So this guy next to me kept stomping his leg to every beat of the songs and would really get into in, I don't have a problem with enjoying the music but I could feel my whole chair shake during the entire concert!! I was sooo annoyed, and I'm one of those people that never says anything and just keeps my anger to myself... Just like in movies, hate the chair tapping or movements, so please sit in your seat and don't make dramatic movements where people next to you can feel it!!!!

I agree. Her shows are definitely not the average pop/rock shows. Since a lot of newer fans mostly have experience of those it can be a surprise that these are quite different.

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"So now you're off, you're gonna see America.

Well, let me tell you something about America...".

I think there's a somewhat fine line between being a nuisance and having a good time. Cell phones are obnoxious, singing along is ok if it's a crowd song (i.e. Happy Phantom, NOT Garlands), getting up should be done during noisy sections, and talking shouldn't happen during quiet songs. I think it's hard with an artist like Tori sometimes, because her shows are a mixed bag - sometimes it's so quiet you hear a pin drop, other times it's an all out hard rock noise fest. People come with different perceptions on what's ok.

Thats awful Jess! Yeah I would have ended up getting in a fight or getting security. I am not one to get physical but there are things that will make me lose it easy. A beer getting thrown at my head normally I would tell security. During a tori show, Id lose it a lot faster Thats a lot of restraint. Also I would have backed you up if they didnt stfu the first time. Also I have kids and I know it can make people feel bad if more than one person scolds them, so give people a chance to respond to the initial shhh or please be quiet before you get your posse or neighbors or guards involved. I have shhh'ed a few people and so far it has always worked for me....guess ive been lucky so far. If I saw someone behaving like that, you better believe id jump on board!

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Devils and Gods, they are you and I.
Devils and Gods, safe and inside.

I am VERY sorry this happened to you. I believe you are right though. I have 'Shh-ed' someone before and just as I started to consider that I might be getting into a bad spot, other people nearby echoed my sentiment, most with something much less kind than 'Shh'. I also think that the ushers/security people may be the best way to go. I just hate that it has to go to that place. Why are some people so selfish?

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"So now you're off, you're gonna see America.

Well, let me tell you something about America...".

I noticed this thread and just had to vent about my own experience. My cousin and I attended the Philly show and had the misfortune of sitting in front of a girl who decided to sing along very loudly and very badly. She wasn't even singing the right words half the time! When I was younger (and much less in control of my rather terrible temper), I would have just literally turned around and screamed at her but now that I'm older I've gained control. I also cared about seeing Tori very much and didn't want to spoil the experience so I used my politest voice and told her that I didn't want to be rude, but that I really didn't pay to hear her sing. She told me that I was a b*tch. For the rest of the show, she proceeded to keep singing loudly (fortunately she didn't know all the songs), throw some nasty comments out that I knew were directed at me and chatter with her friend. The encore came and everyone, including myself stood up. That's when I felt beer get thrown at my back (felt like she had drank most of it and just threw the remanants). I was so angry at this point that I knew I would physically hurt her if I turned around, so I just stood there. Her friend and her then proceeded to scream the lyrics at the top of their lungs. My cousin had enough and turned around and screamed at them to shut the F*** up. The next thing I know I'm getting tapped on the shoulder by a security guard (apparently the b*tch and her friend ran and cried to him). He was actually very nice and told me just to come get him next time something like that happended so I wouldn't look like to bad guy.

I just can't understand why someone would want to be that obnoxious. I just have to think that kharma will catch up with her and spoil something she really cares about. But one more thing, on the way out everyone sitting around us told us how glad they were that we had said something to her. I bet if even one other person had said something to her, she would have behaved. So if you hear somebody corecting a nasty neighbor, back them up. Bullies will back down from a crowd but only behave worse when they have a solitary target.

Sorry for the long post but I had to get that out. And yes, my mantra for the night was "I believe in peace b*tch"

I agree. I have been known to mouth the words, but that's as far as it goes.

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"So now you're off, you're gonna see America.

Well, let me tell you something about America...".

Thanks for the bit about NOT SINGING ALONG with Tori - it is her show! I swear if any idiot in Denver does this.......
Pow - Right to the moon!!!

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dividing Canaan, piece by piece.....

In the past I have heard of the texting thing as people telling people who couldn't make it to the show the set list as it happens. Which I can see doing if you are quiet and discreet. And I do understand the possibility of an emergency, but think that phones should be vibrate or silent mode before going to any sort of performance. That way you know, and you can deal with it immediately (from the lobby), or blow it off if it is someone who doesn't know you're at a show.

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"So now you're off, you're gonna see America.

Well, let me tell you something about America...".

I posted this on another thread but this seems more active... It's really concert-protocol in general, not just proto(ri)col. And not thinking that Tori needs a stage rush for the energy, the seriousness of the negatives (potential physical hurt, fear, having to leave the concert with "little ones" who were afraid essentially ruining their night) outweigh the positives (a few people get a little thrill seeing her a little closer than from their seats) of the Stage Rush. I was at the show last night and spoke with stage security. He said they were not warned by the band, nor would they listen to the band when it comes to the patrons safety. I am 6' 3" . No one wants to be behind me when I am standing. I did like something I heard from a fan who's view was being blocked by someone wider than me, "We love you honey, but we love Tori more. Please sit down."

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The sexiest thing is trust.

Ok not to contradict, and I totally agree with all these things. I lip-sync along or sing at an in audible level, I dont take breaks during the show to go potty or get drinks.....but that being said there are a few things to consider. Chills has a point about getting up during applause, I mean, the thing is, we dont know these people who are getting up's story. Maybe they have that 'gotta go' thing from the commercial. Or maybe they had mexican for lunch or some other food they dont know because they arent local, and its making its way up. I'm sure its better they run for the can then ...NOT run for the can . About the people shouting 'i love you tori'. I know its lame as hell. But I dont think they are doing it so she will turn and then look them directly in the eye and say 'Yes I love you too random guy' I think they are just caught up in the moment. Thats the thing, we all DO have to share this experience. It someone is being obnoxious I am all for setting them straight. I dont know why people would be texting...but there may be a medical reason, like a sick relative and maybe they need a break from sitting by their mother's death bed. All I'm saying is before you go Xena on people try going Gabrielle first, if that doesnt work....feel free to go amazonian.
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Devils and Gods, they are you and I.
Devils and Gods, safe and inside.

Bending-Chills is right.

I'm in a women's chorus at a local community college. During performances, anyone coming and going is only allowed to do so during applause. It's rather distracting to performers to see members of their audience getting up and walking out and/or coming in and sitting down...

Something I know from doing theater in high school is that there is an 'unwritten rule' during plays and musicals; If you must come and go (drinks or bathrooms visits, etc.) do it during applause. It happens after every song, so it isn't that long to wait; and then you are much less annoying to people around you.

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"So now you're off, you're gonna see America.

Well, let me tell you something about America...".

Folks, if some people are being rude during the shows, ask an usher for help. I went to see Fleetwood Mac for their 'Reunion,' tour at a very large venue, a sports dome. Some very chemically enhanced woman kept leaning over the balcony to 'serenade' Stevie Nicks. (It was a very long drop to bottom floor). So not wanting to witness the splat pattern about to be made, I got up and pulled her back and got her to seat. As you can probably guess, she went at it again. This time I had an usher remove her. It worked, no splat, and the concert was great.

I went to the Indy concert last night. People in front of me were talking so loud and texting throughout most of the show until I told them to be quiet. It is so rude. If you want to talk GO OUT INTO THE HALLWAY!!!!!!! Let the rest of us enjoy the show. And don't get up to get some more to drink in the middle of a song, how ignorant can you be? Sorry, but it is so inconsiderate not only to the people around you but to Tori. She can see you getting up and down, MORONS.

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Sure that star can twinkle.

PowellPressBurger...it's mighty cold where you are at.

THANK YOU! For gathering up the comments from here and there on the threads and compiling them. I'd add, Don't scream requests and comments in the middle of her telling stories or talking to the crowd. Some of us really love those moments with her, and they aren't meant to be a dialogs. I suspect the reason they've gotten rarer over the years is that she doesn't want the barrage of people interrupting her.

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"So now you're off, you're gonna see America.

Well, let me tell you something about America...".

I hear you If someone is talking acting drunk wanting to buy drinks and carry on the whole time I will break their faces I don't care these types need to find a bar and stay there. If they can't show respect for a little over 2 hrs then stay at home and buy the bootlegs... and for those who love buying the bootlegs another peeve are the I LOVE YOU TORI in the middle of a good song liek she is gonna fu&*in' stop and say oh ok lets talk to you for a moment... Let her perform and yeah i hate to sound like an a&%hole myself. That is just the way it is.

Amen!

RESPECT!