Rudeness at Wilco Shows

[Dude]

Obviously tall people block aspects of the show, but I just don't see how you can say they shouldn't be allowed in the front. Height is certainly not controllable. If a freakishly tall person loves Wilco, and gets to a show good and early, then sucks for the people who end up behind him. But I think it's ridiculous to expect taller folks to sacrifice the chance at a front row spot.

 

Yeah, I agree, assuming that he waited there for 5 hours or whatever. It's just nice to be respectful of everyone around you, I think. I've offered for shorter people to move ahead of me and they've happily taken it, and I'm far from an NBA player myself.

[Guest Speed Racer]

if he says no, he's an ass, and he will be discussed and bashed mercilessly on boards like this.

 

Truth. Depends entirely on how he responds. The giant in my imagination refused by making a short-person joke, and the tiny person was very cute and friendly. If the short person came in with a short-person complex and the giant was front row with his four best friends from college, the situation is entirely different.

[Shakespeare In The Alley]

Yeah, I agree, assuming that he waited there for 5 hours or whatever. It's just nice to be respectful of everyone around you, I think. I've offered for shorter people to move ahead of me and I far from an NBA player myself.

Yea, I definitely think the honorable thing to do is to offer to let someone in front, but I just think it creates an uncomfortable situation for tall man. If short man three rows back sees front row tall man let second row short man in front of him, what's to stop third row short man from asking for the same? Eventually, front row tall man finds himself way further back in the crowd than he wanted to be.

 

I'm of average height, so I tend to not have a problem on either end, but it's a complex balance.

[WilcoFan]

Now we're actually complaining about the "shushers?" Fans at Wilco shows are probably the whiniest of all concert goers. You just can't ever get it right. Next people will be complaining about people who smile.

 

A couple of observations:

 

I'm about 6'1" and there's always some girl at a Wilco show who will actually interrupt me to ask if I will move for them, so they can see. I just let them and their dorky boyfriend move in front of me. It's not a big deal.

 

I also notice when I go to Wilco shows that the overall population is shorter than I would think the average American is. They also seem to be more likely to wear glasses too. It's uncanny.

 

Wilco fans need to relax a little and stop acting like Ferris Bueller's sister Jeanie and start acting more like his girlfriend Sloan.

[Guest Speed Racer]

assuming that he waited there for 5 hours or whatever

 

To clarify, you also resent shorter people who elbow their way to the front after showing up when the doors open? Like I said, I've never tried myself, but I always thought that's just what people did. Holding your own, and all that.

[bleedorange]

I think it would be incredibly rude for a short person to ask a tall person if he/she could move in front.

[WilcoFan]

I think it would be incredibly rude for a short person to ask a tall person if he/she could move in front.

 

 

They do it all of the time.

[Mr. Kinsley]

I don't think I've ever seen a tall guy who didn't cut or push ahead of other people in order to stake out his spot, and this usually pisses people off more than the simple fact that he's tall to begin with.

 

Please reread that and ask yourself if it isn't just a tad ridiculous. I'm 6'2" and I've NEVER cut in front of anyone at shows to get a better view. Actually, the one time I actually did get front row my legs were killing me later from squatting down and partially propping myself up on the stage. I also let shorter people stand in front of me when I'm farther back. However, I would also like to be as close as possible, so I'm not going to cede the good seats to the vertically challenged. My eyesight's not that great, so it really pisses me off when all the people with 20/20 vision hog up all the good seats. I don't think I've ever seen a guy without glasses who didn't cut or push ahead of other people in order to stake out his spot, and this usually pisses people off more than the simple fact that he's got spectacular vision to begin with.

[MattZ]

Am I the only one with Short People by Randy Newman in his head now?

[Shakespeare In The Alley]

Am I the only one with Short People by Randy Newman in his head now?

No, I can't get the really tall man from the Simpsons out of my head long enough to think of a song.

[watch me fall]

The only tall guy I've ever asked to move was my brother. He's 6'3" and I'm only 5'4". He obliged. But that's probably the only time we've seen Wilco in a general admission environment.

[Guest Jules]

I don't pay attention to other people.

[MattZ]

Impressive, for such an attention whore.

[Guest Jules]

Impressive, for such an attention whore.

I know, right?

[Dude]

To clarify, you also resent shorter people who elbow their way to the front after showing up when the doors open? Like I said, I've never tried myself, but I always thought that's just what people did. Holding your own, and all that.

 

Yeah, of course, I resent anyone who elbows / cuts ahead, period, regardless of their height.

[MattZ]

I know, right?

 

[Beltmann]

I'm 5'11, but there's almost always somebody shorter standing behind me. Am I an ass for staking out my spot and refusing to step aside? Or would I first need to be 6'3" to be an ass? Perhaps venues should systematically seat audience members according to height, shortest in front, tallest in back. That way no one would have to suffer the irritation of human variation.

[Guest Jules]

You know what I say? Keep your pimp hand strong.

[Guest Speed Racer]

Or would I first need to be 6'3" to be an ass?

 

If you'd been following the thread at all, you would know 6'5" is the qualifier.

 

I'm 5'11" and didn't see Mike or Nels at all my first Wilco show. The venue had seating, and the guy in front of me had a torso as tall as the Space Needle. I tried to stand, but the woman behind me (who was already standing) didn't pay to see the small of my back for an evening, so I sat and enjoyed the four-piece.

 

I don't know. I generally leave the house with the expectation that I will cede my will to others' at several points throughout my day - not resentfully, but rather optimistically. I have an awesome day if I don't have to, and a great day if I do. I'll move or trade seats for just about anyone for any occasion, but I've only ever asked once or twice myself (window seats near the wing on an airplane and I'm as good as fainted). Doing so has never occured to me as rude, but doing so rudely does occur to me as rude.

[Dude]

If you'd been following the thread at all, you would know 6'5" is the qualifier.

 

6'5 was pretty random, I apologize to anyone who happens to be 6'5" reading this, I am not 6'5"-ist.

[jmacomber68w]

My shows...

 

Boston 07 - People were totally fine, but I was in the back

New Haven 08 - Same as Boston, after the show people were a bit rowdy but nothing too bad

Northampton 09 - Tweedy solo show. Luckily I got seats really close to the stage. Everyone I talked to were really cool. This crowd was probably my fav of any show I've been to.

Lowell 09 - Worst crowd ever, too much talking for my tastes.

[H.Stone]

Because they can get just as clear of a view of the stage five or ten rows back. If I were that tall, I'd be a bit more respectful of the people behind me. Most don't seem to give a shit, though.

 

I don't think I've ever seen a tall guy who didn't cut or push ahead of other people in order to stake out his spot, and this usually pisses people off more than the simple fact that he's tall to begin with.

 

 

My husband is 6'4, and I think anyone who's ever attended a show with him will attest to the fact that he doesn't fit either of the descriptors above. You're painting with broad strokes.

 

 

 

 

Eventually, front row tall man finds himself way further back in the crowd than he wanted to be.

 

This is exactly what happens, which is why he and I often end up 4 or 5 rows apart from one another at a show, even though he spends just as much (or more) time in line as anyone on the rail. He's a peace-loving guy who wants to be polite and kind, but I think it's ridiculous (no, I'm Ridikulous...) to suggest he shouldn't stay up front. Actually, it's not just ridiculous. It's bullshit.

[jnrjr79]

The shorter people are waiting just as long as the tall people, though, and it's often just a matter of how people rush in after the gate that determines who is directly in front of you. Lots of people cut ahead in the GA area regardless of how early they got there. I don't think I've ever seen a tall guy who didn't cut or push ahead of other people in order to stake out his spot, and this usually pisses people off more than the simple fact that he's tall to begin with.

 

 

Yeah, tall people are total rude jerk line cutters. That makes sense.

 

 

Ridiculous.

[Elixir Sue]

My eyesight's not that great, so it really pisses me off when all the people with 20/20 vision hog up all the good seats. I don't think I've ever seen a guy without glasses who didn't cut or push ahead of other people in order to stake out his spot, and this usually pisses people off more than the simple fact that he's got spectacular vision to begin with.

 

My husband is 6'4, and I think anyone who's ever attended a show with him will attest to the fact that he doesn't fit either of the descriptors above. You're painting with broad strokes.

He may be the nicest tall guy I've ever met!

[froggie]

If some guy hadn't shouted "Too Far Apart" at the 11/05/2005 Madison show, a full theater of people and I would have missed out on 2:05 of pure awesome. Chronic shouters are bad, but if you pick one title to shout and only do it once, I can't fault you for it.

 

 

you cant hear the shout on the recording but it seemed to make Jeff remember the song! - and then it got played often.

 

i've seen them in 2003, 2007 and 2008 and i havent noticed any rudeness in the australian audience. the only negative thing i've seen is a guy complaining about jeff stuffing up a lyric or 2 on one of the new SBS songs - but that was done quitely. people did call out for songs, but the requests are usually ones that have a 90% chance being played anyway

 

a good thing is that Jeff knows how to get his revenge towards idiots in the audience. maybe we just appreciate that the band travelled to the arse end of the world!