Summary

The article discusses the misconception that sitting at concerts signifies lesser fan engagement, emphasizing the right to enjoy live music in one's own way without judgment.

Abstract

The author expresses frustration over the perception that sitting during a concert equates to being a "fake fan" or enjoying the experience less. They argue that physical limitations should not diminish the legitimacy of their fandom, as the enjoyment of music and support for artists can be fully experienced while seated. The article also points out that it's possible to engage with the music and have fun, even from a chair, and that disappointment from a blocked view is a valid feeling for anyone, regardless of their position in the audience. The author calls for empathy and inclusivity, suggesting that every concert-goer has the right to enjoy the show in their own way, whether standing, seated, or dancing in their chair, without facing derision or feeling inferior.

Opinions

Sitting at a concert doesn't make someone less of a fan; one can still fully enjoy the music and support the artist.
The assumption that artists dislike seated audiences is unfair and dismissive of those with physical limitations.
It is possible to dance and feel the music while sitting down, and this should be recognized as a valid way to participate.
Concert-goers should be considerate of each other, understanding that both standing and sitting fans have the right to enjoy the performance.
The author refutes the notion that only those who stand and dance throughout the concert are genuine fans.
Disappointment from not being able to see the performer due to taller audience members is a legitimate concern that should be acknowledged without blame.
The article advocates for a more inclusive concert atmosphere where everyone's manner of enjoying music is respected.

Standing at Concerts: Is It Really Necessary?

Sitting down does not make us lesser fans.

There is nothing quite like that feeling you encounter when an artist you adore puts on a spectacular concert. I have a passionate love for experiencing live music. I also love discussing these experiences with fellow concert-goers. Unfortunately, it seems that every time we introduce the subject of concert atmospheres, one statement inevitably surfaces:

“Who sits at a concert? The artists hate it when the crowd is sitting.”

As someone who is physically unable to stand up all night without my spine rebelling against me, it’s somewhat disheartening to hear comments like this thrown around as fact. Imagine what it feels like to hear that because we’re sitting down, we are not real fans, the artists we love so much don’t appreciate us, and we have no right to be upset when people are standing up in front of us, blocking our view of the show for the entire evening.

Well, I’m tired of being silent. I have a few things to say in response to these statements, so listen up!

Sitting down does not make us “fake fans.”

I cannot stand up for hours at a time. Period. If I try, I will be in considerable pain by the end of the night. I might even have difficulty walking afterward. Does this make me a “fake fan?” That’s hardly a fair viewpoint. Would I even be at the concert if I weren’t an immense fan of the artist?

I attend shows for the same reasons as everyone else — to enjoy the music, support the artists that I love, and, most importantly, have fun.

Despite what some people seem to think, it is possible to enjoy yourself while sitting down at a concert and still be a tremendous fan of the process.

You can still dance from your chair.

So I’m sitting down. Does that mean I don’t feel the music's beats pulsing through me just like everyone else? That the music can’t move me to my core? Does it mean that I have to sit perfectly still as a statue the entire time?

Of course not!

I am perfectly capable of dancing enthusiastically from a seated position — I’m just not as rowdy as the people who move their entire bodies. But guess what? Chair dancing is equally fun!

We are allowed to have feelings.

Yes, you have every right to stand up and dance at a concert. You paid for your ticket; you should be allowed to enjoy yourself. But don’t I deserve the same courtesy? If someone is standing in front of me, blocking my view of the stage the entire night, I’m allowed to feel disappointed.

Neither of us is in the wrong here!

I would never ask someone to sit down to better my view, but that doesn’t mean I have to be happy about missing out on things myself. The possibility of not seeing anything at the show is always a risk I accept when buying a ticket. It’s worth it just to be in the room. Ultimately, I’m there to hear the music and sing along at the top of my lungs. It would just be nice to see the artist sometimes as well.

Please stop trying to make us feel bad for being disappointed. We already feel bad enough.

Kindly think before you speak.

The next time you callously throw out statements like “the artists hate boring audiences who sit all the time,” maybe stop and think about the people you are inadvertently discussing.

Imagine loving an artist with every fiber of your being and then hearing that you disappoint them just by existing — because that’s what I hear when people say things like this. I get incredibly disheartened, and quite frankly, it makes me feel bad about myself. I feel like I’m doing something wrong or that I’m not the right kind of fan.

My inability to stand up all night should not be a factor in my enjoyment of the show or the artist feeling my energy as an audience member. Try to remember that those people you are mocking for sitting down all night have feelings too.

The world is full of all manner of people. Our differences make life exciting. We should all be able to attend concerts and enjoy them any way we please without being made to feel like lesser human beings. Stand up and dance if that makes you happy. Sit down and rock out in your chair if you prefer.

Or you know what? Sit in your seat and don’t move a muscle if that’s the way you enjoy things!

But stop judging other people for doing things differently than you. You are not superior just because you can stand up and dance for hours at a time. Stop acting like there’s only one way to be a real fan.

Instead, let’s all enjoy the music together, shall we?