The 6'4" Guy

In most situations, I’m a big fan of guys that are 6’4”.  But you know what, tall guy, just because you got to the concert early really doesn’t give you the right to stand DIRECTLY in front of the stage and block the view of HUNDREDS of people.  You would see JUST AS WELL (if not better) standing a few rows back.  Not to mention, it’s just the right thing to do!

Ticketmaster

This needs to be said.  I HATE TICKETMASTER.  Like, seriously?  Handling fees?  WTF does that even mean???

Screaming song requests while the performer is singing

This is something that annoys me mainly because of a b-side track on a Tori Amos single (Hey Jupiter, The Dakota Version). It’s a live recording of Tori starting into a great slow, quiet version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and people keep screaming requests. I take it as a measure of how stressed I am as to whether or not I can handle listening to these shouts at the beginning of the track, waiting for them to go away, or if I have to just skip the track all together. I’m thankful I wasn’t at that concert. When the music starts, honor the performer and keep quiet.

NO REGARD, WHATSOEVER, FOR PERSONAL SPACE

Good concerts are tight, I understand, but I once went to a Phish concert that was so tightly packed a man unwittingly put out his cigarette on my right forearm. I still have a burn scar. The man was also tripping on something, of course, but I do not reserve any excuses. Oh, and don’t fear the shower; the shower is thy friend! (Deodorant also highly recommended ;)

The Fat Guy in The Mosh Pit

I go to a lot of metal concerts. what I can’t stand is the fat guy in the middle of the mosh pit. He isn’t really moshing, just swaying, and everyone is bouncing off of him as they try to mosh around him. Being fat does not make you tough, it makes you a hazard. get out!

I TOTALLY agree with you about the tall guys (I’m 5 feet tall, so you can imagine how much I can see when some jerk stands in front me), Ticketmaster, and people singing (I came to see the band, not some tone deaf musicphile). Another pet peeve of mine is when they don’t post the opening acts. I’ve sat through too many lame-ass openers while waiting for the headliner to come on.  

Photographers

Standing there in the front lines, all the sudden something dark appears over my shoulder. I start, only to realize just before shoving away the offending object that it’s an expensive camera wielded by one of the local paper’s photographers. Said photographer finally ceases his leaning over my person and proceeds to run back and forth in an attempt to find the perfect shot. Stand still, and don’t invade my bubble, or so help me it’s a fork in the eye next time.

People screaming like they're being stabbed

And I’m not just talking about insane pre-teen girls at a New Kids on the Block concert circa 1999: I’m talking adults at a regular show.  Get ahold of yourselves, people!  You’re freaking everyone out and the person next to you really DOES want to stab you.

The INSANE guy who refuses to listen to authority

I went to a Death Cab for Cutie concert, so, very mellow…everyone sitting down in a theatre like space. But this one dude was ROCKING OUT the whole time. Standing up, moving his arms around, and he happened to be in a balcony seat. Soooo, his movements were slightly dangerous to, you know, his life! He got yelled at so many times, but this dude was not letting up. He was rocking out to Death Cab and no one was going to stop him.

BEING that Tall Guy and Feeling I'm in the Way

If the show is not packed to the brim, I’ll gladly stand to the side (I’m 6’6” tall), usually away from my group of shrimpy friends. If the place is packed and I’m excited about the show, sorry, I’m not going to stand directly in front of the blasting speakers nor am I going to stand in the back. Hundreds of people have hundreds of options on where to stand. If you’re 5’1”, the tree in front of you will probably move one back so you can see if you ask nicely.