My daughter 4’11 and I 5’1” just attended a Lady Gaga concert this weekend as general admission. Not being able to see is a thing, but it’s a thing we are used to. The bigger issue we both have is that we seem to become invisible to other people in these situations. We have people come and stand directly in front of us, practically on top of us. Or when people are milling about before, they walk into us or point over our heads at who knows what. It’s exhausting enough craning our necks to be able to see anything but it’s especially tiring having to plant our legs and claim a small slice of personal space which we have paid to enjoy the evening. We used to move when people backed into us, or were dancing around and knocking into us. But now we just stand there, enjoying the concert from our low vantage point. I’m sorry people were jerks to you for being tall, it’s not any easier being short. Pretty sure we can learn to coexist, after all, who will get stuff on the high shelf for us❤️
Yep, I’m a 5’11” woman who also happens to be fat. I get abuse from behind me and on both sides if I’m at concerts or at the theatre.
I’ve had so many nice old ladies yell at me, it’s very weird.
I buy two seats if I know the theatre has small seats, and then I get truly delightful people commenting that I’m selfish for taking up two good seats when two whole other people could have been to the show.
My favourite moment was when I was representing the company I work for at an event and we were the sponsors. I sat in the seat I was shown to, which was front row, next to the artistic director. The person was extremely angry so picked up their seat and slammed it down about 10cm left of where it had been, and just glared at me. They didn’t realise who I was until after the performance and gave a very begrudging thanks to my company for me to pass along.
I’m 6 foot 6 and it’s honestly a massive ballache. I’ve given up on concerts, the theatre is basically unenjoyable, comfortable desk ergonomics elude me. I AM NEVER COMFORTABLE MR. FARRIER.
The trick to being tall at a concert self resolves in time. Your back won't hold up that much longer in that environment and you will start to eye up seated concerts only in time.
I feel you. 5'11 woman. 6 foot in gumboots with mad, additional height achieving, hair.
Fur Patrol played at San Fran on Saturday as part of their (one year delayed) 21st anniversary tour.
I was at the original show too- when the same bar was called Indigo and remember happily being squashed in the masses. Firmly fixed to the wall this time also! Haha
That laughing emoji from Arise gave me Mr Burns vibes. Its the lack of humility and care. Its just so disappointing from any group of people. Let alone those that claim to follow the teachings of a nice, kind, magical dude.
Sep 1, 2022·edited Sep 1, 2022Liked by David Farrier
My boyfriend is 6’1” and my brother is 6’2”. I’m 5’5” and we don’t normally stand towards the front unless it’s a performance that we’re wetting ourselves over to see.
That being said. We literally dealt with this last night with people at a show we went to. We arrived early, stood towards the front, and watched people move in. Typically, taller people choose to stand behind us if we’re towards the front and we don’t have a problem. People tend to shuffle around as the show is going on anyway. But the people behind us last night chose to stand behind us (we watched them pick that specific spot), then they proceeded to complain to me and everyone else about how tall my friend was when he would go to the restroom or purchase us water. At that point, I don’t know what to tell you. The entire room was open when they arrived.
I’m on the shorter side, I deal with tall people all the time at shows. I maneuver around, choose not to stand behind them, and I say something if they show up late and push in front of me. I feel like there’s an entire show/concert etiquette that people are missing these days. No one seems to be mindful of each other. You shouldn’t have to deal with the people arguing with you about being tall, either. It’s not wrong to feel angsty about it.
Side note, the one and only time I crowd surfed was during my Christian rock phase in my early teens and the groping was unreal.
As I've slowly re-entered the live music scene, I've become increasingly more aware of where I'm standing. I always get GA tickets, because I too want to be close up to see instruments being played etc. I'm pretty average height for a female (roughly 5'6"), so I fortunately do not have the same issues as you do. However, I am typically very paranoid about being in front of somewhere shorter than I am. I usually look all around, and if I feel I'm blocking someone, I try to move a bit. It's not always easy though!
The ONLY time I get frustrated with taller people in GA is if they literally come right in front of me (I'm talking inches in front of me) and stand right there still as a post. If they are there first...that's completely on me. If I'm there first...I get a little peeved, but I try to move. I try to weasel my way to look through a hole in the crowd to see the stage, because I am definitely one of those people who realize the world does not revolve around me. haha. So I say as long as you don't station yourself right in front of someone who is 4 inches shorter than you, you're all good! You paid to be there too, and it's shared space! Though, you are very courteous to be aware of your stature.
What gets me the most is when people stand right next to me and TALK the whole time!!! This is a performance that people have paid to see and appreciate. It's disrespectful to the musician and the crowd around you to talk about what happened to Jenny last Thursday at work. There is a time and place for chit chat and an intimate venue is not the place in my opinion!
Thanks for listening to my little rant and for consistently putting out informative, accessible, and entertaining content! It's appreciated!
That emoji single handedly encapsulates their response to this whole fiasco. They don't care, they know it will blow over and sadly (despite the mainstream coverage of the report when it leaked) they know they only have to ignore the one guy asking the questions.
I have a 6'2" son and so from my experiences at womad over the years, I recommend: go with several tall friends, a short girl or two and an aging mother. Those that do complain, retract immediately when they realise the tall people are turning to leave with not just a couple of short girls, but also a sad old woman f. However, I fear it would not work if said old woman was wearing her Deranged Bitch t-shirt.
YES to all of this… in both my experience and that of my 6’6” husband. In high school, I wrote an essay on the benefits of being tall for a college scholarship from the Tall Club of Orange County (real thing). One reason was being able to see at concerts, among it helping my horseback riding and lacrosse endeavors. At the time, being a 5’11” girl was pretty insufferable at times. Finding shoes or tall guys to date, being the outlier in every group photo, or ever being thought of as “cute” were struggles. So focusing on the positive actually helped turn my thoughts around. But for concerts, something changed in college and later… maybe it was the types of concerts I went to? Back in high school, no one was too awful at a House of Blues when you blocked some views. Or at Fishfest, our giant SoCal Christian music festival 🙃🫣
Sometime during the first few weeks of college, now 16 years ago, I meerkated at orientation to identify my dating pool. Little did I know, I would accelerate the death of my socially appropriate standing room only concerts. I went from a pillar to a Great Wall with my husband. Seated concerts are great as you can stake your seat and folks can choose to sit behind you, then still hear groans when you stand up. I’ve generally become resigned to standing in the wings… but in general, being tall is awesome.
If there are any young girls out there, please know it gets easier after high school and ends up being a real asset professionally as people take you far more seriously.
Sep 1, 2022·edited Sep 1, 2022Liked by David Farrier
I'm about 160cm (5'3 ish) and appreciate when a tall person let's me stand in front of them but would never abuse them unless they were being a tool. From my observations, and maybe this is just particularly among younger gig-going folk, I'm short in a New Zealand audience and average in a UK audience. Almost even tall in a Scottish audience! I really appreciated being slightly more average height in the UK. It made my concert going experience better for sure. It was always negated at a gig for a NZ band or artist though - New Zealanders are tall!
I guess I see this as the main difference with being tall - if you (David) stand at the back or against the wall you can still see *something* of the gig whereas if I do, as a relatively short person, I can only see people's backs. I'm often not even tall enough to catch glimpses over shoulders if it's a particularly tall person right in front of me.
What a rollercoaster! I saw Arise’s Instagram post about the report right after the posted it. I couldn’t help but think they’ve definitely hired someone new to write the comms that came with it. Totally different tone, I reckon. And then, Simon Maxwell lives in TAURANGA‽ Hilarious. One thing I’d disagree with him about is that NIN won’t sell lawn mowers and mobility scooters. Give it a few years and old NIN obsessed fans like me (I still have my copy of that double VHS) will be exactly in that demographic :D
Oh as a similarly tall person, I try and stay on the sides so that I'm not in the way. But I remember one time I was at a show on Halloween, and there was this 6'2 person wearing a damn wizard hat. I could barely see past them, but I knew 90% of others couldn't so I had to ask them to take off their hat.
Maybe shows should be height tiered so the shortest people are at the front! Then us talk people can just sit at the back. It's only a real problem when you go with friends of different heights, and there's no way to be around your friends while not being in the way 🙃
My daughter 4’11 and I 5’1” just attended a Lady Gaga concert this weekend as general admission. Not being able to see is a thing, but it’s a thing we are used to. The bigger issue we both have is that we seem to become invisible to other people in these situations. We have people come and stand directly in front of us, practically on top of us. Or when people are milling about before, they walk into us or point over our heads at who knows what. It’s exhausting enough craning our necks to be able to see anything but it’s especially tiring having to plant our legs and claim a small slice of personal space which we have paid to enjoy the evening. We used to move when people backed into us, or were dancing around and knocking into us. But now we just stand there, enjoying the concert from our low vantage point. I’m sorry people were jerks to you for being tall, it’s not any easier being short. Pretty sure we can learn to coexist, after all, who will get stuff on the high shelf for us❤️
Yep, I’m a 5’11” woman who also happens to be fat. I get abuse from behind me and on both sides if I’m at concerts or at the theatre.
I’ve had so many nice old ladies yell at me, it’s very weird.
I buy two seats if I know the theatre has small seats, and then I get truly delightful people commenting that I’m selfish for taking up two good seats when two whole other people could have been to the show.
My favourite moment was when I was representing the company I work for at an event and we were the sponsors. I sat in the seat I was shown to, which was front row, next to the artistic director. The person was extremely angry so picked up their seat and slammed it down about 10cm left of where it had been, and just glared at me. They didn’t realise who I was until after the performance and gave a very begrudging thanks to my company for me to pass along.
I’m 6 foot 6 and it’s honestly a massive ballache. I’ve given up on concerts, the theatre is basically unenjoyable, comfortable desk ergonomics elude me. I AM NEVER COMFORTABLE MR. FARRIER.
Older fellow 6 foot 2 concert goer here.
The trick to being tall at a concert self resolves in time. Your back won't hold up that much longer in that environment and you will start to eye up seated concerts only in time.
Hope this helps.
I feel you. 5'11 woman. 6 foot in gumboots with mad, additional height achieving, hair.
Fur Patrol played at San Fran on Saturday as part of their (one year delayed) 21st anniversary tour.
I was at the original show too- when the same bar was called Indigo and remember happily being squashed in the masses. Firmly fixed to the wall this time also! Haha
That laughing emoji from Arise gave me Mr Burns vibes. Its the lack of humility and care. Its just so disappointing from any group of people. Let alone those that claim to follow the teachings of a nice, kind, magical dude.
I don’t attend many concerts, but I stand in solidarity with you as a fellow tall person.
Another downside to being tall is seeing how dirty the top of most refrigerators can get (mine and other people’s).
My boyfriend is 6’1” and my brother is 6’2”. I’m 5’5” and we don’t normally stand towards the front unless it’s a performance that we’re wetting ourselves over to see.
That being said. We literally dealt with this last night with people at a show we went to. We arrived early, stood towards the front, and watched people move in. Typically, taller people choose to stand behind us if we’re towards the front and we don’t have a problem. People tend to shuffle around as the show is going on anyway. But the people behind us last night chose to stand behind us (we watched them pick that specific spot), then they proceeded to complain to me and everyone else about how tall my friend was when he would go to the restroom or purchase us water. At that point, I don’t know what to tell you. The entire room was open when they arrived.
I’m on the shorter side, I deal with tall people all the time at shows. I maneuver around, choose not to stand behind them, and I say something if they show up late and push in front of me. I feel like there’s an entire show/concert etiquette that people are missing these days. No one seems to be mindful of each other. You shouldn’t have to deal with the people arguing with you about being tall, either. It’s not wrong to feel angsty about it.
Side note, the one and only time I crowd surfed was during my Christian rock phase in my early teens and the groping was unreal.
End rant.
Hi peoples!
As I've slowly re-entered the live music scene, I've become increasingly more aware of where I'm standing. I always get GA tickets, because I too want to be close up to see instruments being played etc. I'm pretty average height for a female (roughly 5'6"), so I fortunately do not have the same issues as you do. However, I am typically very paranoid about being in front of somewhere shorter than I am. I usually look all around, and if I feel I'm blocking someone, I try to move a bit. It's not always easy though!
The ONLY time I get frustrated with taller people in GA is if they literally come right in front of me (I'm talking inches in front of me) and stand right there still as a post. If they are there first...that's completely on me. If I'm there first...I get a little peeved, but I try to move. I try to weasel my way to look through a hole in the crowd to see the stage, because I am definitely one of those people who realize the world does not revolve around me. haha. So I say as long as you don't station yourself right in front of someone who is 4 inches shorter than you, you're all good! You paid to be there too, and it's shared space! Though, you are very courteous to be aware of your stature.
What gets me the most is when people stand right next to me and TALK the whole time!!! This is a performance that people have paid to see and appreciate. It's disrespectful to the musician and the crowd around you to talk about what happened to Jenny last Thursday at work. There is a time and place for chit chat and an intimate venue is not the place in my opinion!
Thanks for listening to my little rant and for consistently putting out informative, accessible, and entertaining content! It's appreciated!
That emoji single handedly encapsulates their response to this whole fiasco. They don't care, they know it will blow over and sadly (despite the mainstream coverage of the report when it leaked) they know they only have to ignore the one guy asking the questions.
Sorta shocked by that emoji bit tbh
I have a 6'2" son and so from my experiences at womad over the years, I recommend: go with several tall friends, a short girl or two and an aging mother. Those that do complain, retract immediately when they realise the tall people are turning to leave with not just a couple of short girls, but also a sad old woman f. However, I fear it would not work if said old woman was wearing her Deranged Bitch t-shirt.
YES to all of this… in both my experience and that of my 6’6” husband. In high school, I wrote an essay on the benefits of being tall for a college scholarship from the Tall Club of Orange County (real thing). One reason was being able to see at concerts, among it helping my horseback riding and lacrosse endeavors. At the time, being a 5’11” girl was pretty insufferable at times. Finding shoes or tall guys to date, being the outlier in every group photo, or ever being thought of as “cute” were struggles. So focusing on the positive actually helped turn my thoughts around. But for concerts, something changed in college and later… maybe it was the types of concerts I went to? Back in high school, no one was too awful at a House of Blues when you blocked some views. Or at Fishfest, our giant SoCal Christian music festival 🙃🫣
Sometime during the first few weeks of college, now 16 years ago, I meerkated at orientation to identify my dating pool. Little did I know, I would accelerate the death of my socially appropriate standing room only concerts. I went from a pillar to a Great Wall with my husband. Seated concerts are great as you can stake your seat and folks can choose to sit behind you, then still hear groans when you stand up. I’ve generally become resigned to standing in the wings… but in general, being tall is awesome.
If there are any young girls out there, please know it gets easier after high school and ends up being a real asset professionally as people take you far more seriously.
I'm about 160cm (5'3 ish) and appreciate when a tall person let's me stand in front of them but would never abuse them unless they were being a tool. From my observations, and maybe this is just particularly among younger gig-going folk, I'm short in a New Zealand audience and average in a UK audience. Almost even tall in a Scottish audience! I really appreciated being slightly more average height in the UK. It made my concert going experience better for sure. It was always negated at a gig for a NZ band or artist though - New Zealanders are tall!
I guess I see this as the main difference with being tall - if you (David) stand at the back or against the wall you can still see *something* of the gig whereas if I do, as a relatively short person, I can only see people's backs. I'm often not even tall enough to catch glimpses over shoulders if it's a particularly tall person right in front of me.
What a rollercoaster! I saw Arise’s Instagram post about the report right after the posted it. I couldn’t help but think they’ve definitely hired someone new to write the comms that came with it. Totally different tone, I reckon. And then, Simon Maxwell lives in TAURANGA‽ Hilarious. One thing I’d disagree with him about is that NIN won’t sell lawn mowers and mobility scooters. Give it a few years and old NIN obsessed fans like me (I still have my copy of that double VHS) will be exactly in that demographic :D
"I wish I was... tall!"
The monkey's paw curled
Oh as a similarly tall person, I try and stay on the sides so that I'm not in the way. But I remember one time I was at a show on Halloween, and there was this 6'2 person wearing a damn wizard hat. I could barely see past them, but I knew 90% of others couldn't so I had to ask them to take off their hat.
Maybe shows should be height tiered so the shortest people are at the front! Then us talk people can just sit at the back. It's only a real problem when you go with friends of different heights, and there's no way to be around your friends while not being in the way 🙃