<p>unregistered–Did I see in a long-ago post that you’re an Amherst student? (Forgive me, but I’ve finished my SECOND glass of wine. Enough, already!) … If so, you may too young to understand that citygirlsmom and myself are not being judgmental. Looking at life from one’s 50s (40s, 50s, 60s, etc.) is a totally different thing than viewing it through the lens of a 20-something. … You must be brilliant if you’re at Amherst. I tried to interest my younger daughter in Amherst, at least to apply, but Carleton had captured her heart.</p>
<p>I hate it when people stand and dance at concerts. It ruins everything for me because I’m so short. that’s why I don’t go very often.</p>
<p>Went to a CSN&Y concert a little while back and everyone was having a blast until they started to play some of Neil Young’s most recent protest songs. </p>
<p>A whole group of people in front of us starting complaining loudly that they should just sing and “forget politics.” </p>
<p>I couldn’t help but wonder, did they not listen to the words of their early songs?? Hello, OHIO?? SOUTHERN MAN??</p>
<p>I tried to be as gracious as I could be as I sang along with “Impeach the President.”</p>
<p>I never get seats on the floor anymore because everyone stands up for the entire show. The last time I had floor seats for a concert, it was 5th row for Springsteen. The 6’7" guy in front of me stood up the moment Bruce came out, and I spent the next 3 hours trying to see around him. Always take seats in the stands now. </p>
<p>It’s one thing when the band rocks and everyone’s on their feet. It’s another when the only ones up are a couple of drunk middle aged ladies with low cut tops who think they’re still hot, dancing with each other.</p>
<p>I agree with you, worknprogress. Liberal Dem that I am, I would have been uncomfortable with that “Impeach the President” song. I just want to have a good time at events like this, not make other people uncomfortable or offended. …</p>
<p>to listen to a band whose history and lyrics and whole professional and private lives included their obvious poltical points of view, and to get upset if they, gasp, play a political song, or talk about their beliefs…seems kind of odd to me</p>
<p>THere are certain singers whose music I like, but no way would I go to a concert for them even if I got free tickets because I don’t like their politics, but if I did go, I shouldn’t complain about them singing pro-war songs…because I knew going in that was their beliefs</p>
<p>I wasn’t judgemental, it just seemed odd to me to sit with arms crossed, no smile, never applauding much, why bother going!! And I am short as well, as are my Ds, and they stand and get in to the groove of the show…</p>
<p>As for that group of people complaining about the CSN&Y singing protest songs, that is really funny and kind of sad to be honest</p>
<p>Its like ignoring the history of the band, and that passion for all the issues of the day is what made their music so amazing</p>
<p>I loved it when some pro-war polticion used Born in the Usa as some sort of election anthem…when it is a real anti-war song…do they not listen to the lyrics…</p>
<p>I just hope I can keep appreciating the talent of new bands while continuting to enjoy the oldies but goodies as well.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Maybe they were music critics? Maybe they were disappointed with the musician’s performance. Maybe they are the parents of the ex-wife… ;)</p>
<p>Or maybe they have a physical limitation. Not everyone can stand for hours, but they still like music. That doesn’t account for grumpy body language (arms crossed, frowny) but it does explain not standing up.</p>
<p>I went to see Neil Young last fall at a horrible venue- the WaMu convention center- it was the kind of place you go to see “homeshows”. cold. & not just the temperature.
Folding chairs- flat floor.
Anyway- when Neil started to pick up the pace a bit- which he did for not as many songs as I would have liked- I stood up along with some other people.
I mean- I paid good money for those folding chairs- I wasn’t standing on them like I was at the Gorge when I walked along rows of folding chairs to find my seat since no one was sitting in them anyway 
but I was gonna have a good time.</p>
<p>I had to politely explain to people who told me to sit down, that it was a rock & roll concert & you weren’t allowed to sit during the whole show. </p>
<p>But this week I am so excited!
I get two shows in one week (- & have a hotel two blocks from the theatre so if I want to listen to the soundcheck ( which I may- ) it will be easy. </p>
<p>( Usually I never even park that close )</p>
<p>yes, I am an Amherst student. I think people who love to dance should never stop dancing, and dance all the way to the grave. But I don’t think that people need to be criticized for not doing so.</p>
<p>(Neil Young is amazing. Did he play an acoustic set and an electric set?)</p>
<p>chocoholic – was that the Simon & Garfunkel “Reunion” tour a few years back? H & I went, and it was AMAZING!!! But, I have to say it was the most civilized concert (of a non-classical type) I’ve ever been to. The arena was full of older folks like us. And how times have changed – no waving of lighters, but cell phones instead.</p>
<p>I don’t care much for rock music or CSN&Y but I hope I never get to be too old that when I hear music that I do love but I physically can no longer dance, I won’t at least feel like I want to get up and dance (or I dance in my seat). As for singing, well, by popular request I usually confine that to the shower or isolated locations, or when I’m dancing.</p>
<p>I must be out of the loop by not going to church and attending the ballet and opera.</p>
<p>Oh dear, Hindoo, I didn’t explain myself very well. I WAS singing along to with the “Impeach the president” song. Usually I am the most diplomatic of people, but I love that Neil Young released a protest album & that CSN covered his songs in their concert.</p>
<p>What I couldn’t understand was people who came to the concert not knowing the album had been released or that those songs wouldn’t be part of the tour. Let’s face it, CSN&Y have always been political- did they just expect Judy Blue Eyes? </p>
<p>Anyway, in my very conservative extended family, I am always the model of discretion. I just figured that at the CSN&Y concert I had paid to sing along (the words WERE up on a screen) and let loose with my feelings of frustration. </p>
<p>PS - both acoustic and electric. And they actually sounded very good.</p>
<p>OH YEAH, CBB
it was the historic reunion tour, (4 or 5 years ago?) of Simon and Garfunkel.
Wasn’t that something? Practically the entire audience was between 35 and 50. There were a few dancers. I just vegged and enjoyed.</p>
<p>cgm, if you ever saw me dance you would be forever grateful if i just sat next to you during a concert.</p>
<p>I have going to concerts since I was fifteen. Never stood and danced. But neither did the people around me.</p>
<p>Must have been at different concerts.</p>
<p>Oh, maybe recently a few young kids were dancing.</p>
<p>My kids don’t stand and dance either.</p>
<p>But like some other posters, I have fun being there. And I like to dance in other situations, like at a club or social affair.</p>
<p>My best concert: The Band. Just Amazing in Person!
My worst concert: Traffic. Played a studio set. Could have been the record.</p>
<p>Most interest concerts: Dylan. Rewrites music. Tries new things. Very alive.</p>
<p>Most memorable concerts: Seeing the Doors as the warm-up group for Simon and Garfunkel at fifteen. Never heard of the Doors before.</p>
<p>Seeing the Beatles at Shea stadium.</p>
<p>Seing Janice at Filmore East.</p>
<p>No one danced!</p>
<p>And I must be the world’s biggest klutz; it’s not even safe to have me dance near anyone else! </p>
<p>Perhaps this stranger was just not feeling well that day but couldn’t let the ticket go to waste? Or just had a bad day and couldn’t get caught up enough in the music to escape more pressing problems? </p>
<p>As others said, different people enjoy music differently. Who are we to judge why someone else seems not to enjoy something IN THE SAME WAY we do? Is there really only one way to enjoy a rock concert? When I was young I enjoyed attending rock concerts ALMOST as much as the typical young person; but I also found them TOO loud and there were TOO many people - for my body’s system to handle. It was always a constant struggle for me to find the same kind of enjoyment in such a setting (even though I desperately wanted to) because it took so much energy dealing with some of the sensory issues that detracted from that enjoyment. And even though I have come to prefer listening to some kinds of music in the privacy of my own home (and to not be constantly told by friends to “loosen up” more), I do not dance to music when I am alone either. It’s not even an issue of how I might look to others but of what feels right to me.</p>
<p>Agree with acinva
</p>
<p>Unless I was in floor section or whatever the venue has for that type of seating–I wouldn’t stand either. </p>
<p>Of course I usually avoid old rocker concerts now as it seems we usually get seats beside people who are so drunk and obnoxious, all enjoyment is taken. The last “oldie” group my son went to see, a fifty-something woman leaned over and threw up in my son’s lap.</p>
<p>I am intrinsically a dancer. Will move to music whereever. In the kitchen, in public, if there is a a group of free form or folk dancers, I’ll join in. I’d dance at the opera too, if appropriate. Hold myself back at the grocery store, as the one I frequent has just the right music for the shopping boomer population. Never been involved with a partner who likes to dance, so I need friends or a friendly crowd to dance with. </p>
<p>However, my kids are not. Don’t know how they grew up so wooden, as I always encouraged music and dance of all sorts. But some have that need to move, some don’t. Part of the message of the music of my youth is that it’s ok to be whoever you want to be, enjoy music however you choose. But I always appreciate dancers-lets me be free to do what comes naturally. </p>
<p>Don’t know that I’d go to rock concerts these days-I value my hearing too much-but if the right band came along, perhaps with earplugs. Saw great things back in the day…California back in the '70s was a fine place for music.</p>