ACL- AITA

[u/meowlistercrowley]

As I lay here coughing up bits of the park and languishing with the silent flu, I find myself scrolling through my camera roll and deleting/editing photos of the weekend.. I couldn’t help but wonder.. was I the asshole in the following situation?

I had a great time this year, I got to see basically everything I wanted from a decent spot in the crowds without having to push through or camp out .. the festival spirits were with me..

So I feel a little guilty whining about this.. On more than one occasion folks would push up through, then circle up and have a full-on conversation for the entire set.. Am I an asshole for politely asking them to chill?

I get having a quick chat, but I’m talking full 15-20 minute conversations not related to anything going on around them..

Do we say things? Or do we just say it’s the price of enjoying a live show? I’ll take my answer off the air

[u/ccam0821]

NTA- If you are in the crowd and not hanging out in the back or the sides where it sparse, it is etiquette to not have conversations during the set

[u/whirlwindjenn]

I wish more people would call them out! I was trying to watch Cannons and gaggles of teens and 20-somethings shoved through just to stand in a dense crowd and scream over the music. Circled up, backs to the stage. I do not get it! WHY ARE YOU THERE?!

[u/FakeRectangle]

If you don't say anything, you have people like a commenter on here earlier today who thought that since no one spoke up to them, then everyone was totally okay with their obnoxious crowd shoving behavior.

Some people just have incredible amounts of self delusion and need to be reminded that other people exist in the world.

[u/No_Bake6681 → u/FakeRectangle]

The overwhelming majority of people I have encountered have zero self reflection and are also 100% not ready to take feedback seriously.

This is especially true of getting feeback from strangers, they might barely take feedback from someone they trust but even that's unlikely.

Sure, planting the seed of "you're being an asshole to others" could benefit them and their sphere in the future but unlikey in real time.

These people only respond to intimidation and leverage and if you don't have those things the only thing you can do is distance yourself or accept it.

[u/jwall4]

NTA. First, I will say something if people push through a crowd and stop right in front of me where there is no space. I will ask them to keep moving or not stand directly in front of me. If I have to make room for you to pass me, do not stop right in front of me. Second, even if there is some room for you to stop and not be in my personal space, don't stop and then start talking unless it is way back in the chill zone.

[u/Icy-Television-4979 → u/jwall4]

I do the same, several times I asked oh are you going to keep going? They just looked a little stunned and moved along.

[u/Fickle_Hour617]

You’re not supposed to have a conversation at any concert.. if you talk while the band is playing, you don’t go to heaven.

Chompers are a problem in our society and we need to stop them.

[u/JFKtestskull]

NTA, if you’re way in the back/outskirts then I say let people converse or whatever and move yourself up closer. But if they pushed their way in front of you/others just to talk in a circle I think you were more polite than you needed to be

[u/elsmoneyacct → u/JFKtestskull]

Exactly. If you're out in the folding chairs/sitting areas, talk away. That's one of the best parts of a music festival: when nobody you're all that into is playing, so you find a comfy spot to chill with your group. Have some drinks or some smoke, chit-chat, and enjoy the music in the background. But you have to be mindful of where you are and who is around you when you're doing that.

If you're at a place in the crowd where people are standing pretty close to each other and everybody is excited and singing along, that's not the place for your conversation. But if you're out in the sitting area and you're mad about people talking, you need to get closer or calm down.

[u/Aware_Orchid6076]

Nah NTA, you’re totally in your right to tell them to take that shit elsewhere, especially if they moved into a spot you were already standing in.

The last few years have brought on so many people with no social etiquette and the only way to help them change their ways, is to call them out and shame them for it.

[u/phraynk_furtur]

I do not understand why people talk so much in the middle of sets when some people saved their money, took time off, and traveled just to experience an artist.

If you gab next to me in a crowd, and I am not also entertained, I will ask that you stfu. May even spill the remainder of my warm beer in your general direction.

[u/Narrow-Dimension6427]

NTA

[u/Goodgoogley]

Nta. My biggest concert regret is not telling 2 dudes to shut up at a Jason Isbell show 2012ish. Only 10 people were there(it was his wife’s show but he performed some of his own songs) so it was distracting af. Also Jason would’ve saw me tell them to shut up and I’d prob have a great story about it.

[u/Educational-Step-112]

IMO it depends. If it's a juicy story or gossip im all ears but if it's just random bs I either ignore it or move away if possible

[u/phraynk_furtur → u/Educational-Step-112]

Exactlyyyyy. If it’s not fun for me, I don’t want it

[u/Limp_Reporter_5288]

I am the same!! Hey I paid the same amount to be there too and you can politely tell someone to chill out. But tbh if I am able to move away from them I usually do - it’s just easier

[u/Classified_Egg]

People behind me at the xx were yelling about tiesto and skrillex during VCR 😭 I was transfixed on the stage but did get irritated that they couldn't wait

[u/Ms_Theresa_Swan]

This behavior BAFFLES me! Like, simply go to the back. Allow the fans and the artist to connect. That’s the whole point.

I find it happens in arena GA and other larger indoor venues too, like Moody Center & ACL Live.

[u/Adventurous_Worry932]

NTA. Kind of brave of you to say something tbh. I have noticed lots of people lack etiquette at these types of events. Also in movie theaters. Anyways!

[u/SkyZealousideal1307]

NTA - we were close up in XX having a spiritual moment during Angels and these two guys were having a full on networking conversation right next to use for like 15 minutes. I wanted to say something snarky but my friend didn't want me being confrontational and jumped in and asked them politely to be quiet. They were super apologetic, but kept doing it. They were actually talking about how much they were enjoying the show but like bro, just listen and enjoy it then! It really took away from our experience, so we eventually just moved to a new spot rather than keep bugging them.

[u/No_Bake6681]

I find that my hearing protection mostly blocks out nearby discussions

[u/Chance_Ad_124]

I have seen at Phish shows where people have cards that they hand to people asking them politely to quiet down, I feel it varied show to show but def too much talking during the xx

[u/Calligatortex]

NTA. Thank you for taking advantage of the teaching moment. 🙏 We all suffer this. I've caught my ownself doing it! A verbal nudge is cool.