My pet peeve is definitely fans that scream unsolicited requests to the band. I want to turn around and say, "When they want your help picking a set list, I'm sure they will ask you."

Sent by Jalyn Henton | 3:32 PM ET | 07-09-2008

I like a little bit of music, but background and needs to fit the venue/performance. I like silence, but right after a loud show it can be more disrupting than having a little music in the background.

Sent by Tim | 3:36 PM ET | 07-09-2008

other pet peeve, tall people standing in the wrong spot. I'm 6'3" and I try to take into consideration that there are some shorter than I.

Sent by Tim | 3:39 PM ET | 07-09-2008

I second what Jalyn said, along with the drunks who feel that they are perfectly justified in having an on-going conversation with the performers. Shut up! (also, I don't mind post-concert music, but it should fit the mood and not just be random "here's who's coming up next" tunes)

Sent by Ann V. | 3:41 PM ET | 07-09-2008

My pet peeve is people that decide they're the official documentary filmmaker of every concert event. This seems to happen a lot in Los Angeles these days. I'm sick of standing behind someone that doesn't dance, uses their arm as a tripod, and glares at you everytime you emit noise. I think amateur videographers should have their own section - perhaps at sound check.

Sent by Ines | 4:01 PM ET | 07-09-2008

Two words: "free bird!"

Sent by Brian | 4:25 PM ET | 07-09-2008

two words: smoking ban

Sent by daniel | 4:38 PM ET | 07-09-2008

The webcomic Questionable Content has recently tackled the issues of The Creepy Old Dude and The Make-Out Couple at concerts. If not tackled, then addressed.

I take issue with the kids (of all ages) who get too wasted to act decently: screaming and wobbling around, at the expense of others' enjoyment. To expound on Brian's "Freebird!" complaint, the problem is that too many people think that's FUNNY concert behavior. It's gone from vaguely-appropriate to funny to ironic to cliche & obnoxious.

Sent by Neil | 4:59 PM ET | 07-09-2008

yeah, i sometimes wish they gave the band a little more space. a little background music is ok, but the music has to fit with the bad. i love how the Decemberists play russian marches and choral music before their shows. its oddly fitting!

Sent by travis | 5:09 PM ET | 07-09-2008

agree 100% with you Bob!

Sent by Lee | 5:22 PM ET | 07-09-2008

Enthusiastic fans who sing every line of every song, or, because they don't really care about the band on stage and are only there to hang out in some kind of hipster scene, carry on lengthy conversations with their friends during every song that they don't immediately recognize.

Sent by Justin | 5:34 PM ET | 07-09-2008

I now love Tim, the one tall guy who thinks about the fact that he's tall and other people aren't. Tall people who stand in the front and SWAY along with the music: even worse. I then get to sway along, but at opposite intervals, making it feel like some sort of strange Maypole dance.

Sent by xtina | 9:01 PM ET | 07-09-2008

1.)People who yell request songs and/or attempt at conversing with band members.
2.)People who pull the "my friends up there move" and then stand in front of you awkwardly because I was nice and believed you. (Unless you're shorter than me there is no reason for you to get in front of me.)

Nice points Bob. Totally agree.

Sent by Andy | 10:26 PM ET | 07-09-2008

I find it annoying when the music played after the show is LOUDER than the band.

Sent by Geoff | 10:35 PM ET | 07-09-2008

My favorite pre-concert experience was Ben Folds in Princeton, NJ. No music, at least none that I can recall. I got to talk to and make friends with other fans.

My pet peeves:

Cell phones are not lighters. When you wave them over your head you look like a fool.

Unless it's classical or some forms of jazz you should be able to stand up. When Bowie breaks into "Scary Monsters" I don't want to hear some grumpy sob behind me say "Excuse me, we paid to get in here too please sit down." (true story)

People who don't even give the opener a shot. Before you shout "you suck" or talk over everything at least let them get through the first song. Note: Does not apply to Stones concerts.

Sent by Eric L | 11:34 PM ET | 07-09-2008

spinners.

Sent by Jon G | 8:58 AM ET | 07-10-2008

I hate it when the venue cranks the lights on before the crowd even has a chance to cheer for an encore for the band.

Sent by Shane | 11:22 AM ET | 07-10-2008

As one of the annoying DJ's who plays after the band, I can only say that my pet peave is people who need as much control over their environment when they go out of the house as they need in their living room. Sorry you don't like it but try to loosen up when you go out, go with the flow and the experience that the venue (who are paying the DJ)is trying to create for you. How many times has a band played a god awful CD that only they like before coming on stage and I am sure you stay for the performance. Give the DJ a break.

I'm with you on the bad band music before they come on stage. As far as music after the show...All I want is a couple of minutes. Let the mood linger just a touch.
that's all.

bob

Sent by Steve D | 11:31 AM ET | 07-10-2008

The only time the after-music from the DJ is appropriate is when the band picks the music themselves, given that they have their own soundman.
Best example of this: The Darkness in 2005. They finished their encore, the lights when up and boom: "I've Had The Time Of My Life," from Dirty Dancing. Whether you like the band, the cheese factor matched their performance perfectly.

Sent by jeremy | 11:32 AM ET | 07-10-2008

They probably want the venue to clear out fast, so playing crappy music will help that.

Sent by Andrea | 12:35 PM ET | 07-10-2008

Andrea got it right. The house music is just a cue. It means the show is over so go home.

Sent by sven | 1:36 PM ET | 07-10-2008

Contrary to former posts, I actually enjoy crowd members who interact with the band, either by conversing with or requesting songs (once or twice is enough, though) from the band. I don't want to see a show where the band has such a strict set list that they aren't even willing to consider other songs. Now, this does not apply to drunk and/or people who don't care about the band, but if you have a good audience and a band willing to involve the crowd it can make for some great concerts.

Sent by Kyle | 2:38 PM ET | 07-10-2008

Crowd surfers.

Its impossible to stand too close to the stage these days at larger venues without spending half the show looking over your shoulder to make sure you dont get your neck crushed or by some sweaty drunk d-bag who is going to land on top of you.

Sent by bobblack | 2:39 PM ET | 07-10-2008

Yeah, I agree with you. It's like a music overload when the DJ starts playing really random songs after a good show. You need a second to take everything about the show in...but it's very distracting to do that when Avril Lavigne's "Sk8ter Boi" starts pumping.

Oh, I also hate the loving couples during a concert. I can not STAND when a dude wraps his hands around his girlfriend's waste and sort of does this hump/sway dance to the music. It makes me want to puke my overpriced beer onto the floor.

Sent by Alexis | 3:29 PM ET | 07-10-2008

Are encores calls still necessary? Anyone enjoy yelling, clapping, whistling in the dark for nothing after a long concert? I recently attended a less-than-great Cure show and heard the quietest encore call ever. It would have been cool to hear Robert Smith say "we were coming out for an encore, but you guys did not cheer loud enough, so see ya!"

Seriously, can we just have the band stay on stage for the whole set? if they need a break, just have the band say "we'll be right back, no need to yell or whistle or anything..."

Sent by Rafael | 5:13 PM ET | 07-10-2008

Dj's start playing music the second a show is over to keep the crowd in the joint. many show goers tend to leave once a show is over and playing music lets the crowd know that the night is still young and there are more drinks to be had. As a dj I definitely try to play things that fit with the vibe, but silence, although welcomed by some, tends to be the blaring sound of goodnight for a lot of showgoers

that's so odd that you say that because these days it always seems that the music coming on signals...it's over, go home.

I guess it depends on the club.

bob

Sent by Heat | 5:59 PM ET | 07-10-2008

No more mosh pits.
I know it comes with certain kinds of music, but really, let's all have a little personal space when enjoying DA SHOP BOYZ. Thanks.

Sent by Flagrant Hipster | 10:40 PM ET | 07-10-2008

Cell phone photographers drive me crazy.

Buy a camera or better yet, watch the band and take mental pictures.

Sent by Benjamin Dobbin | 2:32 AM ET | 07-11-2008

Sometimes I go to a show just to check out the opening act, but it pains me how they get no respect. I wanted to enjoy Rogue Wave before Death Cab came on at the Nokia, but the level of conversation and texting that went on around me completely drowned them out. That's not the first time that's happened, either.

Meanwhile, Bob, my favorite new (for me) discovery: Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. Have you heard the CD? It got me.

Sent by Jane | 3:24 AM ET | 07-11-2008

Not only does it bother me when the "get out" tunes pop up immediately, but my major pet peeve is sound guys who think that it has to be bone shaking to be a good show. I have found that I'm growing less tolerant of sound guys who crank up the concert to the point of shaking the room. I use my ears for a living and wear hearing protection whenever I'm around live music, but most live shows are just too loud!

Sent by Mark | 10:53 AM ET | 07-11-2008

Most of my pet peeves have already been covered here (cell phone waving, talking through opening bands, etc...), but one of the things that's really started bothering me the last two years is the tendency for bands to play obnoxiously short sets, and then play TWO encores.

Seriously, give me an hour plus of music and one solid encore and I'll leave happy. None of this grandstanding two-encores-at-a-500-occupancy-club stuff (unless the crowd literally is screaming for it, of course). It's ridiculous.

Sent by David W. | 11:44 AM ET | 07-11-2008

Most pet peeves are listed, but I think they all fall under the same category of dealing with people at concerts who don't seem to be there for the right reasons.

I never understood coming to a concert and getting drunk/stoned. I shelled out anywhere from $10 to $100 to get in the door, and I want nothing to stand in the way of what I hope to be a sensational sonic and visual experience.

My biggest pet peeve is people who come to shows to hang out and chat rather than listen to the music.

Sent by aaron | 1:06 PM ET | 07-11-2008

I don't mind seeing the loving couple, but I hate hate hate everyone having to give them 3 feet of space so I don't become a part of their dry humping act. I also hate the really sweaty guy who pops up mid-show and essentially wipes himself dry on me and my clothes. Everyone sweats at a concert but I try not to push myself against other people.

Sent by Zvi | 1:21 PM ET | 07-11-2008

"I never understood coming to a concert and getting drunk/stoned."

???????????????????????

wha? Oh, wait ... you're talking bout going to the symphony or something right? right?

Sent by daniel | 2:37 PM ET | 07-11-2008

It's already been discussed, but I hate the fans who yell out requests every time there's a moment of silence between songs. The worst is when the artist has an extensive back catalog, because these often turn into music-geek cutting contests: "let's show how cool I am by coming up with some obscure request off an album from 30 years ago." And if the artist doesn't acknowledge your request the first time, by all means start screaming it again after the next song.

I have no problem with people getting wasted at shows, as long as they keep enough control to not fall on me or scream in my ear. I've done it enough myself, and personally it enhances my enjoyment of the experience. That said, I respect the people around me, who also presumably paid to get in, and I try not to screw up their concert-going experience while I'm enjoying mine. It's not that hard to do both.

Sent by Gary | 4:47 PM ET | 07-11-2008

I'll be honest, I love a small venue -- 9:30 Club and the Black Cat are great -- but sometimes the sweaty pit that is the audience just ruins it for me. Do you ever have the guy who stands so close behind you you can literally feel him breathing? It's like, you turn to say something to your friend next to you, and the guy's head is on your shoulder. Ugh, please respect personal space at least a little!

Sent by Conor | 4:51 PM ET | 07-11-2008

Just so you don't think any of this behavior is new to the musical scene - the most egregious example of an audience talking over/ignoring an opening act was Muddy Waters when he toured with Eric Clapton during the "Slow Hand" era. Absolutely shameful.

Sent by Don | 7:28 AM ET | 07-12-2008

Bretheren Sol once smashed his acoustic guitar over a DJ's setup after he quit playing.I'm with you,it's a peeve.

Sent by E Malmstrom | 12:50 PM ET | 07-13-2008

I was at a Sigur Ros show lately and right after they played a really beautiful and slow (just piano and voice) song, two guys in the back started yelling their heads off! Doing the whole WOO!! YEAH!! thing. It was like the were at a football game and their team scored. After they played that song a little silence would of been perfect, then gradually building up the applause. Arg!

Sent by Kaleb | 10:15 PM ET | 07-13-2008

No more mosh cavities.
I recognize it comes with certain kinds of music, but really, let's all have a little personal space when delighting DA SHOP BOYZ. Thank you.
_______________
Aady
Addiction Recovery Idaho

Sent by Aady Pitt | 5:24 AM ET | 07-14-2008

I'm a tall guy, and if I get there early and get a good spot, I feel bad for the people behind me but them's the breaks. But I definitely won't go stand in front of someone shorter than me in the middle of a show.

I want to fight people that talk while the band is playing. It continues to amaze me that these people have no sense of respect for anyone else.

I generally don't mind the DJ putting on music at the end, though I do agree that silence after a great show is preferable. The one great experience I had with this was at a show at the Vogue in Indianapolis. I can't remember who it was (Robert Randolph perhaps?), but it was a solid, uptempo show. As soon as it ended, they started playing Sex Machine, and no one left. We all just stayed and danced. Whether or not this was the desired effect I'll never know, but it was some delicious icing on the proverbial cake.

Sent by hadley | 2:23 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Oh man, so many pet peeves to share.... I understand where you're coming from about the music coming on immediately. It's kind of how I feel at movie theaters when the lights come on the second the first credit rolls. I hate that! I like to sit in my seat for a while and let the movie sink in.

I think one of my big peeves though is super loud audience members. It's one thing if you're at an arena show where no one can hear each other anyway, but when you're at an intimate club show, and the person next to you is holding a full-blown conversation with someone, it can be so rude and disruptive. I saw Tristan Prettyman in West Hollywood a few years ago and the crowd was being so loud and rude that her then-boyfriend Jason Mraz came on stage and told people to be quiet. How embarrassing for everyone involved. I wish people would zip it.

Oh, and that kind of goes hand-in-hand with overly intoxicated people. I'm as big a fan of alcohol as the next person, but have some restraint, people. Being slobbering drunk at a show can't be that enjoyable, can it?

Oh...and requesting "Free Bird." Ugh.

Sent by Tamara Vallejos | 3:27 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I recently became annoyed at a short person standing in the back of a huge gap toward the front. Oh I'm sorry you're short and I am of average, but please do not whine when I need to move to see also!

While I believe in everybody "feeling the music" in their own way, I kinda like those obnoxious drunks who stumble into you. It makes a concert what it is, but perhaps that's my youth talking. Now the stupid comments yelled at the musician in the middle of a song and swaying that takes me out of my element...that might peeve me just a tad.

Sent by Emily | 2:14 AM ET | 07-15-2008

I can't go to Wilco shows anymore. The last three times, I've had drunk frat boys yelling "Kidsmoke" in between every single song, and then twice I've had the same assholes spill beer on me.

Screaming for a song is perhaps the most annoying thing ever, followed closely by marriage proposals and supposedly witty sayings. Shut up and listen!

Also, I absolutely can't stand it when I'm at a show (REM comes to mind) and I'm standing up to rock out, because that is one of the main points of paying to see a show, and all of the geezers behind me get pissy. Stand up! If you wanted to sit through the show, buy the cd and go back to your lazyboy.

Sent by Dave | 1:50 PM ET | 07-17-2008

Please chant with me: "No more encores! No more encores! No more encores!"

Seriously, to borrow a phrase from the folks at Wired magazine, the obligatory encore(s) charade has gone from 'tired' to 'expired.' Play music. Bow. Go home.

Sent by Scott | 3:48 PM ET | 08-19-2008