Grr. I just typed out a nice long response, which then got deleted. Oh well, the basic idea was, if you're going to a high energy show like TAB or Langhorne, you have to expect people to be standing and dancing and singing and feeding some of the band's energy back to them. Getting mad at people who are doing that seems unreasonable to me. I brought my mom to the show. She can't stand up for long and I told her up front that people were going to be standing and she probably wouldn't be able to see. She said that'd be fine and she could still listen. Turns out the people in front of us didn't stand up at all, but my point is, she knew to expect it and certainly wouldn't have been ticked if they did.

I agree. I wanted to stand so bad during langhorne. When TAB came on everyone did stand but as me and my friend were short we could barely see anything so we stood against the side wall and were able to actually see all of TAB and fully dance and enjoy the show. But at a show like this you can't really expect everyone to sit down, I mean it's not a symphony orchestra which is meant to be hear sitting down but an upbeat concert meant to be enjoyed by standing up and dancing. However, you also have to respect everyone around you too, creating a better atmosphere.

--
The sky trades the moon for the sun

http://www.facebook.com/#/profile.php?ref=name&id=1118010065

Hahahaha!! I was the girl with the braids standing in the row behind you that they were yelling at too! Funny s*** yeah? Slim kicked ass! I was sooo excited to see him there.

HAHA NICE CHRISTY T.! I was so irritated that they were yelling at us. I just wonder if those Avett fans saw the brothers open up for someone if they would feel as inclined to just sit during them then. I didn't go to the Dave Matthews show that they played here in Atlanta just because I can't stand the DMB (to each his own though) but from my knowledge its a seated venue in parts. Would Avett fans be mad if someone told them to sit during the Avetts because they were the opening act. GRRRRRRR

Hahaha thats funny. Yeah I had new years plans that fell through and that is why I didn't get better tickets. I always prefer the Gen admin shows. I love waiting in lines and getting to know the people around me. Feeling like you earned your spot is one of my favorite parts.

do what the person behind you is doing
--
Z

TAB_Zealot
I agree.
I think that’s pretty much the Golden Rule at a reserved seat show.
--
"Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid”
Frank Zappa

We were fortunate enough to be up front row center for the Knoxville show (thanks AA). The guy next to us was easily 6'6 if not taller. He never stood up, he actually watched most of the show from his knees.

But I tend to follow the golden rule laid out by sundayrehab, or stand up and see if you can get away with it.

--
"I wonder which brother is better, which one our parents love the most...he said I love you and I'm proud of you both in so many different ways."

I did find it odd that no one seemed to expect to sit through TAB but got peeved at people standing for Sallie and Slim. If you aren't into them enough to dance why do you even care about getting a good view. I did sit when Sallie was on but mostly because I was taking in the scenery of the Fabulous Fox Theatre but there is no way I could sit for Langhorne Slim! As for those behind us, I have no idea if they were upset. I was too busy dancing and singing to notice!
--
The day will come, the sun will rise, and we'll be fine.

Good post, and I totally agree there is no right or wrong answer, but the key is to be courteous and kind. Go ahead and stand up if you need to, but if someone "politely" asks you to sit down, assume they have a good reason for it, and oblige them. Don't be an obnoxious deuschebag and stand there blocking everyone behind you's view; especially if you cast a monstrous shadow .
After walking all over Asheville, and Atlanta for a couple days, it was actually nice to sit down for LS, but if I was more into him, maybe I would see things different. Standing for TAB is mandatory, so that's not an issue. There were a few folks standing in front of us for LS and it was annoying to me and everyone else around me, so not like I was the only one who shared this opinion. Some people frankly just don't consider others, and prefer to block the view for others w/o a care. Remember that it is a chain event, and the only way for folks behind you to see around you is to stand, and for the folks behind them to stand, etc... I'll take a seated venue anyday over long lines, but that's probably the thirty something in me talking.
You could tell LS wanted folks to get more into the show, and I guess standing and dancing would do the trick, but it just wasn't happening; I enjoyed sitting there sipping a beer before TAB came on, so, to each their own I guess..

I would agree.

--
http://www.facebook.com/reiggin

soulonfire86, I totally agree.

If you are a fan, then show your support. If you can't see, then listen and take in the music.
this will forever be a glitch in seated venues.
So folks who don't like people to stand in front of them , just lean to the side OR breath a sigh of relief that you are sitting down,chill and enjoy the show.

I would only get offended if you are around those people who could care less of their behavior because they are drunkity drunk drunk.

i think in keeping with the theme of people on here when you disagree with others:

you don't like seated venues, don't go see them at seated venues.

To me, there’s no clear cut rule because it depends on who you’re seeing and the vibe of the night. I agree with chilixx that if a performer is making it clear that he’s looking for crowd involvement, its borderline rude to not standup. Of course you don't have to stand if you aren't that into it, or if they’re just no good. But you do have to recognize that you are then choosing to have your view obstructed by someone who is giving the performer the kind of energy he's looking for.

WillComply:

not to sound harsh, but i wish i always had a choice of seated vs. non-seated as you apparently do

bgav76:

"But you do have to recognize that you are then choosing to have your view obstructed by someone who is giving the performer the kind of energy he's looking for."

exactly. take it from me if you're playing a show with energy and everyone's just sitting there, it's extremely awkward and much less enjoyable as a performer.

i think this might be my rule of thumb: the audience should be as energetic as the performer on stage. i'm not going to stand at a seated venue watching herbie hanc*** play piano, but if the people on stage are jumping around and dancing while playing instruments no less you better believe i'm going to be rocking out / gettin my groove on and not feel bad for those who aren't

maybe i'm just the type of person who never believes in limiting anyone elses experience unless it totally and 100% destroys mine, which pretty much draws my line at violence and nothing short. if the person in front of me wants to stand and i want to sit, i'll look around them. i'm not going to feel entitled to instruct them on how to enjoy the show just because it inconveniences me, i'll just think to myself "well that's too bad" and get over it.

When you say
“maybe i'm just the type of person who never believes in limiting anyone elses experience unless it totally and 100% destroys mine,”
it seems to conflict with your willingness to stand in front of people that are sitting down watching a concert.
I like to stand when things are rocking out but I always glance back behind me to see if the people behind me are rising to their feet. If they are not I stay seated and look like Stevie Wonder rocking my head back and forth. It does not destroy my experience. It also gives the people around me something to laugh at.

--
"Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid”
Frank Zappa

I'm really short, so it's frustrating to have someone taller or bigger to stand in front of me, but I am all in favor have standing and dancing at shows. I wish there were an easier solution, especially since general admission shows have just as many frustrations.

I'm of the short persuasion so I understand the frustration of getting your view blocked, but I also found it impossible to stay seated for Langhorne. If someone behind me had asked me to be seated then I would've done my best to get out of their way. What irritated me about it was that instead of doing that, the group a few rows back from us made smart ass comments about our group standing. During TAB, I missed actually seeing most of the show because of standing people even though I was really close to the front. Instead of getting angry at those in front of me, I did the best I could to lean and stand on tippytoes. I would never expect the crowd to stay seated or stop moving around on my account. I just figure if you're feeling the music and the artist wants the interaction, then you should do what feels right.
--
"The day will come, the sun will rise, and we'll be fine"

Most of the folks where I was were seated and were truly enjoying sitting on our azzes watching LS; I am not new to TAB by an stretch, but am completely new to LS; maybe because I am unfamiliar with his music, I was not compelled to stand, but I can appreciate if you were, that you would want to groove out and celebrate one of your favorite artists. But please guys, it was obvious that some of the folks standing up in front gave me a feeling like you were standing and dancing, in slight part, to say screw it and piss off the people behind you that were sitting and were unable to thoroughly enjoy the show due to a blocked view, and I mean blocked; where I was, there was no seeing around some of the people, believe me, I tried. May be the sitters aren't speaking out much here because they are not TAB die hards like us, and are not even on this forum, so I will speak for them until I "stand" corrected. This is the comment I have a slight issue with: "I just figure if you're feeling the music and the artist wants the interaction, then you should do what feels right." Well, I disagree. Please be considerate to those around (and behind you). Standing and having fun is one thing, but being flagrant about it, knowing you're decreasing the experience of others, is unacceptable (to me). This is no different really than a college football game. Most of the people get it when it's time to sit, and it's time to stand, but then there are others who are in their own little world and couldn't care less what others around think or feel about a blocked view. And yes, it does make a difference how tall or large you are; I'm 6 ft tall and know when I am blocking the view of the slew of 5'2" girls behind me, so I may angle myself differently or crouch slightly. No offense here, just staing my opinion, and standing or sitting when you should be sitting or standing does not make any of us uncool or bad people btw.

It has been mentioned before in this thread but I'll repeat.....

If you don't like the threat of your view being blocked then take the sacrifice of not seeing the guys and don't participate in a seated venue. Especially if anyone feels like their time may be in any way spoiled.

We all need to have a good, too borrow a word from a dear friend, "Avettude," about this WHOLE experience.

Lots of folks on this thread express a good one.

Generosity, kindness, love and energy surround this music the brothers share with us.

Lets remember those things.

That’s funny.
“what I meant by that was that if I were the person sitting, my experience wouldn't be ruined” DUHH That's because you want to stand.
So only the seated person should be inconvenienced, never the self centered jackass that's standing up when 90% of the people behind them are not.
I like to rock out at a show when the music calls for it. BUT, like you stated “i'm just the type of person who never believes in limiting anyone elses experience unless it totally and 100% destroys mine,“ if the people behind me are sitting down I sit or I move over to the side or the back to dance. I realize that by standing in front of them I am, in fact, limiting their experience.
I also find it embarrassing to see a band beg a crowd to stand. If the band’s music gets the crowd to their feet more power to them. If they have to ask for a response it is pretty lazy and pathetic.

This whole thread is nuts. Next thing you know, people will be fighting at shows. Disagreement is fine, but some people are expressing true animosity. This is just sad, especially among fans of this band. What would TAB do?

p.s. - the answer just occurred to me: I will watch all future shows from a crouched position. This way, I will neither be sitting nor standing. Sometimes I amaze myself. I've gotta go now and perfect my crouching technique.
--
"Happy's not the word, you make me free."

Crouching mentonelee Hidden deutschbag. <-- dude, sorry, I took a shot, that was totally a joke at your expense brother, my bad, nothing personal, ever, and I apologize for the derogatory term, it just kind of flowed better.
I didn't mean to convey that everyone who stands is trying to decrease the positive experience of others; and certainly not your wife, who I'm sure meant all the best. I am simply saying that it seemed to me like some folks took a bit of extra pride in their standing/dancing during LS when they definitely knew it was bothering people behind them. I'm not kidding, I know what I saw, and it was utter pleasure being found in not only grooving out to LS, but also in disdain for the attendees who asked repeatedly (albeit maybe not 100% cordially each time) for said groupee to sit the fugg down because those of us behind you could not see a dam thing. And there was coaxing of others to join in on the standing/ticket holders' view blocking going on .

And BTW, this is just a discussion; nobody on here is gonna care about bringing this up in person to someone else at a show or anything; it literally is just a topic that needed some airing out after Atlanta. It's all in good humor (I assume), although obviously distasteful at times.
Sundayrehab and NC4Now, tru that! ^^

lol, there is rampant dooshbaggery in this thread.
Actualy WC, it's Italian apparently, what a doosh:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_deutschbag