Should you stand or sit at a concert? Adele fan ignites debate

Elizabeth Blair | NPR

August 30th, 2023

Down in front!

What’s wrong with these people who aren’t on their feet dancing?

There are all kinds of debates regarding the concertgoing experience. If you’re tall, should you stand in the back? Can I tell noisy people to shut up during a show? No, you definitely shouldn’t throw stuff at artists on stage (flowers might be the exception).

This made me think about whether it’s ok to stand when those around you are sitting. Is it OK for other fans or security to tell a fan to sit down?

What happened:

Is it ok to stand when everyone’s sitting? It depends.

Standing up for your right to sit

What I’ve learned

I can relate to Juan Lastra’s need to fully embrace the moment. I recently attended a Ziggy Marley concert with my teenage son. We jumped to our feet when we heard songs we liked, sang and danced — while almost everyone around us remained seated.

Unlike Lastra, I feared we were blocking their views, so we would periodically sit down. But it was a lot less fun! Swersky at Wolf Trap said seated spectators are constantly asking them to tell others to sit down.

Yet after talking to him and Schaefer — not to mention seeing Adele defend her impassioned fan — I wonder if Ziggy Marley might’ve preferred we remain standing. Eventually he got everyone off their derrieres singing some of his father’s biggest hits.

Audio and digital story edited by Jennifer Vanasco. Audio produced by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento.

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