Concert Etiquette

The Clipsal 500 is an annual motorsports event held on the streets of Adelaide, Australia, which spans across four days, with the official race spanning two. The first race commenced in 1999 on the Adelaide Street Circuit, a shortened version of the Australian Grand Prix track. This event features a V8 Supercar race and an ensuing concert. My father and I attended the race on the first day, Saturday the 4th of March. My brother arrived later in the day and the three of us collectively saw the headlining bands Baby Animals and Hunters and Collectors. Earlier in the day prior to his arrival, The Byzantines and Battlegrounds played their sets.

Throughout the concert, I noticed the imagery and videography displayed on the rear stage screen (displayed in the photo above) was of such a vibrant and lively nature, and that it contributed positively to the performance and experience we had in a powerful way. The quality and sharpness was of such superior standard, I doubt I've seen imagery that great at any concert previously. One aspect of the experience that was sub-par was the management of bass levels, as it was needlessly loud. Numerous people in my vicinity had started to complain and request the band turn it down, such demand was ignored with inattention despite the crowd's persuasive chanting. It had gotten that loud that it started to pound and hurt my chest; it hurt more than when Thy Art Is Murder, a deathcore band, toured with Parkway Drive in Adelaide, and their bass was loud. Moreover, my inner ears started to ache after their first few songs, and that never happens.

In true Australian fashion, there were copious amounts of drunks in the crowd who started to get obnoxious as their levels of self-awareness and dignity started to plummet. Additionally, there were ample amounts of self-entitled jerks who thought they were royalty compared to the rest of us. It would've seemed that these people don't understand basic etiquette as there are a few unspoken rules that accompany any live music event. It is especially paramount that everyone familiarises themselves with them.

Firstly, if you arrive late and wanted to stand at the front, it's your own fault. Don't expect others to be okay with you cutting past people to get to the front or near the barrier. I had a few older guys do this to me midway through Hunters and Collectors' set who stood directly in front of me and obstructed my view. This was most likely because they noticed I was much younger than them and that I could be an easy target. If this situation ever arises for you, don't allow them to subjugate you. Luckily the other surrounding adults stood up for me after my valiant efforts had failed and sent them on their way back to where they were beforehand. There exists such a thing as personal space, and these guys reduced mine to zero; I felt so cramped and uneasy. By doing this you are essentially saying "Hey guys, I'm an asshole!". I don't care who you are, just don't do it.

Secondly, please control how much you drink and don't allow yourself to get so grossly drunk that you become hostile to anyone and everyone around you, it's a real dick move and it says a lot about your personality. You may not realise it when you're drunk but the other concert attendees paid to see the band and have a good time. Similarly, those in your vicinity aren't there to be fearing for their safety. Be respectful, control how much you drink and don't instigate any fights. In a way, it's quite tragic that people rely on alcohol in order to have a good time, but that's just me.

Thirdly, the only time you should be pushing or shoving another attendee is when they're in the mosh pit with you. The mosh pit is designed for people to be rough with others and have a good time whilst doing so, those standing at the back or near the barrier don't consent to this sentiment. If someone isn't in the pit, don't intentionally hurt them. Punching is never socially accepted, pushing and shoving is fine. If this is your forte then join a martial arts program. Furthermore, if someone falls over or you knock them over, help them get back up. If you'd want to be helped up, then be courteous and do the same. After all, concerts are meant to be joyous experiences and all should co-operate and get along.

Finally, if you are vastly overweight please don't stage dive and expect that people will catch you. It's quite a self-entitled thing to do, by putting the safety of others in jeopardy just for a short-lived moment of action. I would hope this sentiment is a common consensus; valuing the safety of the majority is a cardinal aspect of the experience in contrast to the enjoyment of the minority. Such sentiment could be a catalyst for those who yearn to stage dive to lose weight.

All round we had a great experience. It wasn't our first time attending the Clipsal 500 race and a subsequent concert to conclude the night and it won't be our last, although we all hadn't gone for a few years. Despite all that could've been and was complained about, we ended the night on a high note driving home jamming to the very same music we listened to that same night.