CityMag’s guide to gig etiquette
If you’re going to Electric Fields or other gigs around town this weekend, make sure you follow our etiquette guide to be your best Cranker-saving, schooner-drinking, live music-loving self.
1. Buy your tickets early.
Adelaideans are notoriously bad at this and it’s why we miss out on so many gigs. Venues and bookers don’t want to bring a band to Adelaide if they think it won’t sell.
2. Come for the opening act.
These bands deserve an audience to get their start.
3. Spend on the bar.
We get it, cost of living etcetera, etcetera, but still, budget for drinks and help keep venues afloat, even if it’s a happy hour pint or a lemon lime bitters.
4. Tall people, be considerate of the shorties around you.
Do tall men really need to be front row for aleksiah? Sincerely, every person 5 ft 3 and under.
5. Don’t film the whole show.
Your 13 TikTok followers don’t need that content and a gig is best enjoyed live, not through a screen. If you do feel the need to film, keep it to the chorus or bridge of your favourite song and never use your flash.
You might like
6. Don’t yell at the artist or band between songs.
No one cares what you have to say (and if you’re a man who has ever yelled comments about a fem performer’s body, this is for you. It’s unnecessary and makes every young woman in the crowd uncomfortable).
7. Keep hair flicking to a minimum.
Tie it up or throw it in a pony.
8. Don’t talk through a Welcome to Country.
This should go without saying!
9. Don’t complain about the price of merch.
If you think it costs too much, guess what? You don’t have to buy it. Shut up and move on.
10. Please, do not wear a backpack.
I don’t need your Frank Green bottle slamming me in the balls. Also, people can really easily steal from you!
11. Drink spilling: it happens.
Just apologise and move on – don’t make a big deal out of it.
12. If you’re asked to leave, leave.
Don’t come back thinking the band won’t notice you, they definitely will. (This one’s for War Room).
13. If you’re vaping on the dancefloor, try and blow it down the front of your shirt.
Not everyone wants strawberry shortcake-scented hair. Disclaimer: this is not public health advice.
Subscribe for updates
14. You’re chatting loudly at the front of the crowd? Shut the f*#k up!
Go to the back for a chat, or zip it and enjoy the show.
15. If the DJ is in a groove, don’t demand they play your favourite song.
No one wants to hear ‘Espresso’ in the middle of a sweaty club set.
16. Don’t wear a huge wig to the theatre.
Yes, some people do this. We have no idea why.
17. Think a local band you just saw is a bit shit?
Keep it quiet and park yourself in the beer garden.
18. Respect the band and their equipment.
That stuff is expensive!
19. Dance considerately.
If you’re bumping into someone more than three times in one song, reconsider those moves, Swayze.
20. Stay home if you’re sick.
Did we learn nothing in 2020?
We polled you on some of our hotter takes. Here’s what you thought.
88% live in the moment, while 12% watch a gig through their phones
