I’m not trying to hate or anything. You gotta do what you gotta do. But, I just don’t get it. Don’t you ever just want to put the camera down and enjoy the music without worrying about framing or battery life?
Now, I’ll admit, I have taken video at shows. But only a couple times, and only a song or two, not a whole set. Just so that I could give my friends back home a brief taste of what they were missing. And I make sure to stand in the back. And if there was even a chance of someone being behind me, I kept the camera down at chest level so as not to obstruct any sight lines.
But again, I’m not here to judge. I just don’t get it. Doesn’t your arm get tired holding an iPhone above your head for 55 minutes? Isn’t your girlfriend embarrassed to be standing next to you while you’re making these elaborate camera movements like you’re shooting a car commercial or something? Don’t you think maybe you’re bumming the band out a little?
Lettuce know.
Actually, if it’s a rare performance and a popular band, those videos could be worth money in years to come. At least it can go up on YouTube!
I am here to judge, it’s retarded and shows would be better if they stopped.
Agree.
Don’t you care that you’re blocking everyone’s view? I paid to see the band, not the back of your f’ing camera, douche.
Did you say anything Allan? If they want to take video that’s their fine but if it comes at the expense of someone else’s enjoyment that’s not cool.
Seems like bands and venues could step up. Make a short announcement at the beginning of the show. No excessive camera action in the front row. Please remember folks behind you are trying to see the show too. Could be brief and polite. Then if it doesn’t work, maybe more enforcement action could happen.
I agree and actually, I was behind the Asshats in the question above (last night’s Thee Oh Sees show).
I’ve noticed it more and more lately and find that it distracts from the show experience. It’s only a matter of time before a band chooses to go off on these fanboys/girls…
yep i will judge as well. crouch in the front or stand to the side —- not in the middle of the goddamn audience.
by the way, Allan, what show were you at?
Oh Sees. The “mellow show.” So I’ll concede that this was a notable event, worth recording for posterity. But yeah, get over to the side or crouch down or something.
Maybe this person works for Youtube and gets paid to make crappy videos
I tend to agree and think a lot of it is unnecessary and very distracting. However, sometimes bands do ask friends to shoot their set (not sure if this is the case here, though).
Ugh, these people drive me crazy at shows! It’s so distracting. I feel like every time I go see a band these days, the entire front row is full of people either taking video or taking photos with a giant ass flash going off constantly.
the huge strobing flashes from still cameras are much more annoying in my opinion
Ten years on, and the same dude’s standing at the park with his kids on 4th of July taping the whole fireworks show for some reason. Seriously, just put the fucking camera down for five minutes and sense something without having a piece of glass between you and it.
Also, haven’t people figured out by now that in that low of light and that loud of sound, your fucking iPhone is just gonna give you a crappy pixelated picture and crusty, clipped out sound? Not even worth the time it would take to up it to YouTube.
Kids these days are just so grumpy, glad to see it.
It’s also a criminal offense, thanks to the anti-bootleg statute: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00002319—A000-.html
Also violates the copyright section of the US Code: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode17/usc_sec_17_00001101—-000-.html
Just saying.
i was also at this show and struck up a conversation with the gf about how much i detest these people. however, i feel like most people in sf are considerate/not retarded; for the most part we can enjoy a show without having an iphone 4 in constant sight.
for those who were there, so was not the case at SXSW. it should have been renamed to VAGB (Video All (The) Goddamn Bands). f**k that was annoying.
Often a FOB (friend of the band) asked to shoot it. That said, get there early, set up a tripod out of everyone’s way, and get that shot without pissing off the fans!
Also don’t bring your overstuffed Messenger Bag to what will be sure to be a crowded show, and don’t wear a big ass hat if you’re standing in front. If you are taking pictures/video seriously try moving around or standing off to the side and please keep your low res camera phone outta my face.
If you have a big ass flash pointed backwards to “bounce” the light and it’s blinding me and I mention it to you… KNOCK IT OFF.
While I’m venting I heard from friends at Coachella that people were taking video with their freaking iPads… really.
My sis and I went to see Toro Y Moi at Great American a couple months ago. There were 4 or 5 a-holes in front of us doing this. Not just one song either, MANY songs. I start to get agitated when I see that people CANNOT enjoy an experience without taking 5000 pictures or capturing a video. They will need those videos and pictures later on in life because all they will remember is looking at their phone or stupid camera for the past 10 years.
i agree, it’s so lame. even in the middle of the crowd, it’s always a tall guy holding up a damn camera. i’m a medium-height girl trying to find a line of sight through the heads and shoulders, and it’s hard to get a good view that doesn’t have a half-dozen LCD viewfinders in it too — so distracting! don’t make me be one of those awful girls who shoves their way up to the front, passing up people who got there ahead of me.
Oh my god. Can San Francisco please just not be offended by something, Just once? Its embarrassing that we find something to whine about all the dang time.
I find that remark extremely offensive – god, can’t someone just gripe about bad behavior without having to answer to the whine police?
Can I just say for the record that when it’s a local band, the person filming might actually be with the band. My husband is in a band and asks me to film all of their shows, so sometimes it is for the benefit of the band you are watching.
that’s even worse. you see them play all the time!
Yes, I do see them all the time. But they have different strategies in their performances and new songs and again, they ask ME to do it.
Considering there is so much noise, so many lights flashing in your face, people slapping their arms around dancing and knocking your wig off, people spilling drinks on your new kicks, getting texts from friends who can’t find you in the crowd…I have a hard time focusing on the 5 or 6 people recording the entire show and how they might drive me crazy.
But then again, I’m just the Richmond Weinerschnitzel…
Were none of you people in 5th grade?
1 rubber band.
2 handfuls of paper clips
Target Practice!