hgar78

just curious, why do crowds go nuts when performers use profanity????? if you're at a concert and the lead signer uses the f-word, do you scream louder? if so, why?!?!

inVectiVe

Because dropping an F-bomb is the number 2 technique in the Pump Up a Crowd Handbook.

Number 1 is, of course, mention the city you're playing in by name.

You know you're dealing with one of the all-time greats when he can combine these strategies: Alright, Boston, are you ready to f***in' rock?!

Giantrobo

First of all most of the crowd is High and pumped on Adrenaline.

At a concert, the performer could fart and get a wold scream.

cdollaz

Lots of teenagers at concerts.

woofman

Good question. I think there are a lot of factors that influence "crowd mentality" on a psychological level.

* The need to fit in and conform with your environment-he's yelling so I might as well too! Woot! Rock on dude!
* The rebellious nature of rock music
* The age of the crowd-the younger the crazier, teenage angst in its rawest form.

Perhaps the biggest factor though:
ALCOHOL

Rypro 525

Didn't twisted sister get in trouble in the 80's when some kids parents sued over Dee using the f word.

tasha99

I took my 10 year old to see Matchbox 20, and though they cussed, it didn't bother me (nothing she hasn't heard.) What did bother me was the way they came out for their encore smoking cigarettes. It didn't seem necessary (couldn't they have a quick drag in the back and then come out?). I thought it seemed like an endorsement for smoking. At 10, my daughter thought it was gross. I bet at 16, she'd be more likely to think . . . hmmm . . . Rob Thomas smokes . . . cool.

tasha

GoVegan

I was hoping that the question was going to be about people insisting on talking loudly throughout an entire show, because then I was going to spend a half an hour typing up a huge rant. That's probably my biggest concert pet peeve.

MJKTool

I've never noticed this ****ing behavior?

Jason

Nobody rocks like...

[looks at note on back of guitar]

Springfield!

harpo787

Or as Jerry "The King" Lawler would say...it's a "cheap pop", especially whenever Mick Foley/Mankind/Cactus Jack/Dude Love would say "Right here.....in Miami Florida!" JUST to hear the crowd scream.

Too funny.

EDITED to play off of Jason's post (and Tap reference): "Rock 'n roll! Alright Cleveland!" Oh wait, this isn't it....which way to the stage?

Saxofonix

Same here .. I also thought this thread would be about people keeping up a full conversation throughout a concert. Something I truly detest. I have turned to f-wits to tell them they are missing out on a good concert.

tasha99

Worse is constant shrieking. And having the girl behind you, between random shrieking saying things like, "Oh Rob, we love yououuuuuu," while the object of her affection is singing.

tasha

fallow

The only thing that satisfies that is when someone actually confronts the person. When I was at Sigur Ros, this guy blew up on a girl and went on this huge rant about how "there are 5 senses," holds fingers up to demonstrate, "and this [concert] is an experience for at least 4 of them," bringing one finger down to demonstrate. I'm still at a loss as to what he really meant, but it was funny nonetheless. And all while Sigur Ros was still setting up too...even though the girl did talk throughout Album Leaf.

Tsar Chasm

Just saw Smashmouth and The Wallflowers at a free concert, yay, front row. Anywhoo, Smashmouth's lead singer used the "F" word copiously and it was fine with me. The "F" word is my favorite word. I love that word.

He also said that he knew that I had drugs but that's a different story.

shaun3000

I bet not. Every 16-year-old I know thinks smoking is stupid. And all the 16-year-olds I know are trying to set themselves apart from the pack, make themselves unique. Conforming to something a pop-rock star does is the last thing most would want to do.