But even when I am at a show when everyone is standing, very few people are actually *dancing*. Bopping their heads from side to side, sure. Tapping their feet, or perhaps drumming a hand against a leg, but not *dancing*- but perhaps I’m going to the wrong concerts. I don’t find Guster or New Invisible Joy to be particularly danceable. And I strongly disagree with Chris that music is the reason for dance- music is an accompaniment to dance when dance is the end in itself. It tells you where to put your body and when, but not *why*, which is why people (not even mimes!) who really love to dance can do it whether music is playing or not.

I saw this show on Friday night too and I was a little bit ashamed of how complacent the DC crowd was for such an impressive display of musical firepower. Maybe those folks who don’t want to move around at a concert should stay home and listen to the CD, leave a little more elbow room for those of us who have a little passion left inside.

Like in the original days of Rock-N-Roll. Like in having fun. Like in “Come on shake a tail feather” or “Do the Mashed Potato.” I’d like to see a room full of people sitting with their hands in their pockets at a Glenn Miller Big Band show or one of the original Little Richard shows or even an invasion Beatles’ concert. I mean we aren’t talking about piano recitals here. We’re talking about bands that make music to dance to. As in the reason they are there is to provide you with a good time.

When a band makes music to get people moving what do you think pleases them more? A room full of kids standing around staring at them while they play or a room full of people having the time of their lives?

Similarly, I hate hate hate standing at concerts- People do not typically stand to listen to CDs, after all, and I don’t see why everyone feels the need to stand at concerts. Besides, it’s incredibly inconsiderate of the people behind the stand-ers, especially shorties like me who paid just as much for their tickets as everyone else and yet cannot see the show because of all the taller people standing in front of them- that’s why you don’t stand up in movie theaters.

I must be getting old. :)

I also don’t sing along at concerts (although I’m tempted sometimes) for the same reason–I’m not there to hear myself sing, I want to hear the singer sing. By a similar token, it really gets my goat when other attendees are screaming their lungs out, singing along with the song. I came to see the band, not you!