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CNA
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Commentary: Stand or sit? Sing or scream? Concert etiquette should not be so difficult
SINGAPORE: Attending a concert used to be straightforward: Prepare your outfit, pack your essentials and make sure you've got your ticket for the right date. Today, attending a concert also apparently means navigating the risk of offending someone else or even a physical altercation with them – just because both of you disagree on how to enjoy the show. Last week, Lady Gaga performed four high-octane shows in Singapore – the only Asia stop in her ongoing Mayhem tour. Critics and fans alike have showered praises on her raucous music, powerful vocals and energetic dancing, accented with stunning sets and costume changes. However, compliments for the pop star seem to have been overshadowed by online mayhem in the form of several viral social media posts complaining not about Gaga herself, but about concert attendees. Many complained that the crowd was 'too dead', with not enough people jumping, dancing and screaming. Ironically, others complained that fellow attendees were jumping, dancing and screaming too much, resulting in blocked views at the all-seated shows. Several were upset about others raising their phones to film much of the concert, further obstructing others' view even if they remained seated. There were even a few videos of concertgoers arguing with each other over whether they should sit or stand, some so heatedly it seemed that they might come to blows. These complaints are not new; in fact, they often resurface at every major concert in Singapore. But for all the 'concert drama' we've seen in recent years, we seem to be no closer to answering the questions: What is good concert etiquette? And is there a right way to enjoy a concert? HOW DO YOU ENJOY A CONCERT? The average concert crowd of today is arguably much more diversified than that of decades past. Thanks to the internet, global superstars like Lady Gaga generate much fanfare across more demographic lines. When they drop into town, their shows attract everybody – from their biggest, most dedicated devotees, to casual fans familiar with their mainstream hits but not necessarily much else, and even including curious onlookers who just want to know what the hype is about (and have the spare cash to find out). With such a varied crowd, opinions would naturally diverge about how to enjoy a concert. For some, enjoying a concert is about participating enthusiastically by singing and dancing along. For others, it's about being comfortable while they watch artists perform, staying seated with much less physical exertion. For some, recording the show is crucial, so they can revisit it long after leaving the stadium. Others prefer to be 'in the moment', focusing on fully experiencing their favourite songs rather than diverting concentration to their phone's video capture. And, seeing as there aren't any formal rules or expectations enshrined in law or any other official text, these clashes of opinion can sometimes result in more serious interpersonal clashes. GO WITH THE VIBES As a seasoned concert-goer, here's how I see it. There are different parameters for 'good' audience behaviour, depending on what type of concert you're going to. For example, at Laufey's concert last September, it felt appropriate to sit quietly while the Icelandic jazz-pop singer crooned about heartbreak – no screaming, and certainly no vigorous dancing. On the other hand, during Taylor Swift's Eras Tour shows in March 2024, it only made sense to jump along to the pop icon's up-tempo bops and sing along to her catchy hooks – and then take a seat for her slower, stripped-back ballads. But again, this is largely based on 'vibes'. There's no definitive right or wrong – which makes concert-goers who aggressively insist that others act a certain way – the way they personally would prefer – feel icky. Perhaps some of this entitlement stems from the fact that concert tickets are becoming more and more challenging to procure these days, especially for the biggest, most popular acts. Gone are the days when we could simply stroll to the nearest ticketing booth; nowadays it's standard procedure to expect a stressful, anxiety-inducing battle in digital queues with millions of others. Rising ticket prices further complicate the issue – everyone who paid for a ticket should have the same right to enjoy the concert however they want. WHEN OPINIONS COLLIDE Nevertheless, some things are basic etiquette, like not screaming at the top of your lungs all throughout every song – most of us paid to hear the artist sing, please. But what about grey areas like standing in a seated concert? If you want to stand but the folks behind you prefer to sit, do you have no choice but to compromise on your idea of fun and sit as well so as not to block their view? For many East Asian acts, seating requirements are common, but to keep the energy up, fans can expect choreographed crowd engagement moments built into the show. K-pop fans will be familiar with fan chants, where audiences shout specific phrases at certain points in songs, as if performing with their idols. In some countries such as Japan, concert crowds are expected to stay seated unless the performer says everyone can stand. Even shouting is not encouraged, which could seem overly restrictive to many. I'm not suggesting we start imposing such drastic rules in Singapore. But on my own part, whenever I attend a concert, I make it a point to ask my seatmates if they are alright with me getting to my feet for some songs. It may not be strictly necessary, but I do it anyway out of courtesy to those I'm sharing the space with. (Bonus: Most of the time, I end up making friends when I do so.) Often, my seatmates admit feeling uncertain themselves about whether they could stand during the show if others did not. In my experience, a simple conversation such as this can do much to give both myself and my temporary companions the confidence to enjoy ourselves to the fullest, however we feel comfortable doing so and without worrying that we'll tread on someone else's toes (metaphorically speaking). Perhaps a better way to manage such dilemmas is for concert venues to designate sections that are strictly seated, and other sections for more flexible seated/standing options, depending on the crowd. After all, there are various reasons why many attendees would prefer not to stand at all – old age, for instance, or an injury.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Lady Gaga's Half-Decade-Old Hit Stands Out As It Climbs
Lady Gaga charts three songs in the U.K. this week, including 'Always Remember Us This Way,' which ... More rises on every ranking on which it appears. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Lady Gaga attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by) Lady Gaga claims a trio of hits in the United Kingdom this week. Two come from her most recent album, Mayhem, which is still performing well on multiple rankings. The third of the superstar singer's successful tracks at the moment has nothing to do with her latest era. In fact, it was released well over half a decade ago. It stands apart from her other two current smashes thanks to its longevity and the fact that it's climbing after so much time. 'Always Remember Us This Way' appears on two U.K.-based lists this frame. Despite having already spent more than two years on both the Official Singles Sales and Official Singles Downloads charts, it is on the rise. The smash bolts back into the top 40 on both of those tallies. 'Always Remember Us This Way' jumps to No. 35 on the downloads-only roster and No. 37 — up more than 10 spots — on the list of the bestselling individual tracks throughout the country. Of course, Gaga fans are already very familiar with 'Always Remember Us This Way.' The tune is a standout from the A Star Is Born soundtrack and was written and recorded specifically for the singer's first major film role. Sometimes 'Shallow,' which went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song as well as several Grammys, outshines 'Always Remember Us This Way,' but at the moment, listeners in the U.K. are clearly not just enjoying but buying this tune – not her Bradley Cooper duet. Both 'Die With a Smile' and 'Abracadabra' with Bruno Mars also appear on both the Official Singles Sales and Official Singles Downloads charts. In both instances, they climb higher than 'Always Remember Us This Way,' and Gaga fills a trio of spaces inside the top 40 on the two lists. While her Mars collaboration steps up a few spots, 'Abracadabra' — the latest Mayhem-focused cut — declines by a handful of spaces. Unlike 'Die With a Smile' and 'Abracadabra,' however, 'Always Remember Us This Way' is only on the up-and-up. It doesn't decline on any ranking… but that's also because it doesn't appear on more than just the two purchase-centric rosters. Both 'Die With a Smile' and 'Abracadabra' carve out space on the Official Singles chart, a general consumption ranking, as well as the Official Streaming list. In both cases, the smashes are on the downswing, meaning performance is a bit mixed — unlike the A Star Is Born tune.
CNA
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Lady Gaga's official website showcases Singapore icons like the dragon playground ahead of concert
Lady Gaga's official website was recently updated to showcase several Singapore icons floating against a digital, animated backdrop of the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) skyline, when viewed on an iOS device. This was done ahead of her highly anticipated upcoming concert in Singapore, titled Lion City Mayhem, or Mayhem Singapura, on May 18, 19, 21 and 24 at the National Stadium, with the city being her only stop in Asia. The local symbols featured include the dragon playground, a Nonya multi-tiered food container, also known as a tingkat, a Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid, a Peranakan lantern and a blue porcelain cup. These symbols are interspersed with the exclusive Lion City Mayhem merchandise line, which includes vinyls, T-shirts, a towel and a keychain. You still get the Singapore skyline when you visit her site on a non-iOS device, but instead of those icons, you'll see boats racing by on the water. These country-specific animations and features were also done similarly for other cities she toured at, including Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Mexico City. In the month of May, little monsters can also enjoy a slew of events to celebrate the pop star's arrival in Singapore, including a Lady Gaga-themed light show at MBS, afterparties, food and beverage offerings and more. Lady Gaga last performed in Singapore in 2012 for her Born This Way Ball Tour, where she did three shows at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. She also held concerts and exclusive showcase performances in 2009 and 2011. The announcement for her Singapore shows comes at the heels of the release of her seventh studio album, Mayhem, in March. The 14-track album is seen as a return to her early dark-pop sensibilities. Prior to the album's release, she debuted three singles: Disease, Abracadabra and Die With A Smile.
