Flags or iPhones?

[ybelgrave1]

What annoys you more in a crowd? I know that there is a lot of hatred on this forum for flags (which as I've said before I don't mind so much), but I was just wondering if people dislike them as much as/more than the army of iPhones. [other smartphones are available ...] There's been such a massive increase in people filming performances at festivals in the last few years, and personally, I find looking into a sea of phones so much more offensive than having people in front of me waving flags... anyway I am interested to know what everyone else thinks, and if there are any people on this forum who film on their phones at glastonbury (particularly at performances which are filmed by the BBC) I want to hear from you too!

[The Nal]

Flags and phones are fine. A certain amount of flags add to it.

Phones. Well they're just missing the gig themselves no biggie.

Talking non stop though. These people should be beheaded. The head must be completely destroyed.

[stardustjunkie]

I like to take a couple of photos at Glastonbury with a camera, but it's really rubbish and I'd be wasting my time if I tried to record or take decent photographs of someone on the Pyramid stage etc. It does annoy me when the person in front constantly has a camera up and it blocks your view, you just find yourself watching the camera instead of the stage. Flags don't bother me as long as they're not too close to the stage. I think if you have a flag you should be further back.

I saw Brian May at a small venue on Tuesday night, it was all seating and tiered so everyone had a perfect view. I desperately wanted to record a bit of it because it's not often you get the chance to see Brian May doing a 10 minute guitar solo. The way we were seated meant I could hold my iPhone on my lap and record, without (at least I hope not) disturbing anyone around me. But a woman in front kept using her camera with the brightest of flashes in a dark room, it was horrible.

Basically, by all means take some photos/videos, or take flags, just have some consideration for the people around you.

[dentalplan]

Flags.

Smartphones (and actual cameras, let's not forget them) are at least intermittent and don't tend to last all weekend as battery runs out trying to find out the latest on the Daft Punk secret set. At least I see the point in recording it, even if it's daft. Flags however are just always there ruining every frigging view throughout the set and I have no idea why someone would want to carry a great flag around all weekend - although I'm sure it's not a mystery, I've just never found out.

[eFestivals]

I'm starting to get annoyed at the number of shorter people who seem to really think that taller people are obliged to only stand at the back. Or even think asking "can you move over a bit" is some sort of reasonable solution.

Look, it's not my fault I'm tall, OK?

My better half is not the tallest, so I really do sympathise with how hard it can be to try and get a view at what's going on when taller people are blocking your view. Sometimes it even happens to me.

But i've got as much right as anyone else to be at the front of you, and if that's where I'm going to be that's where i'm going to be staying.

And no, I won't move over a bit and relocate your problem to someone else, that's unfair on them and unfair of you. Someone has to suffer the problem and today it's your turn.

</rant>

Edited February 28, 2014 by eFestivals

[stardustjunkie]

I'm starting to get annoyed at the number of shorter people who seem to really think that taller people are obliged to only stand at the back. Or even think asking "can you move over a bit" is some sort of reasonable solution.

Look, it's not my fault I'm tall, OK?

My better half is not the tallest, so I really do sympathise with how hard it can be to try and get a view at what's going on when taller people are blocking your view. Sometimes it even happens to me.

But i've got as much right as anyone else to be at the front of you, and if that's where I'm going be that's where i'm going to be staying.

And no, I won't move over a bit and put relocation your problem to someone else, that's unfair on them and unfair of you. Someone has to suffer the problem and today it's your turn.

</rant>

[kidsfears]

I'm starting to get annoyed at the number of shorter people who seem to really think that taller people are obliged to only stand at the back. Or even think asking "can you move over a bit" is some sort of reasonable solution.

Look, it's not my fault I'm tall, OK?

My better half is not the tallest, so I really do sympathise with how hard it can be to try and get a view at what's going on when taller people are blocking your view. Sometimes it even happens to me.

But i've got as much right as anyone else to be at the front of you, and if that's where I'm going to be that's where i'm going to be staying.

And no, I won't move over a bit and relocate your problem to someone else, that's unfair on them and unfair of you. Someone has to suffer the problem and today it's your turn.

</rant>

[Guest]

I'm starting to get annoyed at the number of shorter people who seem to really think that taller people are obliged to only stand at the back. Or even think asking "can you move over a bit" is some sort of reasonable solution.

Look, it's not my fault I'm tall, OK?

My better half is not the tallest, so I really do sympathise with how hard it can be to try and get a view at what's going on when taller people are blocking your view. Sometimes it even happens to me.

But i've got as much right as anyone else to be at the front of you, and if that's where I'm going to be that's where i'm going to be staying.

And no, I won't move over a bit and relocate your problem to someone else, that's unfair on them and unfair of you. Someone has to suffer the problem and today it's your turn.

</rant>

[morph100]

Flags are brilliant, phones are annoying

[Bobs]

I hate the bloody tosser, who brings the Mexico flag, not that i have a problem with Mexico, but of all the flags, This flag is far and away the biggest, and if that's not bad enough, theres 3 of them attached, so you can't see anything if you get stuck behind them.

Dunno why phones would annoy me? It's not exactly 100ft is it? It would annoy me though, if they were taking Selfies facing away from the stage, whilst i was watching a bad I love.

[eFestivals]

I don't have a problem with them asking me to stand a little to one side.

at all practical levels I have no problem with doing that.

But in a big festival crowd it achieves nothing at all. There is always someone that I'll be in front of blocking their view.

So the most practical thing of all is to either go and stand at the back, at every gig for the rest of my life ... or do nothing at all.

Those shorter people are wanting a good view from (perhaps) the front. What's good for the goose is goose for the gander, as the saying goes.

At gigs I'm not so fussed about I will tend to stand at the back or I'll be less arsey at standing my ground. But at other times I'll demand the same right to stand anywhere the same as the shorties.

Edited February 28, 2014 by eFestivals

[ybelgrave1]

It's not that I don't see the point in recording on phones, I understand why people want a personal memento. But when the BBC have 10000 different cameras on the stage you are poorly attempting to film what is the point? you cant really appreciate a performance when you're attempting to video something... id much rather be looking at colourful flags than this ...

[nowyouregideon]

I like to take one photo of each gig I'm at, the put it say and keep it away.

Also, I have a HTC so that means I'm aloud to have it out because it's not an iPhone right?

Edited February 28, 2014 by mf_2005

[Lubic]

Flags add to the atmosphere imo.

Phones/cameras I have no problem with if its for taking a quick picture. I take plenty myself. However the people holding their phones up filming the whole set are annoying. Particularly if these people have the camera way above their heads and their arms all over the place. At least have the decency to do it discretely and keep your camera/arms in line with the rest of your body.

And tall people wind me up. They always seem to gather in packs (in front of me) and even when you find a spot where you can just see over their shoulder, they are always swaying about and waving their arms about like neanderthals. Ugh get to the back where you belong

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Despite what people may think I do actually go to see some music performances. In all my years of attending I have never been annoyed by a flag or an iphone. I think it's because I'm stoned and concentrate on the vocals and music rather than needing to see who is actually creating it. In fact, a lot of the time I just go into a trance which I occassionally snap out of every now and again.

[ThomThomDrum]

Ever see this? Its usually labeled "WTF is wrong with this guy? What is he looking at? The world?"

[ybelgrave1]

Despite what people may think I do actually go to see some music performances. In all my years of attending I have never been annoyed by a flag or an iphone. I think it's because I'm stoned and concentrate on the vocals and music rather than needing to see who is actually creating it. In fact, a lot of the time I just go into a trance which I occassionally snap out of every now and again.

Edited February 28, 2014 by ybelgrave1

[The Nal]

Ever see this? Its usually labeled "WTF is wrong with this guy? What is he looking at? The world?"

Edited February 28, 2014 by The Nal

[Pinhead]

Ever see this? Its usually labeled "WTF is wrong with this guy? What is he looking at? The world?"

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

this made me lol! i agree that seeing a performance doesn't necessarily validate your being there, it's just i think the reason the filming annoys me so much is because it represents this modern trend of going to things to be able to tell people afterwards you were there rather than enjoying the moment and being spontaneous... people do things nowadays for the photos/videos/cultural capital rather than the experience and i think i just find it all a bit sad.

i know that not everyone is like this but when i do see people filming for 20 minutes straight on their phones on a sunday at glastonbury, my heart weeps

[ThomThomDrum]

[Mr.Tease]

It's not that I don't see the point in recording on phones, I understand why people want a personal memento. But when the BBC have 10000 different cameras on the stage you are poorly attempting to film what is the point? you cant really appreciate a performance when you're attempting to video something... id much rather be looking at colourful flags than this ...

[stuartbert two hats]

this made me lol! i agree that seeing a performance doesn't necessarily validate your being there, it's just i think the reason the filming annoys me so much is because it represents this modern trend of going to things to be able to tell people afterwards you were there rather than enjoying the moment and being spontaneous... people do things nowadays for the photos/videos/cultural capital rather than the experience and i think i just find it all a bit sad.

i know that not everyone is like this but when i do see people filming for 20 minutes straight on their phones on a sunday at glastonbury, my heart weeps

[stuartbert two hats]

By the way, although I have filmed the odd bit of a performance in the past, I think it's a terrible way to 'experience' anything. Especially when the quality is so poor.

I've not been since 2010, hardly anyone filmed back then as you need your phone to last 5 days! Are there really that many more charging stations? I'm not sitting in the Chill'n'Charge for hours, especially as they weren't licensed then - is that still the case?

[Mr.Tease]

By the way, although I have filmed the odd bit of a performance in the past, I think it's a terrible way to 'experience' anything. Especially when the quality is so poor.

I've not been since 2010, hardly anyone filmed back then as you need your phone to last 5 days! Are there really that many more charging stations? I'm not sitting in the Chill'n'Charge for hours, especially as they weren't licensed then - is that still the case?