Flares or Not?

[Peroni]

I'm just watching Kasabian from 2014 and noticed during fire a helluva lot of flares going off during the crowd.

I have stay having been there and quite far back I noticed a few and generally from a safe distance find they add to the atmosphere... but I guess opinion will be divided?

What do you all think?

[the wonderwhy]

Less Pyro, More Party

[CHRLY]

The odd flare can be great if it's used correctly

[The Placid Casual]

I like them. I have an unpopular opinion on them (going off the last time this was brought up).

[salvador wali]

I say not

[CHRLY]

I saw a few videos of the Courteeners' show from the other night, the whole place was completely caked in smoke bombs and flares. That's when it stops being a boost of atmosphere and just ruins it for loads of people.

[justanothername]

I don't like them but it does depend on the setting though. Some times they're cool if its dark, outside and it is a proper one and not the smoke ones it does provide an cool effect but they're normally held by twats who do it for no reason whatsoever. But I when I saw Kasabian last year at Manchester some dickhead set one off in the middle of the crowd as it just made everyone around him stop moving so they wouldn't get hurt by it and it didn't add to the experience whatsoever.

Also smoke flares are just shite and just smell really bad

Edited June 7, 2015 by justanothername

[ghostdancer1]

i like them, as long as they're absolutely nowhere near me

[Woffy]

Look great on telly. Next to me, nah.

Thought this thread was trouser-cut related, initially...

...still no, btw.

[shoptildrop]

They look great but I would worry if one was near me as surely they are letting off burning embers?? I would say no tbh

[LondonTom]

No Pyro, No Party!

....Unless its next to me of course Yeah I like the look/atmosphere when they go off in a big headlining set but never trust being near to the drunk whose just let it off and is waving it around everywhere!

Sadly its a no from a safety standpoint for me.

[STEatT]

After Courteeners at Heaton Park on Friday i'd say Yes. People always say they attract the wrong type of crowd but all flares and smoke bombs were used completely fine. Think it also helped that stewards didn't intervene; although this was probably due to the amount of flares and smoke bombs.

God bless the band

And this one

https://twitter.com/joesaunders1878/status/606958593640906752

Edited June 8, 2015 by STEatT

[kemosabe]

They look great I think.

[T-Mouse]

I've never had the misfortune of being next to someone with a flare. As a result I think they can definitely add to the atmosphere. During Stevies set in 2010, he dropped Superstition and the crowd erupted with flares. It added something to what was already a perfect performance.

[McCor]

I saw a few videos of the Courteeners' show from the other night, the whole place was completely caked in smoke bombs and flares. That's when it stops being a boost of atmosphere and just ruins it for loads of people.

I think with the courteeners people purposely take them now, because in the past they've had to stop playing and made a point at future gigs of telling people not to bring them.

[chrismac1986]

Look wonderful from a far, but i wouldn't want one being used right next to me.

[Sofa]

Got slightly burned by one a few years back that some bell end was playing about with .I had a quiet word in his ear and he moved away from me .Won't repeat what I said to him .I don't like the things .They actually distract you from the music I think .Light them and then place them up your A hole as far as I'm concerned.

[Likearollingstone]

All for them, in the hands of somebody not too braindead.

Too many at one gig/performance can be a bit much though.

Friend of mine brought a flare to Beniccassim a few years back and let it off during Arcade Fire Wake Up (The last song of the headline act on the Sunday) Was pretty special.

[big__phil]

Seems most people have the same opinion. Look great when they aren't near me, and timing is everything.

I suppose they are great because they aren't always going off. If they did I think people would start to find them pretty tiresome!

[Wanderlei]

When I hear one light up just behind me I start to fear for my safety. It's like hearing someone right behind you whip out a Samarai sword. You're kinda on edge, thinking, "Who is wielding that dangerous object, and do I trust them?"

[russycarps]

one went off right next to me during arcade fire. I was off my tits and it was fucking brilliant

[chimpy]

Arent flares ace, till someone sparks one up directly next to you and you spend the 2 hours of Brucies set up at Worthy Medic Centre sorting out an eye bath for your mrs.

How anyone can say these are great is beyond me, its a big ball of magnesium held by someone whos been drinking for 3 days.

Edited June 8, 2015 by chimpy

[majormajormajor]

wouldn't take one myself but it certainly adds to the atmosphere IMO!

[nu-marc88]

The Courteeners gig on Friday was bonkers you couldn't see the stage during the first song for all the smoke and flares. I've got a few smoke grenades left over from the football so I might bring them with me.

Also I prefer pyros to all the annoying flags.

[The Placid Casual]

Also I prefer pyros to all the annoying flags.

I'll go along with this.