Ever been to a music festival where you aren't supposed to dance?
By JenInTN
@JenInTN (27514)
United States
September 19, 2011 9:34pm CST
We did. We went to a rhythm and roots festival here in Bristol this past weekend for my b/f's birthday and it was a real flop. I felt so bad for him because he was looking so forward to it. The lineup was great and he was especially looking forward to seeing a very upbeat country music artist named Marty Stuart. The stage was set up an there were chairs for people to sit..but in the front there was a place clear for what looked like for people to dance or stand. So we go up there and sit down with a small group and when the performer came out...my b/f stood up. Well...the minute he did about 8 people said "sit down." He did but he looked at me and asked..what's wrong with everyone..this is Marty Stuart? There were a few guys standing to the side and I suggested he go stand with him. They had cameras and were taking pictures but he wouldn't be in front of them. So he asked the security guard..can I stand here with you and dance a little if I want? The security guard says No..you should sit down. What? Sit down? At an outdoor music festival??? He was furious...he wanted to leave that second. I don't blame him..he was very disappointed. So what would you have done? Would you have sit down or left? Do you think a performer wants to see a bunch of people sitting around when they are playing their heart out or would they rather people dance? I wish he had had a better time for his birthday.
7 people like this
25 responses
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
20 Sep 11
I guess because he is so energetic on the stage and plays such upbeat music. My b/f plays and he loves it when people dance when he plays and sings. We went and seen Marty Stuart last spring at another music festival thing and everyone was dancing and having a great time. We did go ahead and leave. My b/f was mad as a hornet.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
20 Sep 11
So your guy is a Virgo? Well in my family we celebrate birthday months! So maybe you can make it up this weekend, We are still in September! I would have just got up and left. unless it was a classical symphony you are listening to , you should be able to dance! The Fascists! So I suggest a do over. Get together with him and do something this weekend!Oh and wish him a happy belated birthday for me!
2 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
20 Sep 11
My guy is a Virgo too! Aren't they great? If not music maybe something else can be the theme! Good Luck.
@celticeagle (166911)
• Boise, Idaho
20 Sep 11
That's weird. I have never been to a festival and had to just sit and watch. At the begining but not after all gets started. We have a street fair every year and it is in a nice little section of town where people can actually dance in the street. The only thing I can think of about this is perhaps something happened in another town recently and they are being really careful. I think it is weird though.
@celticeagle (166911)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Sep 11
Maybe they are used to the concert crowd and it was weird for them to be a part of a festival at all.
I have been thinking about that ever since your discussion on it.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
20 Sep 11
What sort of a music festival does not allow you to dance? A really bad one, that's what! 
I have been to loads of music festivals in my time from all sorts of music genres and they have all had an area to dance. I am off to a 3 day music festival in 3 weeks time and they certainly allow dancing there. Last year it rained really heavily before the event and then consistently throughout it making the grassy dancing area a mud pit! People were still out there dancing and play fighting in it though. They were having a great time. They were sliding down the grass/mud hill too...just running and leaping face first down it as if it were a water slide! 
Dry sunny weather is predicted this time which will be much better! 
I have been to loads of music festivals in my time from all sorts of music genres and they have all had an area to dance. I am off to a 3 day music festival in 3 weeks time and they certainly allow dancing there. Last year it rained really heavily before the event and then consistently throughout it making the grassy dancing area a mud pit! People were still out there dancing and play fighting in it though. They were having a great time. They were sliding down the grass/mud hill too...just running and leaping face first down it as if it were a water slide!
Dry sunny weather is predicted this time which will be much better! @JenInTN (27514)
• United States
20 Sep 11
I hope that it stays dry and sunny for your trip....but it sounds like it won't matter when it comes to having a good time..LOL.
We went to a music festival over the Labor Day weekend here and it was a blast! It was a lot smaller than the one we just attended but it was a ton of more fun. I won't go back to that one..but I won't give up on them either. I guess they all can't be awesome.
Have a great time and thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@jodylee (946)
• United States
20 Sep 11
Well that does sound like a flop! I have never experienced that at an outdoor concert. I have been told at a small bar where a band was playing that I could not dance because the place did not have a "dance license". I had never heard of such a thing and was totally confused. Felt like I was in the movie "Footloose"... I kept dancing and eventually was asked to leave :) oops !!!
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
24 Sep 11
Yeah where I live, you have to have a meeting with the zoning board to allow dancing or dance lessons on property. The protestant group that used to run the town made the rule back when they didn't allow members of their church to dance. Also people would complain about loud music all night in a residential area and too many vehicles because of dancing. So you have to have a permit to teach or have dancing where I live.
When I went to find out if I needed a license to start a business, first words out of their mouths were: "Does the business involve dancing?"
"No."
"Only permit we have is a dance permit for a business."
I would have thought a food vender permit would have been the only one if there was one. But only one and it's a dance one in the town I moved to.
@apsara60 (6610)
• Israel
20 Sep 11
Music and dance go together, at least if the occasion is happy
It is indeed very difficult to sit at one place if the music is provoking you to dance.I am sorry that your B/F and you could not enjoy. Now that your this experience has taught you a new lesson.....be careful in future while deciding, where you are going to spend your precious occasions and next birthday surprise him by taking him to some place where he can enjoy the music and dance to is full satisfaction.......Have a nice day.
It is indeed very difficult to sit at one place if the music is provoking you to dance.I am sorry that your B/F and you could not enjoy. Now that your this experience has taught you a new lesson.....be careful in future while deciding, where you are going to spend your precious occasions and next birthday surprise him by taking him to some place where he can enjoy the music and dance to is full satisfaction.......Have a nice day.2 people like this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
20 Sep 11
Yes..lesson learned. It was actually his choice to go but he said he would never go back to Bristol. He was shocked. He is used to the music scene and he said he had never been told to sit down at a music occasion like that.
Thanks for the input.
1 person likes this
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
20 Sep 11
Well, I am sorry that your boyfriend didn't enjoy his birthday. I would have thought that you could have danced some too at an outdoor concert. I have not been to a Marty Stuart concert in several years, but I remember that he was very active on stage. He danced around a lot in his younger years as a performer. I also remember how much I loved his music!
2 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
20 Sep 11
WELL POO, sorry y'all didn't have a good time. I would have liked to have seen marty myself. I have been to alot of concerts in the pass but never got to dance at them & i use to love to dance.
@hmkoct5 (2065)
• United States
20 Sep 11
That happened to us down here in San Antonio. We went to see KISS. When they came on stage, nobody stood up, except us. I couldn't believe it! I am from Chicago and up there, we stand! I hated it. It was so boring not to get up and dance and sing. I don't really understand why nobody got up. I don't know if it's a southern thing or what! I was stunned. I haven't been to another concert here, so I don't know if it was isolated or not.
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
20 Sep 11
I think the key here is the word "upbeat". I spent a good part of my adult life as a performer at outdoor music festivals (among other things), but my music is very much protest deep and meaningfuls, not really much good to dance to, so nobody ever did. And I imagine that in the major concert venues at those festivals it wasn't encouraged to dance, but if the band was upbeat people always did and nobody tried to stop them unless they interfered with other patrons. The trouble is, a lot of festivals these days have become so big that they have been taken over by bean counters who have no concept of what "festival" means, and want everything to be calm and ordered. A pity for your B/F.
Lash
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@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
20 Sep 11
He was very disappointed..which equaled me being very disappointed..lol. I could understand if the music and atmosphere was more fitting but wow...outside rhythm and roots...hmm. Anyway..maybe we can find one he can enjoy soon.
Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136369)
• India
20 Sep 11
Rules are rules Jen although you are right. Music that has a rhythm that entices people to dance nothing like shaking a leg. My heartfelt sympathies to the two of you. Talking about flop shows I remember the one I had attended. I had read so much about the Broadway Theater and when I was on holiday in the US my niece took me to one of those - the real Broadway. I was so excited and was looking forward to add this to my happy memories but it was not to be. I was given the choice and I opted for 'Betrayal' which turned out to be almost a one act play with no props and just about 3 actors. The only happy memory I have of that experience is that I walked on 42nd Broadway Street about which I had read in so many novels.!
2 people like this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
20 Sep 11
Aww..that was a flop. I would have been disappointed about that too. I do understand there are rules..but it was an outside music festival and if it was a rule, it was sure the first time I heard it..lol.
I am glad you got to walk up 42nd. I live in the US and I haven't got to go to New York yet.
Take care and thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
20 Sep 11
Awwh I am sorry to hear that the event for his birthday did not go as planned. Yes I went attended two of them like this and the first one I could not leave as the others wanted to stay. But the second one was in Arkansas and I immediately said we must go. I have been to so many music festivals and as soon as that music starts I have to dance. lol The rhythm takes over. The excitement gets me going.
I don't find it fun to sit and just listen to a live band and sit. Maybe you and your boyfriend can go to a nice dinner to make up for the disappointment.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
20 Sep 11
He was so mad that night...he wouldn't even here of eating. All he wanted to do was come home and that was an hour and a half away. I was ready to come home too though. He is in better spirits now but he says he'll never go back to Bristol again. I am hoping we can go do something this weekend.
Thanks for the response!
1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
20 Sep 11
Awwh he was disappointed, I don't blame him. How about going out dancing this weekend and or turn up the music at home and have some fun with him and your girls. 
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@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
20 Sep 11
Something must have happened to make then feel as though they needed order. Maybe it was the popularity of that particular band or something. Since he has his own show or whatever. I have not been to the blue plum festival...when do they usually have that? We went to one called Muddy Roots over the Labor Day weekend in Cookeville and it was a blast. I wish this one had been fun. It was pretty expensive too.
Thanks for responding.
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@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
20 Sep 11
That is really unbelievable. I have not been to many outdoor concerts, but the ones I have been to have been lively and people have been up off their seats and it was so much fun. I am sorry he did not have a good time.
2 people like this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
20 Sep 11
We went to one over labor day weekend that was great. Everyone was dancing and having a great time. It was a bit smaller than this one but it was a lot more fun. We really expected something very different. Music usually equals dance..especially if it's named rhythm and roots..lol.
Thanks for the response!
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
27 Sep 11
Now that's us and I can just imagine how disappointed your boyfriend was. His birthday was spoiled!
I can't imagine sitting still at an out door concert...unless it was chamber music or something like that.
If it was me, I would have left and moved away so I could still participate while not being part of the crown but the damage would have been done.
They should have had a dance area behind the chairs so those who wanted to boogie with the music could have. I don't see the harm.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
28 Sep 11
Heyya MsTickle! There actually was a place cleared out in front that would make it seem as though it was a place to dance. There were some people sitting in the area on the ground but the area in front was still clear. I guess that is why it surprised me so that he couldn't dance. It certainly seemed like it was set up for it.
I do know there are places and times for everything but I thought it was the place to enjoy the music for sure.
Oh well....I guess that music festivals are hit and miss sometimes too.
Thanks for the response!
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
7 Oct 11
Dear friend,
It is really not nice...Anyhow I feel they should at least provide a part for those who want to enjoy it with a dance and specific places for those who wish to sit and take photos. Anyhow we all go for a music festival to enjoy it to the fullest. Moreover the enjoyment varies provided it do not hurt others and this has to well taken by the organisers as various enjoy in various ways.
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
7 Nov 11
I agree...there should be a place for both kinds of enjoyment. I don't think I have ever been to a music festival where you can't dance but I guess there is a first time for everything. Thanks for the response and I am sorry it has taken me do long to thank you. I have been horribly busy lately. Take care.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
24 Sep 11
Kind of defeats the purpose of having a music festival if you can't dance.Geesh!
Sorry your boyfriend didn't get a chance to dance. He sounds like a keeper. Do you know how hard it is to find a guy who dances up here?
Even if cameras were rolling, I would think that it would be more fun to watch people dance than to pan the audience and they're all sitting.
Don't get me wrong, I like Marty Stuart's music, but I always thought there was something weird about him. Most videos I've ever watched, they want people to look like they're having a good time. Most of the time the crowds are at least on their feet. I think they should warn people when they buy the tickets that they'll have to sit down.
I agree with you, sitting down at an outdoor music festival, what planet did the aliens come down from?
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@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Dec 11
Thank you for best response.
In light of the History channel stuff, maybe we're insulting Aliens that like to dance, you never know. I hope the aliens not only dance, but have a sense of humor, too!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
24 Sep 11
LOL...that was my b/f's expression when he asked me what was wrong with all the people. I find Marty Stuart odd on a personal level too...my b/f does like his music though. There was a list of rules when we got our schedule book at the gate...dancing was not in there.
Yes..he loves to dance. It is hard to find a guy that dances. He is a major music lover.
Thanks for responding
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
20 Sep 11
Aww...bummer. That's most unusual. 
One of the most natural effects of music is to dance. And, frankly, whether outdoors or indoors, I think that music festivals are places where it is but natural to dance. And you say it's upbeat, too.
One of the most natural effects of music is to dance. And, frankly, whether outdoors or indoors, I think that music festivals are places where it is but natural to dance. And you say it's upbeat, too. 2 people like this
