I know this is a played out subject, but it only began to really piss me off on Saturday.

Seriously, during some of the most crowd pleasing songs that even the least knowledgable music fan would know, there would be hoards of people clamouring for the exits and coming back with a pint of lager in each hand. Isn't a concert experience enough to have a good time and go for a couple of hours without glugging booze down their necks?

Not judging casual drinkers - I've taken the odd tipple into arenas with me a few times before when feeling the need to wind down a bit before a show, but on Saturday when my friend and I had to wait for half an hour in a queue just to get a couple of bottles of water to take in, it was ridiculous. Two guys buying TWELVE pints of lager as well as spirits. How big of a group did they come in with to be buying that much? Then not even being able to pay for it all in the end.

Maybe there should be separate water vendors in the arena so those just wishing to quench their thirst in hot surroundings don't have to line up with that lot.

We had the same problem, all we wanted was a few bottles of water and had to wait for ages to get served!Thought it very odd that the tops had to be taken off! What the hell was that all about? Who needs alcohol when you have Prince performing on stage for you?!?!

ALOT maybe like 40% are probably not half as true hardcore fans!!!Im certain this is their plan..Garab a meal, get the first round of drinks..2nd round of drinks..then head to the arena..buy more drinks during the piano solo!

Then after hit the west end or any place with bars etc.

iceblue07 said:

Believe it or not, the bottle tops is part of the health and safety restrictions, IE Choking etc!

im all for that!

purplewisdom said:

Yep... You can't choke on a bottle. ask Supa!

Bottle tops are viewed as possible missiles

...I went on the 14th and saw no drunkeness at all

...seems it mainly happens at weekends...

...Anyone found "drunk" should be ejected by AEG... It's there ressponsibility to uphold responsible drinking

Steadwood said:

Yes but people could just lobb the bottles or food? and the choking hazard is just bizarre, someone could just as easily choke on a chip! Health and Safety has gone mad!

Totally agree about removing drunk people!

I don't think it's so much that bottle tops can be used as missiles, more that when you put the top on a full or partially full bottle it can be used as an effective missile. Take the top off, and throw a full or partially full bottle and it's much more likely to be less effective as a missile as the liquid drains.

As for people drinking...don't you get that some people aren't huge fans? They know a few songs and want to check Prince out. It's not that important to them. That's just the way it is. And for a lot of people having a few drinks while watching some live music is all part of the experience. Why should how they want to see a concert not be as equally valid as yours? Just curious...seems to be a lot of intolerance here...

I've been to the O2 5 times now and never really encountered any problems with waiting to be served - there are more than enough places to get a drink from or a bite to eat. Think the most i waited was about 5-6 minutes, which is superb when you consider there are about 20,000 people around.

I like a drink as much as the next person so don't really have no worries with people getting the beers in. But i think the reason there seems to be so many people wandering off to get drinks is because of what i said - there are more than enough places to get a drink, and get served quite quickly.

Try getting a beer at Wembley Arena, Earls Court or any of the other old venues and it takes ages so people don't bother so much.

There's yer answer.

colinb said:

I don't mind people drinking at all, I enjoy a drink now and then. Its when people drink so much that they cannot handle it and become aggressive, wanting to start fights and swearing loudly and just being a nuisance to other people. Its just not nice to hear or witness, I've seen children at these concerts so people should just have a little more respect for others. In general though I think its a fab atmosphere and anyone causing trouble or trying to cause trouble are swiftly removed by the security.

i had the misfortune of sitting next to a couple who had paid for the vip experience and the girl got hammered we were in block d3 her husband was embarrased by her as he had to hold her up and she kept trying to hold my hand!when the husband wanted to go to the toilet he asked me to keep an eye on her and i told him she aint my responsibility!!they evetualy left...what a waste of money for them!

Ellie said:

I'm with you on this. At one of the shows, we ended up with seats at the end of a row. The amount of times we had to move out of peoples' way so they could go to the bar was just ridiculous. One guy was so hammered I was convinced he was going to trip down the stairs. At one point, he was staggering down the stairs (upper tier) whilst taking a slug from a beer bottle. Total arse hole.

It's not like there aren't other opportunities to drink. If you can't even last for a 2 hour concert without having to top up your blood alcohol level, it's time to have a long hard look at yourself, I reckon.

L

Steadwood said:

then why did I see bottles of bear in the areana and I was on the top tier

I feel you with this drink thing! Can't understand it. I'm in the arena to enjoy a Prince show... not to do the same thing (though I don't drink alcohol !!) I do at home: drinking beer!

And it's not to forget the people eating pizzas during the show (those prolly rich corporate people who got offered purple table seats! Well I know some enjoy the shows, my remark is not directed at all of them rich or not!!)...

Anyway can't wait for this week end!

I'll b there on the 9th with my bottle of water, it's gonna b a long nite... Does anyone know if u can take bottles in b4 you enter the arena area or do u have 2 buy the ones their selling?

topcat67 said:

You can take your own in but they'll remove the caps as you enter.

iceblue07 said:

Makes me laugh re not being able to take bottle tops into the area,yet they give you a cd to take in,which could do more damage

Thanks Ellie

Ellie said:

Welcome to England! A nation of alcoholics surrounds you! No, most people here are patently unable to leave the house to attend any type of social gathering (gig, football match) without drinking. Sad isn't it?

My program was in a carrier bag and still the wankers next to me managed to get their 20 bottles of half empty barcardi breezer all over it ! ..Go to pub and stay there ,you bunch of cocks!

I'm actually getting a bit worried now, I am taking my 2 daughters 12 and 14, the last thing i want is to have their evening spoilt by some drunken idiot?

Ellie said:

I agree with you, I know the venue makes money out of booze but it really gets on my nerves when people keep getting up to go and get another pint! its a gig so just listen sober! No moral fibre as they used to say! lol

Looks like you guys may have to start handing out this to the annoying drunks. (slowly exits to the right...)



[Edited 8/28/07 18:12pm]

2elijah said:

This is quite funny - Finesse Mitchell (who's usually a bit shit) talking about drunk white people at a Prince concert:
http://myspacetv.com/inde...id=9977574

The drinkers are not as annoying as the "fams" who keeps trying to sneek forward and block the aisles. They have ruined the odd show for me.

Crazed female fans that think its ok to just hover next you because you have an end of aisle seat.

I wish they would fuck off back to their own seat!

i agree with that..stay in your place!!!i had an end of aisle seat a couple of nights and folk were pushing their way in next to me...i just made security aware of them and got them sent back!

cammille said:

It ruined the show for me, I spent half the time being barged by the fams, and then had to listen while they pleaded with the security guard not to send them back to their proper seat!

I dont care whether they r proper fans or not. The behaviour displayed by these weak disgaces is not acceptable.
Last show I was at, the guy in front of me picked on this poor woman and was very threatening 2her thruout the concert spoiling it 4every1 around. They also spill they're drinks everywhere, make u stand up & obstruct ur view as they shuffle past u every couple of minutes 2 get a refill & generally dont contribute positivly to the overall ambience of the night.

No matter where u r, this is unfavourable behaviour and I think it is pretty pointless defending the alcoholics who attend these concerts as some here have idiotically attempted to do... SEEK HELP!!