Responding to the *dead crowd* comments

When I go to a show I am just myself, when I here a rare song or fave song I take in the first couple of moments and then carry on singing, clapping or whatever...

I've been to a few shows here where the crowd hasn't been up for it for the entire show, where the atmosphere wasn't too great. I have been to a fair few where the atmosphere has been electric... I've seen some recordings from USA where its been flat and also electric atmospheres.

If your not at the show then you can't question the crowds reaction.

OK - a bit of clarification here. I NEVER sit down at a rock show - ever. I have even started topics here about being a shithead for NOT sitting down and pissing people off. I'm not suggesting that people be passive and quiet at any time. Anyone who knows me, knows that passive and quiet are not words that fit me at all LOL.

And I have NEVER gone to the bathroom during any rock show (or other type music show) in my life. I am there to hear the music. If I want to drink and piss I can do that at home.

And yes - I do sing along - as I said to all the *usual suspects* Prayer, Wanted etc. But boy - when I get the rarities I want to hear Jon (or Richie) sing them. I'm dying to hear Richie sing Homebound Train - but the first time I hear Richie do it - I'm not going to be shouting the words over his singing.

Sure there are plenty of people here that leave the show for the bathroom, or more beer, or hot dogs or whatever. I assume that they are casual fans. I have asked people who were chatting with each other constantly to be quiet (a certain Bruce shows come to mind when he sang My Hometown for the first time in ages).

However are there no casual fans in Europe that leave to take a leak or get alcohol and a munchie?

Oh believe me, there are. At Bon Jovi and Bruce I have seen people go for a beer/piss during the second or third song.

Drives me mad.

I have never went to the toilet during a concert either. The need never arises, and if it did, I would just ignore it.

There are plenty of people who do that over here in the UK. I do, I'll admit that but I only go in the one song I can't stand... Who Says, gets a bit much after a while.

You're missing the point.

Of course there are fans in Europe that go for piss breaks etc, but it's a very small number of the whole audience. The same can't be said for The American shows. Just look at Dry county on the MSG DVD. The aisles are packed with people walking about.

I think its just down to showing some appreciation for unkown songs.
Besides an unreal atmosphere can be created from quiteness too,(ever been to a rugby game when 80,000 people keep schtum while a penalty kick is being taken)I also think the whole seating thing kills it in the states.It will be interesting to see how the shows pan out in O2.
Oh and when at a concert I get drunk ,sing have a good time and take a piss when the need arises(i do try to go when tracks i dont like are being played )

Not intentionally missing the point. I have the Blu-Ray and have watched it only once. I will watch Dry County and pay careful attention to the audience. I honestly don't have the impression from my first watching that the aisles were "packed" with people heading out.

Who gives a crap? Seriously, it's a different culture, that's all. Doesn't make one right and one wrong. There are Americans who think Europeans are insane because of their behavior at soccer games. Does that make it so?

I agree with you Kathleen and I in your shoes would do exactly the same thing. I think "you europeans" is a bit of a generalisation as I'm sure there are many Americans that do that type of thing as well. I can understand this being annoying when you see a real rarity and some ****er is screaming at the top of his/her voice when you want to listen to the band. It's the casual fans who are just going to get a look at Jon's ass and see Livin' on a Prayer that tend to do that. They must think by screaming the loudest Jon will notice them.

You mentioned Blood Money. That's an awesome song and is by far my favourate off Blaze. I'd love to see that live. It's such an underated song.