Music show tips.

UnknownSaint

So I've never been to a concert or anything in my life. This week at the Troubadour the Mountain Goats are playing and I was planning on going - one of the few shows I'd want to go to live. But I have some questions.

Doors open at 8, show is at 10. When should I show up? What should I expect as far as seating goes? I know all shows are different depending on the venue and type of music played, and I'm expecting this to be fairly tame. (It's basically lo-fi folk music.) How will people be situated, should I expect to be trampled often? Anything I should remember to bring besides the typical phone/wallet/keys? What about what to wear? Also, the show is two nights in a row at the same place - I can make pretty much either one - is a bands first show at a particular venue usually worse or better than the others?

I'm lost, PA. Find me.

Alchemist449

Depends, do you want to see the openers? Odds are they'll come on about 30min. after the doors open. If you don't want to see the openers get there around 9 but no later than that. You don't want to find out this place actually closes the doors at a certain point. I'm not aware of the venue but is it a lower, middle, or upper class place? Most lower and middle venues won't have seating and will only have standing room. Dress comfortably, jeans and a t shirt are best. And I don't think you have to worry about being trampled seeing as no one will be opening up dance pits.

UnknownSaint

I suppose I'll go for the openers, of which there is one scheduled to start around 9. I dunno, the friend I was going to go with is flaking out at the last minute and I'll be going by myself. Seems like it may be fairly awkward, I really just want to be able to sit down and enjoy the live music.

ChopperDave

If the opener interests you, show up at 8:40 or so. If they don't, don't.

I'd get there around 9:25 otherwise. That way you can get there between the sets, when people are milling about and not crowding the state. At that point, make sure you're either at the stage, or hanging out nearby, so that when the Mountain Goats come on you don't have to wrestle with anyone to get a good view.

If it's a seating arrangement type dealie (which I kind of doubt, they would give you a # if there was), get there earlier, before the opening act even, so that you can grab yourself a good seat.

Otherwise it should be pretty chill. Lo-fi fok crowds don't generally get too rowdy or obnoxious, and you can just stand/sit there and listen and whisper to your friends about how great that last song was, like everyone else. I don't think I need to give you crowd surfing (read: don't, it makes you a douche) or mosh pit advice.

Oh, but don't wear any Mountain Goats shirts to the show. That's lame, I guess.

UnknownSaint

ChopperDave wrote: »

Oh, bur don't wear any Mountain Goats shirts to the show. That's lame, I guess.

Yeah, wasn't planning on that. I'm not sure they even have much merchandise in the way of shirts.

Chop Logic

In case you're really worried about it, I actually prefer going to shows alone.

Also, the Mountain Goats are so awesome.

contraband

Man, I just returned from seeing tMG at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco. Looks like Troubador is their next stop. At BotH, there were barstools at/around the bar, so there is seating, it's just pretty limited. And if there was seating, if your crowd was anything like mine, they won't be sitting down for his performance. Go for the opening bands! Most of the ones I saw today were really great. The MGs were phenomenal, and it looks like the previous ones in S.F. were great too, so it looks like he's on a bit of a roll. Have fun

edit: man jeffrew lewis is opening for john darnielle you better be there for the opening acts if you know what's good for you