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Sunday Sound-off: Is it OK to sing along at concerts?
 
By Molly Snyder Edler RSS Feed
OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer

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More articles by Molly Snyder Edler

Published Nov. 11, 2007 at 5:33 a.m.
Tags: live music, sing-a-longs, singing

When seeing a live show, is it acceptable to sing along with the band? Obviously, some people think it's perfectly fine, and belt out lyrics as if they are the lead singer. Others quietly lend their voices, whereas some concertgoers, even if it's their all-time favorite song, do not open their mouths.

But what do you think? Is it OK to sing along at concerts, does it depend on the circumstances or is it never acceptable? Sound-off now, Milwaukee, by using the talkback feature.

Keep your mouth shut. Unless a band member invites the audience to sing a long, anyone who's not on stage should stick a sock in it. People buy concert tickets to hear the band, not the stranger in the next row with the off-key voice who wants to show off his knowledge of every song lyric.

It's OK in certain situations. If the lead singer asks the audience to participate, or if it's an anthem-like song that most of audience starts singing, then it's OK. This does not mean it's cool to sing during quiet, mellow shows or if no one else is singing. Then it's just plain annoying.

Singing along is part of the experience. If you don't want to hear anyone in the audience, don't go to concerts. Listen to music on your iPod. Concert-going is a public experience and so, you have to accept the public. For some people, singing along at shows is the high point of the experience, and these fans deserve to sing if they want to.

6 comments about this article.
Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by Preview
T15 It depends on the band and venue. It's all part of the experience unless of ...
DavidP It depends if the music is loud enough to drown out the crowd signing.
MissErikaJean It drives me absolutely nuts when I've paid good money for tickets and I can't ...
melody You better not be singing with every song, but it's definitely OK once in a ...
Quazimodem It depends on the band/performer you are seeing, and the venue. If the artist ...


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