petergabriel.com

For the most part, I loved the enthusiasm of the crowd. It seemed to me just about everyone knew the words. I tried to sing softly or just lip the words, as I know I don't have a great singing voice , but it was hard not to. The energy was too great. Maybe it was that I wasn't as close to her, but I just laughed any time anyone yelled 'I love you Peter,' because, well we really do.

Mozo, sorry you think I'm complaining too much. I offered plenty of praise of the show in my first post, but thought the behavior of one person was worth commenting on as well. I--and plenty others--don't need the recording to know how her behavior affected our enjoyment of the show. What otherwise had the opportunity to be a transcendent experience was rendered into something slightly less so. What can I say, it's disappointing. And I don't have any other complaints about people leaving early, or not being "into it" enough.

it's the manner in which you choose to complain. i heard more than one adoring fan repeatedly shout out affection to mr. gabriel including the girl you fingered. while i considered it a bit annoying, i did not allow it to detract from my concert experience. if it was excessive, i would say something to the individual first. then i would inform security (repeatedly, if needed) if an individual was causing that big of a nuisance. let's be clear on this: i do not approve of you pointing her out in public photos, and telling her "you suck" and to stay home next time. all of this behind the anonymity of your computer screen. do you want to point yourself out in the photos? your 5 posts have only been to this thread. is this the sole reason you came to this forum?

Fair enough. I came to the forum to see what others were saying about the show I attended--there isn't much else going on with PG these days, and I haven't had reason to revisit the forum in a long time. Seeing a thread about people's opinions of the audience, I thought my comments were in line with the topic. Especially after last year's New Blood show, where another person with a great seat--row 8--talked through much of the show, to the point I asked them pointedly to be quiet. They were 8-10 seats away from me, and fully audible from where I was sitting. So I guess I'm sensitive to obtrusive audience members anymore. I'd gladly point myself out in the photos--second photo, left side, arm raised. But I don't know what that proves. I just found it ironic that someone who pays that kind of money to see the show/soundcheck (regular prices were high as it was!) is someone who would otherwise not listen when he talks, or would scream during quieter moments of the songs. I don't understand how a super-fan wouldn't want to hear the full experience, but that's the way of things, I guess. I was simply surprised--or, maybe not so surprised--to see that person right there in the pics. Go figure. There was security nearby, and I considered pointing the person out to them, but even I know that "yelling during a concert" isn't something they can/would do anything about. And I saw the response first-hand when someone asked to be quiet. That wouldn't have gotten anywhere, so I resigned myself to focus on the show as best I could. And it's good you didn't allow it to detract from your experience. I did my best to do the same, but sitting directly in front of the person might make it harder to do. "You suck" may be a bit harsh in retrospect, yeah. But I do wish audience members were more considerate of those around them, and gave their full attention to the performer.

I'm sorry for those of "us" who have had some bad experiences at shows -- especially the PG shows which we all love so much. Everything that is being written and said here is true and I think it's fair to say that we've all had our moments with sticky situations -- in fact, we, ourselves might be guilty of it sometimes when we're being overly zealous in our excitement. Like yourself, JF, I had an incredibly bad experience last year at the New Blood show at Camden, NJ -- Just as PG came on stage, so did 6 people -- 3 couples -- into the row behind me -- I heard them as they entered the row, they were a bit noisy getting settled in and I really kept trying to ignore them -- just kept trying to focus my attention (and hearing) on PG and the orchestra. It worked a very little bit. Last year, Wallflower was the second song into the show. It is no secret to anyone who knows me at all here or with PG, that Wallflower is my absolute favorite song (and I honestly never liked that he played it 2nd in the set, but hey, I was just so happy he was performing it). So, the folks behind me were settling in through the first song and when Wallflower started, they saw that as an opportunity to chat a bit -- get caught up on things since they obviously had just met up in time to get their tix and come to the show. Because the crowd sat down after the first song (I'm okay with that), just continued to settle in, chat a bit and I turned around to them at least 3 times -- when a person keeps looking back at you with a look on their face, that should be enough of a signal to stop -- in this case, it wasn't. I wanted to cry and now I could not get a single one of their voices out of my head, no matter how I tried. As the show progressed, they did get into the show and were having a good time -- singing to the songs they knew, drinking and chatting off and on (I don't even mind so much if people are chatting about the show, but these people were just plain old chatting as if they were at the local bar catching up on their week's events. Just plain old chatter -- the 3 ladies sat together, which is what made it worse, since they were the ones chatting the most). Anyway, by the end of the show, all 6 of them were in full-on conversations, having forgotten that they were at a concert. The guys sounded a bit drunk and one yelled to the other about Christmas gifts he had gotten -- I'm not kidding you. When PG played Father Son, the drunk man behind me went into his very own psychotherapy session and as much as I could appreciate how he felt about the song, how he felt about his father and his relationship, it was all I could do to keep from slapping him! Needless to say, as much as I enjoyed the show, it was one of my worst fan experiences at a PG show, so I can empathize with you JF. Unfortunately, event staff security has a really difficult job -- they cannot tell someone to stop talking, but it's true that if you complain to security enough, you'll get on their nerves enough for them to do something about it. If the staff person at your section doesn't help you, ask to speak to the supervisor -- it works. If they really can't help you by having the other people removed or quieted, ask to have your seat changed (assuming you'd want to do that). It's all a tough call because meanwhile, it is causing you to miss bits and pieces of the show -- a very unfair situation. In Philly last week, when I went to the aisle/stage front to dance a bit, along with many others, there was a man who was intentionally body slamming me. During Secret World he did it so much and I know he wanted a reaction out of me -- I refused to give it to him. However, when I got up at Sledgehammer (and subsequently stayed up), he did it again -- I was on his right, he'd throw and slam his body to the right being sure to slam and push into me, pretending he didn't know he was doing it -- I moved to his left and he repeated it - -this went on two more times. I finally said to him, "Make up your mind as to which side you don't want me to be and stop slamming yourself into me.!" Needless to say, he was rude and we exchanged a few more words but I decided that he was NOT going to ruin my good time -- I pushed past him to be in front of him so he couldn't slam his back into me and I stayed there the remainder of the night. I'm not sure where he stayed, but I think he just continued to dance around behind me. Oh well, hoping that the last show is great -- full of enthusiastic, respectful, up on your feet fans!

i was singing aloud quite often, and i don't even sing in the shower. to the guys directly in front of me: please accept my sincere apology. i consult with schools regarding PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports) implementation. most elementary schools adopt; "be safe, be respectful, and be responsible" as expectations for children. i wish adults were held to the same standard in public even if the behavior is lawful. i enjoyed the concert immensely. for those keeping score, i was wrong. i predicted PG would not sell out large arenas. moreover, i thought he received a very warm reception from the chicago crowd. (of course, nobody beats philly.) that's the biggest impression i had with regards to the audience, which bodes well for his career. the folks nearest me (the DAK party?) were obviously enjoying themselves too. two were very young, maybe 20 years at the oldest. knowing his music will live on was the testament on display that night. finally, in the lighted hallways, i privately remarked how "old and quirky" various audience members looked, but then i looked in the mirror in the restroom. overall, i rated the audience as very well behaved even while departing from the event.

At any rate, I am hoping he decides to release a recording of a Back to Front show on Blu-Ray. As much as I'm looking forward to the '87 DVD release, it would be great to have this show for posterity. (A dual concert release, '87 and '12, would have been neat to see, but I suppose that's a missed opportunity.)

i want PoV (live at athens) on blu-ray, but the man says i'm asking for too much. i plan to get the encore cd (or microphone-shaped US of the philly show. add the "this way up" philly soundboard to make another pair for posterity.

hmmm... seems by "B" in usb turned into a smiley face. i don't use emoticons.

my... i give up.

what I carry in my heart brings us so close or so far apart... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG_ux80HJTQ that voice again

Don't Give Up. Zing! Did you attend Philly? I was anticipating getting the Chicago Encore set, but am honestly wondering if my favorite attendee might be heard all over it. I suppose most of the set would be unmarred. And I'm impressed at the low cost of the sets. All that said, I might quibble, as I'd probably prefer one high-quality, "produced" set for sale via retail, rather than the individual "unproduced" sets. (I always noticed how much better Secret World Live sounded over my Still Growing Up Encore discs.) But I'll take what I can.

i attended the chicago show only. i also plan to get encore CD. it's a soundboard (with mix and fix), so you won't hear your favorite attendee much (if at all). i may consider a "humdrum" encore or any other notable variations in future set lists.

Mozo -- were you at the Philly show? (I don't remember that you were planning on it, but who knows, we lunatics tend to act a bit impulsively when it comes to seeing the PG shows). For JF -- I can't speak on the Chicago show or many others, but I can say that I attended Philly and NY (with one more to go in Fairfax VA) and as much as I'd love to buy all the Encore cds of the shows I attended, I'm bailing on the NY show but I'd highly recommend the Philly show because I do know that it rocked to the rafters! As a side note . . . I've always wondered how sincere an artist is when they say, "Thank you, Pittsburgh . . . I mean, Chicago, I mean Philly" . . . I'm sure artists say much of the same thing to the audiences in every town and I'm okay with that. However, in Philly, I truly felt that PG was most sincere in his thanks -- I was close enough to see him and as he walked off the stage, when he got to stage right (just before he totally walked off), he stopped and turned again and took a sincere-looking partial bow -- I could see him then also. I don't think it was my imagination -- he was sincerely happy with that show. Kind regards to all,

So the decision to get the Philly set is based on the existence of the '87 Philly soundboard set? Just curious. I figure I'll just go for the show I was at, like I did with the Still Growing Up one.

yes, both philly shows were professionally recorded including a pro-shot multicam video. i believe this was the first attempt at PoV. besides, philly fans are always the best, but don't tell pat.

Sorry, Mozo -- just saw your post after I had hit submit on mine. So no Philly show for you, but I agree with you on buying a cd that will have a different song or two on it just so I am complete.

sneaking in here and caught a glimpse of a compliment towards the philly fans I can see how one might overlook them, they're usually so quiet BTW -- good to know about the recordings. Thanks for that info. I'll just go put favorite tee shirt on . . . it's my motto: "I'm Not Angry . . . I'm From Philly"

sneaking in here and caught a glimpse of a compliment towards the philly fans I can see how one might overlook them, they're usually so quiet BTW -- good to know about the recordings. Thanks for that info. I'll just go put favorite tee shirt on . . . it's my motto: "I'm Not Angry . . . I'm From Philly"

sneaking in here and caught a glimpse of a compliment towards the philly fans I can see how one might overlook them, they're usually so quiet BTW -- good to know about the recordings. Thanks for that info. I'll just go put favorite tee shirt on . . . it's my motto: "I'm Not Angry . . . I'm From Philly"