Quiet crowds can make a concert
I’m not alone in my frustration.
Several concertgoers have approached me about my concert talkers column that ran alongside my photos from The xx concert at The Criterion. I’m glad it’s resonating with the people who are equally fed up, but it’s the people that didn’t read it who bug me most.
So, here’s a sequel to my plea for conversations at concerts to stop or go outside. Spread the word because I think an attentive, caring crowd is the first step in making musicians want to return to Oklahoma.
These are a few shows that stuck out because a crowd decided to make the effort to listen.
1. I road tripped to Dallas’ Kessler Theater to see a rare set from Texas-bred songwriter Terry Allen. The venue had to be the largest listening rooms I’ve ever been to. I sat in the balcony, but the crowd was so still that I felt like I was nestled up to the stage. It ended up being one the best shows I’ve ever seen. Period.
2. It feels like forever ago, but Horse Thief released a record earlier this year. It feels like forever ago, but the band had a quiet celebration at the Power House Bar. Although one patron felt the need to record selfie videos of her reacting to several songs, the intimate evening was a great way to share “Trials & Truths.”
3. Charley Crockett finished an especially rowdy show at the Blue Door, and I stood up to leave after an encore. The owner Greg Johnson tapped me on the shoulder and said, “You’ve written about people talking, so how about shows where people shut up.” Patrons hooted, hollered and even danced a little bit, but they were also especially down to listen. Johnson’s known to hush anyone who won’t zip their lips.
4. I would’ve never guessed a crowd could be as well-behaved as the one for Mandolin Orange last weekend. Roughly 500 guests filled the Tower Theatre and an overwhelming hush swept through the crowd during the first note of the concert. The band’s known for their soft, rootsy ballads, and I didn’t miss a single harmony thanks to the calm showgoers. Singer Emily Frantz echoed that sentiment when she said people are rarely so quiet on a Saturday night.