Self-righteous dicks in the crowd

I feel sure I've had this nostalgic moan before but cannot recall when. Went to see Florence And The Machine (Florence & The Machine?) at Alexandra Palace on Saturday and she was fabulous. Great show, full of energy, strong voice and - as with the second album when listening to it - you realise just how many decent tunes she has up her sleeve.

Some friends had gone on Friday night and complained about some of the crowd. People asking "whether they could move" as "your head is in my way". Erm, it's a standing gig that is bloody crowded, sir, pretty much every single one of the thousands in front of me is technically in my way. And lo and behold, I came across the same numpties on Saturday night. It infuriates me. I had someone asking if I was intending on staying where I was stood as I was in their way and somebody else asking me to make sure I didn't step on their *enormous* bag on the floor, slap-bang in the middle of thousands of people. These people are "dicks". An official designation. They are the same sort of people who look at you weirdly for dancing and enjoying yourself. The sort of people who talk and talk throughout the gig, for to them they just want to tick the box and say that they were there. It is cool for them to do so and their right. They are not there for the show, to really experience the music in a live arena.

My music tastes have undoubtedly changed over the years and I don't get as drunk as gigs (cannae take it!) but the audience have changed more. More cantankerous, more self-righteous and generally less "fun". Spilling beer - accidentally - over someone is now met with various degrees of hostility rather than a laugh and a recognition that live gig-going is a fun, chaotic and random experience.

I wish all of these people would buy the VIP tickets, opt to sit or just not bother. The standing floor is for those who want to have fun, get closer and take the chance that it all just might get a bit messy.