I just got back from a weekend in Vienna, Virginia. The missus and I went with my folks to see the legendary and impossible to classify Rodney Crowell at Wolf Trap. He brought along Will Kimbrough, who I began to hail as a god of all stringed instruments the moment I heard him play with Todd Snider.
It was a particularly amazing show, due in large part to the demeanor of the crowd. They were utterly attentive and still like the dead. But I found myself occasionally wondering: Where's the maniac spilling cheap beer down my back from dual plastic cups, one in each hand, as tries to squeeze past me and my guest like a calf exiting the birth canal? Where is the moron that sits directly in front of me, bobbing his head and pumping his fist in a fashion that suggests this is the first time he has ever heard music, and boy is it swell? Where is the comedian who bellows the immortal "Play some Skynard!"
Where, I ask myself, is my FOC? A FOC is a Frickin' Obnoxious Concertgoer. This particular performance seemed to violate all the natural laws of rock concerts that I've ever known, as I've endured a FOC at every other show I had ever seen.
FOCs come in all shapes and sizes, including:
"The Validator" - the FOC standing in front of you who, every 30 seconds, turns around and looks at you with a face that says, "Wow, you guys! Isn't this the best concert ever?!" This is usually augmented with wild gesticulation.
"The Requester" - the FOC that shouts out the title of some obscure B-side by the performing act 5-10 times between each song, as if (a) the band could actually discern their shout over the rest of the crowd noise, and (b) they actually give a shit. This FOC is unaware of the existence of set lists.
"The Drinker" - this FOC leaves their seat or standing position every 15 minutes to get another beer. They take no joy in watching and listening to the band perform, but instead in paying $50 to drink $9 beer.
"The Rocker" - the FOC who pumps his fist so hard to each tune that his entire frame jerks forward, and nearly knocks himself over. Almost always male. Fist often augmented with the devil sign.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
defintely the talker...especially when its a drinking talker.
might as well talk during the quiet numbers...or the numbers we've never heard before.
i swear, my seats are always in the talker section, no matter how big the venue.
2 - Timothy Greathouse
I KNOW! I feel your pain, man. There is a direct correlation between how much I love a particular artist and how obnoxious the people are around me when attending their concert. Bastards.
3 - milehi
I was hoping this would be a concert review of the amazing Rodney Crowell. He is an extremely talented musician and songwriter, one of my favorites.
4 - look4wrd
You forgot one, "The Whiner" who even at a concert with a perfect audience will find something to complain about. The WFOC is the one shouting "down in front" even if 80% of the crowd is standing. Or spends the majority of the concert frowning and giving the evil eye to the occasional twirling dancer or anyone else within 30 feet who exhibits the mildest strains of FOC. WFOC is closely related to "The Narc".
5 - Mark Saleski
there's also The Whisperer, particularly annoying at jazz shows.
6 - Timothy Greathouse
Milehi-Rodney Crowell was great. I just don't know what more I can say about Rodney. I just love the guy. I don't think I ever want to see him without Will Kimbrough, though, because they have such great chemistry.
This particular tour was all acoustic, and included Minton Sparks and Elizabeth Cook. I don't like doing traditional critic thing, so I only critique things I like. I love Rodney. I'm not saying anything about the Minton or Elizabeth. So there ya go.
7 - larry mon dello
How about the chick about five years past prime that insists on dancing all show out of time and usually gets other whales to join her
8 - Mark Saleski
worse than that is the guy who forgets to zip up and lets his ignorance hang out on the internet for the whole world to see.
9 - DJRadiohead
This is a great piece! I have seen all of these FOC's in action and I think they should all be shot- especially with the unfairly upward trajectory of ticket prices.
10 - Joan Hunt
oh, see how you are? proposing to me while you're all married and stuff. harrumph!
silly you, you failed to tell me if Rodney called out my name during the show.
11 - norm
i bring my kids who hate it and are surly and their tender forming ears are getting busted, and they want to go, and me with them and we are standing by the stage. top that. oh and i dress weird and am old, fat and bald, won't pay for sex as you say I must, so get none, and just remember the groups i go see from radio thirty years ago, no scholar.