The Troubling Concert Trend Artists Want to Stop

Most fans who attend concerts are simply there to enjoy their favorite band. However, there’s been a troubling trend among a small number of concertgoers who seem to think it’s acceptable to throw things at performers.

Good Concert Etiquette

Good concert etiquette means respecting personal space, limiting phone use, keeping conversations quiet while the music is playing, and never throwing anything onto the stage. Following these simple, unwritten rules helps create a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone while showing respect for the artists performing.

Across all genres of music, artists have been dealing with fans throwing objects onto the stage, raising the question: Why spend all that money to attend a concert if you’re only going to ruin the experience for yourself, the artist, and everyone else in the audience?

Why Are Concert Fans Throwing Things at Artists?

Back in the day, a fan might throw a bra, a pair of panties, or even a joint onto the stage. While throwing anything at an artist was never appropriate, these objects were generally unlikely to cause serious injury if they happened to hit the performer. Today, however, some fans are throwing much more dangerous objects, turning what was once a misguided expression of excitement into a genuine safety concern for artists.

Get our free mobile app

Whiskey Riff reported that during a recent concert in Indiana, a fan threw a lighter that struck Billy Strings in the head. The incident understandably caught the singer’s attention, and he had a few choice words for the person responsible. Here’s what Billy had to say about the incident.

At Pine Knob, fans were reportedly throwing dirt clods toward the stage during a solo performance by Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell. One of the clods struck his guitar, while others hit the soundboard, creating enough disruption that Cantrell ultimately had to cut his set short.

Considering how expensive cellphones are and how much personal information, contacts, photos, and other important data they contain, why would anyone throw one onto the stage and risk hitting an artist? Apparently, some fans do it in hopes that the performer will pick up the phone, take a selfie, or record a video with it. The goal? To capture a viral moment and get some attention online, all at the artist’s expense.

Fans aren’t just throwing cellphones onto the stage, either. Country artists have also been on the receiving end of flying objects. Zach Bryan was hit with a can, Luke Bryan was struck in the face by a ball, and Koe Wetzel was hit by a bottle. Pop stars including Pink, Cardi B, and Kelsea Ballerini have also been hit by objects thrown from the crowd, showing that this troubling behavior spans genres and continues to put performers at risk.

Concert fans, please don’t throw anything onto the stage. Sit back, enjoy the music, and let the artist do what they came there to do. Don’t ruin the experience for yourself, the performer, or everyone else in the crowd.

👇BELOW: 15 Times Fans Went Way Too Far👇