Shows - 18+ vs 21+

[4khiker]

I'd like to hear the group's opinions on this. I have been to several of both. I tend to go when I can, not based on the crowd. However, I seem to have more problems with wasted people spilling beer on me and my date at the 18+. Maybe they get extra shitty before the show? I know I used to so I can't talk there!
What about the set's. Anyone find better overall performances at one vs. the other?
Do you think it's even considered by the band?
Just want to get some conversation going.

[Jeff]

I think the band knows they've got fans who aren't 21 yet, and try to cater to them a bit, thus the variety in age restrictions.

I remember trying to get into O'Dwyer's here in Saratoga to see PSC once or twice, I told them they could stamp my hand, mark it 'X' or whatever, told them I just really wanted to see the band, but nothing worked.

Couldn't tell ya why that would happen.. maybe the non-21 aren't paying attention to people with drinks and bump them, consequently making them spilly.

[moose]

for all i know, i may change my opinion on this six months from now, but right now i'd trade a lack-luster, moderately head bobbing all ages crowd for a beer soaked shirt anyday.

[notreally]

I'm pretty sure that the music is better at an all ages show because the band knows that basically everybody there will be entirely sober and focusing on just the music.

[mpb]

notreally said:

I'm pretty sure that the music is better at an all ages show because the band knows that basically everybody there will be entirely sober and focusing on just the music.

I highly doubt that

It seems to me that the set lists are better at the 21+ shows and there are not any teenybopper fans

[kevbag]

I doubt the band changes anything about the way they play. They may change some of the banter in between, but I can't imagine them playing "The Heist" any better or worse for the millionth time if there's only people there over the age of 21 or vice versa.

[dev]

I've only been to the all ages shows over the last few months b/c I go w/ my bro who's 18. I've found that Rustic fans as a whole are all pretty cool to one another, regardless of age.

In any place they serve beer, etc..., you're gonna get some folks who just get shit-clowned and sloppy, no matter if it's 18+ or 21+. One reason I like the 18+ shows is that it seems the line at the bar is a bit shorter, always a plus if you don't have to be the one to drive home.

I don't think (also) that they cater the setlist to the age of the crowd. I imagine when they put it together it's like: "Let's throw this one in tonight, I feel like playing it. We should play these staples too. What do you wanna close with tonight?" And then call an audible here and there.

[Darek]

I'm full of mixed feelings about this subject and have had a number of pre-show conversations about it. First, I don't think the guys give a ton of thought to the setlist based on a show's age restrictions. I think Dev hit that subject on the head.

In terms of which I prefer, that's a tough one. A couple of years ago I would have said 21+ hands down, regardless of which band you're talking about. I always felt like the energy of a 21+ PSC crowd was much better and the band reacted to that with a harder hitting set. Now though, after hitting two 21+ shows and one 18+, I find it more and more annoying to have to deal with drunk kids in an enclosed setting. The majority of drunk a-holes I've dealt with at shows seem to come from the 21-24 age group, but that's not to say that they're all like that and that the 18-21 kids are full of respect and consideration for their fellow concert-goer. I also get quickly annoyed by the aforementioned "teenybopper" fans.

I'm tempted to agree with Moose I think, overall I'm willing to put up with a certain amount of ass-hatery for a live crowd and I found the energy at the 21+ shows I've been to to be much higher. (Though while we're on the subject of energy, does anyone else lament the lack of jumping at the shows recently? I can't get a pogo started no matter how hard I try. I hate moshing and crowd surfing, but there's just a bit too much standing around for me. Sorry, just needed to get that out there, carry on).

[mpb]

I don't think they intentionally make a set list that caters to one group or another, but when I compare set lists from say the most recent Asylum shows I'd much rather take the encores of Feast, Love Underground, Hitman (!), and Freddy (!), than Letter. They also played Sledgehammer at those 21+ shows.

However, it would make sense not playing Freddy to an all ages crowd, if they thought most people wouldn't recognize it. I have noticed a lot of confused 15 year olds when they play older stuff.

[dev]

darek said:

(Though while we're on the subject of energy, does anyone else lament the lack of jumping at the shows recently? I can't get a pogo started no matter how hard I try. I hate moshing and crowd surfing, but there's just a bit too much standing around for me. Sorry, just needed to get that out there, carry on).

And I thought I was the only one who felt like the only one jumping up and down during The Heist, etc...

[Darek]

dev said:

darek said:

(Though while we're on the subject of energy, does anyone else lament the lack of jumping at the shows recently? I can't get a pogo started no matter how hard I try. I hate moshing and crowd surfing, but there's just a bit too much standing around for me. Sorry, just needed to get that out there, carry on).

And I thought I was the only one who felt like the only one jumping up and down during The Heist, etc...

You are not alone. If you watch the Rock Like War video on Youtube, I'm the lanky bastard in the middle in the hat who starts jumping at 3:33 until I finally realized it was just me. Yeah, I still feel a little lame about it.