I first started attending gigs in the early 90′s. It was pretty much a male preserve at the time, to be honest. Women who attended gigs tended to be there with partners, and it was a fairly aggresive audience. Around about the time of Britpop, it became noticeable that the dynamic of the crowd was changing. The unreconstructedly sexist part of me, in my late teens/early 20′s, sneered at these women, innocently enjoying music and ignoring the tedious rituals ‘serious’ music fans like me went through. As I got older, I realised the benefits – they were much more fun to look at than snivelling acne-ridden indie males, they brought a good vibe to the gig and they danced unafraid, looking for all the world, to use a spectacularly wrong and un-PC phrase, like spastics eating a choc ice.
Last night, ELM Towers emptied and we headed off to see ELM faves the Ting Tings. No review coming, because we reviewed them six weeks ago and nothing much has changed, well, musically at least. What I did notice was that last night was the first gig I have ever attended where there were more women than men in attendance. This sea-change is, I think, a healthy one (so long as they made their husband’s dinner before they went out, of course). The ladies appear to have adopted ‘That’s Not My Name’ as some sort of sassy feminist anthem, and so of course there were the obligatory clichéd gays in the audience doing the same. They enjoyed the gig, they matched the boys for drunkenness (it was Glasgow, to be fair) and the old-school aggression of a live crowd (remember the dreary chants of ‘Here We Go’ at gigs and pints and pints of lager being thrown? Awful, wasn’t it?) was replaced by a much friendlier feel. I like the racket the Ting Tings make, but it’s clear they speak to somen in a way they don’t to blokes. It’s that Sex In The City vibe; most birds I know are positively moistening their thongs at the thought of that movie, while every fella would rather eat a horse’s cock raw than watch it; doesn’t mean it’s bad, just different.
So a positive move in the evolution of live music. It was perhaps inevitable, after all, we let them drive so this is just another step in that direction. They’ll be voting next. You heard it here first.
Filed under: General Stuff Tagged: | gigs, Live music, Sex in The City, that's not my name, Ting Tings, Women and why men are always right
I am all for it.
One note of caution though. As we know ,when a group of women spend a duration of time in close proximity their menstrual cycles begin to ” harmonise ” or occur at the same time as one and other.
Therefore women at gigs for one night only might be fine – a week long festival full of the pre-menstrual fairer sex however should be avoided at all costs.
Euuurgh.
As a bloke with a deep and real fear of the whole concept of women’s unclean week, I am appalled RSD!
Remember a couple of gigs from yesteryear where punches were thrown often and with relish. A Smashing Pumpkins gig during their Siamese Dream tour at the Barrowlands in particular before Corgan disappeared up his own rectum. Also once emerged from a Rocket from the Crypt gig at the arches with my shirt somewhat ripped and rather bruised ribs.
I was lured under false pretenses a couple of years back to go see Goldfrapp (thought I was going to see Go-Team, go figure) and that was full of women, absolute roasters too, didn’t know which end to slap
All for more women at gigs but please, observe the bikini dress code and no double baggers [Yes you Ditto]
I have often argued with Mrs. ELM about the merits of my quota system, where at any gig no more than 20% of the audience could be female and of that half have to be certifiably worth fingering.
She argues against this. Conclusive proof of why men and women are different and men are always right.
Disappointed by this post. Of course women should attend gigs. Beer glasses don’t clear themselves away, despite what us blokes think.
You are all just jealous because when its 5 deep at the bar we always get served before you.
I’m appalled at the use of “moistening their thongs”, you’ve clearly never shagged a wumman.
I’ve had more burds than, well, Cliff Richard.
by burds you mean unsubstantiated young boys?
Ahem, we couldn’t possibly comment!
Sue Barker and all, I’d heard.