Hello all, so I saw there wasn’t a thread discussing this so here I thought I’d create one to vent and also see if my experience is similar to others. Mods feel free to move to an appropriate place if this isn’t it.
I just feel completely done with going to gigs at the moment, especially in London. This is such a bold statement but I truly feel like my sanctuary has been overtaken by an evening of anger and sadness, overshadowing the artists I go and see in the first place.
I’m a 5ft 5 (just about) flamboyant British South Asian man who just wants to enjoy the music. However, I am constantly harassed, inappropriately grabbed and subsequently intimidated by mainly white males like a toy. I know this sounds like a generalisation (and anyone and everyone is capable of such actions), but in the last month alone such has happened to me on two occasions.
The worst was last night when I went to see Phoenix. They are a band I have adored for so long and haven’t seen since Glastonbury in 2017. They were amazing. Nonetheless, when I go and see an indie band I expect a certain kind of crowd, but tonight really pushed the limit for me. I was just enjoying myself and next thing you know I had a guy forcefully pushing me into the crowd causing me to spill my drink (during one of their not so good songs) as I was making space for him to leave the crowd. Then I had a group of white men using me as a post to jump on during some of their set. And finally, another who kept grabbing me and my female friend forcing us to dance (when we're already dancing). Wherever we moved, we just could not escape it, which was annoying especially as we got there early to get a good view.
I’m normally used to this happening, but last night was a breaking point for me. It would be interesting to hear about other people’s experience as well learn what you have done in these situations. I want to be more prepared next time as opposed to feeling powerless to do anything.
I just feel completely done with going to gigs at the moment, especially in London. This is such a bold statement but I truly feel like my sanctuary has been overtaken by an evening of anger and sadness, overshadowing the artists I go and see in the first place.
I’m a 5ft 5 (just about) flamboyant British South Asian man who just wants to enjoy the music. However, I am constantly harassed, inappropriately grabbed and subsequently intimidated by mainly white males like a toy. I know this sounds like a generalisation (and anyone and everyone is capable of such actions), but in the last month alone such has happened to me on two occasions.
The worst was last night when I went to see Phoenix. They are a band I have adored for so long and haven’t seen since Glastonbury in 2017. They were amazing. Nonetheless, when I go and see an indie band I expect a certain kind of crowd, but tonight really pushed the limit for me. I was just enjoying myself and next thing you know I had a guy forcefully pushing me into the crowd causing me to spill my drink (during one of their not so good songs) as I was making space for him to leave the crowd. Then I had a group of white men using me as a post to jump on during some of their set. And finally, another who kept grabbing me and my female friend forcing us to dance (when we're already dancing). Wherever we moved, we just could not escape it, which was annoying especially as we got there early to get a good view.
I’m normally used to this happening, but last night was a breaking point for me. It would be interesting to hear about other people’s experience as well learn what you have done in these situations. I want to be more prepared next time as opposed to feeling powerless to do anything.
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