There are two videos circulating that has many people talking and others’ blood boiling, and rightfully so.  Last night, at the Trey Anastasio w/ the National Symphony Orchestra show in Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center, one clueless fan decided it was cool to interrupt the flow of the show by attempting to either take a picture of her sitting front row at the show, or wanting to show Trey a video of something.  Either way, regardless of the point she was trying to make, she is out of line and ignorant.  The other video, is of some dude with a nitrous tank right in the outside lobby of the show just filling up balloons as nonchalantly as can be, like nitrous is commonplace at such an event.

First, we will discuss the young “lady” and her immature decision to interrupt the show with her nonsense.  Most of us think that what she did is completely idiotic and out of line; others think that it is all in good-natured fun.  While what she was doing can be seen as innocent, funny, or cute (the vein in my temple is popping out while using these words), what this girl did is EXACTLY what you don’t do when you are at a show of this caliber.  Yes, Trey Anastasio is the guitarist of Phish, your favorite jamband that you go see during the summer and enjoy partying to; however, he is also a composer, and is playing a very special show with an orchestra at a classy venue.  Everything about this performance begs to be treated differently than your average Phish show, so treat it that way.

Next, the nitrous tank….where do I begin?  Everything about this, including those that actually bought and huffed a balloon, is indicative of why people think the way they do about the Phish scene.  While many of us have grown up, earn a living, and still like to party, we at least know the right time, the right place, and how to behave when doing so.  It’s that other faction of fans that just don’t get it, or refuse to get it.  It’s the scenesters, the wooks, the people that are just there for the party and NOT for the music (which should always be the number 1 reason why you attend any concert, unless you have forgotten).  And by scenesters and wooks, I don’t mean those with dread-locks, or patchwork pants, wearing heady crystals, or whatever out-there look you are going for – though, dressing up occasionally is not conforming, just to put that out there.

I am talking about those fucking assholes that ruin it for everyone else.  Those selfish pricks that think they are too cool for school, and have been to “like 140 Phish shows”, but can’t even remember half of them because they get K-rocked all the time, or just simply don’t know when to say when with whatever it is they are doing; the people that don’t know how to function or act when put in a normal setting; those that couldn’t have a normal conversation if it slapped them in the face; or those that decide to interrupt a performance by an orchestra because “I, like, just have to show Trey this, like….”; oh yeah, and that dude that sells nitrous in the lobby of said show.

Such behavior is completely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. People need to grow up and act like adults.  Learn to party like a professional, then you won’t make a fool out of yourself and get lambasted for it; it’s embarrassing.  Show even just a smidgen of class in your everyday lives, it will go a long way.  Show the people around you respect, as opposed to acting like an entitled ignoramus.  That is not to say that accidents don’t happen, because they do.  And sometimes you have a little too much.  But the blatant acts that are being witnessed here is completely inexcusable and have to be pointed out.

Man, it felt good to get that out.

The rules when attending a performance like this:
1. Dress in nice attire – you don’t have to look like a wook everywhere you go, it’s absurd.
2. If you are going to imbibe, then do it like an adult.  Be classy, learn to party like a professional.  If you can’t, STAY HOME!
3. Be quiet.  You should be able to hear a pin drop.  Applaud after the song has ended.  These are professional musicians; they have perfected their craft, are serious about what they do, and don’t need to be distracted by your ongoing conversation, or your need to “show Trey this video.”
4. Do not take pictures. Your flashes distract the musicians. Don’t you want to hear the best possible version of a song, and not have it get messed up because you needed to take a picture? How selfish!
5. 99% of the people attending the show paid with their hard-earned money, and want to enjoy what the musicians are playing, NOT your childish behavior.

Video of the girl interrupting the Trey Orchestra show:

Nitrous Video: