From phone etiquette to sound check respect, here's the inside scoop on how to be the audience every performer actually wants to play for.
After watching crowds from Brisbane's Fortitude Music Hall to Sydney's Oxford Art Factory, there's a growing disconnect between what performers need and what audiences deliver. It's time for some home truths.
Your Phone Isn't a Professional Camera
Every night, artists like Jon Stevens and Regurgitator watch their carefully crafted lighting design get murdered by a sea of phone screens. That grainy Instagram story you'll never watch again? It's blocking the view for three people behind you and killing the vibe for everyone around you.
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Take a few shots during the first song, then put the bloody thing away. The band didn't spend months rehearsing so you could experience it through a 6-inch screen.
Sound Check Isn't Your Personal Preview
When you rock up early to venues like The Tivoli or Manning Bar and hear the band running through songs, resist the urge to record or demand they play your favourites. Sound check is work time, not show time.
Artists like Phil Jamieson, who's been grinding through 38 recent shows, use this precious time to ensure you get the best possible performance. Your chatter and phone flashes during sound check are genuinely disrespectful.
Learn the Difference Between Energy and Chaos
There's a massive difference between being an engaged crowd and being a disruptive one. Artists thrive on energy — singing along, moving to the beat, genuine enthusiasm. What kills the mood? Talking through quiet songs, pushing to the front mid-set, or treating the gig like your personal karaoke night.
Watch how crowds respond at intimate venues versus massive festivals. The best audiences know when to lose their minds and when to listen.
Support Acts Aren't Background Music
That opener warming up the crowd before 360 or Pez? They're not your pre-drink entertainment. They're artists trying to build their careers, often playing to half-empty rooms while you're still at the bar.
Give them the same respect you'd want if you were up there with your heart on your sleeve and your rent money invested in equipment.
The magic happens when audiences and artists meet each other halfway. Be present, be respectful, and watch how much better live music becomes for everyone involved.
Ready to find your next unforgettable live experience? Discover upcoming shows and hidden gems at musick.com.au — because great gigs start with great audiences.