When you go to a concert, are you checking for the nearest exit? It is a good habit to get into, particularly when you attend an event that is general admission. I've been doing this for a few years now but I think everyone should take five seconds to locate the nearest exit. This occurs to me because I went to see Anthrax with LCG about a week and a half ago (and that is a whole nother sad story) and the place was packed to the point where I was very uncomfortable.
If it wasn't sold out it was darn close to being sold out and I did not have a good time until I was standing ten feet away from an exit door. Then I didn't have a good time because of Anthrax (which is the major theme of the sad story for another day) but at least I had a straight shot out of the building. I had been standing under the stairs and when I told LCG that it wasn't safe, he pointed out that the whole place wasn't safe. Then I pointed out that we had to move. I wasn't going to be able to see no matter where I was, I could at least be close to a door.
I never used to be paranoid when I went to concerts but things have changed in the last few years. First and foremost, there was that rash of nightclub disasters in a short period of time that was capped by that terrible fire in Rhode Island. But even before that happened, I had noticed that I was getting edgy if I didn't have an exit route.
It all started when I went to see that ill-fated and unwise Guns N' Roses show a few years ago. LCG was concerned about my safety if I went to see Guns N' Roses because you never know when a riot will break out at a Guns N' Roses concert. I think he was only half-joking. Well, when I was sitting there waiting for Axl to grace us with his overdue presence I started plotting my escape route. I thought my best exit would not be up the stairs to the main arena hallway, but down the few rows toward the bowels of the arena. I took note that if I hopped the railing into the backstage area the drop only looked to be a few feet. On top of that, I would have the added bonus of being ejected by the road crew.
That seemed like a fast and efficient way to get out of the building if the crowd got unruly. The only danger with that plan would be running into Axl himself, but that would have only sped up my ejection. Safety first! The backup plan was to scoot over to the next section and go up those stairs. The section next to mine was not occupied because the seats were obstructed view. I felt that having multiple plans was a good idea when seeing Guns N' Roses. The memory of the riot they caused (sort of) at the Metallica concert was fresh in my mind because I had recently seen the Metallica Behind The Music and the Guns N' Roses tour was already going poorly. I didn't think it was all that far-fetched to expect a riot.
Shortly after that (within a couple of months) I saw The Donnas in an absolutely packed nightclub. It was sold out and it seemed more crowded than the average sellout. That could have been because everyone had on their winter clothes and took up more room, or because I ended up near a very busy bar. The line was five or six people deep all night at that particular bar so that may have been what gave the illusion of more people. Whatever it was, I found myself standing near an exit door. The door led to the stairs and at the bottom of the stairs there is an emergency exit. That was the first time I had ever made a conscious effort to have a plan strictly due to the number of people around me.
Then came the fire in Rhode Island. That was a horrible day for all involved and I know that many of my friends took it personally. Quite a few of my friends are big concertgoers and we were all shaken at the idea of going in to see some rock and roll and maybe not coming out at all. At the time I posted a know your nearest exit newsflash but I was starting to worry that after a few years people were starting to let their guard down. I don't want you to let your guard down. I want you to find the nearest exit and tell your friends where it is too. And don't just know the exits in the back of the room. There are frequently exit doors near the sides of the stage so be sure to review all available choices. If your friends make fun of you for being overly cautious, blame me for giving you notions. I will happily take the blame for your alleged paranoia.
In fact, I think I will just go ahead and make that a brand-new Rocksnobs Rule Of Etiquette:
When attending a concert, always be aware of the nearest exit and tell your friends where it is too. If they make fun of you for being overly cautious, blame me for giving you notions. I will happily take the blame for your alleged paranoia.
Concert safety has been on my mind more than usual because of the plans for the Rolling Stones halftime show, and that recent trip to see Anthrax cemented it. I want everyone to have a plan in case of trouble, because I want everyone to get home okay after a rock and roll concert. Concerts are supposed to be fun.