Miranda Lambert.Photo: Terry Wyatt/ACMA2020/Getty
After a group of concertgoers atMiranda Lambert’s show in Las Vegassparked debateabout taking flash photos during a performance, fans and celebrities have been divided on which party is right: the artist or the attendees.
Jacqueline Whitmore, a longtime etiquette expert, gave her two cents on the matter — and opened up about what proper concert etiquette should look like.
“When you are at a concert… be respectful to the artists who are performing because not only did you pay a lot of money to be there, other people did. So etiquette is all about being mindful of how your behavior affects other people,“Whitmoretells PEOPLE exclusively.
She continues, “So if it gets in the way of a performer’s ability to perform or if it gets in the way of others' enjoyment, it becomes a problem. Regardless of what the offense is, that’s the bottom line.”
Miranda Lambert.John Shearer/Getty for Miranda Lambert
Whitmore also says that if a concert attendee’s behavior is “affecting other people in a negative manner,” then it becomes “rude.”
“You’re apt to be called out on it,” she says.
To prevent this sort of behavior, Whitmore says that attendees simply need to be “mindful” and keep some “don’ts” in mind.
“Flash photography is one of those don’ts, talking on a cell phone is a big don’t, throwing things at other people and at the performers specifically,” she says. “Adults leaving trash around your area is a don’t — clean up after yourself. Avoid talking loudly and becoming a distraction, that’s a don’t. It’s the basics. It’s not even rocket science. It’s common sense. But people just don’t seem to have that anymore.”
During Lambert’s Las Vegas residency show on Saturday night, the “Drunk” singer, 39, paused her performance to give fans a piece of her mind when she noticed a group of concertgoers taking selfies instead of listening to the music.
“I’m gonna stop right here for a second, I’m sorry,” Lambert told the audience as she was starting to play her 2016 single “Tin Man.” “These girls are worried about their selfie and not listening to the song.”
“It’s pissing me off a little bit,” continued thePalominosinger. “Sorry, I don’t like it. At all. We’re here to hear some country music tonight. I’m singing some country damn music.”
Some fans could be heard leaving the concert after Lambert made her statement to the crowd in aTikTok videothat also captured the moment.
“Let’s go — you don’t do that to fans,” one person said, before leaving their seats.
“It was 30 seconds at most,” said Adela Calin, a social media influencer. “We took the picture quickly and were going to sit back down.”
source: people.com
