Do you Dress Up For Concerts?

George, may I suggest a set of Long Johns to keep you toasty but if a slightly more formal dress is called for then a set of silk Long John should do the job.

... silk Long Johns ...!

Very nice, unusual, and funny idea!

ATB from George

I'm glad for every opportunity to dress down. Often I have to go straight from work and look like a geek in my suit.

Once I saw a chap wearing a normal suit at Glyndebourne (no black tie)with his young daughter who was wearing jeans. They stood up in the gods for the whole perfomance paying less than 10% of the price of many of the other seats. They stuck out like a sore thumb but looked totally at ease and the daughter looked so excited. During the interval I had a chat with them both and their passion for opera was a marvel and I was impressed how much the young girl knew about opera and how intelligently she discussed the performance and could compare it with other versions she had seen. The subject of the lack of DJ and black tie was never raised by either of us. It takes alot to go to Glyndebourne and not dress up and I admired this chap and his daughter for being there out of passion for opera and not because some corporation had bunged him a free ticket. How many sitting there I thought were only there for the Glyndebourne experience and not because they loved opera? Good for them says I.

Here in LA it's much more relaxed. I used to wear jacket and tie, then it's devolved into nice shirt, slacks and leather jacket. The Phil has a casual Friday concert and the musicians come in whatever is comfortable. They also stay to talk with people downstairs over drinks or whatever. We have a younger crowd coming in who are trendy in nice casual clothes.

It's still nice to get dressed up and love to wear colorful ties and shirts with my few sport coats. Never expect an artist to wear plain blue.

Nope

I never dress up for anything!

Black Jeans, black T-shirt, black steelies, black Donkey Jacket and a number 0 haircut.
Ideal for work, home, pub, eating out etc.

No hassle picking clean clothes in the morning simply get the next ones off the pile.



Cheers
Steve

I don't.

However, when I went to see Todd Rundgren doing a Wizard A True Star on Saturday night, there were plenty of people who really dressed up - many of the as wizards, some them in versions of the costumes (astronaut, Egyptian prince, fat boy, etc).

I have certainly dressed down for some concerts.

I my sixth form at school we did not wear a uniform, but smart jacket and trousers were required. I remember that a friend and myself were going to a concert about 50 miles away, and had to catch the 3.45 train, we popped into the changing rooms and emerged in denim, leather and boots then walked through the school corridors to the surprise of some other students. It was one of the best gigs I have ever seen, Tangerine Dream on the 'White Eagle/Logos' tour.

As I have got older the need to fit a 'tribal uniform' has lessened, but I do still think a little about what to wear to almost any gig, best to find black and leather for those Nine Inch Nails shows.

The classical concerts I have seen have been more relaxed, many at the proms which is very informal, but fitting in makes me feel better about being part of an event, so even there a little thought is given to dress.

George, you have my sympathies for a Winter Cathedral concert, I saw Elgar's 'The Dream of Gerontious' in February in Winchester Cathedral many years ago, and was frozen solid, by both the venue and the music, not my favourite piece by Elgar.

Not having to work in a suit, I find that the opportunity to wear one is something I relish, but quite understand the opposite view.

I do remember seeing a concert at the end of the 80's by a band called 'Dead Can Dance' who had moved from the indie rock music scene, through to getting some exposure on Radio3 and similar stations. The venue was Saddler's Wells, and there was a lovely mix in the audience, in the row in front of me a man was dressed in a very smart black suit, sat next to a couple in ripped black leather both with red mohawk hair cuts. It was a lovely show, with a great atmosphere and the most important thing was that every one was there to listen to the music.

I also remember a nice quote about men and women's dress. Women walk into a party and check that no one else is wearing the same as them, men walk into a party and check that everyone else is wearing the same as them. Perhaps the same is true of concerts.

I sometimes wear suit to a gig, a blue Levis one.
Otherwise "T" or Ben Sherman shirt, Levis DM shoes and one of a few jackets.

If a venue or restaurant wants me to dress up I don't want to visit.

I used to be partial to a dab of eyeliner as well as back-combing my hair into some sort of bird's nest..... ...But that was back in days when I used to follow every night of the Cure on tour...Thankfully, no photos exist..well, perhaps one, but it's under lock and key !!

Chaps

I just dress as appropriate.

The last "pop" concert I attended was Thea Gilmore, so I dressed casual.

When I attended a church to hear Hayen's Creation, the dress was formal.

Regards

Mick

I regularly attend classical concerts at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. They are so poorly attended in general and the average age of the audience tends to be so old that worrying about what people wear should be the last concern.

When I was able to attend The Proms (as a Prommer) I never bothered dressing up. For gigs it's the old T shirt/jeans/trainers/denim (or leather) jacket scenario. I want to be comfortable and enjoy the music, that's what I'm there for not some supposed dress code.

steve

once in a while at the LA Phil I see a guy with curly hair that dresses in 18th century tails and cravat and blond curls bobbing in front , He talks with a guy that sells CDs who knows a lot.

Once I asked the seller who the guy is? he didn't know personally but says he only dresses certain times and he knows just romantic period music, he doesn't cope well with anything before or after. Still, it's nice to know that there are great characters out there.

Next time I'll take my iPhone and ask for a pic and talk.

I generally wear black t-shirt, black jeans, black boots and arrive with a black combat jacket. I'm going to have to change though - people keep on assuming I'm one of the bouncers

Ever since having to play Mary Magdelene in a school play aged 6 I have enjoyed dressing up and I find that some concerts provide the ideal opportunity.

Though to be honest the basque at Madonna was not the correct thing to wear.

HeyHo, live and learn

Actually....I remember going to see Stiff Little Fingers at the Odeon in B'ham New Street and arrived in suit with brief case.

The queue minders found me and escorted me in, they assumed I was 'media' and doing a review...so I dug out my notepad and did just that

It depends on whether we are eating anywhere posh beforehand but generally smart casual suffices. I haven't been to the Royal Opera House but no doubt they would expect a higher standard.

What annoys me more than the standard of dress is the abysmal manners of some concert goers. The O2 allows people to eat in the auditorium and the smell of someone chomping on burger and onions is really off putting, especially if you've had a nice meal beforehand.

At the Diana Krall concert at the Albert Hall the bloke next to me was almost humping his girlfriend during the perfomance and at the Jools Holland concert the couple behind us just chatted the whole way through.

I also can't work out why someone who has a persistent cough can't leave the auditorium for a few minutes rather than coughing their guts up all the way through and spoiling it for everyone else.

So I'm not snobby about dress sense as I don't look at other people during the concert or play but I am more offended by bad mannners.

quote:

I also can't work out why someone who has a persistent cough can't leave the auditorium for a few minutes rather than coughing their guts up all the way through and spoiling it for everyone else.

Same with the "talkers" why not save some money and meet in the foyer or a local pub. Of course they would not be able to brag about "seeing" XXXXXXX, and show how cool they are.

I went to hear Britten's War Requiem and had not heard it before. Wonderful work, but at one point after choir and pregnant pause I had a catch in my throat attack, I put my arm in front incase it escaped, I thought I was going to die but WOULDN'T spoil it for 2000 people, when the 2 soloists started singing I cleared my throat quietly.