Tuesday Tea: Concert Etiquette?

Okay, let’s get into it. I just got back from Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Singapura concert in Singapore (duhh), and the experience? Electrifying. But also… confusing?

Leading up to the second night of the concert (the one I went to), TikTok was ablaze with clips and commentary from Little Monsters who went on the first night — and let’s just say, the vibes were off. There was one recurring complaint: the crowd was dead. As in… barely anyone stood, danced, or even swayed during MAYHEM. I mean, what in the Chromatica Ball hell is going on?

Rumors were flying — apparently, some attendees were told not to stand or dance during the show. You’re telling me… I flew, prepped my best look, and emotionally readied myself for a Gaga concert only to be told to SIT and WATCH like I’m at a jazz recital?

Let me be clear: this wasn’t a Cheek to Cheek or Love for Sale tour. This was MAYHEM — her chaotic, campy, explosive magnum opus album that practically begs you to dance till your body gives out. So how did mayhem become museum viewing?

So… What Is Concert Etiquette Anyway?

This brings us to the actual point of this post: is there such a thing as concert etiquette? Or do we just vibe with the moment?

From my own experience that night, I can tell you — I was up and dancing from the jump. From the moment she hit the stage, I couldn’t (and wouldn’t) stay seated. And you know what? No one next to me or behind me asked me to sit. (Okay, I did hear a loud sigh at one point, but I chose to interpret it as “ugh, I’m tired” rather than “ugh, sit down.”)

Even during the slow, soul-crushingly emotional Blade of Grass, I was standing — swaying, arms up, feeling the moment. To me, Gaga’s shows are the kind where you sweat out your soul. The seat was nice, sure, if I needed to catch my breath or clutch my chest dramatically — but it was never meant to be a permanent situation.

Context Matters: The Genre and the Artist

Let’s get real — some concerts are meant for seated appreciation. Think Adele. Celine Dion. Lana Del Rey. When you’re watching someone belt ballads with haunting stillness, it’s okay to sit and sob quietly.

But Lady Gaga? Beyoncé? Even Taylor Swift, depending on the era? These are events, not recitals. They’re designed for movement, for unhinged screaming, for boots hitting the floor. So if you can’t dance at a Gaga concert, where can you?

Now, I understand if the concert was marketed as a seated-only show, with actual rules about standing. That’s the case in some Japanese and Korean venues where respect and uniformity are the norm. If that’s the vibe, we respect it. Clap politely. Snap a phone light or two. Go with the flow.

But if no official rule was stated? Then I say, feel the room. Read the crowd. And most importantly — don’t police someone’s joy unless they’re actively hurting someone.

My Take: Let the Music Guide You

Personally, my rule is this: go with the vibe, but don’t be a vibe killer.

If everyone around you is sitting quietly and you’re the only one up like you’re at a rave, maybe read the room and bring it down a notch. But if the artist onstage is screaming “JUMP!” — you jump. And if someone tells you to sit at a Gaga concert while she’s yelling “PUT YOUR PAWS UP”? Politely decline. You bought your ticket just like they did.

TL;DR? Here's My Quick Guide to Concert Etiquette:

Know your artist. Adele ≠ Gaga.

Check the venue rules. Seated-only or general admission? That sets the tone.

Go with the vibe, not against it. Stand when it feels right, sit when it’s chill.

Don’t block views unnecessarily. Especially for slower songs.

Respect others’ space. But don’t dim your joy because someone’s being a buzzkill.

So, what do YOU think? Should we be following strict rules at concerts or let the rhythm dictate our actions? Are you Team Sit or Team Dance Until Your Wig Falls Off?

Let me know — I’m curious how y’all navigate concert etiquette in this day and age of TikTok callouts and viral drama.

And to Lady Gaga: Thank you for Mayhem. I danced, I cried, I lived. Even if my section thought I was doing the most, I’d do it all again.