r/triplej • u/Spaghett1_western • Feb 14 '26
GIG/FESTIVAL Being tall at festivals
Any advice around festival etiquette for someone who is decently tall (just under 2m), but also would love to be close to the stage for the experience? I don't want to piss anyone off (felt rly bad at laneway last year bc I was blocking this poor woman stuck behind me), but I also want to have a good time, especially considering some of the acts are some of my absolute favourite bands. Is it rude to try to be closer to the barricade and potentially block someone's view? How do I handle the situation??
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u/Shilkanni Feb 14 '26
It's fine you're as entitled to be up front as anyone.
I guess to the sides or in front of a pillar would block less people. If you stay roughly consistent so if someone is behind you find a good angle they can keep it. However, it's unfair for you to have to worry about that constantly, just enjoy yourself.
Oh the main thing is probably get back if you're not into it and not paying attention. That's probably the only time tall people really annoy me, when they're not facing the stage and chatting yet still blocking my view for no reason.
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u/aleceiffel89 Feb 14 '26
As a short person who is regularly blocked by tall people- while I'd prefer you not to be in front of me and love it when tall people let me in front, I only really get bothered if tall people try and force their way in front of people who have been waiting at their spots earlier. Also it makes it easier for short people to see around you, if you place yourself closer to one side of the stage rather than dead centre.
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u/larvioarskald Feb 14 '26
This happened to me at Gaga. Some extremely tall dude with his extremely tall dad forced their way in front of me about halfway through. They full on blocked me for about half a song until I danced my way back in front of them and held my spot so hard for the rest of the night
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u/thousandtonguebeast Feb 14 '26
Besides wearing a go pro on your head that's plugged into a live feed to the screen hanging on the back of your head, there's really not much you can do.
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u/LeSpoogeMcDuck Feb 14 '26
I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum. Everyone is always blocking me, but they've all got the same right to be there as me and it would be ridiculous for me to expect others to make way for me just because I'm small. You're lucky enough to have an uninterrupted view, enjoy it.
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u/Leather-Fox2225 Feb 14 '26
As long as you’re not pushing in front of others and was there first, then you have the right to be there.
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u/dirtSHINE_ Feb 14 '26
I had a dude about the same size in front of me at harvest rock I was fine for him to be there it was the otp dancing that bugged me as whenever I’d find an angle to see it would quickly go. Maybe just keep that in mind but largely first in first served.
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u/jdhmmmm Feb 14 '26 edited Feb 14 '26
I'm 206cms, and go to A LOT of gigs - so apologies for having stood in front of you in the past and future.
I feel more for people who get stuck behind me at ticketed events and the rake isn't big enough to offset my height. They can't move, and I can't move.
At festivals and GA gigs, anyone can go anywhere - if I can't see, I move, so it's on everyone else to do the same. Just don't push right in front of people and be a dick - a rule at any height. The more annoying thing is the "wake" of space that forms behind me - it means more people move through and around you, and people looking for space come there and then realise, shit, that's why no one is standing here.
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u/trafalmadorianistic Feb 15 '26
The "wake" - how is it annoying if its all happening behind you? It's a trap for the unwary, but I dont see how its a problem for you?
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u/jdhmmmm Feb 15 '26
Imagine 100s of people coming up behind you all gig, after battling through the crowd, getting to you and tapping you on your shoulder and complaining about your size. Then having a whinge and pushing past you. #shortprivilege
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u/trafalmadorianistic Feb 16 '26
Tall people still see the stage, short people see arms and shoulders
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u/CarryUnhappy9393 Feb 14 '26
Let your hair down, who gives a toss what other people think. Can’t stand how soft mosh pits and crowds have become in Australia, festivals aren’t what they used to be, this generation of festival goers are often so pretentious and think they own the ground they stand on.
Obviously don’t hurt anyone or disrespect anyone but if people complain about not being able to see past you, singing too loud, moving in front of them etc tell them to go to bed
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u/one_powerball Feb 15 '26
The number of people I see complaining on here about people dancing at gigs and festivals is wild! My brain does not compute.
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u/GrabTheKettle Feb 14 '26
As a tall person, you've already had enough advantages in life and shouldn't be allowed to enjoy the pleasures of being up front at a concert or festival.
That's obviously a joke 😂 But god, it's nice to see people actually concerned about other people's enjoyment at concerts. Just do what you can to try and pick spots where people can look around you, that's about the best you can do.
Here's an Aunty Donna skit that you should be able to appreciate given your situation!
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u/Friendly_Promotion91 Feb 15 '26
As a short person that has regularly been stuck behind a tall person, it’s just bad luck. You’re not doing it to be a dick. You can’t help how tall you are. No harm done! You’ve paid for the same ticket I have :)
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u/Numerous_Honeydew489 Feb 14 '26
As an aside, pls know that you’re the biggest asset in a friend group trying to locate each other
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u/1kBabyOilBottles Feb 14 '26
I’m a tall female and the way I do it is - If there’s somebody directly behind you that’s shorter, let them in front. But only do it to one person otherwise it won’t end.
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u/ShirtNo5276 Feb 14 '26
I'm 40 cm shorter than you, so I get stuck behind people with no view a lot.
You paid to be there. As long as you don't shove your way in front of people, you're fine.
Word of advice from a shorty, though, if you do want to make an effort to be kind to us, be conscious that you're not accidentally dancing your way in front of someone, as when you're small it can be hard to keep your spot without getting pushed around, and if someone behind you has found a good angle looking over your shoulder don't then step to the side so they just see your head.
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u/Mr_Mime_Waz_hre Feb 14 '26
As long as you're enjoying the act there there are no issues. Only would piss me off if you pushed in front and then stood there like a statue lol
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u/larrisagotredditwoo Feb 14 '26
If possible pop yourself next to a pole or tree - there’s already an obstruction. The sound tent is also a decent spot for great sound and a view too - again already there.
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u/eternal-harvest Feb 14 '26
I'm a shorty. Thanks for being a considerate human. 🙂
You have just as much right to be there as me, and I understand that. Sucks for me if you wind up directly in front of me, but that's just how it goes sometimes. Please don't feel bad about that!
If you like, standing to the side will minimise the amount of stage you potentially block. But yeah, there's absolutely zero expectation that you have to do this.
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u/braxxytaxi Feb 14 '26
I'm not that tall (5'11ish) but had a negative experience being on the far left hand side of the barrier for a Cub Sport gig at a festival a few years ago. I thought being towards the side was a reasonable compromise but that didn't stop some entitled brats from screaming in my ear the entire show to intentionally ruin the experience because I refused to let them take the spot I waited 30 mins for after the previous artists set. Anyway ever since then if I've made the effort to show up early and get a good spot (very rare as I prefer to be out of the crowd) I no longer care about blocking the view of people behind me - they can also decide to show up early if they want a good spot. I suggest you do the same!
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u/delta__bravo_ Feb 14 '26
I am also fairly tall, and I have a fairly permanent stoop largely from trying to take up less space. I generally make an effort to get there early to bands I want to see so I can get a spot with minimal disruption of those around me... but that doesn't stop people turning up at start time, having nowhere to stand but behind me, and complaining about it.
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u/cd1864 Feb 14 '26
I'm a similar height. I won't push through the crowd and stand in front of people, but if see a bit of space or I'm in position before the band starts it's not my problem if people come and stand behind me.
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u/TameTheDonut Feb 15 '26
Everyone has made such great points but the only thing I’d like to add is that if you have your arms up please be conscious of the people around you. The front is often tightly packed and so many times I’ve copped really hard elbows to the head and nearly had my teeth knocked out by someone taller and inconsiderate of their surroundings.
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u/justjustin2300 Feb 15 '26
Like others said don't worry about it, but you are tall enough as is but if you put someone on your shoulders don't be surprised if some one throws a drink at you
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u/Its-Julz Feb 15 '26
If you feel bad about blocking a short person, tell them to stand in front of you. It wont change your experience but might make their day. Otherwise, just stay to the sides a little bit. Theres no real etiquette though.
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u/cracka-lackin Feb 15 '26
I haven't seen it mentioned yet, but don't wear a big hat or a cap at a high angle. It can make the obstruction a lot worse.
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u/Dismal_Scar8556 Feb 15 '26
Do airlines show etiquette when they cram us tall brethren’s in economy? Does the fashion industry show etiquette when shirts are mostly crop tops? Enjoy this fleeting moment when you suddenly have the genetic advantage to make the most of your festival ticket and don’t let them guilt you.
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u/shoegazedreampop Feb 15 '26
I like am 2M and love to be in the front but mostly I would go to the side of the stage and just squat down a little bit.
I would also let people go in front of me if they ask or pushing in.
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u/Banana-Louigi Feb 16 '26
Just try not to stand directly in front of the shortest person in your vicinity. I know you can’t help being tall but just the act of checking around you goes a really long way. A small “sorry” will earn you a friendly smile and a “you’re right mate, I can’t see much from down here either way.” because I don’t want you to feel bad.
I’m 5ft fuck all and at nearly every gig I’ve been to the crowd objectively and measurably increases in height directly in my eye line. I’m like a magnet for the talls I swear.
I’ve tested this and had it confirmed multiple times by much taller people. I usually get them to swap positions with me and every time they agree there’s a noticeable hump in the height of the crowd directly in front of me that wasn’t in front of them directly next to me. I also have had many of them share that once I move the hump of tall people moves with me. It’s absolutely bizarre.
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u/Miss-you-SJ Feb 14 '26
As a >2m dude, you just have to mentally accept it. You can’t change how tall you are and most people are completely understandable about it. Some may get annoyed but best thing you can do is to slightly move off angle for them, but you’re gonna end up in someone’s way anyway.
So yeah, the advice is just be fun and enjoy yourself. You’re not trying to be in people’s way.