Are unruly fans spoiling the music festival experience?

The recent series of incidents involving fans throwing objects at performers on stage isn't unfamiliar to Subir Malik, founder of Parikrama, an iconic independent rock band from Delhi, India. With over 32 years of performing experience, they've encountered similar situations before.

One such instance was during a performance in Goa on February 14, 1998. The preceding band had faced ice block projectiles due to political tensions. Although no items were hurled at Parikrama initially, during their set, an ice block struck a guitarist's hand, despite a protective shield in place for the drummer. Consequently, they had to end their performance. More recently, Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Nikhil D'Souza, known for his Bollywood and indie hits, also encountered fan aggression. Fortunately, such occurrences are rare in his extensive career. Nikhil shares that a few intoxicated individuals threw small stones at some band members during one of his shows.

Musicians have been at the receiving end of unruly fans for the longest time. However, the last few months has thrown up many more such incidents, making everybody wonder, where do musicians and organisers draw the line with their patience? While the festival entry band and a black bra were thrown at American singer Nick Jonas last weekend, even Cardi B was at the receiving end before that when a fan threw her drink at her. The singer clearly losing her cool threw the mic back at the person. There are several instances in the past including one where objects were also thrown at Harry Styles; in another case, an Indian fan caught Arijit Singh's hand and did not let go of it, till he told her his hand was hurting. In another viral video, a drunk attendee is seen coming on stage, taking over the mic from Bryan Adams and singing a part of his song too.

The list goes on… but the behaviour doesn't seem to improve at all. Although how much is too much? mid-day.com spoke to musicians and fans who are an active part of music festivals not only attending them but also being at the receiving end of them. When it happened to D'Souza, the Mumbaikar decided to take matters into his own hands. He explains, "We stopped the show, got the organiser to announce that further disruption would cause show cancellation, and then we continued after I personally addressed the audience requesting them to respect our time and effort." Over the years, the Mumbai singer has released many songs including his most recent single, ‘Because Because Because', and ‘Mausam Hai Pyaar' for ‘Modern Love Mumbai' in 2022.

It is also the reason why he believes such behaviour isn't justified, especially when it can hurt the performer on stage. "The stage is an exclusive, sacred space where the artist performs from and only the artist or organiser gets to decide what is allowed on to it. Anything that can disrupt the flow of the show or threatens the safety of the artists is a violation of that space and the unwritten understanding between the audience and performers." However, the recent reported examples showcase how the lack of understanding from fans can often lead to celebrities also losing their cool. The case in point is Cardi B, who threw the mic back at the person. While that is still extreme, D'Souza believes performers can take the liberty of emphasising on the need for action for the sake of their safety.

Schubert Fernandes, who has been attending concerts for over 20 years, recently saw a fan throw her mother's ashes on stage at Pink's concert in Hyde Park in London. Photo Courtesy: Schubert Fernandes

Role of organisers in preventing such incidents
The objects thrown may vary from a bottle, glass, alcohol, phones, and even ashes, but the result is always the same. Earlier, Malik says, there used to be people who used to throw glass bottles, and then the organisers took corrective measures and brought in paper cups. However, he says beyond that there is little one can do, especially because Malik voices that no performer would want the front row to start from 30 feet away from where he is performing. "You get the energy from the crowd and that is why the biggest of stars want the crowd right up in front and if that is abolished then it will just kill the vibe for the performer who is performing." The Delhi-based musician's band known for hits like ‘But It Rained' does say these are comparatively fewer instances in comparison to the number of concerts happening every year. "We hear of only a few incidents like these but still none of them are acceptable. The few that have happened will prompt the change and the audience should learn from that."

Like Malik, D'Souza also says that festival organisers are already doing all they can to avoid attendees from ruining and disrupting a performance. However, recent instances have proven that unruly fans have found a way around these measures too. While throwing flowers on stage is not bad, D'Souza says, "Throwing a drink or some sort of projectile is insulting and/or threatening and the performer should stop the show at that point. The organiser should take action against that particular audience member/s and announce that any further disruption will lead to cancellation of the show altogether."

On the other hand, Malik says as a performer, the band lets the security take care of the person. He adds, "Frankly, I don't think performers should make a hue and cry about it because in the 90s when things were unregulated, people would even throw bottles and things like that. So, it was advised by our seniors at that time to not tell the crowd to not throw a bottle on stage because you will get 10 more bottles on stage. So, we would just let the security do their thing." In fact, sharing his pearls of wisdom he says, "just be cool and carry on and have a good time because there are just one or two idiots who will do such things but there are thousands of fans who are there for you, and you have to perform for them."

While younger performers may disagree with the veteran. The Delhi musician brings experience into context. He explains, "I don't think any performer has not been through this. It is a dreaded part of our business and our way of life, and it does happen to the best of us. It will happen to a small young band to the biggest band in the world." It is also why he says when these things people will either be careful or simply rebel, and that is left to chance. However, as far as immediate action is concerned, he says, "The organisers should definitely throw out the person right in front of everybody then and there at the concert." D'Souza, however, feels there needs to be more strict action. "I feel the only way to dissuade such behaviour is, unfortunately, to ban such people and coordinate with other festival and show organisers to put them on festival blacklists. Maybe that would work to deter them altogether."

Fans being real
While D'Souza and Malik are seasoned performers on the stage, even Mumbai fans believe the behaviour is uncalled for. City-based publicist Schubert Fernandes, who has been attending music festivals and concerts in India and abroad, has also seen it all. He explains, "Initially it seemed part of the fandom, like a form of engagement and expression of fans towards their idols, but now this bit seems to be going out of control."

Fernandes has seen it first hand attending several concerts where these incidents have occurred. He explains, "I was at the recent Pink concert at Hyde Park in London when a fan threw their mother's ashes on stage. That was bizarre. I've also seen fans throw soft toys and flowers on stage to the delight of artists. Closer home, I have seen bras thrown on stage a few years back. "It's not like he hasn't seen good ones. "Fan-onstage engagement is big abroad as opposed to India. However, those that spoil the experience are definitely not to be encouraged."

It is also why he believes there should be strict action taken against attendees who spoil the experience for others because some of the incidents lately are unacceptable and some simply awkward for everybody. While Fernandes has seen most festivals do have strict security protocols on what can and can't be carried, he suggests, "Clearly attitudes and behaviour needs a different level of guidelines. I think organisers need to take stricter action on defaulters and add clauses on near stage behaviour very clearly."

However, just like the performers, the avid festival and concert goer, who also mentors indie artists says, these unruly fans should be left to the authorities, and not be as extreme as Cardi B's actions. "While I feel her frustration given the growing incidents that have somehow become an unhealthy trend, I don't think her reaction can be justified too. As role models to millions, artists should be more responsible and leave it to authorities to take care of the situation."

Even Brennon Alexander, another Mumbaikar and music festival goer, who has been attending concerts for closer to 14 years now, says Cardi B's reaction may have been a little too extreme. While he hasn't seen fans throw things on stage, 31-year-old Alexander says he once had someone's T-shirt fly and come on his face at Avicii's last and only concert in India, and that did not feel funny at all.

After having most recently attended the Road to Ultra festival in Mumbai, he says the organisers are doing their best with security guards constantly making sure that there are no fights or nobody is harassed while attending the concerts and that is good. The fact that glass cups have been replaced, the Mumbaikar says, means that less things are flung on stage.

Having said that, he emphasises the responsibility lies with festival attendees. He explains, "When you've paid to see your favourite artist, it's essential to express love and respect. Disrupting their performance can lead to frustration and even their departure from the stage. Not all artists appreciate items like bras, shoes, phones, and drink containers being thrown at them."

"Festival organisers must intervene, as there are dedicated fans awaiting these performances. The recurrence of such incidents could discourage artists from returning to the country, which is a regrettable outcome," Alexander concludes, leaving everyone with food for thought.