Jack Flash Jr wrote:
Triple bill. "Headlining". First two acts are maudlin, draaaaaaaaawn out, neverending. To be fair the second band had a couple of really good songs but that's it. Not so much as a smile before or after and a barely mumbled thank you for using some of our equipment. People left. We stayed and clapped and cheered and supported. After they finished their set they disappeared into the band room with their 10 friends that came and 3 songs into our set carried their equipment out right past the stage and dancing folks.
Annoyed.
Multiple acts are a double-edged sword. I see this at TJ's and Andy McGibbon's shows from time to time. You get some happening person on the bill, they boost the crowd a bit, but generally their fans talk through everything else and then leave noisily the moment the object of their affections is not on stage. It's good for the door, but not much else.
I get more miffed when the performers do it.
As a counter example I would offer Cindy Alter or Steve Newman who I have seen sit respectfully through sets by lesser known people, pay attention and even offer some encouragement. I remember having Steve Newman at TJ's open mic night once. He thanked me for playing a Beatle's song that he hadn't heard for years (politely omitting to mention that I'd made a hash of it), sat attentively through sets by people with less impressive chops and made a point of going over to a particularly nervous newbie (I'd had to tune his guitar for him before he went on stage) and offering some words of encouragement.
Some folks don't forget their roots.
