Robert Fripp's Diary

Hotel Acceptable Westbury CT Today

07.52

Hotel Acceptable, Westbury, CT.

Today is formally a day off; that is, a non-performance day.

09.34  On the Guestbook…

Another View Of The Narrows:: Posted by Sid Smith on Sun., Nov 4, 2007

My thanks to Kinigitz for submitting his overview of Friday’s Narrows concert…

My lesser complaint was that RF sometimes engages with some audience Q&A in these more intimate venues.  He did not this evening, so I couldn’t ask him, if he were to encounter a student whose skill and/or intelligence exceeded his own, how and what would he teach him or her."

I learn from those whose skill & intelligence exceeds my own; I learn from those whose skill & intelligence does not match my own; and am rarely able to discern any difference between either.

Bozo!:: Posted by Mise000 on November 04, 2007

… (if) photography and such is not permitted, the security should know to seek these guys out…

I support the idea of the audience taking some slight initiative and notifying the security/staff about any "Bozos"…

Security staff attached to venues are mostly not interested in seeking out infractors: the staff will be there at the next show, the artist will not. So why cause potential problems for themselves? This is one reason why I will not appear at the Massey Hall in Toronto again. The Head of Security there assured me they had done all they could to prevent photography (in which case, they failed miserably); and an unofficial comment to one of the KC Team was much as above: we’re here all the time – you’re not! In Albany last night, this was very much the position: one of our LCG Security Persons notified security of infraction, and security didn’t really do much at all other than fuss a little, sufficiently so to merit the job description.

Photography redux/Albany:: Posted by JSedula1 on November 04, 2007

I feel compelled to write about my experience last night at the LCG show in Albany…

It is one thing to discuss the effect of an unauthorized photographer and its effect on performer and audience, but quite another to actually experience it.  The mere act of taking the photo(s) transformed both performer and audience to something "other" -- the performers were distracted, annoyed, and compelled to focus on something other than the performance of music…

… At one point, about 30 minutes into the "new beginning," a cell phone started to ring, very quietly, but loud enough for those proximate to its owner to turn and glare at her, and then to look at the stage to see if RF had heard it, and, if so, what would his response be…

… So here’s my suggestion:  when making the initial announcement discouraging recording and photography, why not add the following language:  "photography and recording not only has repercussions for the offender [who will be tossed], and the performer [who will be compelled to become something "other" than performer], but for the entire audience as well [who will suffer the consequences of both the photographer’s/recorder’s transgression, and the performer’s subsequent distraction/annoyance].  As such, we [the performers] ask that if you see someone using a camera or taping device, that you notify security [so we the performers don’t have to], who will deal with it." 

What I am suggesting is that we as audients need to take some responsibility as well, and to be proactive in preventing this type of incident…

In sum, I can only say that the bozo’s actions last night ruined the show for me, and I felt "punished" (by him, not RF) for his actions…

I really wish someone in the audience could have said something to security so that RF did not need to be taken "out of his game" to fulfill a role -- security guard…

Beginning a performance by threatening the audience doesn’t quite establish the atmosphere we are seeking to develop: we aim to engage the audience, not put a distance between us. Our no-photo request-announcement, in seven languages, is informative, amusing & provides an insight into Guitar Craft & how we work. We offer no violence, we make no threats. So, what to do?

Probably: ask the fellow audient to desist; otherwise, and if necessary, notify security: at whatever level of commitment they might operate, this involves a formal process which generates its own repercussions.

And actually, RF didn’t get Mr. Bozo The Photographer “tossed” – his camera was held for the duration of the performance & the memory stick confiscated.

I note:

1.         It is usually assumed / expected that the performer, in popular culture, absorbs all negativity & disruptions & disturbances in performances, including that generated by less-than-ideal audients; this assumption for a variety of reasons of varying degrees of validity.

I decline to do so.

2.         One fool pisses in the village well, everyone in the village suffers. What to do?

Conventionally, a community establishes a consensus of principles guiding acceptable behaviour from members of the community acting with courtesy & in goodwill, anticipating that acting in this way, and in accordance with conscience, is more a rarity than the norm. When declared principles fail to be observed, and wilfully rather than by simple mistake & human error, principles becomes codified as rules, rules become enshrined in laws, and laws are enforced & policed by personnel created & authorised to do so.

That is, one dope & we all lose.

12.31 Mr .Beefy has gone to the cinema at the nearby mall: I was considering being part of the movie-run, but have opted for stuff.

16.22  The day off has so far been very busy. Now to string changing…

… with a little support…

… a gift in Anapolis.

19.48  Breaking from stuff for an exceptionally feeble dinner in the hotel restaurant. The vegetables were quite warm, and had once known life; I’m not entirely persuaded this was true of the sole, which was also not cold. The sole was stuffed, although with what, I am not sure.

Back to computing.

22.13  Enough.