Hmm, last few gigs I’ve been to I’ve definitely gravitated towards the right. At least one of those was because there was someone I didn’t want to talk to on the other side of the venue, but that doesn’t happen every time, honest.
All depends on crowd and venue layout for me, I try and get quite central for the best overall sound but if there’s more space to one side or the other I’ll probably head there.
Have a standing strategy for pretty much every venue that I regularly attend - always to get as near to the front but off to one side (I am tall so don’t like to stand in front of people, but to ensure that the TV can also see)…
Definitely this. There are some venues where it absolutely blows my mind the way people just stop at the entrance (recent experiences in Usher Hall, Alexandra Palace and Barrowlands).
Tends to always be right near the front, and one side or the other seems to have decent bit of space without being too involved in crowds kicking off. Bristol venues: SWX stage left, Thekla stage right, Fleece stage left (ultimate is leaning on the bar), Exchange stage right. Often tallies up with where the backstage door the bands come in for small shows. As soon as the support finishes and people head out, I wander in with my pint to my chosen side and watch the soundcheck.
The left side generally if I’m getting close to the front, quite like not being dead in front of the lead singer who is usually centre. I quite like watching someone play an instrument so the closer I get the better.
When playing I’m almost always stage right, would prefer to be on the left so I can swing my guitar about a bit more and not hit the singer but bass necks are longer so obvs makes more sense me being on the right like a Tory