I am not condoning the behavior but the flip side is the square entertainment is more a social event than concert. Being a half a-- musician myself unless you are playing some specific concert type atmosphere or name that tune, etc. the crowd socializes. It's rude if the level of their socialization makes it hard for me to hear myself play. The other issue in the squares is the same bands keep rotating and the regular crowd knows what they are going to hear and complacency sets in. If it's a first time band I would expect the regulars to be a little more courteous. The band has a lot to do with commanding respect also. If they do some skit type work or even walking in the crowd as well as playing it becomes more like theater. If you have a band yelling makes some noise and wearing dark sunglasses so they don't have to look you in the eye well they probably won't get the concert treatment. Point is the band can help themselves some. As far as the crowd being bothered by others that's a tough one. Again it's not a concert and you did not have a ticket. But some people are very me centric. Just have fun.
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