‘Storms’ off-stage
Bieber choose an apropos country to abandon the stage because of fans screaming as, of course, England was the home of The Beatles, the 60s (into the 70s) band that had more screaming fans than any other band in the history of rock and roll/pop music. Their first concert in America, in New York, is legendary for the volume of noise produced — by the fans.
But back to the Biebs: his storming off stage (that’s the word a lot of media are using, though he kinda just walked off) came on Sunday night in Manchester. The problem was between songs when the singer was trying to talk.
The screaming was such that Bieber could not make himself heard. He asked his fans to tone it down and said it wasn’t about “me being an asshole” but about communicating with them.
“I appreciate all the support, I appreciate the love,” he told fans. “But the screaming in these breaks has got to stop. Please and thank you. I don’t think it’s necessary when I’m trying to say something and you guys are screaming.”
But alas, alack, the screaming continued and so Bieber dropped the mic and walked backstage; the spotlight followed him but a moment as he went — and then went out. And what did most of the fans do?
They kept screaming.
Later he gave an explanation: “I travelled across the whole world to come here and I dedicate my life to performing and bringing smiles to people’s faces,” he said. “I feel that people were just not giving me the same respect back and it hurts a little bit so that’s why.”
World Purpose tour
Last week in Birmingham, Bieber called screaming fans at a concert there “obnoxious.” He’s also expressed frustration to screaming fans at other times and has spoken of it on social media and to the press.
The 22-year-old, who did come back out and finish the Manchester concert, is trying to transition from pop star to credible adult performer and his mini-hissy fit may have been a result. He is currently on a world tour promoting Purpose, his fourth studio album.
So what happens if fans continue screaming at Bieber concerts? If it were to get as bad as it did for The Beatles, so bad that they could not even hear themselves play, he could do as they did in 1966 — stop touring and performing live. However, for Bieber the screaming phenomena seems more an issue between songs.
The singer continues touring the U.K. for 10 days before playing dates on the European mainland. He returns to North America for a concert in L.A. on December 2, one in New York on the 9th and he’ll be in Miami on New Year’s Eve. The tour wraps up with five dates in Australia in March.
Beliebers, but not screamers, welcome.
