Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega

Gig going is a tricky business. Not only is there the issue of travel, which has been well documented in these pages, but there is also the thorny issue of gig etiquette. What? You thought you just had to turn up? Tsscchh schoolboy error. Let me enlighten you.....

Firstly there is the issue of what to wear. Should you wear clothing emblazoned with the band you've gone to see? As a general rule, this is to be avoided at all costs as it makes you appear needy and 'trying too hard'. But if you insist then it best to go for a new t-shirt or dig out an old faded one and show all these newcomers that you've been there since the start? Or perhaps you want to demonstrate a deeper understanding and wear one with a band that the band you've gone to see have stated as an influence. Or have been seen wearing themselves. You see it's complicated stuff.

Then, assuming that you can find your way there, what time should you arrive? Too early and you're likely to be asked to help the support band set up their gear or man the merchandise stall. Get there too late and you're in danger of missing the crucial opening song. Guaranteed it'll be one that you love and the reason for attending the gig in the first place.

Have you thought about refreshments? I'm sure you have but just in case not, should you get enough drinks in before the gig starts to last the rest of the performance? If you do you will definitely look like a desperate alcoholic. If you don't, you can either spend the whole night dry or try and get some during the gig. Where is the bar? Will you miss any songs whilst trying to buy beer? Won't you need the loo? How deep is the queue likely to be?

So you're at the gig, wearing the right T-shirt, have enought drinks to last the entire concert (and well into next week) and are enjoying the opening song. But are you enjoying it as much as you could? Gig etiquette is a minefield. I wasn't aware of this final hurdle until it was pointed out to me by PW. You see he was of the opinion that, under no circumstances, should you listen to the band your going to see before the gig. Certainly not in the car on the way to the venue but maybe not for weeks beforehand. This was serious stuff and the subject of heated debate. PWs theory was that abstinence heightened anticipation, which in turn made you hungry for the gig. Mmmmm I think he had a point but I never really had empirical evidence to confirm whether his theory was correct.

Well until now. After over twenty years I'm going to put this to the test. Right here, right now. Tonight we're off to see Suzanne Vega so we'll see whether listening to this album will dampen the enthusiasm. I know this to be a great album from years of having listened to it, just as I know that she will be playing songs from it. Will 'Marlene On The Wall' have the same effect as it did the last time I saw her perform that classic single or will 'Cracking' still sound cracking? Finally a chance to gather some data.

Who said music wasn't scientific?