Going to rock concerts has always meant dealing with a bunch of unruly people, many of them very drunk – but it seems like lately things have been worse than ever. Attention spans are at an all-time low, and the ubiquity of smartphones has resulted in a huge percentage of the audience at any given show barely paying attention to the action onstage. Here are the 10 most annoying behaviors at rock concerts.

1. Taking pictures the entire freaking show.

I get it. You want to show all your friends on Facebook and Twitter that you saw a cool concert. Fine. Take a photo. Take five if you want! But please, don’t take 77. You always manage to hold your camera right in my line of sight. You don’t even look like you’re enjoying the show while you’re doing this. All your attention is on the photos. And you know what? Those photos are all going to look like sh#!. Every single one of them. You’re too far away. You’ll probably never even look at them. Also, you see those guys right in front of the stage with the giant cameras? They’re taking great professional pictures. There’s really no need for yours. Read more

Buzz Track: Ever After

After being signed by Clive Davis to J Records and receiving a Grammy nomination for her debut album “East Side Story” in 2008, Emily King parted ways with her record label and has continued to work independently. Her follow-up EP “Seven” was recorded in her home receiving high praise from peers like Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo, and Maroon 5. A gentle mix of soul, folk, and rock influences, King’s music emotes the kind of straight to the point storytelling that’s reminiscent of singer/songwriters of the 1970’s. Emily will be showcasing Grammy weekend at the Hotel Cafe – Friday February 8th at 8pm.
Contact: andy.steinway@gmail.com

Buzz Track: Steady Now

News Update: Indie rock band Westland just released their new EP which was recorded with producers such as Shep Goodman and Aaron Accetta (He Is We, Bayside, Four Year Strong). A mainstay of the music scene, the band has released a full length album as well as two EP’s. Selling over 30,000 copies of their debut album “Don’t Take It Personal”, as well as performing on Warped Tour 2011 and 2012, new songs such as Steady Now could take the band to the next level. They will perform at Bowery Electric Sunday on January 20th at 2pm
Contact: danielrfriedman@aol.com

It doesn’t matter if you sold 10 or 100 million records, well that’s how the execs looked at Britney Spears. The suits had high hopes the pop queen would boost ratings for the struggling singing competition. After a season with lackluster results Britney was fired.

“Britney Spears is out of “The X Factor” after a season in which the pop star failed to deliver a ratings boost for the singing contest, a person familiar with the show’s plans said Thursday.

Creator Simon Cowell and fellow producers are discussing replacements for Spears and another panelist, record producer Antonio “L.A.” Reid, said the person, who lacked authority to comment publicly and insisted on anonymity.

Reid previously announced he was leaving after two seasons. Demi Lovato appears likely to return, joining Cowell on the revamped panel. The show is due to return in the fall. Read more here

The feud between new judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj: real or fake? That was the question lobbed at the American Idol panel at TCA this morning in the wake of reports of cat-fighting between new judges Carey and Minaj, which one critic charged “feels like it’s fake.” Naturally, that sentiment was vehemently denied by both the producers and the judges. “Whatever feuds there have been — and this isn’t just between Nicki and Mariah but Keith (Urban) and Randy (Jackson) as well — are genuine,” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said. “Whenever you’re in this sort of passionate situation, these things happen.” Fox reality chief Mike Darnell echoed that “it’s authentic” and explained that it has to do with the fact “there is passion in this group. They disagree about the talent, and the ways to approach the talent.” (After the panel, Darnell denied that anyone involved in Idol has orchestrated the Carey-Minaj feud, blaming it on “a rogue crew member probably took the video and sent it to TMZ. We did not encourage it.”) Read more here