Schubas Crowd Protocol
Matt Crews Opens for Jessica Robbins ... with a Bit of Background Noise

By Lee Posey, March 28, 2010 (submitted soon after Crews' March 18 Show)

Are you kidding me, Matt Crews, with your voice? When I first saw you, you nervously sped through a chapbook. Up on stage, your voice echoed your confidence. The sound was strong, the wavers intentional; you licked your lips between verses like you were tasting the words that had just come out.

Shut up people! I am trying to hear what he’s saying! With a voice like that, I have to wonder what words he chooses. I pick out a couple:

“Love is a war. It’s good to know which side you’re fighting for.”
“…Pistol cloaked in kisses”

I want to hear more!

In any small venue where a quiet(er) singer songwriter is performing, I petition audience members to be respectful enough to pay attention (or feign attention) to the person on stage. Don’t distract me with talk about taxes. I don’t want the song drowned out by discourse on TurboTax. 

Whisper something about the song, perhaps. I’m not asking for silence. That would be weird (and probably even more distracting to the performer). Occasional silence is good, where everyone takes a breath and you hear the singer unadulterated. Muffled chats are acceptable, but not a lengthy narrative of unrelated issues. Go sit at the bar. Go home. Go to a restaurant. Don’t stand at a stage with your back turned.

At some venues, this isn’t always easy, but at Schubas there’s an entirely separate room for bar activity. The doors close where music is being played. That’s one of the great things about Schubas. So, people, don’t ruin it!

Upcoming Matt Crews Shows

Where: Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St.
When: April 28 at 8:30 p.m.

Upcoming at Schubas

Roman Candle (3/25), Seabear (4/2), Cymbals Eat Guitars (4/4), New York Songwriters Circle: Chicago Showcase (4/5), The Morning Benders (4/12)