Freqeuncy of Piped in Music Not Appreciated By Old Fart

Submitted by fatbastard on

I'm probably just getting old. 

I've been a season ticket holder for more than 20 years.  I've seen championships, Seven and Five seasons, and the great RR experiment.

I supported and I'm glad have the new suites and scoreboards.  I love that the the place rocks in a tight game, and is a huge advantage to the team.  Even yesterday, particularly in the 4th quarter with the game on the line, it was tough for NE players to get the play calls from sideline to qb to O-line. 

But am I the only one who is tired of having hard time talking to friends and family during the pregame and halftime, and at varous times throughout the game when it seems there is no advantage to the team for the piped in music to be blasting? Why do we have to have loud music pumpted in during warmups?  At halftime?

Part of my Michigan Expericne is taking family to the game.  The stadium is a tremendous place to to enjoy visiting with people you haven't seen in a while, and enjoying a Saturday with friends and family.  Watching a pretty bad performance yesterday, it occurred to me that if I had to watch that game, I'd at least like to have the chance to talk to my daughter while doing it.  I don't even expect to do that during the game, since there is clearly a competitive advantage from bringing the noise level up on D.  But why during half time and pregame?  If there's a reason, I honestly would like to know what it is. Clearly it does nothing to get the students to the game on time.

Perhaps I'm out of touch.  I don't know. 

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Mgoscottie

November 10th, 2013 at 2:16 PM ^

but I miss the bass drum when the team comes out of the tunnel.  It was so ominous....

Also, I wish I could take to people without being drowned out by another advertisment for women's w/e sports every time.  It's like Dave Brandon felt bad for us missing out on commercials during tv timeouts or something.  

Joined: 08/25/2009

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Wendyk5

November 10th, 2013 at 2:21 PM ^

When the drum line came out and played by the student section, we couldn't hear them over in section 21. I'd like to hear the band rock it. And Seven Nation Army is so overplayed. We need to find more proprietary tracks that rock but that aren't played in every other stadium.

Joined: 11/20/2008

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Toasted Yosties

November 11th, 2013 at 8:45 AM ^

I don't see the difference.  Fans still sit on their hands today just as they did before.  People will get up on third down of a critical defensive play during a big game, but they'd do that in the 00's and 90's, too.  I guess the piped in music adds to that noise.

I'm not against the music, and believe its implementation was inevitable, but they need to expand the playlist and play Seven Nation Army  and Hell's Bells less.

Joined: 06/05/2013

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matty blue

November 11th, 2013 at 5:42 AM ^

the previous poster said that music is the "least of our concerns," the implication being that the team playing crappy football trumps every single other conversation, that there's absolutetly nothing else worth discussing.  i disagree.  it's possible, believe it or not, to talk about other things relating to michigan football, and one of them is whether it's enjoyable to actually, you know, go to the games.

 

Joined: 08/01/2008

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Alton

November 10th, 2013 at 2:23 PM ^

When it gets the crowd pumped up, it's fine.  When it's just there as filler (as in the break between the halftime show and the second half kickoff that you mention), I don't get it at all.  Also, you're right that it's impossible to have a conversation when the music is on.  Which again is fine when the game is going on, but is not at all fine when it is not serving any apparent purpose other than to justify the job of the person selecting music.

 

Joined: 07/05/2008

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fatbastard

November 10th, 2013 at 2:35 PM ^

There are so many reasons to go to the game.  But, I've noticed that a lot of people who used to converse in my section don't mucn any more.  It's really noticeable durig breaks.  It just seems more and more that the social aspect of the experience (and i'm only talking about pregame, halftime and tv timeouts, have taken a backseat to in your face piped in music.  I would think that some people will sell their tickets and watch it on tv, since they it's so hard to visit with friends (especially if the team's not performing to expectations on the field).  

Joined: 01/03/2009

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543Church

November 10th, 2013 at 2:36 PM ^

If you are having a conversation you might be talking about how bad the product on the field is and perhaps agreeing that you might not want to buy tickets again.  So, you are being mind-controlled by the sterile muzak.

 

Joined: 03/09/2012

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chewieblue

November 10th, 2013 at 2:24 PM ^

I too am getting old... I too dislike the constant loud music (apart from the band)... but would rather have some good players consider coming to UM than have the stadium atmosphere old folks like us desire.

Joined: 04/29/2010

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MGoBlue24

November 10th, 2013 at 2:26 PM ^

Tailgating and the live game experience have their merits, but the filler noise during the game tends to get in the way.  I'm not sure if anyone else wants to comment on their different experience in away stadiums, but PSU in October was not too different from Michigan Stadium, with AC/DC and the White Stripes piped in (although the still-not-dropped(!) Sweet Caroline seemed to be quieter by comparison).

Joined: 08/22/2013

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Wolverine Devotee

November 10th, 2013 at 2:26 PM ^

Gotta move with the times. This is the norm all across the country in sports.

(awaiting get off my lawn, leaders and best do not follow yadda yadda)

Joined: 06/29/2009

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True_Blue

November 10th, 2013 at 2:28 PM ^

Let me preface my comment by saying that my opinion does not and will not matter to the administration in any way, and I have no reason to beieve anything will change as a result of any of our complaining.  With that said, I cannot stand the seven nation army song!  Every single week Michigan Football forces me to listen to that baseline over and over again.  I swear the sound operator in the booth says to him/herself:  "Oh, Michigan is on defense and it's 3rd down, better play that 'ohohohohohohoh' song."  PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!!!

Joined: 01/15/2012

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543Church

November 10th, 2013 at 2:39 PM ^

I was offered four free tickets to the NEB game at work.  I did not want to go since the in-game experience is so awful for me that  I can't stand it.  I could not give away the tickets to anybody at work either as they all said the same thing. 

And these are all people who live and work in Ann Arbor.   It doesn't feel like college football to me anymore and is not a WOW experience.  Maybe I am indeed getting old but my kids aren't going to be going to games as a result and they are actually pretty apathetic about UM football in general. 

CREATING THE FYOOTCHER!!!

 

Joined: 03/09/2012

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UMxWolverines

November 10th, 2013 at 2:30 PM ^

They've always played music during warmups...ever since Lloyd was here. This isn't anything new. It also wasn't that loud. I didn't have a problem talking to people, but it may depend on location. 

They also didn't play any piped in music during halftime until the players came back out of the tunnel which was like 3 minutes left.

I actually thought the music used yesterday was the best overall selection of the season. 

Joined: 03/01/2009

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jaylee714

November 10th, 2013 at 2:31 PM ^

To entertain the people, for we have no football team that can be put on the field worth a shit. It's a welcomed distraction.

Joined: 05/04/2011

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maizemama

November 10th, 2013 at 2:32 PM ^

Play filler if you want, but please don't make me go deaf! It's impossible to talk. I try to talk to my kids and half of what I say is "Repeat that, I couldn't hear you." If they do an end of season survey, I;m definitely going to complain about the volume.

Joined: 01/12/2011

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Owl

November 10th, 2013 at 2:33 PM ^

It's a little bit off putting when people qualify their opinions with things like "maybe it's just because I'm too old," or something of that nature. Not only does it make it easier for people to discard your opinion, it makes me feel marginalized as a 20 year old who more often than not agrees (with the old guy sentiment). Like there's something  anomalous about me, when I don't think there is.

Piped in music makes things feel sterile, pre packaged, like I'm at an NFL game. I don't think disagreement about that is generational at all. 

Joined: 04/14/2012

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fatbastard

November 10th, 2013 at 2:46 PM ^

I appeciate your comment.   I'm in my 40's. I yell on every 3rd down.  I stand most of the game.  So I get the point of getting the rest of the stadium to join me, and the music does serve a purpose to do that, at times.  But most of the time that I notice the music or womens field hockey adblaring (not that I don't like field hockey), and find it objectionable has absolutely no bearing on the play on the field. 

I really, legitmately, wanted to know if the students and 20 somethings love it, or not.

 

Joined: 01/03/2009

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Toasted Yosties

November 11th, 2013 at 9:10 AM ^

What section do you stand in?  I'd like to get a ticket nearby, so I can stand and cheer in unity.  This is sort of my big complaint, having expressed it numerous times on the board, but I've been yelled at by Michigan fans to sit down numerous times for standing and cheering while Michigan's defense is on the field.  Since absolutely no one else is standing in my proximity, I comply in fear of ending up like the guy maced at the Penn State game. I was in sections 15, 2, and 44 in my last three outings.  I've come to resent much of our fanbase, though I'm sure the quiet fans behind me are feeling the same way about me and people who stand and cheer more than those three or four plays at the end of a close game.  I understand buying a ticket does not compel a person to stand and make noise, it's just a damn shame that cheering is not an expected part of our Michigan fan culture, especially now when are team needs fan support more than ever.

Joined: 06/05/2013

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JHendo

November 10th, 2013 at 2:35 PM ^

I'd like to take this time to also advocate for the stoppage of Seven Nation Army:  Stop it.  It doesn't have to be played every 2 friggin' minutes.  It was awesome during the original UTL game, but now it's just absolutely ridiculous.  Just stop it.

Joined: 10/25/2008

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JT4104

November 10th, 2013 at 2:36 PM ^

Good ole Michigan.....complaing about not being able to have a conversation at a sporting event.

Noise is the key when I attend games college/pro I dont expect to have conversations I expect to make noise and be loud.

Joined: 10/25/2008

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maizemama

November 10th, 2013 at 2:40 PM ^

What do you do during TV timeouts? Stare ahead with glazed eyes? It's nice to be able to converse with the people next to you. For instance, my kids were asking about the chains, markers, how do they know where 1st down is, etc.. I was trying to explain but was drowned out. Makes it frustrating to say "Wait until we get home."

Joined: 01/12/2011

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Bando Calrissian

November 10th, 2013 at 2:40 PM ^

You're making noise and being loud when they're not playing? I mean, that crowd intimidation during a TV timeout when everyone is just standing around waiting for the red hat guy to get off the field is absolutely vital.

Joined: 07/02/2008

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EGD

November 10th, 2013 at 2:37 PM ^

The piped-in music is probably the main reason I hardly go to sporting events anymore. I canceled my Seattle Sounders season tickets because of it. It's just not fun when you can't converse with the people beside you.

Joined: 09/16/2009

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