I just finished reading a story entitles "Evil Phans @Hampton 2003". I experienced the exact situation at 2 of the three Hampton shows. The beauty of general admissions shows is the formlessness of it all and the ability to go where you want to enjoy the music in the best possible manner. The other side of the general admission equation is that it breeds "turf Battles". I like the person who penned the story on Evil Phans experienced the same thing. Certain "Phans" thought they were entitled to certain areas.

While waiting for the show to begin on 1/3/03 I and a few friends found a spot on Page side in between the lower and upper levels against the wall in the aisle. I met some kids and smoked with them and enjoyed their company as we were eagerly awaiting the lights to go down. During this show as we got up to dance a kid who I was talking with earlier from upstate NY suddenly turned weird and warned my friends that we were in "his space" and to get out. Several times he repeated this threat/warning and when we didn't adhere to his orders he began to bump into us while dancing almost as if he was moshing.  I tried to be the ambassador between the 2 parties and allay the situation by offering some smoke. We let the kid wear himself out as he knew we would not budge for him.

Unbelievably,  I encountered the same situation the next night. The same threats of "get out of my space or else". I have been going to shows since '93 and never before have I witnessed such behavior. The thing is, is that these "phans" know that nothing will happen to them. I, out of respect for the scene/music/experience would never resort to violence to remedy the situation and these kids know that. It is one thing to crowd people out and literally encroach on their space but quite another when you are in a packed GA situation and you are finding a spot anywhere you can. This behavior is unwarranted and these "entitled Phans" need to be ousted!

- KRS8