It seemed like it was going to be just another gig for US singer & songwriter Ray LaMontagne in front of 1,900 paying customers at the Frederick Meijer Garden in Grand Rapids, Michigan. LaMontagne was touring his recently released fifth album 'Supernova' but was clearly getting more and more annoying by the incessant hum of chatter from the back of the room before snapping in a profanity-ridden diatribe, refusing to play any further songs until the talkers left the venue.
"Why don't you go the f**k home and talk", the singer sneered at the crowd according to some in attendance. LaMontagne didn't leave it there, either. He continued hurling f-bombs at the crowd before throwing his guitar to the floor and storming off stage.
He is also understood to have said to the crowd: "Go the f**k home. Go the f**k home, put on a f**king record and talk over that if you want to. Go the f**k home."
Members of the venue's security team and persuaded the offenders to leave and the singer returned to the stage about five minutes later, making absolutely no mention of the incident as he finished the set.
What's interesting is that LaMontagne recently participated in a Q&A on the website, Reddit.com. He was asked what his thoughts were on people who chat at his concerts, and he replied: "To me, the night belongs to the audience. They paid a lot of money to come to the show. If they want to scream and chat, it's completely up to them. It's their night."
Whatever your thoughts on the ethics involved with chatting at concerts, this is probably the most exciting thing to have ever happened at a Ray LaMontagne show.
(via Mlive.com)
