Some people have been hawing about Lily Allen’s new tour, which by all accounts, has been a rousing success for her, and probably a career (and critical) best. So, with increased scrutiny, there’s always gonna be people who don’t get it, and promptly take it online for a massive whine.

The details of that don’t matter too much, but of this criticism of not speaking to her crowd (which you assume is in a massive minority, so she shouldn’t take the ragebait really, but whatever) she said:

“I couldn’t possibly. Because then I’d have to come out of character and it would ruin the performance. I’m not saying what other people do, or what I’ve done in the past, is bad. It’s just not what’s happening here.”

“People have commented [about this tour]: ‘She doesn’t interact with the audience. Blah, blah, blah.’ I’d say to them, give me your top five audience interactions you’ve ever seen at a gig.”

This made us immediately start thinking of our favourite audience interactions in gigs, not as a jab at Lily Allen – rather, the chance to share some videos of audiences being great.

And no, we’re not including the “DAAAY-OH!” stuff with Queen at Wembley, because frankly, Queen fans don’t need more ammo to repeat their feeling that Freddie Mercury is the best to ever do it. We geddit already.

THEPOPCORPS FAVOURITE AUDIENCE REACTIONS

DIRE STRAITS AND A VERY GIDDY CROWD

Apparently, Knopfler & Co were utterly, utterly miserable during this tour, but by the time you get to a couple of minutes into this video, the crowd are like the best thing you’ve ever seen. Arms flailing and waving in unison, and you can smell the beer burps, cigs and armpits through the screen. It’s genuinely joyful and you’re almost tempted to start talking about everyone being in the moment and not on their phones and all that terrible boomer stuff.

SLIPKNOT BASICALLY ANY TIME THEY DO ‘SPIT IT OUT’

Look, it doesn’t matter what you think about the music, when Slipknot do ‘Spit It Out’ live, and they get thousands of people to get on the floor, and they go absolutely bananas at the same time, it’s one of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest sights.

MICHAEL JACKSON LEAPING OUT LIKE A SLICE OF TOAST AND THEN STANDING PERFECTLY STILL (LIKE A PIECE OF TOAST)

The sheer volume of Michael Jackson’s fans when he leaps out of the stage is one thing – then the wailing and fainting when he just stands there, monolith still, sends things to fever pitch. Doesn’t matter which gig you see this from, the response is utterly staggering.

LISA STANSFIELD AT THE APOLLO

If you’ve never heard the notoriously tough Apollo crowd shouting “Go Lisa! Go Lisa!” at Lisa Stansfield, then you’re in for a real treat with this video. What a crowd! What a performance!

JUST ABOUT EVERY METAL FESTIVAL EVER

The vision of huge circle pits and whatnot are a modern miracle. Has someone written extensively about why fans do this? If not, they should.

A TRIBE CALLED QUEST IN NYC

Basically, this is the same as the Dire Straits one, but a very different vibe. When you think of audiences going wild and being in the moment, you should think of this video. Absolutely glorious.

WE OWE QUEEN ONE

Have you seen Green Day’s fans singing along to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ before the band take to the stage? It’s so wholesome you might well up. Watch the whole thing.