Since the smoking ban I don't drink at gigs. As soon as I have alcohol I fancy a ciggie and it's much easier to forego both than one.
You know what? I recommend it.
Don't get me wrong - it's been a decades since I was last plastered at a concert, but I did used to observe the ritual of queuing once or twice each (standing) gig for over-priced keg beer. I found that giving this the swerve in favour of a bottle of water carried about my person makes for a much more pleasant experience overall.

If you lay off the pies.

'The audience has complained in the past about Van wandering around while he sings, arguing that it ruins the musical experience.'

I've been to a few of those Van shows! Particularly when he wanders offstage for a while and lets somebody like Brian Kennedy or Chris Farlowe take over for a while..

to merit a drop of ale. I remember my first and so far only RT (solo) gig about five years ago at the Hackney Empire. The bar served some great real ale. I spent most of the night listening intently and being very wowed by his brilliance - guitar-playing, voice, songs...
But occasionally I also enjoyed wandering to the bar and getting well tipsy, chatting quietly to other punters.
I'd rather it was MY choice whether I drank or not at a gig, not the performers.
No smoking, no drinking - what next? A dress code? No trainers? Hair above the collar?

in the slightest. If I couldn't go 2 hours without a drink I'd be very worried.

But do less of that now seeing as almost without fail I'd find myself with back teeth floating as I held on waiting for either the mid-set climax or the full end of show finale.

Always I'd have to give in and make it to the nearest gents just when I really didn't want to. There is little in life more disspiriting then staring down at a drenched urinal cake as you hear the muffled drumbeat intro into the song you've bought the ticket for and everyone else in the venue cheering like crazy.

Some good comments but...the only thing that strikes me is that there appears to be no end to Van's miserable "everybody done me wrong" attitude. I'd rather stay home with a bottle of Amarone and a copy of "It's too Late Too Stop Now" on the stereo.

Now that Van has had his fill we are now supposed to abstain while he deals with his rehab. (Oh Van the music. Well I've seen you 3 times each time worse than the last). Sianarra, I won't darken your door again. Next you'll be telling us that you'll be banning the sweet cakes. Ahhhh "whats that under your hat Van"?

Give me a break. And he's not the only one at this malarkey.

I certainly agree that Van shouldn't be in a position to tell paying punters at his gig what to do.

That said, I down a bottle of water before a gig, go in and stay dry for the rest of the night.

I understand why people like a drink with their music - but I've reached the point where I don't want to queue for ages at a bar packed with folk who seem to have gone to a music venue to chat VERY LOUDLY for some reason (don't they know what a 'pub' is?) to be faced with a beer choice of Carling and, er, that's it.

I'll just stand there and listen to the band, thanks!