MTS Centre security explained their actions this way. "It's Eagles' policy."
But why?
I called Kevin Donnelly, the MTS Centre general manager.
Donnelly said the event promoter asked them to implement the stay-seated policy and leaflets were distributed to people in the first 10 rows, advising them that they may be asked to sit down.
From what I gather, this "Eagles policy" was supposed to work this way.
If most people were seated -- say, during a slow number like
Peaceful Easy Feeling -- the "stragglers" who were still standing would be asked to sit like everyone else.
But if the majority of people stood for an up-tempo song like
Life In The Fast Lane, security was instructed to let them stay standing.