By Mitch Rice
Most people love going to concerts so they can see their favorite bands in person, meet new people, and experience the thrill of hearing live, loud music. But if you want to maximize your concert-going experience, you’ll need to proactively prepare yourself.
What to Bring
Before attending the concert, make sure you have at least the following in your possession:
- Tickets and ID. You won’t make it into the concert unless you have verified tickets and identification. Double check these in the days leading up to the concert, so you’re not based with any nasty surprises the day of.
- Earplugs. No, you’re not lame for wearing earplugs at a concert. You’re being smart. Exposure to the levels of sound at a rock concert can easily cause noise-induced hearing loss if you’re not wearing any form of protection. Get a basic set of earplugs and use them.
- Binoculars. If you know you’re going to be far from the stage, consider bringing a small pair of binoculars. You’ll be able to see the action much more clearly.
- Hair ties. If you have long hair, be sure to bring a few extra hair ties. You’ll want to make sure your hair is out of the way if you’re going to get your dance on.
- Sunscreen. Is the concert outdoors? If so, bring plenty of sunscreen for yourself and anyone you’re traveling with. Sunburns are no joke.
- A charged phone and battery pack. Make sure your phone is fully charged the night before, and consider fully charging an additional battery pack so you can charge your phone on the fly.
- Appropriate attire. Concerts can sometimes be chaotic places, so wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or damaged. It’s also a good idea to wear sturdy, protective shoes, rather than flip-flops; even if you don’t plan on going into the mosh pit, it’s a matter of time before you get stepped on.
Logistics and Preparation
These tips can help you with logistics and preparation:
- Get directions in advance. Do you know where this venue is? Don’t run the risk of getting lost on the way; even advanced GPS can sometimes lead you astray. Go through the directions in advance of the concert so you’re familiar with the territory.
- Understand the parking situation. Where are you supposed to park and how much is it going to cost? Have a primary strategy and a backup plan or two, just in case your main options fail.
- Have a bathroom strategy. Popular concerts typically produce ridiculously long bathroom lines, so make sure you have a good bathroom strategy in place. Use the bathroom before you leave and at opportunistic moments during the concert (e.g., not during intermission, when everyone else wants to hit the bathroom).
- Familiarize yourself with the layout. Make sure you have a basic idea of how this space is laid out. If you get lost, which landmarks can help you orient yourself? If there’s an emergency situation, how would you evacuate?
- Get there early. Don’t miss a moment of your favorite band. Get to the venue early so you can see everything and get a good spot.
Etiquette and Attitude
At the concert, practicing good etiquette and holding a good attitude can help you enjoy yourself more and get along with the people around you:
- Acknowledge your height. Tall people, be careful not to step in front of shorter counterparts who can’t see the show with you standing in the way.
- Respect others’ space. At concerts, it’s expected that people will occasionally bump into each other – and in the mosh pit, it’s practically a requirement. Still, do your part to respect others’ space; don’t shove, avoid touching people without consent, and apologize if you accidentally invade someone else’s space.
- Sing respectfully (if you must sing). There’s nothing wrong with singing along with the crowd to a stadium rock anthem or a loud chorus. But when it comes to quieter songs, softer sets, or more intimate concerts, you should probably stick to mouthing the words or singing quietly. People paid good money to hear the band perform – not to hear your feeble take on the composition.
- Drink responsibly. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a bit of alcohol with a fun concert, but drink responsibly. Excessive alcohol consumption presents dangers to you and others – and can ruin your show experience too.
- Use your phone in moderation. You’re welcome to take a few photos of the concert, and of course, you can send people messages and make phone calls. But for the most part, you should use your phone in moderation. Your phone is going to distract you from the main experience of the concert, and potentially distract the people around you as well. Additionally, it’s considered poor form to video record a concert unless the artists have explicitly said they’re okay with it.
- Meet people! Finally, take the time to meet some of the people attending this concert with you. It’s a great opportunity to meet likeminded friends and to share this amazing experience together. Remain open-minded and friendly; you might be surprised at the number of new friends you can make!
If you follow all these strategies, you can have a much better concert-going adventure. There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy music, of course, but a bit of advanced preparation does have the power to enhance your experience.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
