Though music festival season is coming to an end, great music waits for no one. Concerts have a way of making music come to life. If you have the means to do so, watching a band live is an experience that watching their music videos cannot emulate. So if your favorite artist is coming to town and you manage to snag a ticket, here are eleven tips to remember!
1. Bring a bag.
Try something small like a cross body or non-bulky backpack with enough room for a folded t-shirt or sweatshirt, just in case you hit up the merchandise table. Make sure you’ll have room for your essentials, whatever they may be.
2. Don't forget the essentials.
I recommend bringing the following: wallet, keys, ID, phone, permanent marker, GPS/directions to the venue if you’re not familiar with the area, concert ticket, and something for the band to autograph. Be sparing, bring only enough make up for touch ups, a camera (different venues have different policies on camera usage, so it’s good to check their website to see what their policy is), extra ponytail holders and barrettes/bobby pins, and cash. Though many merchandise tables can now take credit/debit cards (what a time to be alive), some still do not, and venue ATMs charge ridiculous fees, which no one likes.
3. Dress Comfortably.
What you wear depends on if the concert is outdoors or indoors and the weather. It’s nice to be trendy, but you will be much more at ease if you dress cute and you are comfortable. Make sure to check weather conditions before you leave, and also the venue website to see the set times (which are prone to change, even on the day of).
4. Keep your environment in mind.
Indoor concerts generally happen all year, so it really depends on the venue, but most keep it around 70 degrees or so, so whatever you wear around that temperature, go for it.
5. Think of the weather.
Outdoors concerts are usually held anywhere from late spring to early fall. I'd suggest shorts/pants with pockets and a tank top/t-shirt or a dress made of breathable fabric (such as cotton), with comfortable shoes and maybe a light jacket.
6. Tame your mane.
Also, anyone with long hair – everyone will appreciate if you tie your hair up. Especially if you’re in the middle of the crowd, if you’re swinging it around and dancing everywhere, there’s a chance it’ll end up on my face or in my mouth, which will gross us both out.
7. Prepare for the worst.
However, it's worthy to note that at larger music festivals, such as Warped Tour, literally anything can happen. As someone who can personally attest to being hit in the head with a beer can within the first half hour of Warped, things can get crazy. So it's in your best interest to not wear anything you would mind being torn, spilled, or getting knocked into the mud in, to name a few examples. A stranger, your well-meaning but clumsy friend, and even you yourself will commit any number of these atrocities. If this happens you'll be mourning the loss of your nice cute outfit and won’t pay attention to any of the cool stuff happening onstage!
8. Leave time to spare.
Depending on how far you live from the concert, arrive early enough to check the venue out if you've never been there. There's a lot to take in, including the merchandise tables, securing your spot in the crowd, and meeting up with friends.
9. Be prepared to wait.
If you want a prime front row spot at a standing room only concert, you might have to arrive hours ahead of the time doors open, depending on how popular the band is.
10. Put down your phone.
Though photos and videos help you capture some of the best moments of any event, it also distracts you from what's happening right in front of you. So save the pics for truly noteworthy moments and everyone on Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook can wait to ask you in person how the concert was.
11. Go alone.
Even though a lot of people go to concerts as a ‘hanging out with friends’ event, try going to concerts alone! Immerse yourself in the music. You won’t be concerned with finding your friends, making sure they’re having a good time, and thinking, “Oh, gosh, this is my favorite band, and my friend’s not as into them as I am, and what if I look like a dork about being so excited…” Stop. Doing stuff by yourself is something you nee to try out. You can really concentrate on the band and how much you love them! In the same vein, don’t be afraid to talk to new people! They’re all here for the same reason and that’s to see great music live, so you automatically have something to bond over.
Concerts can be an exhilarating way to experience the music you love, or music you don’t! Remember to have fun, and take lots of photos to aid in your post-concert depression (a serious ailment). It'll help tide you over until the next show!
