Music is an extremely popular form of self-expression that has been around for a great deal of time. It’s rare to come across someone who doesn’t enjoy some genre of music, and even more rare to come across someone who doesn’t have a favorite singer or band. What’s not so rare, but slightly upsetting, is coming across someone who hasn’t been to a concert.

Anyone who knows me knows that concerts are one of my favorite things in the world. Anyone who knows me also knows that my mother doesn’t like me going to concerts. I understand where her concern comes from, as there are lots of strangers, the city can be dangerous and there’s a risk of getting hurt. But to me, the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to concerts.

There’re so many aspects about concerts that I love, and that I know other people love as well. It’s such a great feeling to know that you’re not crazy for loving a band so much, as you're surrounded by others who share the same love for the band as you do.

We all have a song that we just absolutely love, and to hear that song in person can send shivers down your spine. And there’s nothing like the energy of the band and those around you. Each concert I've attended had a certain unique vibe and energy level from both the band and the crowd. There comes a moment in the concert, whether you’re waiting for the next band to play or you’re in the middle of dancing and belting out lyrics, when you just take it all in. It’s a wonderful feeling you can only truly understand if you’ve been to a concert.

Of course, not everything about concerts is perfect. If you’re going to a general admission concert and want to get a good spot, you’ll have to arrive pretty early and wait outside the venue. Doors normally don't open until an hour before the show. In the past, I’ve gotten to concerts at about noon, which means that I was waiting in line for about six hours. Those hours can crawl by and you can get impatient at times, but honestly, I think the wait is worth it.

Also, general admission concerts normally don’t have seats, which mean you stand for the entire concert. In addition to jumping up and down, this can cause your feet to be extremely sore. So as a heads up, wear comfy shoes so your feet don't hurt that bad the next day. Finally, the amount of pushing and shoving that goes on in a crowd is slightly concerning at times. It’s understandable at times, but other times I've wondered if some people have heard of "personal space" before.

For those who haven’t been to a concert and want to, I highly recommend that you go to one. I get it, concerts aren’t for everyone. But if you’ve been wanting to attend one, go research upcoming shows at nearby venues and really consider going.

If you haven’t been to a concert yet, but are going to one soon, here’s some advice:

Take water, as you don’t want to become dehydrated during the concert. If you have one, take a portable charger with you, as your phone battery can die quickly, which leads me to my next point: don’t spend the entire concert on your phone. I admit, I’m guilty of taking tons of pictures and videos, as I want to remember the concert as much as possible. This is usually me during concerts:

It’s perfectly okay to record snippets of songs and take pictures, but at times, put your phone away and just live in the moment. Shout the lyrics of your favorite song, move to the beat and do whatever makes you happy as long as you're not hurting someone else.

Concerts are places where people go for the same reason— to experience and enjoy live music. They're lots of fun and worth almost any inconvenience you might think of. So, go out there and experience a concert. You won't regret it.