Concerts are the one place you go to that there is a certain etiquette about how you do things. At a concert I went to recently, many people were being "selfish" and ignoring concert etiquette that is known amongst most people who go to concerts. The etiquette can change, depending on what kind of concert you go to, but there are a few rules that are understood.
1. Don't record the entire show. If you're going to be that person that records every single song, you might as well return your tickets and just watch videos of the band on Youtube. You're going to the concert to see the band and hear them live. You're there to experience the energy and see them perform in person. How can you enjoy that experience if you're too busy paying attention to recording it? If you want to record your favorite songs, it's cool, but don't spend all your time recording the entire thing. It's annoying, for people who are trying to enjoy the show, to see phones floating in the air and blocking your view. Also, please, don't snap the entire show on Snapchat.
2. Pictures are okay as long as you're not obnoxious. Some people don't like those who take pictures all the time, but I personally don't think it's bad as long as you're not obnoxious about it. If you're constantly climbing on someone's shoulders to get photos, you're being a little extra. Taking pictures is great, especially if you're somebody like me who scrapbooks all their memories. Just know that if you're gonna do it, don't get crazy.
3. STAY OFF YOUR PHONE. I can't stress this enough. The most recent concert I went to was a free concert, but you still had to snag tickets for it. While at the show, I couldn't tell you how many people, who were in front of me (closer to the stage), just stood there on their phones. They were completely glued to them, either scrolling through social media or playing games. If you don't want to be at the concert, you don't have to be there (especially if tickets were free). If you're going to sit on your phone the whole time, go stand in the back so people who actually want to enjoy and participate in the concert can be closer to the stage.
4.If you don't want to be at the concert, don't stand in the way of those who do. This is pertinent to General Admission concerts. I had a group of tall guys standing in front of me, making it hard for me to see. Three out of the five guys didn't even want to be at the concert. They wouldn't participate or anything. They just stood their like a brick wall. If you don't want to be there, again, go stand in the back. There are people who would love to be able to see and join in on the fun. At least if you're going to be close to the front, try and enjoy yourself. You might end up liking it more than you think!
5. Please don't grind on your significant other. Just don't. This isn't a high school dance.
6. Don't get upset when people bump into you. If you're in the GA section, you're going to be in close quarters. Yes, it's annoying that people keep bumping you as they move through the crowds and stuff, but it's just part of being in the GA section. Unless someone is getting pushy about it, just relax and try to enjoy the show.
7. Don't judge somebody's level of "fandom". There are going to be all kinds of fans at concerts. There will be die-hard, know every lyric fans and there will be new fans that are just learning their music. Don't judge someone for not knowing every lyric or getting the lyrics wrong. Accept them into the fandom. They'll know the lyrics soon enough.
8. Just enjoy yourself. Everybody is at the concert to enjoy the music and enjoy the band. Just enjoy this experience, because you may never get to experience it again. Just have fun, rock out and live it up!
