If you’re new to concerts, they can seem intimidating. There’s more that goes into it than just showing up and listening to an artist play your favorite songs.
As someone who has gone to nearly two dozen concerts in less than a decade, I’m here to share my expert advice on attending concerts so you can have the best night of your life.
This feels like a juvenile rule, but it’s an important one. If you’re going with a friend or group of friends, always take at least one person with you when going to the restroom, getting a drink, or grabbing merch. Anything that requires you to leave your seat, you should take someone with you. Concerts are loud and chaotic. Once the lights go off, they are difficult to navigate.
If you’re braving soloing a concert, give someone you trust your location and try to stick with the crowd - arrive when lots of people will get to the parking garage and walk to the venue with them. Leave when people are walking back to the garage.
Food and drinks at venues can get pretty pricey. I always grab food from somewhere else to avoid overspending. If you are going to eat or drink, grabbing what you want when you first get there and during the openers is typically the best option. Once the main performer is on, it’s really dark which makes eating hard. It also gets more crowded once the main act appears which can lead to spilling what you’re trying to consume. If you’re dancing around to the music, trying to hold a drink, and take videos, it’s not an easy task to balance.
Most importantly when it comes to food and drinks, stay hydrated.
Getting dizzy or dehydrated during concerts is not uncommon. We’ve all seen videos of artists stopping performances in cases of emergencies; the most common cause being dehydration and overheating. People choose to drink less water to avoid using the restroom so as not to lose their spot in line, or once they’re inside, to not lose their spot in the crowd. It’s easy to lose track of time at concerts, but remember, your night will, on average, be about 3-4 hours and that’s a significant amount of time to go without hydrating, especially in a crowded and warm environment. So, stay hydrated and well-fed so that you can fully enjoy the performance.
There’s nothing worse than having to run your bag back to your car after already making it to the front of the line because you thought it would pass the size guidelines. I use a smaller wallet that fits in my pocket. Some people also get wallet phone cases so that it’s only one thing that they’re holding. If you need something a little bit bigger to fit more, a clear bag is a good option. I have also used small, crossbody bags, which frees up your hands.
Sometimes there’s pressure to look a certain way for concerts. In truth, the lights are down for most of the show and everyone’s staring at the artist anyway, so wear what makes YOU feel comfortable.
Want to go full glam? Go for it. Want to show up in sweatpants? Hell yeah, all power to you. Just take note that indoor concerts can get pretty hot, especially at smaller venues. Whether you have a seat or not can also determine what you wear because no seat = standing for 2+ hours. Take note of the weather because at certain venues you may be outside or standing in line for a good amount of time. You want to dress to fit the weather so you’re not overheating or freezing. Plan accordingly.
I had a concert where I did not plan my outfit well and I stood outside in line for about an hour in the cold with only a thin jacket and ripped jeans. I was shivering by the time I got inside and had to spend $60 on a sweatshirt just to warm back up. I absolutely love that sweatshirt but it was definitely unpleasant to freeze for an hour.
A freestanding venue is typically set up with a stage and open floor space in front of it. No seats, everyone fends for themselves.
I’m on the short side, so sometimes these types of venues are hard when people taller than you push their way to the front. I have found most people do try to be mindful and if they’re very tall, tend to stand off to the outskirts or let you stand in front of them. However, some people try to get a spot at the barrier without paying attention to who is behind them. These types of setups are all fair game, so I don’t blame them, but if you’re hoping for a good view, try to get there early to snag a spot up front.
If no front spots are available, sometimes standing off to the side is nice because it’s less crowded. A lot of venues have a “pit floor” that dips a bit lower by the stage, which is where the main crowd will be, so being at the more elevated outskirts or near the stairs leading down into the pit is nice.
Certain freestanding venues also have an upper-floor balcony where there are assigned seats that you can buy tickets for, and you don’t have to worry about finding a space in the chaos. It all just depends on what kind of view you want and how close to the stage you want to be. I know plenty of people of varying heights who love being in the pit for every concert, so definitely don’t let being short deter you from being in the hype of it all, just pick whichever option is best for you.
That sounds obvious, I know, they’re supposed to be loud and chaotic. However, if you are someone with anxiety or get overstimulated easily, earplugs might be your best friend. Trust me, you will still be able to hear the music.
If you can find seating options before floor options, that would be ideal for you, as well, because people don’t bump into each other as much with seating. If you get floor or pit tickets, just try standing off to the sides or in the less crowded parts. Anywhere you can get a good view, be a part of the fun, without overwhelming yourself.
Concerts are memories that last a lifetime and are always worth the chaos, it’s a part of what makes them so fun.
