A look at the best ways to ‘concert’
I asked some experienced concert-goers and also shared my thoughts
Growing up the son of a musician, I used to listen to all my dad’s grievances with the people he was playing for.
“Too loud,” “not enough country,” “too much country,” “play (song),” “play something we can dance to,” “let me have that microphone. I need to make an announcement” … that was just the beginning of his long list of pet peeves. Oh, also: “Can we come up? We want to sing some songs.”
One of the funniest stories he would tell was when an older man and his wife began walking towards the door and the man turned to my dad and his bandmates as a song ended and yelled, “You’re driving everybody out of here!”
Hearing all that made me a very well-behaved adult music fan. I see performance as a gift I should receive graciously and enthusiastically.
But it’s clear not everyone has the same perspective.
There’s also more to “concerting” than how you act at the show — it’s always important to consider others, but a big part of enjoying a concert is finding the best way to lose yourself in the music and performance.
I surveyed a dozen experienced concert-goers — many of them subscribers to this Substack.
The main piece of advice? “Shut up and listen.” People talking or talking loud were most common among the pet peeves listed, and I couldn’t agree more. I do have some patience for talking — a quick comment between friends at a concert is normal and expected, especially between songs. But I hate when there’s a low roar of conversation underneath the music.
A concert seems like a terrible place to go for conversation. It ruins the experience of the people next to you. And, you miss out on connecting with live music — not something you can get in the bar before or after the show, or the car ride home.
Here are some other things to consider when going to concerts
Cell phone cameras
Some artists prohibit cell phone camera usage to the point of making concertgoers turn in their phones before entering their shows. Some encourage it and make it a part of the show
Some concertgoers hold the camera above their heads for the entire show; some consider it blasphemy to spend a single second looking through a screen rather than keeping full focus on the show.
Everyone else is somewhere in between. I like to take photos and videos at concerts, especially to use with this Substack. But sometimes I find the iPhone photos to be lacking and prefer to just look at professional shots from the shows I go to … except not every show has pro shooters who post for everyone to see. I agreed with the submission that said it’s nice to have some photo and video documentation of the show.
I think how much you use your camera at a show is up to you. Personally, most of the time I want my phone to be in my pocket, but I can also still focus on and enjoy the show when I’m taking photos and videos.
As far as other people doing it, it’s never bothered me.
Sit or stand?
Sometimes whether you sit or stand isn’t an option and you’re at the mercy of the venue.
In a perfect world, I’d stand but have a place to sit if I got tired, because I do get tired — especially my back.
This topic has become a hot one at concerts, especially as I get older. My general thought is: If you are sitting, don’t be mad if someone stands — it is a concert. Unless the venue requires patrons to sit, they have every right to stand.
The other part about sitting and standing to consider is your height. I don’t like standing in front of people and blocking their view, but I can’t help that sometimes it’s going to happen. And I’m not so tall that it doesn’t happen to me, too.
One thing I have learned is to bargain my height — “You can have the spot in front of me if you hold the spot behind me while I go to the restroom and get a drink.”
I’ve taken a lot of crap from short people at concerts, but I do feel your pain. I do try to leave a shoulder for people to look over if they’re not rude.
Where to watch
One respondent suggested: “Spend the extra money to get great seats. It makes the experience so much better.”
In general, I agree — closer is better, but there are limits for me price-wise.
And, I’ve had fun times on the lawn. I think any experience is what you make of it. If your expectations are that you’re going to be at the front and you don’t end up there, that can be disappointing. But a bad spot does give freedom to wander that you don’t get when you’re trying to hold on to the rail.
In general, I always try to make the best of whatever situation I’m in. And if I’m at a live music show, life is good.
At this point, I don’t really have a favorite spot to watch a show. Sometimes I want to be on the rail, sometimes I want to be on the lawn, and sometimes I want to be somewhere in between — this often depends on what tickets I could afford and how early I was willing to get to the venue. I try to be realistic.
But I would, eventually, like to find a preferred spot. One respondent said they like to be standing near the soundboard area, which makes sense and I will try soon … though the draw of being close to the stage is always tough for me to pass up.
If you do want to be up front and it’s general admission, get there early. It drives everyone nuts when someone gets there late then tries to bull past everyone for a closer spot.
What to wear
Some people dress like they’re in a band for shows and I do find that cool, but it’s not me. I’ve never understood fashion or liked standing out for the way I look.
But I do like to wear t-shirts representing the bands I like. I asked respondents what they recommend wearing and their responses were all over the board, but pretty much: “Whatever you want.”
I agree with that. I don’t think it’s cheesy or uncool to wear the T-shirt of the band you’re there to see — I’ve done that and will likely do it again. But recently I’ve been wearing the shirts of other bands to shows and they’ve been good conversation starters, so that’s where I’m leaning now.
One great piece of advice submitted we can all agree on: Always wear comfortable shoes.
Ear protection
Many respondents mentioned ear protection, and I definitely understand that sentiment — if you love music, you want to protect the organ that allows you to hear it.
But … the music doesn’t sound the same with ear plugs. At first I thought it was because I was using the cheap ones, so I bought ear plugs that are supposed to be made for listening to concerts, but they still sound muffled to me.
One person said this and I think this is good advice: “Bring along ear protection. You may not need it, but you’ll be glad to have it if you do.”
Opener or no
In my experience, always get there for the opener. Yes, it can make for a long night if the headliner plays long, but even if you don’t know the opener or aren’t sure you like their music, it’s worth giving someone a chance live — you’ve already paid for the ticket. I’ve been pleasantly surprised more times than I’ve been disappointed.
Also, if it’s general admission and you want a good spot, you’re going to have to watch the opener — might as well give them a shot.
Coats, bags and purses
I agree with the advice of the respondents who said to avoid bringing in any kind of coat, purse or bag — even if you really think you need one.
Unless there’s a coat/bag check, or you know you’ll have a seat to put the coat in, it’s just a bad idea. I had the bright idea that I would get a seat at a recent Castle Theater show and use my jacket to hold the spot. But when I didn’t get a seat, venue rules didn’t allow re-entry and I was stuck either trying to wear or hold my jacket all night.
Like one respondent said: “Even when it's shit-eating cold outside, do your best to leave the coat in the car and then try to run through the rain and wind to the venue doors.”
Staying fed and hydrated
This can be more complicated than it sounds at a concert. Many venues don’t serve food or even allow food in the doors, so be sure to eat before a show (but not too much, because there’s nothing worse than being miserably full at a concert).
I like to enjoy some alcohol at a show, but keep it limited mostly because I don’t want to spend the whole show in the bathroom. I also hate holding a drink while I’m standing with no place to put it. But, it is nice to have at least some water when you’re belting out every song from a two-hour show.
Whatever concessions a concert venue does have, prepare to be gouged.
If it’s outside …
Some respondents said they won’t go to an outdoor show unless it’s something absolutely can’t-miss.
And, as another said: “Suck it up. It’s just temporary.”
I’m probably a little closer to the second one — I enjoy outdoor shows, but I’ve also never had a disastrous weather experience at a show.
Heat can be scary, but most outdoor shows are at night — there are festivals that occur outdoors in the heat of the sun’s rays, but most of us aren’t going to many of those at this point. And, if we are, we’re making sure we wear sunblock, stay hydrated and find places to cool off if needed.
Rain is usually the biggest problem. Most venues don’t allow umbrellas, so ponchos are a good choice — they’ve saved me at a couple of outdoor shows. They’re cheap and the one I got came with a little case you can fold the poncho up and return it to.
The best bet is to keep an eye on the forecast and be as prepared as you can. And, know that lightning is a major problem — that can cancel your show, or leave you with a severely shortened show.
Play Freebird
One thing I forgot to ask respondents about but would love to hear from people about is what they think of shouting out song requests.
My dad hated it, and some people can be really annoying about it — I have PTSD from a guy yelling “Sanctify” for an entire Blackberry Smoke show. But I’ve also seen performers who liked it — Jackson Browne, in particular, seemed to respond.
I’m not a big fan of it … though I have done it. I mean, if they’re taking requests, I certainly have them.
Coming soon
I have much more from your responses, including a post about what makes a good show (and a bad one), and a post about going to concerts alone. And, of course, more reviews.
If I didn't know you I would think you were part of the the band! What a detailed report! I see how bad of a concert goer I was at BBS in New berlin. I had a chip on my shoulder I wanted to yell about. Love you, Justin!