Whether you frequent stadium shows, summer festivals, or acoustic club sets, there’s no doubt that concerts mean something special to you. Everyone goes to see live music for their own reasons from extreme fans to casual partiers. Of course, it all depends on the band, too. You may be a diehard fan at one concert and a curious listener at another. Concerts are a great way to have fun with your friends, hear the music you love up close and personal, and discover new music along the way. Here are some ways you can determine what kind of audience member you’ll be and how you can use that knowledge to have a better time.
1. Buying Tickets
Have you heard those stories about concerts selling out in 10 minutes? That doesn’t exactly happen. NPR and Pollster suggest that many of the most popular stadium shows only end up releasing one third of their seats to the general public. The rest are gone in pre-sales sponsored by radio stations, American Express, and fan clubs. If you’re a diehard fan who wants the best seats possible, taking advantage of presales or searching for secondhand brokers who did is your best bet. If you don’t mind sitting in the nosebleed seats, probably for a lower price, then it’s likely you’re more interested in hanging out with your friends than actually seeing the band. In that case, spend the ticket money you saved on drinks and snacks, but be aware you could be watching the monitor all night.
2. Getting Ready
How much thought do you put into what you wear to a concert? If you find yourself meticulously picking out your trendiest outfit, chances are you see the concert as an important social event. Either that or you’re hoping to meet the band. Even if you want to look your best, you should never sacrifice comfort for cute clothes. Remember the season, the weather, and how long you’ll have to walk to get to your seats. And if you’re an extreme fan? Think twice before you deck yourself out in band gear, including t-shirts advertising other tours you’ve seen, baseball caps, or accessories. If you’re older than 15, it might come off a little creepy. But don’t be afraid to leave for the venue early, especially if you’ve got floor tickets, The hours waiting outside with other fans can be part of the whole experience.
3. Drinking and Dancing
In the past couple of years, authorities have cracked down on the rampant underage drinking and drug use. Concerts are one of the top locations for police to arrest underage drinkers, and arrests on some of the more popular tours since 2011 have ranged from 17 to 1,100 people per show. The point being, don’t indulge in substances if you’re not old enough. You could easily end up in a lot of trouble. And even for legal adults, getting drunk at a concert or passing around marijuana can lead to problems. Too much dancing is only one of them. Be aware of the people around you and try to keep control of yourself. However, if you’re afraid of singing along or dancing a little, a few drinks can make you feel more at ease. Whatever your motivation for coming to the show, a concert should be fun.
Some people go to concerts because they’re extreme fans. Some people like to party and have a good time, and other people like to dress up and socialize with their friends. It doesn’t matter why you enjoy live music, it only matters that you embrace moderation. Don’t be afraid to show your fan colors, plan ahead, and make every concert an event to remember.
Eva Lechuga writes reviews on concerts and events for entertainment blogs. Get your tickets at http://mobyticket.com for the next big event you want to attend.