Not to brag, but I consider myself a concert expert. I’ve been in the trenches of every ticket website imaginable, whether it’s the dreadful Ticketmaster or my mortal enemy AXS. Yet, at the end of every ticket purchase, I always ask myself if I got good seats. This brings me to the question: what makes for a good seat at a concert?
I’ve experienced just about every seating situation at concerts. I’ve been in the nosebleeds of a stadium, in the pit of a festival, and even in the mezzanine–whatever that word means. I believe that the venue in which a concert is held determines the good and bad seats. For instance, I once attended a concert at the Chase Center and had nosebleed tickets, practically at the very top of the stadium. It didn’t ruin the experience—I belted out every song—but getting down from those heights in the dark afterward? Not ideal. It’s definitely not a seat I’d go for again at that venue. I’d hate to end a great concert by falling down a few rows.
On the other hand, I was in the nosebleeds for Olivia Rodrigo at the KIA Forum, and while obtaining such tickets was an absolute hassle, getting to the seats themselves was quite easy. We had a good view and no fear of accidentally tripping and falling down the stadium. So, comfort and safety are definitely factors when considering a “good” concert seat. You need to feel comfortable getting in and out of your seat.
There are some factors in concert seating that can turn a seemingly good seat into a bad one—things you can’t control. For example, I was once in the pit at a music festival, and while my view was amazing, that was only when the incredibly tall person in front of me was sitting down. We were outside, and it was summertime, so being surrounded by sweaty bodies with an obstructed view was not worth it. I enjoyed myself a lot more when we left the pit and simply watched the rest of the concert from a farther position on the lawn. While I love being in the pit and physically close to the artists, my feet certainly did not. Again, comfort above all else, as no one wants to pass out before they hear their favorite song.
What is the most crucial part of having a good concert seat is if you can see the artist. What I mean by this is not physically, as sometimes they look like a speck, but you have a good view of the screens that project the artists. I know some people want to be close enough to reach out and touch their favorite artist, but for me, seeing them on the screen is more than enough. In smaller venues, like theaters without screens, having an unobstructed view of the stage becomes even more crucial.
As long as you’re not uncomfortable and can see the artist you came to see, every concert seat is a good seat. At the end of the day, I always value the experience of seeing my favorite artists live, no matter where I’m sitting. Concerts are meant to be fun, and you should leave them feeling satisfied with what you saw, not agonizing over whether your seats were worth what you paid for. You were in those ticket trenches for a reason, so you might as well make the most of the moment!