Being an avid-concert attendee since I was three years old, I’ve learned a few things about the appropriate behavior for fans at concerts. I’ve attended all different concerts; from small venues to stadiums, from indie-bands to kpop groups, I have a well-rounded experience that has taught me a lot.
Concerts and tours have changed post-covid. Stripping away our opportunities to see live performances has greatly increased the demand and attendance of such shows. Our excitement and anticipation can sometimes cause us to disregard polite concert etiquette.
Obviously, there is no “right” way to act at a concert; however, I believe there are some practices that will make everyone’s experience a little more enjoyable! Here are 3 ways I practice concert etiquette:
- Posters
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Posters can be a fun way to send a short message to the artist. They’re often humorous, sweet, or thankful. While posters and signs can be fun, they often block the view of others in your section. This can be extremely frustrating and will crush the experience for others. If you decide to bring a poster, make sure that you are considerate when holding it up.
- Be prepared
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One of the most frustrating parts of going to concerts is waiting. Waiting to enter the venue, for merch or for the show to start. To be more considerate of others, I ensure that I am prepared when I reach the end of these lines. For security, I ensure that my bag is open and my tickets are pulled up on my phone. When in line for merch, I typically already know what I want to purchase so I don’t hold up the line. Of course, it is no big deal if you are still deciding or need to retrieve your tickets. However, if you are prepared in these ways, it also ensures that you have a better concert experience yourself!
- Be aware
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My last point relates back to posters. It is important to be aware of your surroundings during the show. You don’t want to block someone’s view or invade personal space. It is important that you have a good time, but it is also courteous to consider those around you. For example, you may not need to scream and cheer for the artist while they’re talking, or if you want to dance, try not to bump into others!
In the midst of the chaos that are concerts, there are little things we can do to make the experience easier for everyone. The most important thing is that we all stay safe and have a great time!