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person taking a a photo with phone at a concert
person taking a a photo with phone at a concert
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How To: Have The Best Concert Experience Ever

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Lindsey Moses
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Kari Hively
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Oswego chapter.

So you just found out that your favorite band in the entire world is performing in your hometown! You know…the band whose songs you know by heart and sing at the top of your lungs in the shower when you think no one’s listening. The band you’ve been dying to see live in concert ever since you heard their first single on the radio and felt completely entranced by the music. Now, finally, your dream is coming true. Whether this is your first time at a concert or your hundredth, it is sure to be an event you’ll never forget! Here are some useful tips for making this concert one of the best experiences of your life.

  1. Choose your seats wisely. Make sure to look at the venue map online before deciding which tickets to buy. General admission floor tickets are my personal favorite because I love to absorb the energy from the crowd in the pit … but these are definitely not for everyone. Remember that being so close to the stage has some major drawbacks, especially if you’re short, claustrophobic, or germaphobic. Beware of mosh pits, crowd surfers, tall heads obstructing your view, and sweaty bodies pressed up against you. But also remember that you’ll be right up close to the stage where all the action is, which means you might even get the chance to (*gasp*) touch the hand of the lead singer!

  1. Read the set list. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the songs prior to the show. Trust me, there is nothing worse than being at a concert surrounded by people singing the lyrics to songs you’ve never even heard of. Setlist.fm is an awesome website that gives you all the information you need to know about upcoming concerts and which songs will be performed there. Learn the songs you don’t know and replay the ones you already do so that you can sing your heart out when the time comes!

  1. Dress appropriately for the occasion. Wear comfortable shoes—especially if you will be standing. I can’t express their enough. Forget about dressing to impress, ladies, and leave the heels at home. Open-toed shoes are not encouraged either, unless you’re in the mood to get your feet stepped on by hundreds, or even thousands, of people. Also, keep in mind that if you’re on the floor, you’ll likely get extremely hot and sweaty as the show goes on, so make sure to wear light clothing (i.e. no long sleeves or jackets).

  1. Bring money with you—just in case. You never know when you’ll need it. Concession stands may sell overpriced food and drinks, but it’s better to be dehydrated than to run the risk of fainting and have to leave the show early. Money will also come in handy if you want to buy merchandise from the band. After all, what better way to remember your amazing concert experience than by purchasing some cool memorabilia?

  1. Leave the camera at home. Most venues don’t allow cameras inside, so it’s usually a waste of time to bring one along with you. Even if cameras are allowed inside the venue, don’t ruin your concert experience by trying to take pictures and videos of the action. You’ll be so distracted by what you’re doing that you’ll miss out on the live performance taking place right before your very eyes. Besides, you can most likely find footage from the concert on YouTube the very next day—and sometimes the quality is even better than your own would have been.

  1. Arrive as early as possible. This is especially true if you plan on being in the pit section and want to get as close to the stage as you possibly can. If not, you’ll still need adequate time to find your seats, use the restroom, buy food and/or drinks before the show, etc. Remember that it’s always better to arrive an hour or two early than to risk coming late and missing the beginning of the show when your favorite songs might be playing.

  1. Have fun! Remember that concerts are meant to be enjoyable. Don’t worry about embarrassing yourself by singing at the top of your lungs or dancing like an absolute maniac. Everyone is there for the same reason as you. If you think you’re a diehard fan, I’ll bet you there are at least a hundred other people who are just as crazy—if not crazier—about the band than you! So don’t worry about looking like a fool because everyone else will be too busy getting lost in the music to even notice what you’re doing. Just relax and enjoy the show … because that’s the point!

 

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Lindsey Moses is a junior majoring in English at SUNY Oswego. She is currently a member of Alpha Sigma Eta, Oswego’s chapter of the International English Honor Society, as well as an editor for the Great Lake Review literary magazine. She also works as a tutor in the Writing Center, where she helps fellow students focus, develop, and organize their writing. In her spare time, Lindsey enjoys reading, writing, traveling, listening to music, and attending concerts.
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Kari is currently a second semester junior at Oswego State majoring in both Journalism and Global International Studies. She's a big city girl who was born in a small town. When not studying for her classes or obsessing over Her Campus, she can be found splurging on nail polish, watching documentaries, reading magazines, crafting, drinking chai tea, or gushing about animals.