The best thing about concerts is what you tell yourself after: That was the best concert of my life. I’ve been to a list of concerts throughout my short-lived life, ranging from the JoBros to the Eagles. But no concert I’ve been to has lived up to Mac DeMarco. The concert went smooth because I knew how to amp up my experience before going. If you’re reading this in hopes of knowing how to make your concert experience better, then you’re in luck. Here’s how to amp up your concert experience:
Know what ticket to buy:
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Mac is an important artist to me, so I knew what type of ticket to buy: the pit ticket. Purchasing tickets early is the best way to do it—this is when the best seats are relatively cheap (or at least cheaper than what they would be if you buy tickets last minute) and you have more of a variety to choose from. Choose the ticket that will give you the most fun, because comfort is key for any event you go to.
Get to the venue early:
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Because I had a pit ticket, I knew it was every man for himself as soon as the doors opened. I was smart and got to the concert early enough, securing me a close spot to the stage and a way out of the mosh. But, in a more generic sense, getting to the concert early, no matter the artist or venue, will give you enough time to buy merchandise, use the restroom, snack up and relax before the fun really begins.
Ground your place:
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There are those who are willing to fight to get a better standing spot. If you’re not given a designated seat, or you’re standing, ground your position. At every “standing concert” I’ve been to, I sat down on the floor and pretended to be sick. Not only did this give me room to breathe, but it kept people away from me because they thought I was going to throw up. Don’t overdo it, because then they might send the medical staff your way. Acting queasy and telling people you “just need a minute, it’ll be okay,” goes a long way.
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Whether you like it, you should try and keep your phone recordings to a minimum:
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It might just be me, but the memories I keep from a concert are the memories I don’t record. Keeping my phone in my pocket (actually, my bra, if I’m being real here) was hard, because all I wanted to do was capture moments to relive. But here’s the thing: I feel more fond of the concert, afterward, and have pride in myself. Not to mention, of the recordings I have of past concerts, it’s rare I go back and look at them. Keeping your phone use to a minimum also saves your battery life, for all of those unplanned emergency Uber calls.
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If it’s absolutely impossible for you not to use your phone during the concert, bring a portable charger so it doesn’t die on you halfway through your favorite song.
Know what to wear:
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It’s almost instinctual to wear something cute or sexy when you go to a concert, but I’ve found it’s best to wear something comfortable. This doesn’t mean you have to cut out the “wow factor” of your outfit, but wearing something flexible is something you want to keep in mind. Think about it: depending on what venue/concert you go to, you run the risk of having to stand hours on end. Of of the 8 concerts I’ve been to, I had a seat in only half of them. Even when you have seats, you’ll want to stand to jam. Let’s not forget how it might be a far drive, depending on where you live in relation to the concert. Wearing something uncomfortable on a long drive back to the house or hotel is torture, especially when you’re exhausted and will have to fight to take it off.
Know who to go with:
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This could be anyone—your family, friends, co-workers or significant other. Choosing the right person to tag along will sway how your concert will go, whether you want to believe it. It might take a little persuading on your end, but if you get your first choice to go with you, you’ll have a guaranteed dance partner and concert buddy. What could go wrong with that?
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Let yourself be surprised:
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If it’s possible, try not to find out the setlist. The joy you feel when the artist unexpectedly plays a song you love is something you will remember. Another way to be surprised is to not look up any of the opening acts songs, if you haven’t heard of the act before. You might like their music, and to let the unknown song take you away is a great feeling too. In fact, that’s what I did. I didn’t look up any songs from the other artist, who was playing after Mac, and allowed myself to enjoy it to the fullest:
Be careful at all times:
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This isn’t always fun, but it’s important to keep in mind. You never know who will attend a concert. For the most part, it’s people like you—there to enjoy the music and have a great time. But that doesn’t exclude people who go with bad intentions. My philosophy is, I’d rather go home hating the concert than not go home at all. To learn how to better protect yourself at concerts, read this article: https://ticketsto.org/17-tips-for-concert-safety/
Budget:
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Souvenirs, souvenirs, souvenirs. All at crazy prices, crazy prices, crazy prices. Figure out what you want to buy before the concert and bring enough money for that (and a little bit of food) if you want to make sure you don’t blow your bank account to smithereens. I mean, seriously, $50 sweatshirts?!
Utilizing these tips smoothed out my experiences at concerts, and it made me have a greater appreciation for why I went. You go to concerts to have fun and see someone whose music you idolize. Do it the right way and you won’t forget what made the concert enjoyable. Until then, rave on!