What Am I Getting Myself Into? Is It All Just Music Madness Or Are There Rules to Follow?
When I’m going to shows, my least favorite scenario that plays out is finding myself distracted in any sort of way, when all I really want to do is be in the moment, be present.
The world of live music is so broad and diverse, and there’s no ONE set of rules or recommendations that can cover every single possible event.
This guide is more meant to be a broad helpful handbook for you to have some tips and tricks in your back pocket, and also to provide you with some awareness of trends and norms within the concert scene that will prove useful to you.
As a preface, my concert experience has been all over the map, but I would say that I gravitate toward the alternative/punk/metal/emo types of environments when it comes to live shows.
So if you see that my tips and insight lean in that direction, you now know why. I’ve included a couple of other concert planning lists at the bottom of the page for you to get some perspective from other concert lovers as well.
Does It Matter What I Wear to the Concert?
I wanted to approach this topic first because it’s an incredibly loaded question to get into.
For practical reasons, you want to account for the weather outside of the venue (whether it’s cold, hot, raining, snowing, etc.), but also it’s important to be aware that when you’re inside of a venue, especially if it’s cramped and you’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a bunch of eager concertgoers, it’s bound to get a little toasty.
The quickest and most rational answer is WEAR WHAT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE IN. That being said, if you don’t know what the vibe is going to be like in a specific setting then you may not really know what kind of clothing will be just the perfect choice.
Let’s dig a little deeper into a few factors that will help you know how to prepare.
What Type of Music is Being Played?
The type of clothing people wear at shows largely depends on what type of music is being played.
For example, if the bands that are playing largely fall within the metal or hardcore genre you can expect a lot of people to be wearing dark clothing - black t-shirts, black jeans, maybe even patch-emblazoned vests for the diehard fans.
If you’re going to a folk or a country music concert, expect a lot of denim and button-ups, maybe even a cowboy hat. If you’ll be at a hip-hop show, expect a large amount of streetwear or jeans and t-shirts.
The dress code is wide open at any show you go to, that is unless you’re attending something along the lines of an opera or a classical performance, then you might need to look into a well-fitted penguin suit. Even though the code is wide open, there are norms that can be helpful to be aware of.
Is It Cool To Wear Band Shirts To A Show?
There is an unspoken and quite polarizing “rule,” if you even want to call it that, within some music scenes that it’s UNCALLED FOR to wear a band shirt of one of the bands that is performing at that show.
However, it is completely acceptable to wear a shirt from some other band that is not playing. This “rule” seems to be most present within more countercultural music circles - metal, punk, hardcore, etc.
Some may consider this an appropriate rule, while others may perceive it as a snobby and elitist sort of rule created by the so-called diehard fans.
Regardless of whether you see this rule as a form of style gatekeeping or not, it’s useful to be aware of music culture dynamics at play.
What Kind of Venue is the Show At?
Whether the stage is located indoors or outdoors will play a HUGE role in deciding how you want to prepare for the night.
I’ve been to some shows outside in the winter, thinking I’d be just fine in my hoodie and jeans, only to find myself quite frustrated that I couldn’t get properly warm for the duration of the event.
It’s better to at least partially focus on the function of your outfit choice so that you’re not distracted by how uncomfortable you are during the show and how much you can't keep your teeth from chattering.
Do I Need to Eat Before the Band Starts Playing?
When I’m going to shows, my least favorite scenario that plays out is finding myself distracted in any sort of way, when all I want to do is be in the moment and be present.
If you’re hungry during the show it’s going to detract from being able to engage with the artist, immerse yourself in the music, and be fully present in that exact moment.
Do some quick research on the venue. See if they have a kitchen, what hours the kitchen operates, where seating is located, etc.
If no food is available at the venue, do a little search in the nearby area to see if you can snag some food at a nearby bar/restaurant before or after the show (if their kitchen hours run late.)
How Long Is This Concert Expected To Last?
Live music performance lengths will vary depending on so many different things. You’ve got to ask yourself questions like:
“Is this an unusually notable performance?”
“Are there openers playing before the headlining act?”
“What time is the show starting, and what time does the venue close down?”
Sometimes when an artist is doing an anniversary tour (i.e. a Ten Year Anniversary tour for their biggest record) you may want to go in with the awareness that it could be a longer show because the performer will most likely want to pull out all of the stops. After all, it’s quite the occasion.
If there are 4 openers for a headliner as opposed to 1, you can expect the show’s duration to last a bit longer. Also, if the show is starting early, say around 7pm, and the venue closes at 2am…there’s the possibility of it being a pretty long night.
All of these are variables that can help you predict, but there’s no way to know exactly how long it’s going to be. It’s not like you’re going to a movie theater and you can check to see the exact run-time of the movie.
As a general norm, concerts tend to last around 4 hours give or take. So strap in, make sure this is something you want to commit to and be open-minded about seeing where the evening takes you.
Will I Be Able To Sit Down at the Venue?
A lot of venue websites will give you info on whether or not it’s a seated facility. If it’s a small club venue, generally the expectation is that it is a standing-room-only kind of establishment. Seating is usually a surprise.
Similarly to the unspoken “rule” about band shirts, some people have high opinions on a venue having seating areas.
Again, this tends to be a bit more of an attitude within countercultural music circles. Some people think it’s not “punk” to sit at a concert.
The sentiment is that you don’t need to be seated, that you need to be up close and personal with the music that’s being played.
Again, whether or not you agree with this “rule”/opinion, it’s good to be aware of these dynamics and perspectives.
For myself, as good of a time as I’ve had in a number of mosh pits and standing-room-only spaces, I love sitting my ass down and just soaking in the music, observing the crowd, observing the performers.
It’s not that I’m appreciating the moment any less because I’m sitting instead of standing. It’s that I don’t always NEED to be up close and personal with the artist. I can enjoy it wholeheartedly from a cozy spot in the balcony area.
Will I Stick Out If I Don’t Know the Music at All?
At any show you go to, it doesn’t matter what the genre is, you will easily be able to spot the diehard fans most of the time.
For example, maybe you’re feeling energetic and adventurous and you decide to go to a punk show. Inside the venue, at the front of the mosh pit, you will notice fans crowding at the stage, screaming into the lead singer’s outstretched microphone, reciting every lyric from memory.
At the other end of the blatantly energetic scale, you will see people standing in the back of the venue with their arms folded, calmly watching the evening unfold.
There is no RIGHT way to enjoy the music. If you know the music, feel free to sing or scream along. Or don’t. If you don’t know the music, that’s perfectly fine as well.
What’s The Overall Objective?
From my point of view, the main objective when taking part in the live music experience is to go in without expectations.
To be open and willing to experience something new. Even if you’re unfamiliar with a type of sound, genre, or artistic expression, be willing to listen and even acquire a taste for what you’re hearing and seeing live.
As much as I would recommend being aware of what you’re getting into as far as concert culture, venue details, kitchen hours, and more, going into a live music event with no expectations is the way to go.
This way you’re allowing yourself to be truly wowed by something. You may be surprised by how much you begin to relate to live music as more than just a hobby but as a passion and a real outlet for your expression.
