A bit of a different post today and this is my concerts do's and don'ts. I have been to a fair few concerts in my life and they are my favourite places to be. I just love the atmosphere and live music and being able to see one of my favourite artists live.
That being said, I have learnt from concerts and what to do and what not to do. Obviously, don't take my word as gospel but this is just some advice and help that I have discovered along the way.
This is a collaboration with my YouTube channel where I talk about my Best and Worst concert experiences which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws6Lr0cXW9c&feature=youtu.be
DO try to pack lightly.
This is pretty important. You don't want to be weighed down with a heavy bag because you'll want to be up and dancing and enjoying yourself. It's also a hassle to carry around. Another point to raise is bag security checks. A lot of venues have rules and restrictions on bags and what can and can't be brought into a venue. Having a lot of stuff only makes this harder and a lot of it could be unnecessary, so only pack essentials!
DO eat and drink beforehand
Always have a meal before a concert because you want your energy up for the show and it will make the show more enjoyable. It's also important to stay hydrated because concerts can be very hot, sweaty places and chances are you'll be singing and dancing along to the music. As long as you have something on your stomach, you should be good because you don't want to be light headed.
DO wear comfortable clothes and shoes
Whether your comfortable shoes are 6 inch heels or flat trainers, as long as your comfortable and have movement, you're good to go. I see so many people, girls in particular at concerts wearing uncomfortable clothes and heels to a concert that they look uncomfortable and that, in my eyes, can't be enjoyable. So makes sure you wear whatever makes you comfortable.
DO enjoy the show
This seems really obvious but it's an important part. Enjoy the show! Chances are you've paid a lot of money to be there and you should make the most of the experience. Concerts are fun and a great place to be, so even if you don't want to be there (i.e if someones dragged you along with them), try to makes the most of it because you won't enjoy it if you don't even try to enjoy yourself.
DO check out curfew and scheduling information
This is is especially important if you are getting picked up rather than finding your own way home. There should usually be posters up around the venue with the schedule and what time it's due to finish, so then you can tell your lift. Social media (especially Twitter) is great for finding out these things if the artist has played at the venue the night previously. This does mean that there may be spoilers but it is useful for schedules.
DO bring a drink for after the show
This is a thing I ALWAYS do after a show. Leave a drink in the car, or buy one on the way home after a gig. Because of how hot and sweaty shows are, you've probably sweated out most of the fluid in your body (unless of course you buy drinks at the venue which I almost never do because they're so expensive). It's also good because, if you're anything like me, you'll be screaming the lyrics out at the show and singing along so a drink is very welcome for an after gig sore throat.
DO have ear plugs or headphones for children
If you're taking children to a concert, make sure they have proper protection over their little ears. Concerts are very loud places and you don't want to damage children's ears at such a young age. I didn't have this as a child and I can tell my hearing has suffered from going to so many concerts so my advice would be to try and shorten the time span of damage for children.
DO take in the atmosphere
The atmosphere at a concert is one of my absolute favourite parts of going to see a show. Being surrounded by so many fans, all singing along with the artist and with you is one of the best feelings in the world. It honestly gives me goosebumps hearing the crowd singing along to an artist. One piece of advice that I have learned through going to so many concerts is book tickets where you feel comfortable. What I mean by this is, if you don't like being crowded by lots of people or don't like standing gigs, then don't book standing floor tickets (where possible) and opt for tier seats because being relaxed will make the atmosphere much better.
DO call friends and family during some songs if they can't be there
If you've got tickets to a show that a friend or family member love but they can't be there, call them during one of their favourite songs because it will make them feel so happy. I wouldn't recommend calling them for the whole concert because that could mean you're not enjoying the show and it would wrack up quite the phone bill, but a song or two is all good.
DON'T care what people think
I've only just learned this recently, because I used to be so self-concious of what people around me thought of me dancing and singing along and getting into a concert, but in reality, people really don't care! Some people will judge you but that's their problem and not yours because they're focusing too much on you and not enjoying themselves. So let loose, dance, sing at the top of your lungs and have a great time! (Just an important side note, if you're at a standing concert, don't go too crazy and bump into, or hit people, because they won't appreciate it at all and it's quite rude and inconsiderate)
DON'T be afraid to stand up
Now, this is a tricky one because you don't want to be inconsiderate to others behind you, but if they want to be miserable and stay sat down and you want to stand up, then go for it! Standing up from your seat is great and if the people behind you don't want to stand up, then that's on them. But don't stand on your chair because that is very inconsiderate.
DON'T judge people
This relates to the other point, don't judge people for enjoying themselves! Just focus on yourself and enjoying the show. There's nothing worse than feeling judged at a concert, so you don't want to do that to another person. Concerts should be no judgement zones and people should be able to just let loose and have a good time. Also, try not to stare, even if it's for something positive (like you love their outfit or makeup or whatever) because this can feel uncomfortable and they may think that you are judging them negatively.
DON'T watch the entire gig through your phone
The 'live in the moment' phrase really applies here. It's okay taking some photos or recording a couple of songs but you don't want to watch it through your phone. Put the phone down for a little while and make some memories and enjoy the show. I also don't think artists enjoy seeing everyone on their phones recording the show so live in the moment! (And no doubt the video's will be on YouTube the day after from people who did record the whole thing so you can look back on the night.)
DON'T bring signs and banners
Just think of the people behind you for this. They have paid the same amount of money for the tickets as you have and they won't be able to see what's going on if there's a sign in front of them. This is one where you have to forget about yourself and focus on others. Signs and banners are cute and are good in theory but not great in practice. Also, a lot of venues don't let you take them in for this very reason.
DON'T sit in an empty seat you think is better
You're tickets have been assigned for a reason and that's because you've booked them and chances are that any other seat you choose to sit in has been booked by other people. This doesn't happen often in my experience but it does happen and people need to be aware of that. And if you know that there are people sat in your seats, don't be afraid to tell them that their your seats and ask them to move.
DON'T drink too much before or during the show
Drinking alcohol (only if you're of legal age to) before a gig or show is never a good idea. One or two is fine and I know a lot of people like to do that before or during a show but if you get drunk, you'll have no memories of the show you were excited about and paid a lot of money to be there. I feel it just wrecks the night and you pay for it the morning after as well. I would say ditch the booze and make memories from the night and actually remember them in the morning.
DON'T be embarrassed if you don't know every word to every song
I've definitely felt embarrassed before for not knowing every word to every song but it's okay. You can appreciate the music without needing to know all the lyrics. There's so much pressure to be expected to know every song that an artist does and that shouldn't be the case. This also applies to you not judging others for not knowing all the words to all the songs (and I am definitely bad at doing this and I'm trying so hard to get out of it because I hate it about myself).
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So that's the list I have! If you have anymore, let me know because I can always do with some more tips.
Thanks for reading and I'll see you next time!
Bye xx
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