“Party rockers in the house tonight!”
Everyone likes to party and have a good time at some point, and one of the best places to do that is at a live show. Unfortunately, events (or people) can occur to hinder the merriment. The trick is to find a way to survive the madness and be able to walk away with an unforgettable experience. These are some tips to keep the good times going even in the weirdest, tiring and most disgusting of times.
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| The crowd gets wild durring Bullet For My Valentine set at Taste of Chaos 2008 |
Read the fine print, people
Many fans go to a concert and expect to have the night of their lives, but sometimes forget that a night to remember comes with a cost. Keep in mind that a concert is a crowd environment and depending on the style of music can also entail a mob mentality. This means that yes you may get shoved, stepped on and (God forbid) made-out on. Being in a crowd is NEVER comfortable; it involves a lot of standing and a lot of not seeing. Remember everyone else is there to have a good time and some are more ruthless than others
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| "Moshing" at Underoath show at Warped Tour 2009 |
Now this is not to discourage anyone from attending a show that involves a large and sometimes intense crowd. This is just a warning that things can get a little too close for comfort. The trick to surviving the animal-like crowd is to know what to expect and not let it be a damper on the evening. It really is that simple. People are going to be rude, and no, the tall guy whose head is blocking the stage doesn’t care if the people behind him can’t see, but that is opportunity cost of the experience. If you can’t see, move; if you get pushed, dance it off; if you’re tired, dance more.
Don’t be unrealistic
We all have out mental lists of what we would like to see happen when we go to a show and that’s normal, but keep in mind it is LIVE and anything can happen. Technical difficulties occur, they may not play your favorite obscure song, band mates get sick, and sometimes fights happen. I can easily list the many times that something unplanned occurred. While opening for My Chemical Romance in St. Louis back in December, Middle Class Rut Drummer, Sean Stockham, had his bass drum give out and proceeded to throw the instrument out of frustration. Fortunately the drum was replaced and Stockham laughed it off, but this is still an example of “shit happens.”
The other thing I have seen fans get caught up in is hearing their favorite song at the show. Back when I saw Plain White T’s last month I heard numerous “boos” every time the band pulled out an acoustic guitar and didn’t play “Hey There Delilah.” One fan even said that he only came to the show to hear that one song. Seriously?!? ! Moral of this story, don’t get caught up in an ideal; enjoy the moment and don’t let one song ruin your night.
Living life through a frame…
It’s all over facebook and youtube, concert pictures and footage. Every show you go to there are tens to hundreds of kids with their phones and cameras out trying to document every second of the performance. It’s like we’re on a mission to prove, not only to the world but to ourselves that what we experienced really happened; trust me, it happened and you don’t need a picture to prove it.
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| One fan showing their love for the Plain White T's at the October 14th show |
I understand the desire to get tons of videos and pictures at the show, but save that for the reporters and just experience the show. Honestly do you want to spend the entire night watching the show through a camera lens? I know I don’t. If you’re allowed to have a camera then take a few pictures and record a video or two, but don’t overly immerse yourself in it.
Be an opportunist
Going to a concert is an amazing opportunity in itself; seeing a favorite artist in the flesh for one night and for that one moment YOU are their concern. It’s pretty friggin epic! But if you can don’t let it stop there. If there is an opportunity for a signing or a meet and greet, take it! I can cannot stress to you enough how important it is to not let these chances slip by. I went to warped tour back in 07 and I got the chance to meet Hawthorne Heights, three months later guitarist, Casey Calvert, passed away. I still have the memory of meeting him and I have the autograph to prove it. I took the moment when it was there and it was a good thing because I won’t get that chance again.
What I’m really trying to get at here is this…concerts are individual once in a lifetime experiences, so don’t waste them! Meet people in line, dance until you feel like you’re going to pass out, wait after just for the possibility of a brush with greatness, start a mosh pit, do whatever it is that makes that $40 you spent worth it. Truly make it the best night of your life….so far ;)
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| Me with Ludo at Vintage Vinyl on Sept. 8th 2010 |
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