Demi Lovato, Neon Lights tour 2014
Whether you’re a dedicated fangirl, a music enthusiast, or just someone in need of a good time and a chance to dance freely in a room filled with strangers, concerts are the place for you.
I’ve seen a ton of artists, such as Justin Bieber, One Direction (three times!), 5 Seconds of Summer, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, The 1975 and much more! I’ve been to concerts in little theaters, arenas and even outdoors at Universal Studios City Walk. As an experienced concert-goer, I’ve learned quite a lot about what to bring, wear, and how to fully enjoy them!
Here’s my essentials, tips, and some outfit ideas to get you ready for your next concert!
Essentials
- Good Camera
One Direction, Take Me Home Tour 2013
I’m not saying to bring a full on professional camera with a huge lens or anything, (chances are you wouldn’t even be able to bring that into the concert) but it’s important to have some sort of way to document the concert for the future. Whether you use your cell phone or a small portable camera, make sure it can get clear quality photos from wherever your seats are. But DON’T spend the entire concert photographing or videotaping it!
- Water and Pain Relievers
Concerts can be overwhelming, super duper hot, and sometimes uncomfortable. It doesn’t matter how many concerts you’ve been to or if you’re confident you’ve built up a tolerance for the noise, screams, and everything else happening: bring some water and whatever pain reliever you use. Trust me, you’ll thank me later. 🙂
- Camera and Phone Chargers
Parade of Lights, R5 Sometime Last Night Tour 2016
There’s nothing worse than your phone or camera dying at the concert, and then stepping out to find your favorite band hanging out at their tour bus, and you not having anything to use to take a quick photo with them! Always have your chargers packed!
- The Tickets
Justin Bieber, My World Tour 2010
Duh. ALWAYS double check you have your tickets and make sure they’re REAL! I’ve gone to so many concerts where I see girls crying because they found out their tickets were invalid and fake, and a lot of incidents where I almost forgot to check if I even brought my own tickets with me! Don’t pull a Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen moment. (BTW, I love that movie sooo much. Lola is me, just sayin’.)
Tips
- Don’t skip the opening act.
Dylan from Young Rising Sons
Just because you don’t know the opening act, doesn’t mean they’ll suck. Who knows, they could be huge someday! (One Direction was even an opening act before!) Every band and artist has to start somewhere. Maybe you’ll even fall in love with them, just like I did with the band Young Rising Sons. Come to the show on time for the opening act. You’ve gotta open yourself up to new music!
- If you’re on the floor, you better know the words to the songs!
If you’re in the first five rows, the artists on stage can clearly see you. And they may laugh or point you out if you look uninterested or bored! Even if you’re there because you won tickets or something, try to learn the songs or dance along. People in the back would kill to sit where you are! Take advantage of it and show the artist in front of you that you’re having a great time.
- Research if they answer questions or interact with the crowd, so you can be a part of the concert!
One Direction, Up All Night 2012 (coolest moment of my life, ZAYN CALLED ME BABE!)
This is a HUGE tip! A lot of times, artists take fan questions from twitter, days before the concert. When this happened to me, a ton of girls around me were like ‘What the heck! How did they even get your question?”. Always check the band or artist’s twitter accounts to see if they’re doing anything special for fans, days before you go to your concert! Also, if you want your question to be chosen, it has to be creative and not something that’s been constantly asked. Ex: I asked Demi Lovato at her soundcheck, “How do you always keep yourself so positive?” and she answered it! It pays to do your research!
- Put your phone or camera down.
I like to record my favorite verse of a song, and then turn off my phone and just enjoy the concert. Trust me, you’ll have a way better time being in the moment, than worrying about recording every single song! Anyways, if you’re that concerned about remembering every part of the concert, you can always check YouTube. I guarantee someone will post videos from the show.
- Tweet the artist right after they perform!
Want to get the attention of someone you just saw in concert? Often times, artists check their mentions right after the show to see what people thought of their performance! It’s how I got a followback from my fave girl band, Little Mix!
- Look for free concerts!
Cody Simpson 2012
Sometimes the most random artists will have free concerts. I’ve seen Cher Lloyd for free at Universal Studios City Walk and Cody Simpson even did a free concert and M&G in a city near me! Stay on the lookout for free events!
Outfit Ideas
R5 Concert 2016
A lot of people ask me about what to wear to concerts and honestly, I think you should just wear whatever’s comfortable for you! Wear shoes you can jump and dance in. I usually wear skirts and a crop top or just jeans and a tank top. I never stress about my concert outfits and neither should you!
One Direction Concert, 2013
Additional note, there’s always an unspoken dress code at every concert, based on the artist’s fan base. Go to a 5 Seconds of Summer concert and you’ll see fans in flannels with their hair dyed. At a One Direction concert, you’re likely to see a ton of girls in flower crowns, mini skirts and bandeaus, and at a The 1975 concert, you’ll see everyone in leather jackets and doc martens. But, you don’t have to dress like everyone else! Wear what you want and show off your own personal style!
If you’re new to concerts, I hope this guide helped you out! And if you’re a fellow concert lover, I’d love to know any additional tips you have and some concerts you’ve attended! May the concert ticket gods be in your favor and may your favorite artist tour in a city near you. Good Luck!
Xoxo,
Eliz