Concerts have long been an institution, starting out as raw DIY spaces where proof of vaccination was often required to gain entry. Today, however, concerts can take on many forms ranging from intimate to large scale productions with thousands of people in attendance at any one event.
Even though taking photos and videos during concerts is a great way to relive the experience later, it’s vital that attendees remain fully present during each show.
1. Arrive Early
Many concerts sell out quickly, so arriving early is essential to secure your place near the stage and have time to take photos, buy merchandise, or use the bathroom before the show begins. Additionally, arriving earlier gives you more opportunities for taking photographs, purchasing merchandise, or visiting restroom facilities before it begins.
Be sure to bring both physical and digital tickets for the event as well as a portable phone charger to capture all of the memorable moments and stay in contact with friends throughout the experience. This will allow you to record every special memory from this unforgettable occasion while keeping in touch with loved ones throughout.
Concerts can be loud and crowded; therefore, wear comfortable shoes that allow you to move easily in them and earplugs to protect your ears, as needed. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water, respect other concertgoers by not blocking their view, and consume alcohol responsibly (with designated drivers available if needed).
2. Keep Your Mobile Phone in Your Pocket
Photographing or recording videos at concerts can be distracting to other audience members and block their view of performers, not to mention waste time since photos will likely turn out poorly and video recordings could include a lot of background noise.
Some artists, such as Jack White, have banned phones by requiring fans to place them in neoprene pouches provided by Yondr. These pouches remain locked unless fans enter phone-access zones and can be unlocked at the end of performances.
Always put your phone away in your pocket and use the Do Not Disturb app to mute any notifications, such as texting. Doing this can prevent other patrons from becoming distracted and may keep flashes of light from distracting other patrons in front of you from seeing what is going on with you.
3. Bring a Cooler
Concerts often require security or bag checks and you don’t want to get caught with prohibited items that could get tossed away, requiring you to wait in a long line after the show to retrieve them. Therefore, ensure you bring a clear fanny pack (depending on venue rules they may change to smaller clear bags) as well as a cooler that will keep your food and drinks cool for at least several hours.
Carry a personal mini fan to keep cool and prevent heat exhaustion and sweating at outdoor venues with long periods of standing during shows, plus bring a hat and hair tie so your head stays out of the way.
4. Bring Food
Depending on the venue, outside food and drink may or may not be allowed. Most venues place restrictions in place for safety and profit reasons – glass bottles can break and injure people while some attendees have special dietary needs or allergies; also venues generate significant revenue through concessions sales.
If bringing outside food, select items that taste good at room temperature and won’t spoil quickly; food-borne pathogens usually start multiplying within two hours after it has been left sitting around.
An all day festival often lasts several hours and you don’t want your mobile phone battery running low while taking pictures with it. Additionally, consider packing some reusable water bottles and a backup charger, along with a first aid kit just in case someone falls and becomes injured during their experience.
5. Stay Connected
Even while coronavirus infection forces many to remain indoors and practice social distancing, music continues to play out there. Many performers have taken advantage of livestreamed concerts to provide music fans with access to their favorite bands even when they can’t attend their shows in person.
Recent findings of our research study demonstrated that participants who watched virtual concerts reported greater feelings of social connection than those who didn’t, with concert liveness having a direct effect on these feelings of social connectivity and kama muta through empathic concern as the mediator. Other predictors, including concert genre and setting, web platform, perceived audio/video quality as well as shared country with performer were also assessed. Our results provide valuable insight into how virtual events can help create connections among strangers while encouraging a sense of community.