Fall Out Boy, 3/20/2009, Cologne

In the past two and a half years I have, that’s my tentative guess, been to more shows than the average person attends in life. Mostly, I have been to rock shows but there has been the odd pop concert with a crowd of young teenagers and even a rap show or two.

While all of the shows were places in different genres and scenes, I still spotted the same type of phenomenon everywhere: The annoyed security guy, the die-hard fan, the groupies and the awesome, loveable new concert buddy. I’ve laughed and cried at shows, queued for a total of 140 hours and spent approximately 2000 bucks on tickets.

But that is probably a lot less than people usually spent on their hobbies.

Concert-going is a hobby to me, as much as tennis to the next one, or soccer. And as with every sport there are rules and regulations, at least there should be.

DON’T
… take huge backpacks with you. They’ll a. become too heavy halfway though the support act’s set and you won’t know where to put your stuff and b. without noticing you’ll bump into people constantly and annoy the crap out of everyone around.

DO
If you are insanely obsessed with the band and are one of the kids starting the queue in the wee hours of the morning, make sure you go and check out the venue and its surroundings a couple of days in advance.
See whether there are any supermarkets around so you don’t have to take food supplies with you.
Find out about cafés and restaurants and whether you can use their loos.
Check out bus and train connection for after the show if you don’t come by car.

DON’T
… wear the band’s shirt to their show.
It makes you look like an obsessed fangirl/fanboy and if you want to come across as that, that’s fine. How about choosing a cool band shirt that even your favorite band member would wear or no band t-shirt at all? By showing up at the show, you already demonstrate your love for music, don’t you?

DON’T
… get into fights or serious discussion with security.
Whatever they say and decide is the law and for your own safety, even if it appears to fuck with your plans of meeting the band.
Trust me on that point, I’ve been on the receiving end of a security guard’s wrath.

DO
…wear extraordinary clothes (if you’re not on the band t-shirt team). I’ve experienced that at most of the shows I attend, people all look the same. Dare to be different and you’re bound to get positive feedback!

DON’T
… drag your girlfriend of boyfriend to shows; rather go with friends. I hate nothing more than couples making out in front of me; not for reasons of jealousy – thank you very much – but rather because I don’t see the point in blowing a heck of a lot of cash on tickets (let’s be honest: Tickets ARE expensive) to suck each other’s faces. But maybe that’s just me.

DO
Have fun at the back of the venue!
If you’re not entirely sure that you get a spot at the barrier, don’t bother standing in the crowd. Grab a beer from the bar and start a dance party at the back! After all, music is made for dancing!

DON’T
If you are not old enough to attend shows on your own or have your parents take you to and fro, please make sure they know when the show finishes and don’t come looking for you in the mosh pit. I’ve witnessed it happening more than once – you’ll come across as an epic fail!

DO
… wait around after the show and make sure it is the right exit. Meeting the band and talking about ever so random crap is probably one of the most hilarious things I’ve done.

DON’T
… try to impress people with your vast band knowledge or how often you’ve met the guys’n'girls. You’ll come off as a fangirl/boy and show off and people will make fun of you behind your back.

DO
… try to meet people. A lot of my current good friends I’ve met at shows or at least bonded with over music. Music is the language everyone understands and you’ll be surprised how much you have in common.

DON’T
… get drunk at shows. Seriously, what is the point of going when all you remember will be the massive hangover the day after? Plus, if you’re into band hangs after the show, you’ll come across as a total drunktard. Some people will think you’re fun person but overall, people will not take you seriously.

DO
…sneak in a camera.
Silly, sweaty bathroom pics, squished in the crows shots and meeting the band moments are worth being captured for future laughs.

DON’T
… HARRASS PEOPLE IN FRONT OF YOU, no matter how badly you want to touch barrier. IT IS DANGEROUS and people will die when they get squished at the front!