As someone who has attended more than 70 concerts, I am still puzzled and appalled by the actions of some of my fellow concertgoers.
During my time writing for the Arrow, the Southeast Missouri State University campus newspaper, I wrote an article titled, “The unwritten rules of concert etiquette: lessons from 60-plus shows.”
In the article, I highlighted some incidents I had experienced at shows. I thought I had seen it all. Sadly, I’ve discovered the list of faux pas has grown.
During the past few years, I have attended many “hardcore” concerts, which typically have a lively crowd, a mosh pit and crowd surfing.
At these shows, bodies are essentially flying everywhere.
In a mosh pit, the crowd separates, leaving room for a dance floor. The pit can feature dancing, running and occasional shoving between concertgoers.
Along with the pit, attendees sometimes will decide to crowd surf, where the crowd is expected to help carry the person above the crowd until they go over the front barricade or are ultimately dropped or set down elsewhere. If possible, people will occasionally climb onto the stage to dive into the crowd, also resulting in crowd surfing.
Though the nature of these shows seems rough, everyone is there to have a good time, even if they might look angry.
But make no mistake: safety can be a concern at times.
At these hardcore shows, you sometimes run into people who take the environment a little too seriously.
As a 5-foot, 2-inch woman, I have learned where I can stand at these shows to ensure I can enjoy the music without worrying about my safety.
In September 2024, my friends and I went to see the now broken-up band GEL at the Blueberry Hill Duck Room in St. Louis.
The Duck Room has a capacity of 340 people along with a low ceiling and a concrete floor. When it comes to a hardcore show in a venue like this, things can get a little dicey.
As soon as GEL took the stage, a mosh pit opened.
A few songs into the set, someone was punched in the face, getting knocked out with their head hitting the concrete floor. Staff and the band were alerted someone was hurt, and the concert was stopped. Crowd members and venue staff carried the injured person out of the concert area.
Typically, at high-energy shows like this, regular concertgoers know to quickly help or alert staff if someone needs help. If you do see someone who needs assistance, make sure to alert officials and give them room to help.
While safety is crucial to a good concert experience, there are other simple things you can do to ensure everyone around you is able to enjoy the show.
For me, one of my biggest pet peeves at concerts is phone usage.
I understand if you want to capture a video or picture of your favorite band or song, but is there really a need to record the whole show?
When I was younger and had gotten my first smartphone, I recorded almost every part of a concert. Now that I am older and have witnessed crowd members having their phones up the whole show, I have realized how annoying it really is.
What could be worse than someone holding up a phone to record the whole show? Someone holding their phone up with their friend on a video call.
I get the sentiment, but when your friend on your phone is getting a better view than the person behind you who actually paid to be there, that’s where I draw the line.
I also start to wonder how someone who holds his or her phone up the whole show can enjoy the concert. Are you ever going to go back and watch your sub-par footage?
I am a firm believer of being present at concerts. I have found that being present and taking in what is happening holds so much more.
On May 1, I went to see the band Joyce Manor at Delmar Hall in St. Louis. My boyfriend Avery and I arrived at the venue, standing only a few rows away from the stage. From where I was standing, phone usage was minimal.
I couldn’t believe it. Everyone was singing along, dancing and being aware of each other. It seemed like everyone was having a good time and truly experiencing being in a room with others who enjoyed the music.
That’s the kind of experience I want as a concertgoer.
I have one more piece of advice for those attending concerts outdoors. I couldn’t count the times I attended a show at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in Maryland Heights where the rain poured. Though this venue has other seating options, I find the lawn seats to be cheaper, and you have more room to move around.
One of my most memorable experiences at this venue is when my dad and I went to see El Monstero. It poured down rain during the show, well before the headliners took the stage. My dad thought it was hilarious that I was sitting on the ground, soaking wet in a plastic poncho, so much so he took a photo.
After learning my lesson several times at that venue, I found some ways to avoid getting your belongings drenched. While it is inevitable that you’re going to get wet, I typically bring along a plastic tarp to sit on along with a towel or blanket. If it starts to rain, you can throw your items under the folded tarp, protecting it from the mud and the rain.
Granted, most of the things I have mentioned seem to be common sense. But as we all know, common sense isn’t that common these days.
Following some of this advice might just make your next concert experience better for you and others around. And that will be music to your ears.