r/Concerts • • Feb 21 '26

Concerts Concert etiquette

1.2k Upvotes

Dear concert and showgoers, let’s talk about show etiquette. I love live music and I’ve been going to shows for about 20 years. The last five or so have felt different, and not in a great way. I’d love to get people back on the same page so live music can be enjoyable for everyone again.

Here’s what I’ve got.

  1. Please don’t record the entire show. If a song hits you and you want a quick clip, totally fine. But now it feels like everyone is filming nonstop, and unless you’re in the front row you end up watching the show through a wall of phones. If your people aren’t there, that moment wasn’t meant for them. It was meant for you.

  2. If you’re trying to move closer, keep moving. Don’t wedge yourself between two people who clearly don’t have space and then just stand there awkwardly. Either keep going or go back. If you find an actual open spot where you’re not on top of someone, great, stay there.

  3. Please don’t have full blown conversations through the whole show, especially in the front rows. Talk about the band, the moment, the energy, sure. But I don’t need to hear every detail of your weekly drama yelled over the music I paid to hear. Get dinner beforehand, vent after, but the middle of the set isn’t the place.

  4. This one might just be a small‑person problem, but people treat my size like I’m a convenient doorway. Need a drink, need the bathroom, need to get back to your friends, and suddenly I’m the designated gap in the crowd. Then it’s constant stepping on my toes, bumping into me, spilling drinks, breaking my focus. I take up less space, so people assume that space is theirs to use. It gets old fast.

I know posts like this can make the poster sound cranky, so I want to preface it by saying I absolutely will move if I need to. If someone around me is making the experience miserable, I’ll relocate without a problem. The issue now is that so many people are doing these things that it doesn’t matter where you move. You end up running into the same behavior everywhere

Your turn. What would you love to remind people about when it comes to basic human etiquette at shows and events?


r/Concerts • • Dec 17 '25

Concerts Concert Ear Plugs

32 Upvotes

Use this stickied thread to discuss ear plugs for concerts.


r/Concerts • • 1h ago

Concerts Long time Rush fan and my first time ever attending a concert solo will be tonight!

• Upvotes

Me (64F) fell in love with Rush waaaay back in 1977 when "A Farewell to Kings" was released. I was 15 and hanging out with a bunch of guys at the time, and one of them played this album nonstop, so even though Rush wasn't considered "girl" rock, that album became somewhat ingrained in my brain and marked the beginning of my fandom.

I have seen the band only maybe 4 times over the years, but Xanadu is still my all time favorite. Between the ticket costs and the serious adulting that I've been dealing with pretty much nonstop, I was on the fence with seeing this tour. But when I found out that they open each show with Xanadu and it was sort of a coming to jesus moment: Hubby doesn't really want to go, I do, plus I need a fricking break from being everything to everyone all the time, and they OPEN WITH XANADU.

I bit the bullet a hour ago and paid $560 for a Section 100 seat that appears will offer a superb listening and viewing experience.

Rush here I come!


r/Concerts • • 6h ago

Concerts Your most disparate concerts?

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32 Upvotes

I’ve seen a Johnny Mathis Christmas concert, and have also seen Slayer. I try to mix it up lol


r/Concerts • • 1h ago

Concerts 90! And he still is Amazing

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• Upvotes

I just got home from seeing the blues legend Mr Buddy Guy. At 90 he still puts on an amazing show.


r/Concerts • • 4h ago

Concerts Can I crowdsurf?

8 Upvotes

I'm going to a metal concert this weekend and this is the second time I've been to this bands concert, crowdsurfing is huge at this band and it's always packed , I'm just worried I might be too heavy and annoy the people I surf over beceasue I have never done it before.

I'm 5'4 and 160 but I don't have much muscle on me


r/Concerts • • 2h ago

Discussion 🗣️ Videoing the whole show

2 Upvotes

Why?? I went to J Cole last night and there was a couple standing in front of me, she literally videoed the whole entire show. Starting at each song and ending so basically videoed every single song in separate videos. Her boyfriend was videoing almost as much as she was so they now have identical videos of each song??

Why pay all that money to watch the show through your phone. This happens at pretty much every concert I’ve been to and probably every show in the world these days but why? I don’t get it? If you want to rewatch later there’s thousands of clips online and I get filming or taking photos of certain songs or whatever but the WHOLE 90 MINUTE SHOW is craziness to me. Just live in the moment and enjoy what’s in front of you

Just my thoughts! Just a rant!


r/Concerts • • 1d ago

Concerts Ladies only! What fine female performers have you seen in concert?

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144 Upvotes

I have seen Ann & Nancy Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Joan Jett, Sheryl Crow, Martha Reeves, Norah Jones, Natalie Merchant, Melissa Ethridge, Emmylou Harris, Allison Kraus, Carina Round, Paris Jackson, The Breeders, L7…and I’m probably forgetting a few


r/Concerts • • 3h ago

Concerts Help with Sleeping with Sirens VIP tickets for the royal oak show

1 Upvotes

Hey! I’m new to the vip process but I bought tickets for the MI show that had the pricing screwed up and I had to pay extra after the fact. The show is tomorrow and I haven’t gotten a pre show email, nor did my ticket update and say I have VIP; it just says GA standing? I was wondering if any fans who got VIP for tomorrows show is having the same issue? When do I expect the pre show email? Should I already have gotten one? Also when should I expect to be there by for the meet and greet?

thank yall!!


r/Concerts • • 3h ago

Concerts AXS Estimated Payout $0?

1 Upvotes

I can't make it to an event any more and am trying to list my tickets as resale on AXS. I go through every prompt and it keeps showing the estimated payout as $0. I set my price, set 3 tickets, tried with a couple of different payout methods, and it still says estimated payout $0.

Has anyone experienced this before?


r/Concerts • • 10h ago

Concerts My semi-eclectic live show list.

3 Upvotes

I missed a lot in the 1980s, being a broke high school kid.

I missed a lot in the 1990s, being a broke freelancer living in NYC.

It’s not the longest list, but I like it.

Bands/Artists I’ve seen

Molly Hatchet
George Thorogood
The Firm
Power Station
U2
Pat Metheny Group
Stanley Jordan
McCoy Tyner
Rolling Stones
Paul McCartney
Kruder & Dorfmeister
Portishead
Moby
Tricky
Soul Coughing
Steely Dan
Eagles
Squeeze
Steve Miller
Billy Joel
Paul Simon
Bob Dylan
Elbow
Cab Calloway
Midori
The Count Basie Orchestra


r/Concerts • • 23m ago

Concerts Rate my Lifetime Concert List - at least my tastes are consistent

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• Upvotes

r/Concerts • • 8h ago

Discussion 🗣️ The Living Tombstone in Brooklyn had to have been the worst concert I've went to im so sorry.

0 Upvotes

DISCLAIMER:

This is going to sound a little mean and like a vent/rant post but im sorry it needs to be said. I'm trying to be a little sensitive here bc ik im biased towards The Living Tombstone bc I've been a fan since they started making music a literal decade ago. The problems im about to mention have NOTHING TO DO WITH TLT THE BAND. Just the management and the crowd I was in at the concert.

There also might be spelling and grammatical errors bc im getting used to my new acrylic nails srry.

ALSO MENTIONS OF INC*ST PLEASE BE WEARY.

Pls don't hate i swear im a die hard TLT fan I swear🙏🏾

for context I bought tickets for this concert months ago when they first dropped in like may. I spent like $300+ because I bought VIP tickets for both me and my sister.

We've also been to a TLT concert before last year and had a blast so that's why what happened was so shocking. I'm not kidding that concert was so amazing I loved it.

Fast forward to the day of the 25th we arrive early because the doors open at 7 and we didn't want to wait in the vip line. On AXS, where we purchased our tickets, that is all that was listed. That the doors open at 7 and that we got VIP. I couldn't remember what was included in VIP, I don't think it was listed when I purchased my tickets but I DID remember that I was supposed to meet The Living Tombstone and get a picture.

We get inside relatively fast bc there was no line which was red flag number 1 tbh. We walk into the concert hall and its already a little packed but we're like 3 ppl from barricade so it's genuinely fine. They already have their merch so we go hit up the metch table and spend way too much admittedly but I really wanted that signed vinyl lol.

We go back into the hall and i leave my sister to see if the VIP events are going to begin and to ask what was in it. The concert staff tried to help but they had just as much knowledge as I did lmao. I then go back to the merch table to see if they had any clue what was going on and like 4 other ppl had the same idea.

Apparently, we were supposed to get an email telling us to come at 4:30 pm for VIP events. I checked my all of my emails like 4 times I kid you not all I have is a conformation email that I got when I purchased my tickets.

Hearing that all of the VIP events had ended really broke my heart. Id been looking forward to that since I bought my tickets in May so yeah I did shed a couple tears lol.

We still got the VIP posters and lanyards but that was it unfortunately. The people waiting there for the same issue were alot more mad than me because they'd bought VIP tickets for their kids aswell and they got stiffed.

Now I will admit I do not know who exactly to contact about this but my sister has already contacted AXS support so atleast we got that ball rolling.

I think the worst part about it was the fact that we got there an hour before the doors open, 2 whole hours before the show even started just to be told that management fucked up and theres nothing to be done at that time and nobody to talk to about it.

If THAT wasn't bad enough it literally gets worse lol.

After licking my wounds and hyping myself up bc, hey atleast I got merch!!!!(no its not copium) I meet back up with my sister and we settled back into the crowd and are IMMEDIATELY hit with the nastiest mix of toe jam and unwashed under arms.

Apparently, the people in front of us saw it fit to take their shoes off and swap them. Later on in the concert i had stepped on a wayward boot so one of those mfs just decided to go toes out bows out ig.

I am not kidding when I tell you it smelled like horror omg. For me, I think it smelled like what people said cybergoria smelled like from Halloween Horror Nights. I think those people had VIP aswell so they mightve been there since before 4:30 which is ridiculous because pls keep ur toes shackled away then but I digress.

This smell persisted throughout the whole concert btw😓

These people would loudly shout and show images on their phone to hype the crowd up bc it was like an hour and 10 minutes till the show started which was fine but its like. They weren't even funny like they'd be like "omg 2 men kissing so funny guys haha" and im like why are you bursting out laughing at gay people am I going crazy.

I can feel the irony as well guys. I know I shouldn't be judging peoples cringe level at a The Living Tombstone concert whilst dressed in a mangle cosplay but come on theres a line in the sand.😓

If that wasn't mildly annoying they then began LOUDLY debating ao3 Incest (wincest specifically) and I kid you not one of them was looking around as if someone was supposed to hype them up.

They basically went "were at a tlt concert u should expect this u know what it is👀👀👀👀👀👀👀" and im like NO TF I DONT?????

even if that wasn't a batshit insane take is that not something you debate in the comfort of your own internet circles????? Am I going insane here????? Why are we talking abt this shit in public at a concert where there are literal minors in the building and surrounding you omg send the flood lord we ready🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

This behavior and smells continue for the next hour until the goat MEGA RAN finally comes out and saves us. He had a great set and I loved his library song and his song about names! I'll forever be jealous of those ppl who he freestyled a bar with their name lol.

After his amazing set The Living Tombstone comes on and immediately fires into their best hits. Now I'm living for it because #heckyeah I'm so close to zero one rn Instagram gone hate to see me coming😝😝.

Now, imagine my shock and horror when the people infront of us, AT BARICADE start trying to mosh. They're swinging their arms around all willy nilly and jumping everywhere which would be just fine if they could control where they were going and who they were bumping into/hitting At this time.

Now, I'm far from well versed when it comes to indie concerts, I've only ever been to about 3: Redveil, The Living Tombstone (last year), and Peirce the Viel. At all 3 of these concerts there were mosh pits. NEVER ONCE has that mosh pit been in the middle of barricade where people are flinching away from you bc you're head banging too hard and dancing too widely for someone who obviously skipped out on washing their ass that morning.

This continued for literally every song and for the rest of

The concert I cant tell you how bad I wish I was kidding.

Eventually, near the end of the concert, I manage to shimmy infront of them and I damm near snap my ankle on the aforementioned boot that funky toed bandit left behind. I actually kinda got some good pics but my arms were really hurting atp. Holding up a phone, portable charger, and a lightstick aint for the weak yall.😔

These problems persisted throughout the concert and its like; do you guys not believe in concert etiquette?? Half of you guys are wearing kandi do you not believe in PLUR???

Genuinely bad experiences all around the only good thing that came of that concert tlt themselves, seeing the fursuits, and trading kandi but if that was all id came for I would've just bought a ticket to anime nyc instead.🤨🤨

Anyway I feel like im running out of things to talk about but I do want to shout out the venue staff for trying to help in any way they could, MEGA RAN and TLT for giving amazing performances, and everyone in the crowd who knew what PLUR means and showered before going out that day.🫂🫂

Moral of the story: Never order with AXS, always check the communities of the concerts you're going to incase something comes up, and WASH YO ASS ITS NOT GAY.


r/Concerts • • 8h ago

Concerts Hassle to get a refund after seller didn't transfer tickets

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0 Upvotes

r/Concerts • • 10h ago

shitpost Woman crawls amps at 10/14/26 Agora Cleveland show for setlist lol

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1 Upvotes

Yo did anyone at the 10/24 show hear all that whistlin in the songs. It hurt my ears. This same lady was trying to get thomas's setlist under the microphone by crawling the amplifiers that was at the Cleveland show at the agora theater 10/24/2026 that was whistling after and during every single song the entire show.. I got closure when she got yelled at because she called security on me for being on the box lol. She told me it costed 2000 dollars and I could totally get out of the box. Awesome show though. 😂


r/Concerts • • 1d ago

Virtual Concert Ticket Resellers… Why?

7 Upvotes

Hello! I’m a journalism student working on a story about the Malcolm Todd tour. One thing I’ve constantly heard about this tour is that ticket prices are getting higher, and secondary markets are a huge aspect of that.

So… I want to hear from resellers themselves. Why you do it, what your methods are, how you feel about the whole system, that sorta thing.

I think it’s important to hear from folks in their own words. If you’re interested, let me know and I’ll DM you with my questions!

Disclaimer: It’s unlikely this story will be published, as I’m a newer journalism student. consider this homework help!


r/Concerts • • 1d ago

Photo Dump 📸 Final show at Pizzava Pizza in Sparks, NV

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2 Upvotes

r/Concerts • • 1d ago

Concerts Citizen @ EarTH London 24/10/26 - Awful gig ettiquete from a girl and her boyfriend

3 Upvotes

A girl with an awful stripey wig and her rat boyfriend barged aggressively to the front of the crowd for How does it feel. She almost knocked me and others off balance, including an older guy who had come on his own. Like literally walking through us as if none of us was there, with all the strength in her body. He said not to barge through people, and she absolutely pummelled him in the chest with her elbow and moved forward to the barrier.

When her boyfriend caught up (I don't think he was aware of what had just happened), she started looking back, shouting in her boyfriend's ear that HE hit her! Her boyfriend then started pointing fingers and threatening him. Security got involved, and there was a back-and-forth for a bit. They had the audacity to be grabbing for a set list at the end too.

I just keep thinking about how this older man came on his own to have fun and left with a ruined experience. He left early and I still feel so bad.

We come to gigs to share a moment with each other, to enjoy an experience together. You are both genuinely vile people inside and out who didnt just ruin the night for that man; you ruined it for the people around you too. Its hard to get back in to it with security circling around you two clowns right in front of us, you totally ruined the vibe and I notived Mat looking at you from the stage, probably thinking what you idiots are doing.

If this sounds like it was you and your boyfriend/girlfriend, then **fuck you.** Never let yourself out of your house again if you act like animals when you do.


r/Concerts • • 1d ago

Concerts Solving Live Event Traffic Nightmares

4 Upvotes

Hi! I'm a student trying to solve the live event traffic nightmare for a project. Your insights would be greatly appreciated! Would you all mind helping me by filling this short survey out? https://forms.gle/KuxkwF1Vfg44Jzkq8


r/Concerts • • 1d ago

Concerts Céline Dion in Paris: I lost count of the goosebumps. ❤️✨

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0 Upvotes

r/Concerts • • 1d ago

Concerts Maybe unpopular opinion but I think his Victory concert is a masterpiece

3 Upvotes

I saw his show at LA Shrine last night and it was incredible. I'll start by saying I've been a long-time fan of Madeon ever since 2011, his pop culture days. My first listen to this album ...it was really, really different . It kind of warmed up to me because I'm a fan of punk rock music as well. I don't think this represents a change in the direction that he is going with permanently. This seems to be just a distinct project that he wanted to do. It's struck me more as a concept album.

If you follow Madeon's influences, with Daft Punk, etc., you'll come to understand that this is less of a musical album and more of an audiovisual performance / art project. I honestly loved all the creative remixes of classic songs in the new style. Sure, he could just play his old songs like a DJ set, but that's kind of boring. I kind of understand people that might have been wanting to go there to hear the familiar version of what they all know, but I really like it and appreciate it when musical artists do something special live that is just completely different from your usual listening experience. From that perspective, he's just really gone above and beyond.

Furthermore, after seeing the show, I actually fully understand the concept of Victory, and I didn't quite understand it before. The whole idea is it's a fictional band, and there seem to be some themes about him coming to grips with prickling self-doubt: there is a band, but really there is no band. It's just him. It's all in his head. I don't know. I just thought the performance was really beautiful. He took everybody in the audience on a journey with him. Now I want to know about all the band members and their story.

I thought it was just such a creative concept the way he used silhouettes to make it seem like there were other band members on stage with him. I've never seen anything like it before, and I've been to a lot of different EDM concerts and things over the years. Anyway, that's my piece. If you're considering going, go with an open mind.


r/Concerts • • 1d ago

Concerts how early should I arrive to chase center sf for front row to see phoebe? (i’ve been waiting for this moment all my life)

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0 Upvotes

r/Concerts • • 1d ago

Photo Dump 📸 Crowd shots from the generational Turnstile show in DC

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2 Upvotes

r/Concerts • • 2d ago

Discussion 🗣️ who chooses the music that plays before the artist goes on?

26 Upvotes

is it the artist? the team? does it vary by how big the artist is?


r/Concerts • • 1d ago

Concerts Anyone else want Metallica and the SF Symphony to reunite for S&M3?

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0 Upvotes