Since next week, I’m going to two concerts in a row (Placebo and then Black Veil Brides), I thought of writing a little bit about these experiences. Even though going to a show is very common, there are people who, even though they love music, have never been to a concert themselves.
My first concert was at 16, Monsters of Rock 98 in Chile (Anthrax, Helloween, and Slayer). Since then, I’ve been to more than 200 (big arenas, small venues, big and small bands, international, local, originals, and tributes). So, I think I have a little experience regarding this topic.
If you’re planning to see your favorite band for the first time or just going to a concert to see how they are, here’s a simple guide of what can you expect of this day, previous, and post days.
The Previous Days (Anticipation)
1. Get the tickets: from the moment you buy the ticket start the real countdown to the actual concert and depending on how far ahead that is, different things happen. With the current possibility of buying tickets online, and depending on the band’s popularity, some tickets sell fast (in a couple of hours or less). In the olden days, I had to go to a store to get the tickets.
Before buying the tickets, consider if you want to be in the pit, near the stage, where the real action happens, and you can see the band really close. But keep in mind that if it is a metal or punk band, it could get crazy there, with people pushing each other, and doing mosh pits. Or if you prefer to watch the band more calmly and have a seat if you get tired at moments, then buy a ticket in the seats section.
When I was younger, and depending on the size of the venue I loved to be near the stage to see the band. Now I prefer to see the band from afar and not have to deal with taller people’s backs and being aware of not being crushed by the crowd.
2. Prepare Mentally: I like to watch interviews of the band, and previous concerts, study the setlist (you can see what they are currently playing on the tour at www.setlist.fm), and learn the lyrics or refresh your memory of them. All of these things are to get you excited about the upcoming show.
In the olden days (previous to the Internet). I used to prepare myself with the lyrics booklets of the CDs, watching a concert or an interview on a VHS (video), reading a metal magazine, and anything that I could get.
The Concert Day
1. Arriving at the Venue: the long-awaited day has finally come, and you can’t wait any longer.
Once you arrive at the venue, be prepared to stand in line for a long time (if you’re waiting to be the first ones to go inside). I prefer to be there once they have opened the doors, so I can enter calmly and not be squeezed by the anxious crowd.
2. The Show starts: if you’re seeing a big band, usually there are opening acts, that sometimes are local groups or also international but smaller bands.
Once the last opening act ends, the lights go out and anticipation builds. A song starts to play in the background (with Iron Maiden is always UFO’s Doctor, Doctor) or the members of the band start playing, the lights are in, and then the singer comes running to the microphone and all the craziness begins.
The Post-Concert Depression
After you see the band you wanted so badly to see, the depression starts.
You’ve waited so long, sometimes years or a whole lifetime to see a particular band. Then the day comes, you experience them live, enjoying their music and show. But the entire thing happens so fast, and it’s over in a blink of an eye. So it begins the “post-concert depression”, because you’ve been preparing for that particular experience and day for so long, that now that has passed you don’t know what to do. Of course, you have your life and work or school, yet this is a down feeling that will remain for a while, like a sort of melancholy.
The only remedy I can advise you is to prepare for your next concert and repeat the process. It’s a never-ending cycle in which the most important thing is to enjoy your favorite music.