How to Enjoy A Concert When You Don’t Know the Artist

Photo by Rebecca Bloch

This month I went to a three-band concert and I knew none of the bands. I was initially very hesitant because, typically, my favorite part of concerts is belting my heart out to my favorite songs. All-day before the show I was nervous that I was not going to have fun and waste my time; I even almost told my friend that I was not going to go. I told myself fuck it and that I had nothing to lose and decided to go. I arrived at the show with a clear mind and very few expectations and somehow magically had an amazing time. 

Being a very anxious person, feelings like the ones I felt before the concert were not uncommon to me. What made it so easy was that I was feeling anxious about one of my favorite things in the world, a concert. Although I knew there were unusual circumstances for this concert, some being that I did not know the bands and that I had not attended a concert in a while, I was still mad at myself for being nervous about the show. It took a huge change in mindset and a supportive friend to get me through the night, but I did it and I fully believe you can too. Here are some simple steps that you can follow!

Step One: Outfit

If I can tell you one fact of life, let it be that a cute outfit cures all. When you are feeling yourself, absolutely nothing can stop you. What you are wearing is the first step to success, and the confidence that you build from your outfit is a perfect base for a fun live music experience. No matter what the “vibe” of the concert is, when you think you look good, so does everyone else. Besides the obvious benefits of self-confidence that a good outfit gives you, it also starts conversations that allow you to meet new people.

Step Two: Talk to People

Concert people are the best people. Going to an event and making connections with people over your shared experience is something so special. Even though you will likely never talk to these people again, it is always super fun while it lasts. I think that it is mutual knowledge that the likely expiration date of the friendship is when the concert ends, allowing for an extremely easy connection.

Let's say that the band that is playing is terrible, you can laugh about it with your new friends. Even though you may be there with a friend, it never hurts to get to know a new person. If you do not know how to start a conversation, talk about who you are going to see! At concerts, you have an immediate shared interest with everyone in the room; if you like the artist or not, talk about it. Often between sets or before the show starts, the audience is just looking to waste time, so take advantage of that time and make a new friend. 

A little story time: One time I was at this very small Shawn Mendes concert, back when I was part of the Mendes Army (that ship has sailed). While I was in line, I started talking to this girl about Shawn and the concert and eventually about her life. We hit it off and then, surprisingly, kept in touch. About six months later, we would occasionally send Snapchat and like each other's posts on Instagram, but we were not really friends. I got a DM one saying that she had two extra tickets to a concert and asking if I wanted them for free. Of course, I said yes, because who would say no to a free concert, and I still happily enjoy our social media friendship. This is a lesson to say that you never know what will come out of those one-night-only concert friends, so go talk to some people because you have nothing to lose.

Step Three: Open Mind

This step is the hardest part of the whole process, but with practice, it is very possible. When I went to the concert earlier this month, I was stuck in my head convincing myself that I was going to have a terrible time. I knew I liked the band and that I was with one of my best friends, but that was not enough. I realized that when you set yourself up for failure in your head, you will fail. For example, if you go into a concert thinking that you will hate all of the music being played, you are cutting yourself off from even the smallest possibility of having a good time. If you like music and allow yourself to just live in the moment, it is nearly impossible to have a bad time at a concert. When you close yourself off from different types of music, experiences, or people, you are closing yourself off from so many opportunities to have fun and learn about yourself. 

The mindset that gives me the most peace of mind for concerts is that it will end as every other concert does, and I will go home and I will be ok. It does not matter if you are having a terrible time or the best time ever, concerts end and that always gives me a sense of peace. In the end, having fun is up to you, and with the right mindset, you can conquer the world. 

Step Four (the most important step): Dance!!!

I hate to be cliche, but it is nearly impossible to not have fun when you are dancing. Even if you think you can’t dance, just move your body. Please do not quote my science, but when you dance around, your endorphins start flowing which releases serotonin in your brain which makes you happy. Music is meant to be danced to so just embrace your situation. If you can't sing all of the words because you don’t know the words, dance to them. Once you allow your body and mind to get lost in the music, you will be overwhelmed with a feeling of bliss, and nothing can stop you. When I go to concerts and see people dancing their hearts out, I think I want to be like them; they look free. If you are dancing and you do not feel out of this world incredible, fake it till you make it because why not. I promise it will make you feel better. There is nothing dancing cannot solve. 

By no means am I a doctor, scientist, or psychiatrist, but I do go to a lot of concerts and know a few pretty good tips on how to get over a bad time. Not everything can be solved by sulking in the corner or going home; sometimes embracing your bad situation is the best remedy. Are these steps perfect, definitely not, but they are a guideline on how to make yourself feel better. Concerts are not supposed to be torture even though not knowing the songs may feel like that. Go live your life! It is short, so don’t let not knowing an artist get in your way of having a good time.