If you’re not a concert junkie but want to be or just don’t know what to expect or how to plan, let me share my best 15 tips as someone who is a attends at least 20 concerts a year.

1. Know the Concert Vibe: What to Expect at Your Next Show

Understand the vibe of the concert before going. Is it going to be a feather boa harry styles type of night or a laid back indie vibe? Knowing the vibe will not only guide your outfit choice but also set the tone for your night out. This can easily be checked by doing a quick TikTok search of the tour unless you are going to the first show then maybe check if they have had a previous tour.

2. Pit vs Seats: How to Choose the Best Concert Experience

Being in the pit versus having designated seats are 2 totally different experiences. Both can be a great time, but you just need to know what to expect. The pit is typically higher energy and at times depending on the artist it can get a little intense. If you don’t like being in crowds I would avoid it, unless you don’t mind hanging out at the back of the pit. Also if you are on the shorter side – the pit might be a tad tricky for visibility, unless you are in the very front. With seats, you can take your time getting to the show and don’t have to worry about losing your spot or leaving to get a drink. A lot of the other tips will have 2 sides of the coin based on whether you have seats or are in the pit.

3. Best Shoes for Concerts: Comfort and Style Tips

Let's talk shoes. My go to shoe is a platform sneaker. It gives me a little height and I can stand to wear them for a couple hours. I would avoid heels as much as possible, especially if you are in the pit, if you have to go up a bunch of stairs or even if you are standing at you seats. Sandals are usually another shoe I avoid because I don’t like my feet getting stepped on. My favorite classic platform sneaker is converse, weather you want the white that will inevitably get dirty or a different color, you are guaranteed that they will last and will be comfortable.

4. Concert Bag Policies: What to Bring and What to Leave Behind

Bag policies: your concert passport. Each venue has slightly different rules so make sure you check. Backpacks or larger bags are rarely allowed, with the occasional outdoor venue making an exception. Lately I have been using my lululemon belt bag, and it works at most venues. There are a few stadiums that require a clear bag. Know before you go and have to turn around back to your car, or worse you took an uber and now have to get rid of your bag.

5. How to Go Bag-Free at Concerts: Pocket Essentials

If you are a person that can get away with just having your phone, an id and a credit card then you may not need to bring a bag. Or if they do not allow bags (rare but it does happen) or if you just don’t feel like holding a purse outfits with pockets are a lifesaver. A lot of time you will be holding your phone anyways. If I don’t bring a purse and need something other than my phone, like a portable charger, the best solution is a jacket with inside pockets, if it is not too hot.

6. How to Research Your Concert Venue Like a Pro

What does that mean. It means know if the venue has any special rules. Maybe there is a certain section where it is harder to see or hear. There may be certain floors of the stadium that don’t sell food or there are other areas that have merch. If it is a local venue then you will probably know all its little quirks after going to a handful of shows.

7. Weather Tips for Outdoor Concerts: Rain or Shine

Weather check? It may seem obvious, but check the weather before you go if it is an outside show. And then check the venues weather policy. Most venues are rain or shine, but what sometimes determines it is the artist and not the venue. And if it is planning on raining and you are going to go, see if you can bring in an umbrella or if you need to buy a poncho. Also check the temperature in general it will help determine your outfit. I was once naive and thought that it would be warm in chicago in August and ended up buying an overpriced jacket so I wouldn’t freeze my ass off the rest of the festival.

8. Concert Parking Tips: How to Save Time and Money

I have never not been able to get a parking spot on the day of the show. They will try to offer you parking when you purchase your ticket or there are sites that have advance parking, but you will almost always pay at least $25 or more for those options. Now if you show up right at the start of the show you may be parking a little farther away, so it all just depends on if what is more important for that show. Actually at the Taylor Swift show, we parked in a garage where you paid once you exited, but the guy had the gate up and just kept waving everyone to exit, so I didn’t even pay anything which was crazy.

9. Cash vs. Cards: What You Need for Concerts

Cash is no longer king. It is very rare that you will end up needing cash, the one exception may be parking, but even that is rare. Most venues are going cashless, which is honestly way easier.

10. When to Arrive at a Concert: Timing Tips for Fans

There are many factors to arrival time. My biggest determining factor is if I am going to be in the pit or not. If not then I typically get there around when the doors open maybe a little before, enough time to get a decent parking spot. If I am in the pit, at the latest I will get there an hour before the doors open. It all ultimately depends on how close you are wanting to be to the artist.

11. Pit Survival Tips: Stay Comfortable and Safe

Hydration is key, especially if you are moving around a lot. Unfortunately most venues do not allow you to bring in a water bottle. The best artists, will have bottled water passed out into the crowd. If they don’t, I would have a friend go buy a water bottle, so that way you have something. Guzzle some water beforehand, but not too much – let's avoid mid-concert bathroom breaks as much as possible. As for alcohol, save it for the back rows unless you're aiming for a surprise floor nap. Half the time I see people spill there tiny $17 dollar cocktails, because there are so many people bumping into you.

12. Concert Etiquette: Why Hats and Signs Are a No-Go

Wearing a hat or holding up a sign the whole time? As much as I love all the fun cowgirl hats and funny signs, they are not the move when you have people standing behind you that can’t see. Don’t be that person.

13. Concert Prep: Why You Should Listen to the Opening Act

Try to at least listen to a few of the openers songs before going to the show. I have actually found some of my favorite artists from opening acts. So please just give them a chance. And it makes the experience so much better when you can sing along and know the words to the opening act.

14. How to Use a Setlist to Plan Your Concert Night

I always know the setlist prior to attending the show. It helps me learn the songs that I didn’t know before. And I can plan for how long I want to stay, if they don’t wait until the encore to play my favorite songs. This also helps me gauge how long the show is going to be. And if a bathroom break is necessary then you can plant when to leave based on the setlist. The best place to look up the setlist is setlist.fm and they have the setlist for each show that has happened and then I match it up to a playlist on spotify.

15. Concert Exit Strategies: Beat the Traffic Like a Pro

Traffic after a concert is no joke. I have literally set in the same spot for almost 2 hours before. Some people are completely against leaving early, but to me the ease of leaving is worth missing the last song. I will make exceptions, but typically I jet out of there. If you leave a few songs early you can even check out the merch table if you didn’t make it there at the start of the show.

Start to finish these are the best tips for anyone that wants to start attending more concerts. Concerts contain many of my favorite memories and I can’t recommend enough how you should start going to shows big, little, or in between, they are all a unique experience that you not only get to share with the people that you go with but also the crowd full of people that are a fan of that artist.