Musical performances have become grand spectacles that transcend songs and include strong elements of fashion, design, visuals and internet appeal. As a result, concerts are not easily accessible for everyone in this day and age. The price of tickets has been steadily increasing during the past several decades, especially in the post-pandemic world. According to CNBC, in the results of a 2025 survey, 36% of concert-goers in America intend to pay $100 to $499 for concert tickets, and over 17% plan on spending $1,000. Evidently, a large sum of people are usually rendered incapable of participating in these events or cannot justify the means for attendance. The inflation of tickets is an unfortunate occurrence, as the experience of a concert or a music festival can be very enjoyable and often enlightens individuals to a powerful feeling of connection and understanding with others surrounding them or the musical artists themselves. However, on numerous occasions, the viewing of a performance may be damaged or ruined by the behavior of other fans. That being the case, it is necessary that we follow a certain etiquette in order to prioritize respect and safety for those around us when attending a concert.

To highlight some more specific dos and don’ts about concert protocol, it is first and foremost crucial that you take care of yourself. Many of us have seen videos or heard stories about a fan passing out or having a medical emergency while in general admission and causing the entire show to pause. It is incredibly easy to lose yourself in the performance, but you must remember to consume enough food and water to maintain energy levels and to take immediate notice if you begin to feel lightheaded or sick.

Additionally, it should go without saying that you should never push people around you or shove your way through an already packed crowd. Doing your part to be mindful of others and respecting their personal space could just save someone from severe physical harm in this particular setting.

Another way to be conscious of crowd members is to refrain from holding large signs that may obstruct the view of those behind you. It is also impactful to show support and enthusiasm for the opening act to create a better environment.

There are a couple of more divisive opinions about concert culture, including the question about having your phone out to record. In the end, the decision will vary from person to person, with some strongly against this behavior because it ruins the concept of “living in the moment”. However, as previously mentioned, concerts are often a major investment and their attendants should be able to freely take videos, so long as they aren’t harming anyone’s ability to see the stage.

Music festivals are also a large part of concert culture, and events like Coachella, Lollapalooza and Stagecoach have only been growing in popularity. On one hand, they generally have a reputation for substance abuse and can struggle with crowd control, which has resulted in serious injury or death. On the other hand, festivals can be truly incredible experiences that captivate people for life and draw them in year after year. They introduce people to new musical artists or different genres of music, encouraging a genuine passion for the art form. At the end of the day, live music, despite occasionally having downsides or risks, is irreplaceable and has a major influence on society.