Are you looking for a fun way to spend an evening in your hometown? Or are you travelling to a new city, wondering how you can make the most of your short time there?
You should attend a concert. Few things are better than experiencing live music. Watching musicians pour out their hearts and soul on stage in front of a sold-out crowd is nothing short of exhilarating.
But there are many different types of concerts you can attend. From a classical concert experience to a nitty-gritty punk rock show, there’s no shortage of options depending on your musical tastes.
Keep reading below to learn not just about the types of concerts to consider, but how to prepare for a concert as well.
House Show
We’ll start with the smallest type of event. House shows are still going strong around the country.
Brand new musicians, and artists from nearby towns, or even across the state, often fill living rooms, backyards, and basements. House shows might have just 10 attendees or can have as many as 100.
They are real, raw events where theatrics is limited and you get to witness pure passion and emotion. And they’re usually free, though sometimes you can expect to drop $5 or $10 at the door to support any travelling artists.
Open Mic Night
The next step up is an open mic night. These are also local events where anyone who wants to play can play.
Often held at coffee shops or restaurants that are trying to generate additional business, these shows are casual and free to attend. No concert tickets are needed.
The quality of musicians can vary greatly, from someone just learning their instrument to established bands just trying to get in front of a crowd.
Open mic nights are great to attend, especially if they’re happening at a business you want to patronize anyways. Just don’t have high expectations.
Local Concert
Local concerts are usually available in every medium to large town and city. Most cities have smaller music venues where a few hundred people can gather to watch small shows.
Often, music artists are local, though occasionally, you’ll get a touring artist who doesn’t have a huge reputation just yet.
These local concerts are where many big bands get their start. While you won’t see anyone famous yet, you might see the next Adele or Blink 182 before they make it to the big stage.
Medium-Sized Concert
Next up you have medium-sized concerts. With shows of this caliber, you can expect to be in a professional music venue.
These can typically accommodate a few thousand people. Sometimes they can hold tens of thousands of people.
They are typically built exclusively for concerts. You’ll get a range of shows happening here, from cheap concerts featuring smaller, local artists.
But you’ll also have plenty of shows with bigger-name musicians. These types of shows will often sell out, so it’s a good idea to buy concert tickets ahead of time. For example, you can buy Banda MS tour tickets here.
These venues usually don’t have seats. Everyone will stand on their feet for the duration of the show, rubbing shoulders with the rest of the crowd. It’s a fun experience, but it isn’t for everyone.
Big-Name Concert
If you’re looking to go to a concert with professional production, theatrics, lighting, and the biggest artists, you’ll be going to big-name concerts.
These are the events that typically happen at stadiums, sporting arenas, and other massive venues. You can expect tens of thousands at these events.
The venues aren’t built exclusively for concerts, but for larger events. But since they can accommodate so many people, they will host the event here.
This is where you’re going to see your celebrity artists. Want to see Justin Bieber or Taylor Swift on their next tour? You’ll be in an arena.
Want to see legendary artists like The Eagles or members of The Beatles? You’ll be in a big stadium.
With these events, most attendees will be assigned a seat. While most people stand during the musical performance, it’s nice to be able to sit down in between artists.
These tickets will sell out so you’ll want to buy as early as you can. They often aren’t cheap either.
These are proper events that you might drive or even fly to. Plan to spend at least one night in the city so you don’t have to drive all the way home after.
Music Festival
Aside from the dedicated concert, where you can see anywhere from three to seven artists in one evening, there are also music festivals. These have surged in popularity in recent years.
Some music festivals happen just once a year, in a single city. Examples include Lollapalooza in Chicago. This happens over the course of three days every summer.
Others happen on multiple weekends, like Coachella in Southern California. Two consecutive three-day weekends will sell out, giving as many people as possible the chance to experience the event.
You’ll also have music festivals that occur in a different city each year. And many festivals will go on tour.
Warped Tour, featuring punk and alternative bands, happened across the country, each on a single, full day with multiple stages.
The biggest musical festivals do sell out. Buying as early as possible, such as the day tickets are released, is usually necessary.
The biggest festivals have developed some of the most loyal followings, especially since they host the biggest musical artists in the world.
Types of Concerts
Concerts also differ greatly based on the music genre. Rock concerts have a very different environment from rap or hip-hop shows, but both are very exciting.
Country music concerts might encourage people to dance and sway, while punk rock shows might stir up a mosh pit or cause attendees to stage dive.
It’s all part of the fun, so make sure to go into a concert with the right expectations. In general, the closer you are to the front, the rowdier and sweatier you can expect things to be.
Enjoying Live Music
Many different types of concerts exist to meet any level of musical interest. You can visit local events to experience up-and-coming talent, or you can buy concert tickets to massive events that fill stadiums.
And they’re all fun and fulfilling and should be a regular part of your monthly schedule.
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