We need to relearn concert etiquette

We all love concerts – we love dressing up, getting noticed by our favorite members, maybe even getting close to the stage, but when is there a limit? Is it fne to hold a gigantic sign that blocks everyone’s view simply to get noticed? Or is it okay to throw your phone on stage so Harry Styles can call your mom? The answer is there is one. Yet, concert etiquette has gone through a downfall since covid. And with huge artists like Harry Styles and Taylor swift touring again, people have to relearn how to act at concerts, because camping, throwing things on stage, and bringing big signs, is making the experience worse for you, others, and the musician.

In 2020, as covid hit its all-time high, tours were canceled, concerts rescheduled, and concerts postponed. However, although fans had a long break before going back to concerts, fans’ behavior have become far more severe and attempts to get noticed are far more drastic. For artists like Harry Styles and Taylor Swift, fans have

BY TAMIA HASSAN

begun camping out weeks prior not just for the concert, but even to simply get merch. These fans’ actions have become normalized in other fanbases for smaller artists as well. For smaller venues, fans have begun camping out for barricades even in poor weather and unsafe cities. This isn’t only dangerous for the fans, but it’s also ruining the experience for fans who can’t camp out. For how concerts are today, it’s impossible for fans to get a good view without camping out.

However, camping is not the only issue at concerts, fans have also done everything possible to get close seats, including being rude to other fans. Fans have skipped people in lines, shoved their way to the front, and have even started fghts with others in line. This behavior happens before the concert even starts, and it worsens when the actual concert starts. Fans have been yelled at for holding signs and even simply standing up. This has created numerous questions about what’s proper behavior at concerts. Bringing anything that can distract others or block others views should not be allowed, as it is taking away from others fun. However, people should also realize that fans paid to be there, whether it was $20 or $500, fans should be able to make the most out of the concert. People are meant to stand, dance, and sing at concerts, and if you want to sit down, you must understand that beforehand.

Behavior between fans isn’t the only thing that has changed, but also the way fans behave with the artist has become increasingly inappropriate and wrong. By throwing things on stage like phones and water, the artist is in constant danger of getting hit or slipping on items. Throwing safe items like fags and hats are fne as they can do harm, but items like phones, liquids, and even food (talking to the girl who threw a skittle at Harry Styles) is not okay for the safety of the performer. Instead of attempting to get noticed or get a photo, it’s okay to simply enjoy the concert.