By: Emily Duvall

Opinion Editor

Live music is back and thriving after the loosening of COVID restrictions within the last year. As someone who loves to go to concerts and see live music, I have always believed concerts are a wonderful place because of the enjoyable experiences they provide and the boundless joy they bring to viewers. While this is still true, the number of people who camp outside venues for hours or nights on end, push each other in general admission standing areas, and invade the artist’s space at concerts, has grown dramatically recently. Current concert culture involving camping, throwing copious items on stage, and people disrespecting artists needs to change. Venues setting standards for times people are permitted to arrive would help in this, but also concert attendees must alter their behavior for this culture to change.

Since COVID restrictions have eased up for attendees with general admission tickets, they have started to arrive tremendously early to larger, more popular artists’ performances to secure a good spot. People “camp out” nearby venue entrances beginning at early hours of the morning before evening concerts, or even arrive a night or two before. Not only is this unnecessary, but it also sets a precedent that, for every concert, people must arrive hours and hours prior to a concert’s start time, which makes it difficult for everyone since they have to wait for many hours before the venue opens.. 

People who camp out tend to leave behind tents, blankets, and trash as they enter the venue, yet this would not happen if the culture surrounding concerts changes. There is no issue with wanting to get a good spot at a concert for an artist you love, but the standard that is currently set that you must arrive at dawn or the night before to see while standing in a concert venue is unnecessary and makes it difficult on the entire audience.

Aside from this, people have begun throwing more items onto stages while artists are performing, sometimes hitting the performer or obstructing their path on stage. Although this has happened during concerts for quite some time, it is important to recognize that it is not okay to toss anything and everything on stage during the performance. Of course not every object will harm the artist or get in their way, but when one object after another comes on stage and sets a pattern, this becomes an issue. 

General disrespect towards artists has dramatically increased, as well as fans being rude to one another as a whole. It is important to show respect to artists who are putting on the concerts, as well as the people who attend. A lack of concert etiquette makes concerts less enjoyable for some attendees. As live music proceeds in the future, it is crucial to acknowledge what we can do to change this culture.