Guide to Summer Concerts, Part III

Summer concerts can be amazing. There’s the fresh air. The spontaneous friendships that blossom between gyrating fans. And the music can be pretty decent, too.

But like other summer-specific activities, they can be annoying if you’re not prepared. If you freak out near large numbers of shirtless bros, despise the sun, and have no desire to stand in line for the distinct privilege of urinating inside a tiny plastic room, you might want to stay home.

But we don’t want you to stay home. That’s not what summer is about. Summer is about leaving behind the structure and rules of the school year and getting involved in a little warm-weather mayhem. Plus, planning for the big event isn’t all that hard—you can take care of most preparations 10 minutes before you leave for the show, and the rest once you get there.

Here’s a checklist of things to keep in mind on concert day:

Wear the right clothes.
You want to look good at the concert, but you also want to be comfortable. Sandals might seem like a good way to cope with the heat, but your feet might get stepped on or exposed to a variety of unsavory materials (like those found on the floor of the aforementioned tiny plastic box). Sneakers provide better protection and cushioning, especially if you plan to stand for most of the day. Also, be sure to wear a lightweight, light-colored shirt. You’re gonna sweat, and you’re gonna have pit stains, but so will everyone else. It’s not a big deal. Finally, bring a bandanna. You can soak it in water and hang it around your neck to cool down, then wrap it around your head for that Willie Nelson look.

Bring earplugs.
While loud rock music is good, damaging your hearing is bad. Drop $4.00 on a box of earplugs and you’ll have enough for your whole crew. The best kind will cut out the piercing highs and reduce the overall volume without messing up the sound. Protecting your eardrums from the squalling feedback has a more immediate benefit as well: It reduces the chance you’ll wake up the next day with a splitting headache.

Pick a good spot.
Due to audience size, stage orientation, and the surrounding terrain, the sound and production values at outdoor concerts can vary tremendously depending on where you stand. Instead of just grabbing the nearest vacant spot, seek out the production booth, which is where audio and lighting engineers hang out. They’ll be adjusting everything so it sounds and looks best to them, so take advantage by setting yourself up nearby. Of course, if you want to get involved with the mosh pit/mud fight, you’ll have to fight your way to the front.

Obey the rules.
Yeah, we know, we said that summer is all about NO RULES, but many concert organizers have pretty strict regulations about what you can and can’t bring into the venue. Make sure you know the dealio before you wheel your cooler full of glass bottles up the security gate—the guard may make you dispose of all of them, or request that you down them on the spot. And that much Nantucket Nectar can play havoc with your kidneys.

Go easy on the merch.
While you might be tempted to commemorate the day with a $40 t-shirt, keep in mind that the price of concert merchandise is inflated to exploit people's willingness to pay a premium for anything with a band's name on it. And besides, the only reason you should ever drop more than $20 on a shirt is when there's custom airbrushing involved.

Have fun.
Seriously, we insist.

What summer concerts are you planning to attend?