Going to a popular music concert for the first time---what to expect?
March 3, 2019 12:28 PM Subscribe
I'm going to see Apocalyptica. More specific questions inside, but open to any and all advice. Explain it like I've never been to a concert before, because I haven't been to anything comparable.
I've been to the symphony and chamber music and commedia dell'arte stuff, but a more typical live music experience for me is <100 people in a fluorescent-lit church basement. This will be a 1300-seat auditorium with an international band. I'm expecting much more of a going-to-the-symphony kind of ambiance. So, specific questions:
1. These guys clearly play with sound reinforcement. You can see the speakers in some of their photographs. How loud will it be? Should I bring earplugs? (Or, rather: People on the internet say I should bring earplugs, because it will be 120db, but they're obviously crazy, right?)
2. Any specific or unusual points of etiquette? Not to worry, my telephone will be off and if I need cough drops I'll unwrap them before the show starts.
3. Apparently, some venues restrict what you can bring in for security reasons. If my venue doesn't list any such policy, does that mean none exists? Or are there things that go without saying?
4. Additional expenses inside the venue? Including both unadvertised, mandatory expenses like the "service charge" on my ticket, or technically but kind of not optional stuff like people who expect to be tipped. Genuinely optional stuff like drinks are fine.
5. I'll be coming from work, in black Dickies, big rubber boots, and a solid long-sleeved shirt. Will I look weird / under-dressed? Should I be prepared to check my puffy coat and 23L daypack?
6. Helpful logistical tips? E.g., go line up for the bathroom as soon as the interval begins. Come back when the lights flicker.
Would also be happy to hear any other advice. I'm sure I've got some unknown unknowns here.
I've been to the symphony and chamber music and commedia dell'arte stuff, but a more typical live music experience for me is <100 people in a fluorescent-lit church basement. This will be a 1300-seat auditorium with an international band. I'm expecting much more of a going-to-the-symphony kind of ambiance. So, specific questions:
1. These guys clearly play with sound reinforcement. You can see the speakers in some of their photographs. How loud will it be? Should I bring earplugs? (Or, rather: People on the internet say I should bring earplugs, because it will be 120db, but they're obviously crazy, right?)
2. Any specific or unusual points of etiquette? Not to worry, my telephone will be off and if I need cough drops I'll unwrap them before the show starts.
3. Apparently, some venues restrict what you can bring in for security reasons. If my venue doesn't list any such policy, does that mean none exists? Or are there things that go without saying?
4. Additional expenses inside the venue? Including both unadvertised, mandatory expenses like the "service charge" on my ticket, or technically but kind of not optional stuff like people who expect to be tipped. Genuinely optional stuff like drinks are fine.
5. I'll be coming from work, in black Dickies, big rubber boots, and a solid long-sleeved shirt. Will I look weird / under-dressed? Should I be prepared to check my puffy coat and 23L daypack?
6. Helpful logistical tips? E.g., go line up for the bathroom as soon as the interval begins. Come back when the lights flicker.
Would also be happy to hear any other advice. I'm sure I've got some unknown unknowns here.
You’re going to have so much fun!
I’m sure someone will come by soon with US-specific answers. In the meantime I’ll cover more generic stuff.
1. You probably should bring earplugs. Tbh, I often bring them and end up not wearing them, but at least you have the option if you have them with you. In Europe, venues often have bowls of free earplugs at the bar, etc; no idea if that’s customary where you are.
2. I want to say, please don’t be the person who keeps going back and forth to the bar for more beer, making everyone let them back into the row every time. That person is probably always going to be there, but they’re annoying!
3. No bottles (even if they’re just plain water), no knives etc. Be ready to have your bag checked through by security.
5. Your outfit will be fine. If you have a black shirt, I’d wear that. You can’t go wrong with a black shirt at a metal gig.
You should definitely check your bag and coat.
Have fun!
posted by daisyk at 1:01 PM on March 3, 2019
I’m sure someone will come by soon with US-specific answers. In the meantime I’ll cover more generic stuff.
1. You probably should bring earplugs. Tbh, I often bring them and end up not wearing them, but at least you have the option if you have them with you. In Europe, venues often have bowls of free earplugs at the bar, etc; no idea if that’s customary where you are.
2. I want to say, please don’t be the person who keeps going back and forth to the bar for more beer, making everyone let them back into the row every time. That person is probably always going to be there, but they’re annoying!
3. No bottles (even if they’re just plain water), no knives etc. Be ready to have your bag checked through by security.
5. Your outfit will be fine. If you have a black shirt, I’d wear that. You can’t go wrong with a black shirt at a metal gig.
You should definitely check your bag and coat.
Have fun!
posted by daisyk at 1:01 PM on March 3, 2019
If your venue doesn't have a prohibited items list then look again. I would be shocked if a 1300 seat venue did not have something on their website explicitly prohibiting weapons, etc. Specifically, I suspect your backpack will be a problem and not every venue has a coat check so you actually need to confirm this. Does the venue have a FAQ page? You can often find this info there. If not, just pick up the phone and ask them.
posted by acidic at 1:02 PM on March 3, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by acidic at 1:02 PM on March 3, 2019 [5 favorites]
Definitely bring earplugs. I go to a lot of concerts, and in my early live music attending days I didn't bring earplugs. I've since come to regret this. Don't be me. The basic foam earplugs you can buy at any drug store will be fine, by the way.
posted by SansPoint at 1:07 PM on March 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by SansPoint at 1:07 PM on March 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
0. "I'm expecting ... a going-to-the-symphony kind of ambiance." Maybe, maybe not. Given the band in question, I'd expect to see fashion levels all over the place, from schmancy formal down to jeans and sweatshirts.
1. Absolutely bring earplugs. You may not think you'll need them, but 120 dB is far from unheard of for rock and metal shows, and you want to keep your ears' exposure to 85 dB or below.
2. Based on the location of some of your recent questions, I'm presuming you're going to the show at the Bergan Performing Arts Center. Some venues of this size/style will let you take pictures, or will accommodate the preferences of the performing artist; the Bergan says "no, turn your phone off and we'll take it away if we catch you recording a video."
3 + 5. If you are going to the BPAC, their bag policy prohibits backpacks, and they do not have a coat check; you will need to plan on bringing a small bag if you *have* to have a bag, or place your necessities in your pockets. Can you leave your backpack at work safely? They also say no food or beverages from outside; I would plan on eating beforehand and/or planning to pay for some food or drink inside.
4. I can't speak to the BPAC per se, but some venues of that size that I've been to have fancy bathroom attendants that will hand you soap and towels and such, and will expect a cash tip of $0.50-$1.00.
posted by Pandora Kouti at 1:13 PM on March 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
1. Absolutely bring earplugs. You may not think you'll need them, but 120 dB is far from unheard of for rock and metal shows, and you want to keep your ears' exposure to 85 dB or below.
2. Based on the location of some of your recent questions, I'm presuming you're going to the show at the Bergan Performing Arts Center. Some venues of this size/style will let you take pictures, or will accommodate the preferences of the performing artist; the Bergan says "no, turn your phone off and we'll take it away if we catch you recording a video."
3 + 5. If you are going to the BPAC, their bag policy prohibits backpacks, and they do not have a coat check; you will need to plan on bringing a small bag if you *have* to have a bag, or place your necessities in your pockets. Can you leave your backpack at work safely? They also say no food or beverages from outside; I would plan on eating beforehand and/or planning to pay for some food or drink inside.
4. I can't speak to the BPAC per se, but some venues of that size that I've been to have fancy bathroom attendants that will hand you soap and towels and such, and will expect a cash tip of $0.50-$1.00.
posted by Pandora Kouti at 1:13 PM on March 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Oh, man, I can't believe I didn't find the FAQ that clearly answers 3 and 5. Thanks, Pandora Kouti!
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 1:22 PM on March 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 1:22 PM on March 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
I've seen Apocalyptica 4ish times now, most recently for their Plays Metallica US tour in 2017. That show was the only one I've been to where the venue had actual seating (other than balcony or whatever). I thought for sure they'd clear out the center of the venue for standing room like a normal metal/rock show, but nope. So I don't know if that's the typical setup for this tour, but it's not typical for Apocalyptica shows historically.
Regardless, I would not expect a "going-to-the-symphony" kind of experience, but not really a full metal show experience either. Crowds are really diverse. Some people are there for the metal, some people are there for the cellos. Some people will rock out, seated or no. A lot of people will sing along even though there's no vocalist. Nobody will notice you unwrapping cough drops. It'll be great. I love Apocalyptica.
posted by gueneverey at 2:19 PM on March 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
Regardless, I would not expect a "going-to-the-symphony" kind of experience, but not really a full metal show experience either. Crowds are really diverse. Some people are there for the metal, some people are there for the cellos. Some people will rock out, seated or no. A lot of people will sing along even though there's no vocalist. Nobody will notice you unwrapping cough drops. It'll be great. I love Apocalyptica.
posted by gueneverey at 2:19 PM on March 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah, I wouldn't expect symphony levels of genteel behaviour from a gig like this. It's gunna be loud, and people will be loud, so loud is fine. Loud is fun! People are probably going to be moving around and dancing and like gueneverey says they may even clear a nice big patch for a pit (ie, lots of people all in a mass thrashing madly about - lot more fun and less lethal than it sounds). Even all seating gigs I've been to with similar artists almost always have people dancing and moving and whatnot in their seats or the aisles. Be ready for that sort of enthusiasm - and don't be shy about joining in if the moment takes you! Metalheads and their periphery are some of the most open and welcoming of fans, so if you want to shake off your symphony roots and get your mosh on go for it.
That said, I'd suggest you still take earplugs with you, you can always not use them if you like, but my crapped out hearing thanks to years of similar gigs would suggest you should probably just up and use them.
Absolutely seconding leaving the bag at work if you can. Even if it were permitted it's a huge pain in the arse lugging a bag that size around at a gig like this and you'll be doing yourself a favour by leaving it at home. Just take essentials. It'll also free you up considerably if you do decide to live in the moment and hit the pit. If you can get away with a lighter coat too do so, but I'm in the tropics so I know sweet FA about how cold it's gunna be where you are.
As far as the rest of your outfit goes, just wear black, you'll be fine. Black on black is basically the uniform for metalheads of a certain age anyway.
What else - other than that, standard don't-be-a-jerk behaviour applies. Leave your phone on silent, don't go cutting off people's views by walking aimlessly about.
posted by Jilder at 3:29 PM on March 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
That said, I'd suggest you still take earplugs with you, you can always not use them if you like, but my crapped out hearing thanks to years of similar gigs would suggest you should probably just up and use them.
Absolutely seconding leaving the bag at work if you can. Even if it were permitted it's a huge pain in the arse lugging a bag that size around at a gig like this and you'll be doing yourself a favour by leaving it at home. Just take essentials. It'll also free you up considerably if you do decide to live in the moment and hit the pit. If you can get away with a lighter coat too do so, but I'm in the tropics so I know sweet FA about how cold it's gunna be where you are.
As far as the rest of your outfit goes, just wear black, you'll be fine. Black on black is basically the uniform for metalheads of a certain age anyway.
What else - other than that, standard don't-be-a-jerk behaviour applies. Leave your phone on silent, don't go cutting off people's views by walking aimlessly about.
posted by Jilder at 3:29 PM on March 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
Take a look at the seating- is it general admission or seats in rows? The dynamic can be very different. Nthing go without a bag if you can.
I got sucker punched at a dino Jr. show in New York some years ago, a dispute over standing room. So if it is GA keep your head on a swivel. You'll be fine I'm sure but rock show always attract an asshole or two. If you see that asshole before they see you you'll not have to deal with that asshole.
and yes, wear black.
posted by vrakatar at 5:20 PM on March 3, 2019
I got sucker punched at a dino Jr. show in New York some years ago, a dispute over standing room. So if it is GA keep your head on a swivel. You'll be fine I'm sure but rock show always attract an asshole or two. If you see that asshole before they see you you'll not have to deal with that asshole.
and yes, wear black.
posted by vrakatar at 5:20 PM on March 3, 2019
My first Apocalyptica show was way back in 2004 or 2005, I think. Your questions have already been answered, but I'm here to tell you you'll have a fantastic time. They put on a great show and are super talented musicians to boot. Have fun!!!
posted by stripesandplaid at 7:07 PM on March 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by stripesandplaid at 7:07 PM on March 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
Show-wise, I'd say you'll get a bit of both. This looks like another leg of the 'Plays Metallica by Four Cellos' tour that was in Europe last year, and if so the first half will be be pretty sedate and acoustic, and the second half will be amplified with drum support.
Seconding stripesandplaid -- you seem covered as far as venue/etiquette questions but it's going to be a great time; these guys are consummate performers and always put on an excellent show. They've performed in symphony orchestras, brought a chamber orchestra on tour a few years ago, and wrote an opera. I've seen one of them perform at a little summer chamber music festival in a church for a crowd of about 300, mostly pensioners. Fingers crossed they drag their original fourth member away from the Lahti Symphony Orchestra for this tour again.
posted by myotahapea at 8:03 PM on March 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
Seconding stripesandplaid -- you seem covered as far as venue/etiquette questions but it's going to be a great time; these guys are consummate performers and always put on an excellent show. They've performed in symphony orchestras, brought a chamber orchestra on tour a few years ago, and wrote an opera. I've seen one of them perform at a little summer chamber music festival in a church for a crowd of about 300, mostly pensioners. Fingers crossed they drag their original fourth member away from the Lahti Symphony Orchestra for this tour again.
posted by myotahapea at 8:03 PM on March 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
I'm expecting much more of a going-to-the-symphony kind of ambiance.
I suspect not so much. I've never worked or seen an Apocalyptica show but just check out the live video on their home page. This is a metal show.
Looking at the Ticketmaster page for the Bergen PAC show, it looks like there will be assigned seating in the whole venue, no "pit" or unseated General Admission in the front area, but like guenevery and Jilder say, there's a good chance people will be standing up, dancing, yelling & screaming, for a good part of the show. That's part of the fun, let loose yourself.
There may or may not be ushers to show you to your seat/aisle. Rock venues often kind of assume everyone can find their own seat. There may be security staff who can help guide you.
(Or, rather: People on the internet say I should bring earplugs, because it will be 120db, but they're obviously crazy, right?)
Again, no personal experience with the band and how loud they run things, but I checked out the tech specs of the BPAC, and the speaker system they have installed is capable of 141 db. So people ain't obviously crazy - bring earplugs. (And honestly I suspect even a volume a lot less than 120 db is gonna be a bit of a shock to the system if your previous experience is chamber music and church basements.)
Will I look weird / under-dressed?
Heck no. Half the guys in the band are wearing T-shirts with the sleeves cut off. You'll be fine.
Come back when the lights flicker.
Generally, this is not so much a thing in the pop/rock world, if only because a good portion of the time the bars and at least some of the bathrooms are in the same room as the performance. There may not be an intermission at all, or if there is someone from the band will say, "We're gonna take a break, we'll be back in a little bit" which could be anywhere from 15 minutes to half an hour. Staff (including sound & lighting staff) may or may not know how long this break is supposed to be - it doesn't hurt to ask, but you might well get a shrug in reply.
It looks like the BPAC is the kind of place that might well flicker the lights in the bar area & lobby as a "show's about to start" signal, but I wouldn't count on this at other venues if you go to other pop/rock shows.
posted by soundguy99 at 8:27 PM on March 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
I suspect not so much. I've never worked or seen an Apocalyptica show but just check out the live video on their home page. This is a metal show.
Looking at the Ticketmaster page for the Bergen PAC show, it looks like there will be assigned seating in the whole venue, no "pit" or unseated General Admission in the front area, but like guenevery and Jilder say, there's a good chance people will be standing up, dancing, yelling & screaming, for a good part of the show. That's part of the fun, let loose yourself.
There may or may not be ushers to show you to your seat/aisle. Rock venues often kind of assume everyone can find their own seat. There may be security staff who can help guide you.
(Or, rather: People on the internet say I should bring earplugs, because it will be 120db, but they're obviously crazy, right?)
Again, no personal experience with the band and how loud they run things, but I checked out the tech specs of the BPAC, and the speaker system they have installed is capable of 141 db. So people ain't obviously crazy - bring earplugs. (And honestly I suspect even a volume a lot less than 120 db is gonna be a bit of a shock to the system if your previous experience is chamber music and church basements.)
Will I look weird / under-dressed?
Heck no. Half the guys in the band are wearing T-shirts with the sleeves cut off. You'll be fine.
Come back when the lights flicker.
Generally, this is not so much a thing in the pop/rock world, if only because a good portion of the time the bars and at least some of the bathrooms are in the same room as the performance. There may not be an intermission at all, or if there is someone from the band will say, "We're gonna take a break, we'll be back in a little bit" which could be anywhere from 15 minutes to half an hour. Staff (including sound & lighting staff) may or may not know how long this break is supposed to be - it doesn't hurt to ask, but you might well get a shrug in reply.
It looks like the BPAC is the kind of place that might well flicker the lights in the bar area & lobby as a "show's about to start" signal, but I wouldn't count on this at other venues if you go to other pop/rock shows.
posted by soundguy99 at 8:27 PM on March 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
I want to agree with the earplugs suggestions, and suggest a specific product if you're looking to specialize. I use EarPeace for the concerts I go to, and they're both comfortable for long periods of wear as well as making the music not so muffled like drugstore options would do. The last concert I went to (September 2018), I could barely hear the crowd around me, but the music and vocals were pretty crisp and enjoyable. More importantly, I left with no tinnitus whatsoever.
posted by lesser weasel at 8:44 PM on March 3, 2019
posted by lesser weasel at 8:44 PM on March 3, 2019
You're going to have a great time! I've been to two Apocalyptica concerts before - both times general admission, pressed right up against the front barrier, but very different experiences each time.
The first time was in 2012, before they toured with a vocalist - I recall that the crowd was pretty polite, probably more heavily weighted towards cello nerds than hardcore metalheads. I distinctly remember everyone going dead quiet when they played "Faraway", plenty of people were just standing around swaying gently with their eyes closed.
The second time I saw Apocalytica was during their Shadowmaker tour in 2016 with Franky Perez on vocals, when their sound had become more mainstream metal. The makeup of the audience had changed drastically - mostly metalheads, and things were a lot more physical. I distinctly recall:
(a) some assholes tried to shove their way to the front and were being way too rough about it - the lead singer very firmly told them to knock it off and they disappeared into the crowd (or maybe just melted into the ground from the public shaming); and
(b) one shirtless, sweaty dude, who'd been thrashing around like a maniac and royally pissing off everyone in the vicinity, climbed the barrier and tried to stage-dive. The audience parted like the Red Fucking Sea and he fell flat on his face. I don't know if it was because no one wanted to touch a shirtless, sweaty stranger, or because everyone recognised him as The Guy Who Elbowed You In the Face Two Minutes Ago, but either way, it was goddamn beautiful.
I'd highly recommend you wear earplugs - I've very fond of my Etymotic ER-20 earplugs, which protect your hearing without turning the music to mush like cheapo foam earplugs.
posted by yours in calendrical heresy at 7:20 AM on March 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
The first time was in 2012, before they toured with a vocalist - I recall that the crowd was pretty polite, probably more heavily weighted towards cello nerds than hardcore metalheads. I distinctly remember everyone going dead quiet when they played "Faraway", plenty of people were just standing around swaying gently with their eyes closed.
The second time I saw Apocalytica was during their Shadowmaker tour in 2016 with Franky Perez on vocals, when their sound had become more mainstream metal. The makeup of the audience had changed drastically - mostly metalheads, and things were a lot more physical. I distinctly recall:
(a) some assholes tried to shove their way to the front and were being way too rough about it - the lead singer very firmly told them to knock it off and they disappeared into the crowd (or maybe just melted into the ground from the public shaming); and
(b) one shirtless, sweaty dude, who'd been thrashing around like a maniac and royally pissing off everyone in the vicinity, climbed the barrier and tried to stage-dive. The audience parted like the Red Fucking Sea and he fell flat on his face. I don't know if it was because no one wanted to touch a shirtless, sweaty stranger, or because everyone recognised him as The Guy Who Elbowed You In the Face Two Minutes Ago, but either way, it was goddamn beautiful.
I'd highly recommend you wear earplugs - I've very fond of my Etymotic ER-20 earplugs, which protect your hearing without turning the music to mush like cheapo foam earplugs.
posted by yours in calendrical heresy at 7:20 AM on March 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Wow, I had no idea the 120dB number was realistic. Good grief. And here I am wearing earplugs on the subway.
I am enjoying people's stories of seeing Apocalyptica, though. Keep those coming, if only to distract me from the spectre of hearing loss.
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 9:35 PM on March 4, 2019
I am enjoying people's stories of seeing Apocalyptica, though. Keep those coming, if only to distract me from the spectre of hearing loss.
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 9:35 PM on March 4, 2019
Don't worry, once you hear them play "Nothing Else Matters" live, it will be burned into your soul forever and you will no longer feel any need to hear other sounds.
posted by gueneverey at 5:47 AM on March 5, 2019
posted by gueneverey at 5:47 AM on March 5, 2019
This thread is closed to new comments.
2. No etiquette
3. No weapons or obvious drug paraphernalia
4. Not usually, unless the venue tries to enforce coat check. Coat check may be cash only.
5. You’ll be fine. Coat check rules are venue specific
6. Relax. People watch. Have fun. In a venue that small you don’t really need too many life hacks or pro life tips, you can follow the crowd. Check if there is pre-ordering for intermission drinks and snacks.
posted by crazycanuck at 12:41 PM on March 3, 2019 [4 favorites]