Happy 2025! We haven’t thought much about resolutions, but we have thought about which things we want to see more of and which things we really want left in 2024. This is our list of ins and outs for the year: concert edition.
IN:
1. Unexpected instruments – more accordions, violins, trombones etc please. Even dustbin lids if you fancy (looking at you Ryan McMahon).
2. Announcing ticket sales more than 3 days in advance – give us some time to think please! Though knowing us we’d still operate on “buy now think later”.
3. Dressing up for concerts – have fun, wear your themed outfit, life is for living.
4. Small venue shows – arena shows are great, but there’s just something so special about seeing your favourite band in an intimate venue.
5. Jewellery and other non-clothing items as merch – we love having something other than a hoodie or t-shirt to remind us of the show, think necklaces, pin badges, keyrings. All offer a fun and subtle way to show your love for the artist.
6. Mixing up the setlists – having the setlist change slightly each show adds even more excitement (and potentially a pang of jealousy towards anyone that gets the surprise song you were hoping for, but it’s worth it when there’s a chance to get your favourite deep cut).
7. Afterparties with an artist DJ set – we understand these aren’t always possible due to tight schedules, but they are so much fun and give you a great chance to learn more about the artist’s own music taste and connect with other fans.
8. Shows that finish early – not too early, we’re talking 10 – 10:15pm. No one likes a mad rush to get the last train and then missing it anyway because the show didn’t finish until 10:45pm.
9. Being properly prepared for concerts – too often we see fans fainting and having to be pulled out, whilst this can’t always be helped there are things you can do to minimise your risk. Eat properly, hydrate, and always look out for your friends, if you or your friend feel unwell it’s better to get some air at the back than be pulled out and miss the show.
10. Making friends in the crowd – we’re all here because we love the same band, why not get some new friends out of it?
OUT:
1. Throwing beer in the pit – why is our hair drinking it instead of you? You’re wasting a perfectly good pint!
2. Actually, throwing anything in the pit – we’ve seen all sorts from bottles to bracelets to basketballs, no one wants to be hit in the head or have something spilled all over them.
3. Dynamic pricing – do we even need to explain? Dynamic pricing is truly the work of the devil.
4. Calling it a “UK Tour” but the only date in the south is London – other cities exist! And don’t even get us started on how often Wales & Northern Ireland are just left out altogether.
5. Asking artists to take a selfie/BeReal mid set – firstly, we should leave BeReal in 2023 where it belongs. Secondly, it’s annoying, especially if the artist is clearly not responding but you keep asking for the whole set.
6. Talking over the support act – aside from the fact support acts are a great way to find new music and the headline artist obviously likes them so you probably will too, it’s actually just rude.
7. Camping for shows – controversial, we know, but there really are better things to do than sleep outside the venue.
8. Holding up a sign for longer than necessary – holding up a sign at all will block people’s view, so holding it up for entire songs is a huge no from us. We came to see our favourite band, not look at the back of your old cereal box.
9. Long breaks between the end of the main set and the encore – you haven’t played your three most popular songs yet, we know you’re coming back, no need to play games.
10. Having over an hour between doors and the first act – okay, some venues need it due to size, but if the venue is small enough that everyone can be in within half an hour, why are we waiting an hour and a half for the first act? We know you can come out sooner!
Now we’ll spend 2025 manifesting that all of these actually do happen.