Concert Etiquette Do's And Don'ts: What Are The Rules?

When attending a concert, the main reasons why you're there is to have fun and see your fave artist perform their songs IRL. Whether you're a solo fangirl, or your plans with the barkada finally made it out of the group chat, the memories from that special night will live on in your mind—and phone storage—forever.

So, the worst thing that could happen is someone ruining your once-in-a-lifetime experience. We get it, emotions can run high, especially when the singer is RIGHT THERE in front of you. But it's important to remember that they're performing to a crowd of thousands, who are all equally excited and hoping to have a good time.

We've seen a lot of discourse surrounding proper concert etiquette after *Miss So Filipina* Olivia Rodrigo's sold-out GUTS World Tour in Manila last October 5, 2024. So we put together a list of the important do's and don'ts!

Concert Etiquette Do's And Don'ts

• DO wear a face mask. And bring an extra mask just in case!
• DO practice basic hygiene. Concerts mean several hours of close contact with other people, so please shower beforehand, use deodorant, and bring hand sanitizer, alcohol, or wet wipes to keep your hands clean.
• DO eat and drink beforehand. Attending a concert takes up a lot of energy, so make sure you're feeling 100% before the main event starts!
  Tip: Most venues do not allow outside food/drink, so check bring some cash just in case.
• DO dress appropriately. Dress for comfort (especially if you plan on standing through soundcheck AND the actual concert), but also check the venue for any banned attire.
  Tip: Local fan clubs usually post dress code suggestions, so check social media while planning your concert OOTD. And don't forget to bring all the concert essentials, too!
• DO make friends. After all, you already have one thing in common—your music taste! So ask the person beside you in line what their fave song is, or practice a fan chant with your seat mate.
  Tip: If you're a solo attendee, make friends with others in the queue/crowd so they can hold your spot if you need to use the restroom! Befriend the people beside you during hi-bye sessions too, so you can share vids of each other fangirling during send-off—a wonderful keepsake of you interacting with your idol!

• DO NOT cut the line when queueing. Whether it's to secure a barricade spot, to buy merch, or even to use the bathroom, there is a line for a reason.
• DO NOT film yourself with the flash on. Filming a selfie vid with flash on is distracting and harsh on the eyes of the people behind you, plus it can ruin their concert experience, especially if you're filming without their consent. Not everyone wants to be in someone else's video! Event promoters also share a list of prohibited items prior to the concert, and "flash photography" is usually part of that list.
• DO NOT raise your phones/signs/pickets/light sticks above your head. Raising items above your head at a concert blocks the view of the people behind you, especially in the standing section—keep things at chest level!
• DO NOT use excessive head accessories. Tall headbands, hats, etc. may block others' view and disrupt their concert experience.
• DO NOT scream or shout while the artist (or translator) is speaking. This is not your y/n moment. The person whose concert you're attending wants to say something, so let everyone hear it and just enjoy the moment.
• DO NOT stand in the seated section. Unless you're asked to stand/jump by the artist, then by all means, do so! But ONLY for that moment.
• DO NOT push towards the artist. A.k.a. do not come down from the higher tiers (or push towards the barricade) when an artist approaches a section, because you block the view of those who bought that specific ticket—and might even cause a security concern due to overcrowding and possible injuries.
• DO NOT sit in a seat not assigned to you. Even if there are vacant seats when the event starts, please stay in your assigned seat to avoid having to move when the actual seat owner arrives. Of course, if an usher tells you to move to a closer section then feel free.
• DO NOT throw things onstage or at the artist. This should be self-explanatory.
• DO NOT fight over an item the artist throws into the crowd. Don't be aggressive towards the person who catches it—it just ruins the atmosphere for everyone else (and can potentially become a dangerous situation!)
• DO NOT be overly physical with the artist. Some artists will approach fans (whether during the concert or at a hi-bye session). Do not grab at them or pull them towards you, or crowd them so much that they cannot move on to see other fans. Give them a hi-five, ask them to complete a heart, or even do a simple wave, instead!
• DO NOT litter. Pick up after yourself, especially if you plan on eating/drinking during the event. If there are no trashcans nearby, keep it tucked under your seat then properly dispose of your trash after the concert.