The comprehensive guide to going to your first Metalcore concert.

Part 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/Metalcore/comments/at93bu/the_comprehensive_guide_to_going_to_your_first

I see lots of people post in this sub in anticipation of their first show. I think that this is really amazing and I love watching the scene grow, but they tend to ask to same questions and receive the same answers every time. I've decided to write up a little guide that amasses all of that information in to one place. Please point out anything that I missed and I will gladly edit new tips in.

PROTECT YOUR EARS

Concerts are very, VERY loud and proper hearing protection is a must. Buying earplugs is highly recommended and cheap foam options are sold at every pharmacy. If you plan on moshing or being more active, however, you may require some higher quality hearing protection that won't fall out. Take a gander on amazon, there are tons of very affordable and quality options.

I wish that I could provide specific examples, but I don't practice what I preach and I've only worn ear protection a handful of times. My hearing has noticeably deteriorated (although it doesn't seem to get any worse now) and I am only 23. Learn from my mistakes.

KNOW WHERE TO STAND

Different types of concerts have different "feels" to them and Metalcore shows are no different. There are a few different areas for you to choose from in order to maximize your concert going experience

1. The back/ sides: This is the place to go if you just want to take it easy. There won't be a mosh pit and you won't have to keep your head on a swivel for crowd surfers or stage divers. You can just hang out, sip on a beer (if that's your thing) and enjoy the performance.

2. The front: Do you love the band and want to sing every word, headbang, jump and just lose your shit in general? Go to the front. There will be a bit of a crush and you will have to keep your head on a bit of a swivel (especially at more hardcore oriented shows) for stage divers and crowd surfers, but this is the most active part of the venue to be. It's a ton of fun.

3. The middle/ The pit: I'm a mosher so this is where I love to be. This is the most "dangerous" part of the venue to be and you absolutely need to be aware of your surroundings (again, especially at more hardcore oriented shows). There is a saying in the scene and it's one I can't reiterate enough: "If you don't want to get hit, don't stand near the pit." That being said, if you want to mosh, fucking mosh. It's the most fun thing to do at a show in my opinion. If you are going to stand here or in the front, don't wear shoes that you care about. I have a dedicated pair of concert shoes that are fucking disgusting because of how much beer, sweat, dirt, etc gets rubbed on them throughout the night.

Also, no matter where you stand, stay hydrated. Even when it's cold as Fuck outside the venue will be hot and steamy if it's full and you'll probably sweat a lot. Most venues have water coolers or offer free water, definitely get some!

DONT BE AFRAID TO GO ALONE

If there is one thing that holds true to the entire Metalcore scene, it's a sense of family. This is a place of acceptance for everything except intolerance. We're all weird folks who found a home in this music and people are very friendly.

The best way to have friends that like going to shows is to go on your own and make some!

RESPECT THE CULTURE

This is, in my opinion, the most important point. The culture of the scene is the reason for everything that's amazing about it. It's actually pretty simple and I'll break it down into a couple key points.

1. As I said, this scene is tolerant of everything except for intolerance. That means that you can't bring any form of racism, classism, homophobia, transphobia, etc with you into a show. If you do feel any of these things, you can obviously still go to a show and enjoy the music, but don't be a dick. Keep your opinions to yourself and don't actively make this safe space threatening to anyone.

2. Respect the mosh. Since Metalcore is a fusion genre of Metal and Hardcore Punk, it brings different types of moshing with it. At more Metal oriented shows, the mosh mostly consists of pushing and bumping into each other. This is known as a "Push Mosh." At more Hardcore oriented shows, the moshing consists of this kind of wild flailing and kicking dance known as "Hardcore Dancing". For the love of God, don't dance at a show where people are pushing and don't push at a show where people are dancing, you could really hurt someone. This is a contentious area in the scene and I have seen fights start off petty stuff like that. It's totally fine to feel a show out a bit before deciding to participate in either kind of mosh.

3. Buy Merch/ Support the scene: Merchandise is more than just a cool shirt to wear to show what bands you like. Merch Sales at shows is literally how bands feed themselves on tour and put gas in the tank to make it to the next venue. Most of these bands are basically making no money and are touring and playing shows out of the love of it, so if you want to see them keep doing it, buy some merch!

4. Get there early! Even if you only like the headliner, go see the openers. There may be an opening band that is growing really quickly or a local band that are the "hometown hero's" of your scene; one of the best ways to find new music similar to stuff you already like is to just get there early. It also shows a lot of support for the scene and allows smaller bands to grow.

Conclusion

Concerts are a place to have fun, so go have some! You'll meet some of the nicest people you've ever met and you'll be able to appreciate this amazing music in a new way. If you're scared to do something, don't feel pressured by anyone to do it, but if you want to mosh, then have at it! If you want to crowd surf, just ask some folks around you to help you up and they gladly will!

I'll see you in the pit!

Those are the main points that I felt needed to be covered and that most people have questions about. If anyone wants to point out something I missed, let me know and I'll edit it in.