🌿 Fan observations of the concert experience
Nothing in this world can compare to those few seconds when the house lights go down and an artist is about to step on the stage to start the show. Glancing around at the people, fans, around you like you're all in on a secret: you're about to have the time of your life!
And truly, you do! I encourage everyone I know to go to a concert. There's something really special when you watch an artist in their element, performing songs you know and love right in front of your eyes.
But, sometimes I wish there was more. Unless you're fortunate enough to afford tickets to more than one show in a tour, the concert experience is usually one-off. The whole experience starts and ends at the show. Like a little bubble, it's own little world.
Some observations that I've noticed and ideas that I'd like to explore:
Mailing lists
I've only signed up to mailing lists to get pre-sale codes/access before the tickets are released, rarely as a reliable way to get updates from an artist. Communications feel jumbled between artists, venues and promoters. For larger shows there's so many pre-sale options sometimes I don't even see the benefit of signing up for a specific mailing list.
Pre-show comms do not excite me. It feels like a void from the moment I purchase my tickets to the week of the show (where I have to figure out outfits and logistics). I like that some artists have more engaging ways of getting our contacts (like voting on songs @ Ed Sheeran's Loop tour or merch giveaways). Usually, emails are just general tour announcements, merch, maybe some logistics from the venue, not really something that makes me feel closer to the artist or the music.
Post-show experience
Give me anything to extend or relive the night, cure my PCD (post-concert depression)! Maybe some new merch ideas?
Fan to fan community
It's been a while since I've been on twitter, where fans would so quickly and easily gather around a moment in support of an artist. Maybe it's because I'm not on these social media platforms anymore that I feel disconnected from the fandoms. Being surrounded by so many fans at a show, it's clear that community is there, but it's fragmented across platforms and spaces.
What else?
I'm interested in exploring more about fandoms, communities and fan to artist relationships.