Rock Concert Etiquette Part 1: Be Punctual and Considerate
When you hear the words "concert etiquette" you may think of the proper amount of time it's appropriate to applaud or what to wear to a formal event like the symphony or a play, but good manners are just as important at a rock concert at a bar or outdoor amphitheater. Most of rock concert etiquette boils down to common sense and common courtesy, but here some guidelines you may want to consider before heading to your next rock show.
Even if the event is standing room only and you don't have to worry about finding your assigned seat, arriving early is a considerate thing to do for a few reasons. The staff of the venue will appreciate those considerate enough to arrive early; will call and ticket stations are often packed with stragglers arriving just a few minutes before the start of a show, making for long lines of impatient, stressed concertgoers and event staff.
It's also worth arriving early if you want to get a spot near the front of the stage. I don't know how many times I've seen someone come in late and push themselves to the front of the crowd, disturbing people and, if they're tall, blocking the view of the shorter folks that were there before them. Besides, arriving late isn't only irritating to the other people at the show... it's also disrespectful to the performer. Think about it this way: how would you feel if you were opening for an act and, all during your performance, people were funneling in, seemingly carefree about disturbing your part of the show? So be on time and show your support for the openers as well as the headliner; after all, even the biggest bands were openers once.