Four Rules That Make Club Concerts Easier to Attend

Small live venues, such as clubs or restaurants, offer an intimate concert experience that you simply can't get in arena shows. However, they also present you with a wide range of potential problems that you need to anticipate before attending.

Protecting Your Hearing

As a rock and roll fan, you love the pure volume that comes with attending shows. However, the volume level can still be incredibly damaging. For example, one club in Brooklyn regularly sees a volume output of 115 decibels, which is 20 decibels higher than that which can cause hearing loss.

That's why you shouldn't be ashamed to bring a set of earplugs to club concerts. They can help protect your hearing from the sheer volume and high pitches that can lead to severe and permanent hearing loss.

Put the Video Camera Away

The temptation to record a club concert for posterity is often too strong for many rock fans. After all, club shows usually have smaller local bands, ones that may break up at any time. Having something to remember them by is important for fans like you.

However, if the club has a "no taping" policy, you should put the camera away and respect that wish, especially if the band is against it. And don't try to get your phone out to record: performers are getting very good at noticing phone recording. And while you may be able to ask the club and band for permission to record, always respect the decision if they say no.

Knowing When to Be Loud

Concerts are all about having fun, getting excited, and potentially getting rowdy. But what if the band you're watching integrates quiet parts into their songs or likes to play quiet songs from time to time? Should you simply stay pumped up, even as the sound grows more intimate and still?

No, you shouldn't be rowdy during quiet music. Not only will your loudness potentially distract the band, it will likely annoy the concertgoers around you who are trying to meditate on the quiet vibes. This is especially true in smaller venues, where you'll be easier to identify and (potentially) kick out.

Keep the Moshing Safe

Moshing is a fun way to show your enthusiasm for the heavy drive of hard rock bands, but this activity can be rather dangerous when performed in a club atmosphere, as the more cramped dance floor area will create a higher risk of personal injury. Follow these moshing safety etiquette guidelines to keep you and your fellow concertgoers safe:

• Stop moshing and help up anyone who has fallen.
• Store hard personal items in your car, leave them at your table, or hold them above your head to avoid causing injuries.
• Know the extent of the mosh pit and respect people who don't want to participate.
• Don't try to go against the tempo and flow of the pit, as this can result in resentment, annoyance, and lashing out.
• Understand that the pushing, shoving, and smashing of moshing isn't personal: like you, everyone else is just trying to have a lot of fun.

Following these basic guidelines will ensure that you and anyone with you will have a lot more fun at your next club concert. And try to reach out to anyone acting improperly at these concerts to help keep their bad behaviors from spreading. Now find a venue, such as the Water Front Bar And Grill, and enjoy!