If you do have no fear! Because now that I'm the concert expert* I am going to give you some helpful tips on how you can survive your first concert experience like me and talk about what to expect if you haven't been to one like Before Summer Kenzie.

*I hope you read that with a flourish of sarcasm.

As you know, I got to see Imagine Dragons (featuring Grace VanderWaal) and Harry Styles in early June (it felt so surreal, my dude). I was lucky to have two really great concert experiences (best nights EVER). I did have to wait in line for a little bit at Imagine Dragons and we did have to pay an outrageous amount for semi-reasonable parking but thank goodness we had a VIP package and we were able to get in stress-free. So, typically, it's all according to the venue. At Harry Styles, we didn't have to wait in line AT ALL. We didn't have to pay for parking either! It was so laid-back and easy peasy lemon squeezy. And even though both shows had completely different vibes, they were amazing in their own way.

So, I guess you can say that I got lucky. But there are some things you should do as a form of self-care before going to a concert in order to have your best and fullest experience...

It's time to let your inner extrovert shine! And what I mean by that is to let yourself sing at the top of your longs and dance even if everyone is watching-- which is something your introverted self may not care for...  But the night is yours. Let yourself be completely and wildly free.

I knew that loud music and being surrounded by thousands of people would give me The Ultimate Headache so I made sure to take ibuprofen before the show started and drank lots of water (not too much though- I didn't want to miss anything). If you are well taken care of (i.e. fed, watered, dressed nicely) you will enjoy yourself so much better. I brought a flannel with me to both shows just in case I got cold but I didn't end up needing it because I was too bUSY DANCING AND SINGING LIKE THE CRAZY FAN I AM! ~(•-•)~

Make friends!

Waiting in line can be overwhelming and full of anxious vibes. You're either too hot from standing in the sun or too cold from standing in the rain. Someone might have cut in front of you or bumped your elbow with their metal lawn chair. But you have to remember: Everyone is there for the SAME reason you are. You're about to see one of your favorite artists LIVE. This is a monumental moment, my dude. So... Smile at the person next to you. Offer to take a picture for the group of friends over there. Compliment someone on their outfit (they probably thought long and hard about it!). Ask someone if they're as excited as you are!

Afterall, you probably won't ever see these people again.

My sisters and I asked this group of girls to take our picture for us and we offered to take one for them. They were so sweet and giddy and eager about the whole thing. We never saw them again but there's nothing better than that feeling of connecting with a stranger because you both are experiencing this moment together. 

I remember when Imagine Dragons started playing some of their throwback songs and I noticed there was a guy behind me, standing in his seat as well, singing along to Demons like it was his anthem. It really took me back to when I was 16 and sitting in my room, writing while listening to the Night Visions album... I never would have thought I was going to actually be seeing them in concert one day. I never thought I'd actually touch Dan Raynold's bicep. •-•

Plan it right.

I know sometimes the best experiences are unplanned... But if this is your first time going to one, you need to time it with some sort of plan in mind. 

Since we knew that parking was going to be pretty crazy for Imagine Dragons (the venue had a lot of complaints the night before), we made sure to get there two hours before the gates opened. For Harry Styles, we had to drive over 5 hours* so beforehand, we decided not to worry about making it to the opening act and get there a little bit after the venue opens since our seats were reserved. With that mindset, we felt more at ease evEN THOUGH WE MADE IT JUST IN TIME TO SEE HARRY STYLES GET READY BEFORE THE SHOW. 

* why yes, we did get home at 6am.

And yes, he did end up waving to us. *insert teenage Kenzie sobs*

So, I think planning it in the sense of knowing how much time you'll need for parking and the possibility of waiting in line, going to the bathroom, getting snacks, etc., would make your experience feel way less overwhelming. 

Have fun!

There is honestly no way to describe what it is like to go to a real concert. There's a rush of adrenaline that flows through you the moment before the artist gets on stage and the crowd just goes insane. You feel as though you've entered a whole other universe when you're singing along to your favorite song and standing on top of your seat and time no longer exists. 

I hope everyone is able to have that feeling, no matter what type of experience it is.