Concert culture

Seeing your favourite artist is so much more than that moment on stage - it’s the buildup, the outfit prep and the fandom. Here’s why!

FYI: this article has been written by Rubi, BRIT School student and indu community member.

Makeup

A crucial part of concert culture - it’s a way to pull an outfit together, express yourself and maximise the overall experience on concert day. Makeup helps us feel more connected to the art of live music and atmosphere. For concerts, it’s mostly vibrant and unique - reflecting the artist that you’re going to see, the genre of music or just your personal appearance.

I’d recommend LiquidEyes liquid eyeshadow from indu - there are so many different shades and you can match it to any musician or vibe. You can wear it alone or blend with other eyeshadows. I went to Yungblud’s BludFest recently and wore LiquidEyes in Moonlight Sky, as it's a silver/grey, which matched the emo aesthetic of the festival.

Outfits

Concert outfits used to be all about practicality and comfort, but now it’s a reflection of the artist and their aesthetic. Take Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour for example - the fans  wear cowboy boots and hats with denim shorts and a stylish top, all with some form of bedazzling, to match the energy of the album and Beyoncé herself.

Another example is Harry Styles and his Love On Tour tour - fans recreated outfits that he has worn before, or styled fruit-themed looks (I got involved when I made my own outfit for his Wembley show in 2023 - the classic heart dungarees with ‘H’ ‘S’ on the back pockets). 

Social media

This is one of the biggest parts of concert culture, as it influences teens to participate. Fans make TikToks of their outfits, GRWMs or even just their experience at the concert. Social media also increases the accessibility for artists and fans, as artists use it to promote concerts, sharing BTS content.

It also allows the artist to engage with the fans, build anticipation for the shows and it’s a window for the fans to know what vibe the artist is going for, for their tour. This way, they can easily plan their outfits, makeup, posters, etc…

Benefits for teen mental health

From personal experience, concerts have such a positive effect on teen mental health - they can trigger a release of endorphins, which generates a sense of exhilaration and brightened mood.

Concerts also help with emotional expression and stress reduction, as you’re there in the moment experiencing the euphoric atmosphere, most likely with friends or family or maybe making new friends, seeing an artist you love and adore, in real life. Concerts are my happy place - they allow me to be myself and express myself. They relax me and give me a sense of home.