What to wear… and what not to wear to a rock show
Above photo credit: frenkieb, Right photo credit: allyaubry
I’m a fan of reason. Answering a “why?” question with “just because” or “well that’s the way it’s always been” doesn’t fly with me. And that kills me because my answers to the two following questions are as follows:
- Q: .Should you wear a band’s t-shirt to that same band’s show?
A:.No.
. - Q:.Why not?
A:.Because.
What’s worse is that I see no issue with a sports fan wearing his chosen team’s jersey to their games. Red Sox fan going to Fenway? A Big Papi jersey fits. Packer’s fan headed to Lambeau? Go nuts with your Aaron Rodgers gear.
So now I’m not only abandoning reason, I’m also a double standard loving hypocrite. Awesome.
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What To Wear – Keep it Dark and Simple
A loud and smokey club where you’ve got a 50/50 shot of getting beer dumped on you is no time for your favorite blazer. Let’s keep it basic and not completely over-think this. Something like this getup seems to do just fine:
- Untucked Black or Grey Fitted 1MX. Sleeves rolled up if it’s warm in there
- A slim, Dark Grey, deep red, or dark green Calvin Klein T-shirt
- Dark (but not black) denim
- Some not dressed up but not woods ready can-handle-some-beer-spillage Black Boots
- A casual watch with a lighter dial
or striped band to prevent anyone from mistaking you for a theater tech.
I know, easy. And notice there’s no “concert tee of the band you’re seeing” suggestion in there.
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The Question Still Remains…
But why can’t you wear your favorite band’s shirt to the show? Every band has a merch table with $20 (or more) shirts. I almost bought one at a Black Joe Lewis show the other night, but I blew my cash at the bar & didn’t want to pay the $3.50 fee to use the in-the-club tiny ATM. If I would have, I guarantee I wouldn’t have worn it to their next show.
Why is that? Is there a double standard when it comes to sports teams and their fans? What about women? Can they pull off the concert t-shirt at the show look? Why is this even a “rule?” Leave your take below…
I rarely go see bands who sell their merch for $20 or more… my opinion is that if you really want to wear the band you are seeing’s merch, go ahead. Just know that, if they are still selling that shirt, you look like a newbie.
The dress code for a rock concert is; there is no dress code.
I like going to shows and I like going to baseball games. If im going to a game, I wear my favorite teams jersey and hat. If I go to a show, I dress casual like any other normal day. Would I wear a bands t-shirt to one of thier shows? Probably not…. actually, I dont own a single band tshirt. Do I see a problem with people wearing the bands tshirt to thier show? No, I could care less.
For me, im on cusp of turning 30 and wearing a band tshirt just doesnt fit my style. I love music, shows, and im a geek at a number of different things… but I am no hardcore music geek.
being a concert junkie and losing count after like 120 some shows. I have to agree with not wearing the band’s shirt but def wear another band’s shirt. if you like bands go to their concerts and buy their merch because that’s where the bands make all their money, not from cds or downloads.
Wearing the band’s shirt is a way to advertise you like the band. Going to their show is another way to show you like the band. Wearing the shirt Is superfluous.
I’d have to disagree. Definitely wear a band’s merch to other shows, they’re sort of like notches on ‘Monk’ McGinn’s sledgehammer from Gangs of New York… ok, well not as badass, but it sort of represents how many shows you’ve been to. Especially when you get the shirts with the tour dates on the back… yeah you wanna show those off. Besides that, they act in the same way a sports jersey does — you can tell who the fans are by who’s wearing the apparel. Not that the people without apparel aren’t fans, it’s just that the ones with apparel definitely are.
Wear the Band merchandise to the show + if the Band has a lot seen with funny spoof t-shirts wear those as well (since this proves you are a die hard fan), good Bands with spoof shirts – Phish and Widespread Panic.
As someone who wears a lot of band t-shirts, and who buys them pretty much exclusively at shows, I want to second 2 things.
1. You’re already at the show. They know you’re a fan. You don’t need to wear a t-shirt to prove it (plus it’s kind of tacky)
2. Buy shirts and other merch at shows, that is indeed where bands get their money.
I have to disagree with alot of this here. Understand the logic behind not wanting to wear a band shirt, because say you wanna go out after the show and not go to a place with all of the other fans…then you’ll stand out (in a bad way) for wearing a shirt.
As for suggested alternatives, it largely depends on the performer. My favorite two musical bodies, Metallica and Jay-Z, are very different and thus would require different attire so that should be kept in mind. The slim fit t shirt (but can’t be underarmor tight) is fine with dark jeans but cant get with the 1MX on this one.
You wear your team colors to support your team. It’s a matter of school spirit/team pride to have the stands decked out in your colors.
Wearing a band’s shirt to their concert either makes it seem like you are trying to either prove you heard them first/are a bigger fan, which means you are either a douche or are in fact a noob.
Now that I think of it, there are very few times wearing a band’s tshirt is ok. Maybe lounging around at the beach or the lake, or while working out.
weird that you used an iron maiden shirt in the example. i just got back from an Iron Maiden concert in Buenos Aires. In this case… you stick out if you DON’T wear an Iron Maiden shirt.
Not many bands have that sort of unique merchandise. Widespread Panic has a similar merch following. In most cases, however, you’d wear a shirt from an artist in the same genre. Just had to point out that you DO wear an Iron Maiden shirt at an Iron Maiden show.
To Quote the most underratted movie of the 90s PCU
Droz (to Gutter):What’s this? You’re wearing the shirt of the band you’re going to see? Don’t be that guy.
If it’s a Stones or Dead concert, you can wear the tee. I think those may be the only exceptions.
The best time to wear a band’s t-shirt is when you are removing the restrictor plate for the red dragon, making it not exactly ‘street legal’.
The band and sport analogies are not the same thing. A sporting event is two teams in competition and you want to make vocal who you want to win. A show/tour is a collaboration of all the groups involved for a single purpose: to rock your balls off. I’ve played in bands/done tours in my younger days and any band is going to love you’re wearing their shirt. But short of playing arena rock gigs that need to support mansions and a raging coke habit, most musicians are just happy you’re there. Wearing the shirt to the show is a bit overzealous for most people in the band, but looks like you’re trying way to hard to other people in the crowd. That being said: if you care what other people think about you at a show, that ain’t rock n’ roll.
FYI- always support touring bands. Since no one buys their cds anymore, merch is the main way they make their money
In high school we used to refer to these people as “That Guy.” You’re just trying way too hard to prove you are a fan when you go see a band while adorned with their merchandise, be that a shirt, hat, signature Vans slip ons, or leather wrist band.
Definitely buy the merchandise at the show. Support the bands you like, and especially support local music. Just don’t put that shirt on right after you buy it during the first set.
I go to quite a few hardcore/metal shows, and at least within that subculture, it’s generally kind of tacky to wear a shirt for one of the band’s you’re seeing. The main reason for this is that usually the people who do that are the ones who purchased the shirt at said show, and are so excited that they immediately slip it on over their other clothing. These people are also generally tweens for whom this is their first real concert. So, since nobody wants to look like a 14-year-old scene girl…I have always considered it uncool to wear a band’s shirt to their show.
Long explanation for a simple issue. Bottom line: don’t do it. But definitely buy merch for the bands you like, because that is indeed where most of their touring revenue comes from.
Joe, you could absolutely wear a Black Joe Lewis shirt at a BJL show, so long as it says “BITCH I LOVE YOU”
Girls can get away with it. They’re cute, so they can get away with a lot.
I generally don’t wear one unless I know the band themselves.
Smaller bands, I avoid it so that I can buy a shirt at their merch table without looking like a total fanboy.
Larger bands, well if I’ve paid more than $50 for a ticket, it’s a “nice date”, so I’m wearing something with a collar and buttons on it.
HA! Yes… didn’t see any of those shirts, but they had a few stickers with that on there. Shoulda at least picked one or two of those up.
I think you will get your ass kicked if you wear that Express shirt to a Maiden show.
Interesting discussion. How about going to a game wearing you favoring team/player jersey. Come on, like concerts it’s a fun time – live a little!! Don’t have to be a tight-a$$ bore all the time. You can be a fan AND be stylish. It’s not mutually exclusive.
You know what? It’s an effing rock concert. Go to have fun instead of worrying what the other drunks trying to have fun are thinking about you. If you want to wear your band shirt, WEAR IT.
I’m still borderline on that movie – I think I’d like it better if they hadn’t tried so hard to market it as the new Animal House a mere 16 years after Animal House came out. It was still a decent movie, but Animal House is canon.
Liked for “rock your balls off.”
I snapped up a few of them when I saw them. There will definitely be a time when they will come in handy.
It’s not nearly as bad as a bandmember wearing one of their own shirts. I know that towards the end of a tour, laundries can be few and far between. But wear an opening acts shirt before wearing one of your own.
If you want to be “that guy,” be “that guy.” Have and enjoy your own style, don’t be dictated by the masses. Always amazes me how strict the clothing guidelines are for sub-groups looking to be “individuals.”
Well it was supposed to go to the black option, not that electric blue thing. And besides, Maiden fans are all big softies at heart. They’d probable just think I was lost, then help point me in the direction of the Michael Buble show.
You wear your teams jersey/colours to show your support for them (as opposed to the other team) sports teams world-wide recognize their fans as the 6th, 11th, 16th or whatever-th man… Your support for the band is shown by going to the show, buy the merch and wear it to another venue for another band… Wearing their merch to the show is giving the impression you feel you are a bigger/better fan…
Personal note: I wear a Led Zeppelin ’77 tour shirt for every concert I go to. It’s been to dozens (if not triple digits) shows with me, it’s got a few battle scars (an oil stain from an unknown source at Pearl Jam a few years back) but it’s like my uniform for rocking out
As a musician, and a concert promoter, I go with: “No.” It’s just tacky.
Caveat: If you have a vintage shirt you bought when they were in town 10 years ago, go for it.
But the worst is when a band member wears their own shirt.
As a note, please buy the band’s merch. They don’t make money playing the concert, and they definitely don’t make money on the music. They make their entire living on the merch. Don’t buy it online, buy it from the band. Bands don’t see any money on their product unless it’s purchased directly from them. There’s a reason Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails sell direct to their fans now.
Iron Maiden is different in South America, where there are literally churches of Iron Maiden.
I wouldn’t suggest looking so business casual. I’d wear the slim jeans, a vintage-type tshirt or light button up..some rugged looking boots (can be lace ups) and thats it. You want to be comfortable. You can even wear a beanie or cap, if you’d want.
I’ve seen girls who wear the band’s T-shirts right. As far as guys is concerned, I have no idea why but it just looks strange unless it is an Iron Maiden (rock) concert.
In my opinion, its like your trying too hard to look like the ultimate fan. Like has been said, your already at the show. People know you like band XYZ. So relax.
Haha, great reference!
I would not wear a band’s t shirt to their show. It just makes you seem like a fanboy. Not a good look on anyone.
Very interesting debate! I’ll just say this: if I ever get to shake Angus Young’s hand at an AC/DC concert, you can bet your ass I’ll be wearing my old, faded “Back In Black” t-shirt. I’m proud to be a fan and I want the band to know it. I don’t really care what any of the other concertgoers think.
The message I’m taking away here is; always buy a t-shirt at the concert, but never actually wear it anywhere, except maybe the beach or gym?
Joe’s recommendation works well for indoor club-type concerts, but what about an evening outdoor summer concert? Any style tips?
So if you’re getting an old shirt signed by the band how do you go about that? Pocket the shirt into the concert and hand it to them?
I’ll go with it’s okay to wear the tee shirt of the band your going to see, if its an obvious classic, from several years ago, then its more about respect than being tacky. But a current one, not so much.
Well when you wear a sports jersey its to show support for your favorite team. Most people like more than 1 band. Most people only like 1 baseball team or 1 football team.
If I was seeing a band at a night club or concert club, I wouldn’t wear the shirt, because everyone is there to see that band. But if I was going to a show like Warped Tour or Bamboozle, i would wear one of the band’s t-shirt, because there are a ton of bands playing.