This was previously published in our October 2025 issue. 

Going to a concert is like meeting your distant family for the first time. You all have different interests and lives, but you all gather in the same place to showcase your passion for the same thing. Doing things like dressing up, creating special fan projects, and handing out handmade freebies is what creates a magical show experience. It’s become the culture associated with going to live events. It’s not just about seeing a live show, but the memories you create within the artist’s community. 

The underground pioneers of this have to be K-pop fans. They go all out for every single concert they go to. The outfit must match the group’s color scheme, include fun accessories, and be versatile enough to dance in. Special handmade fan merch is also a staple for K-pop fans, and you can expect to get tons of special merch like bracelets, photocards, stickers, etc., which really showcases the pride they have as a fanbase.

You don’t just see this type of commitment from K-pop fans, but from pop fans as well. For example, Tate McRae supporters wear sparkly cheetah skirts and jerseys to her concerts. The crowd at Billie Eilish’s concert is commonly decked out in basketball jerseys, backward baseball hats, tying the outfit together with a bandana. 

The buzz of the music causes the crowd to erupt and transforms that “distant family” into immediate family enjoying the same symphony. The concert experience is much like experiencing a high, and the show can be engraved into your mind forever. The same way the ringing in your ear lingers for hours after the show.