Question 7.
What should I wear to a concert?

If you're going to a hall tour/seated show, you’re not likely to come in physical contact with anyone (sorry to burst those fangirl fantasy bubbles), so wear whatever you want to, whatever you feel comfortable in, the sky’s the limit (though I’ll remind you that public nudity is illegal in Japan).

However, at a live house tour/standing show, you should take a few things into consideration when deciding what to wear.

First, are the shoes you’re planning on wearing ones that you will feel comfortable standing in for several hours at a stretch? (Like, do you really want to stand for hours in heels, really really? Betcha you don't.)

Second, do you plan on going up front and possibly getting crushed in the crowd? If the answer to that second question is “yes,” you probably want to wear something comfortable and durable, that isn’t likely to get ruined by being crushed in a pit full of sweaty people, or likely to get ripped if it gets caught on some pointy-sticky-outie bit of someone else’s outfit. Avoid wearing expensive items that could be easily torn off and lost or trampled, and avoid putting cash in shallow pockets where it could easily fall out and get lost. Cayce personally knows someone who lost 20,000 yen in cash in one go when it fell out of her pocket at a concert, don’t let this happen to you!

Third, if you are planning on going in the pit, you probably want to make sure that whatever you’re wearing is easy to clean, because you’ll probably sweat a whole lot. By the same token, you want your clothes to be lightweight because it can get very hot in a packed crowd, even if the show is taking place in the middle of winter, it doesn’t matter—if it’s winter, you’ll want to wear layers that you can strip off easily and lock up in a coin locker before entering the venue.

Fourth, I highly recommend bringing a water bottle holder with you to standing shows, especially if you're going into the crowded pit. Moshing in a tight crowd makes you thirstier than everything, and in extreme cases, having a water bottle can be the difference between staying upright and passing out.

Fifth, please avoid bringing bags into a crowded pit - that's what the coin lockers are for! Lock your bag up and then enter the hall and enjoy the show unencumbered. If you absolutely MUST bring a bag with you into a crowded pit, make sure it's as small and unobtrusive as possible - a tiny fanny pack or shoulder bag, but not a backpack.

Last but not least, you’ll want to make sure that whatever you’re wearing isn’t likely to injure someone else. Avoid wearing spiky jewelry or the sorts of accessories that get caught on things easily, and bear in mind that even if you feel totally cool moshing in stiletto heels, the person whose toes you accidentally step on might feel very, very differently.

<< Finding the venue without getting lost / Basic etiquette >>

Back to Index

<<Back to Visiting Japan: Helpful Guides<<