The lights dim. The crowd erupts. Music starts playing and the artist dramatically appears onstage. People start dancing, singing and crying. For many, concerts are an exclusive experience. For senior McKenna Sullivan, concerts are more of a hobby.
Sullivan has seen a total of 59 shows all across the country, featuring artists such as Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams and Olivia Rodrigo.
“The majority of the artists I see, I really love them, so I already know all their stuff,” Sullivan said. “If I’m going to a concert, people have to realize that I love these people.”
Sullivan first developed her love for music and concerts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once restrictions were lifted and artists started touring again, she jumped for the opportunity to see them.
“I went to a few shows where masks were still required, like Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles,” Sullivan said. “I don’t think it took away [from the experience]. I’ll do whatever it takes, even if that means having to wear a mask or put a shield over my face.”
Now, Sullivan has seen Harry Styles a total of 12 times, including his last show for Love On Tour in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
“I generally try to stay as local as I can, but when artists don’t come here or it’s an artist that I want to see multiple times, I might have to do a little bit of traveling,” Sullivan said. “I travel on a budget, so it’s okay.”
Despite seeing so many performances, Sullivan still struggles to get tickets. Ticket resellers buy concert tickets, then increase the price exponentially, sometimes reaching thousands of dollars. Not only does this make buying tickets more competitive, but also more expensive.
“[Concerts] used to be so cheap and it used to be accessible. But it’s all really changed the last couple of years,” Sullivan said. “It’s a battle [that] I’ve won and lost.”
The process of getting a good seat does not stop there. To get a good seat in the pit, the standing area of a concert venue, Sullivan camps outside the concert venue for days in order to get a spot in the front row.
“I love these artists. I want to be as close as possible,” Sullivan said. “So I make this decision that, yes, I will sleep on the street.”
Once inside the pit, leaving means giving up a superior vantage point. Many people will not get water or necessary help out of fear for losing their spot, creating hazardous circumstances.
“People make it dangerous for themselves,” Sullivan said. “People also push and shove, and that’s just not good.”
Through going to shows and camping, Sullivan naturally bonds with the other concertgoers. She met some of her closest friends while waiting in line for an Ashe concert in Nashville.
“I love meeting people at shows,” Sullivan said. “I go to shows alone and I meet some of my best friends. I’d rather do that than anything else.”
Senior Lauren Hinckley has known Sullivan for three years and recently accompanied her to watch Conan Gray on Oct. 2.
“[Sullivan] goes [to shows] because it makes her feel something magical,” Hinckley said.
For Sullivan, going to live shows is more than just an opportunity to see her favorite artist perform. Instead, it is a chance for her to be a part of a larger community of music lovers that share the same passion for the concert experience.
“I really love, like, everything about it. The atmosphere of the concert, it’s just on a different level. Everyone’s screaming these lyrics, the artist is right there, who you’ve been dying to see, and interacting with the artist happens,” Sullivan said. “It’s just an out of body experience. It’s the best feeling in the world.”