How to Choose What Band T-shirt to Wear to a Concert
Band t-shirts are the clothing of choice for many concerts for bands in a variety of genres. With the popularity of the Hot Topic chain, and Rock n’ Roll being in greater fashion, band T-shirts are more stylish and colorful than ever before. They’re also an easy way to look good and flaunt your musical taste—or at least fake it like a pro. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Set aside the band T-shirts for any bands that will be playing the show. For now, these T-shirts no longer exist. Everybody knows you like (or at least feign interest in) the bands playing if you’re at the show at all. No need to proclaim it any louder.
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Stay in the same genre. There are exceptions to this rule as some bands span fans from multiple genres, but for the most part you don’t want to show up at a punk show sporting a pop-country tee.
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Gauge the popularity of the band. Depending on the show, you probably don’t want to wear a T-shirt for the band with the current number one hit. If your mom (or your friend’s hipper mom) might own the T-shirt, put it in the “no” pile immediately.
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Go for cred bonus points. At indie shows, the more obscure the band T-shirt you have on, the better off you’ll be. Just be sure to know the difference between an obscure band and an unpopular band (obscure bands get good reviews and don't sell records, as a general rule).
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Be ironic. Got an over-the-top vintage 80s metal tee? Wear that to the Bright Eyes show. Even if you have a secret love for Slippery When Wet era Bon Jovi, nobody will be the wiser. Indie kids love irony.
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Go local. Does your town have a great local band? Sport their T-shirt to the next national tour that hits your town. It’s a great way to spread the word about the band and help the local scene as well as show your music dedication.
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Be timely. Did somebody play an amazing show in your town last week? Want to show that you were there (or at least sport like you were), put on that band’s T-shirt.
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Make your own. DIY (Do-It-Yourself) band tees, when done well, are a great way to show your music geekiness (not always a badn thing) in a unique way. Plus, you can guarantee you will be the only one at the show sporting that shirt, which is always good.
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Wear the venue. Although not technically a band T-shirt, venue shirts can also give you some cred (assuming it’s not for the venue the show is at. Step 1 applies to these as well). Tees for venues like the former CBGB’s in New York, or Athens, Georgia’s legendary 40 Watt Club carry their own brand of cool.
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Look hot. The band you’re branding yourself with is important, but so is looking good. That shirt may be from Radiohead’s first tour, but unless an XL is your size, you might want to go with something more form fitting. Likewise, if your Youth Large Jimmy Eat World shirt from 2000 is feeling a bit snug, put it away too. Having style is just as important as clothing that fits you well.
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Tips & Warnings
Indie cred is relative. Pick out the T-shirt that you love and you look good in. What’s more punk rock than not following the rules?
