Ten Things to Remember When You Meet Your Favorite Musician(s)

Tori Bilcik ’17 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
This list was created based on the experiences of some of my fellow Emertainment staff writers and me. Whether we have been the perpetrators or bystanders, we now know that this is no way to behave toward another person, no matter their celebrity status. With that in mind, here’s a list of things to remember when you finally get the chance to meet your favorite band or artist.

1. Please, please don’t cry.

I get it. Believe me, I do. I was 15 once, overwhelmed by the plethora of emotions that come with seeing your idol in the flesh standing all of five feet away. But imagine being in their shoes. Imagine someone seeing you for the first time and their immediate reaction is to burst into tears. Not very comfortable of a situation, is it? Trust me, you’ll have a much more memorable of an experience if you pull yourself together and get to know them like you would get to know any other stranger.

2. It’s weird to tell someone you’ve never met that they saved or changed your life.

It took me a really long time to accept the fact that music did not, in fact, change my life for the better. You have to remember that the music itself is not what changed your life. You did. Most music fans can agree that music is what has gotten us through some of the toughest times in our lives and keeps us sane on a day-to-day basis. But the music didn’t save us, we saved ourselves. The music just motivated us to make that change. You’re sending a very different message if you tell a musician that you connected with their music on a level that motivated you to change your life for the better compared to telling an individual that they personally saved your life. Give yourself some credit!

3. Gifts are nice, but keep it simple.

It’s nice to show performers you appreciate what they do by giving them a little something extra in addition to your ticket and merch money. It’s like tipping a waiter at a restaurant since you know that 100% of what you hand them personally – unlike money from sales – will be theirs to keep. Taco Bell gift cards, games to play on the road, snacks, and basically any type of food is acceptable and probably greatly appreciated. A pillow with their face and your initials stitched into it? Not so much.

4. Don’t ask about their personal lives.

Remember, you’re a stranger. They don’t stalk your social media profiles like you do to theirs, so they don’t expect you to know that their sister got married and they recently got back together with their high school sweetheart. Asking about artists’ personal lives is a little too comfortable for two people who just met.

5. Having a real conversation always yields the best experience.

Ask them for advice. Talk about how much a song means to you. Tell them about how you met your best friend when you saw them in concert for the first time. Have meaningful conversation. There’s nothing cooler than knowing your favorite band member is a human being just like you. So do what humans do and talk!

6. DO NOT touch them unless invited to.

This one is huge. Let’s make it very clear that it is never okay to touch another person without their consent. This is especially relevant to artists because of how much they put themselves out there for their fans. So whether it’s at a meet and greet event, or you get pulled up on stage, or you run into them in the parking lot before the show, always ask before you go in for a hug or a kiss on the cheek or whatever you deem socially acceptable.

7. Ask before taking a picture.

This one applies especially when you run into them outside of a meet-and-greet setting. That is, if you run into them in the parking lot of the venue, the bathroom, the bar or restaurant across the street, or any place someone wouldn’t expect to be treated like a celebrity. Be polite and ask before taking a picture. They might say no, and that’s okay. They’re allowed to live life like a normal person just like the rest of us.

8. They may or may not remember you. Do not expect the former.

It’s really awkward to ask “do you remember me from ____?” And if they say no, trust me, it’ll be embarrassing, too. These artists meet thousands upon thousands of people every day, and you’re probably making them feel really bad if you’re getting all bummed over the fact that they don’t remember you specifically. Unless you actually saved their life last time you met, don’t harp on the past so much and just enjoy the time you get to spend with them in the moment!

9. With that in mind, be nice.

The nicer you are, the more likely they will remember you! There’s nothing cooler than your favorite band calling you by name when they see you, or shouting out to you on stage. You won’t get there by being rude and inconsiderate, though. Be nice, be courteous, and be respectful, no matter what!

10. They are people too.

They have bad days. They get irritated. They get tired. They get hungry. Sometimes they might show up to an event hungover. Treat them as you would want to be treated. Wait your turn in line, respect the fans around you, and try not to sound too creepy when making conversation. It’s normal to be nervous, but relax! They’re just human beings, just like you and me. They just happen to make really cool art (but I’d bet you do too!).