2008 Woodie Awards
Sound Advice: Avoid being 'that guy,' leave concert shirts home
Greg Walker/ Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/28/05 Section: The Verge
"What is this? You're going to wear the shirt of the band you're going to see? Don't be that guy." Droz, "PCU" (1994)
With summer on everyone's mind, you are all hopefully aware that the concert season approaches. What some may not be aware of are the concert fashion rules that should be strictly enforced.
Even though Droz, from the cult-classic movie "PCU," made an entire generation conscious of the fact that you simply cannot wear the shirt of the band you are seeing, some may have forgotten this detail. This is a huge concert no-no.
But it has come to my attention that many people were not clued into this important fact. Thankfully, I am here to do so and help you avoid being "that guy" or having to stand next to "that guy," which is just as bad.
"Why can't you wear the bands' shirt?" some may ask. The simple answer is because you will look like an idiot. You are already supporting the band by going to their show, you don't need to show off your 1999 concert tour t-shirt to show your dedication, because no one cares.
Some people may not show up to the show in their favorite band shirt, but instead immediately go and buy a shirt and put it on. That is still a concert foul. Instead, wait until the show is over to buy a shirt. Of course, by then, the shirt you may have wanted could be sold out. Oh well, at least you looked cool during the show.
"So, does this mean I can wear whatever I want, as long as it is not the band's shirt?" you may wonder. Yet again, I have an overwhelming "no" for you. Are you going to show up to a Metallica show in a polo? I didn't think so.
Let's say you go to see the hip new underground indie band that is on the verge of making its big breakthrough. This is definitely a tough crowd to please fashion-wise. Why? Because they are so cool, stupid! If the band, while close to making it big, is still obscure, you had better wear a band shirt of an even obscurer band. A German band that has only played a total of two shows in their basement and strictly record to their 1989 boom box that produces a sound comparable to The White Stripes meets The Killers meets The Animals. If you don't have THAT band's shirt, (how dare you) then any crap from the thrift store will do. Sports jackets seem to be all the rage lately.
I'm sorry I cannot be there for you during this concert season holding your hand. I'm a busy guy. Just please promise me you will take to heart this pointless column and do your best not to embarrass your friends and loved ones by becoming "that guy."
With summer on everyone's mind, you are all hopefully aware that the concert season approaches. What some may not be aware of are the concert fashion rules that should be strictly enforced.
Even though Droz, from the cult-classic movie "PCU," made an entire generation conscious of the fact that you simply cannot wear the shirt of the band you are seeing, some may have forgotten this detail. This is a huge concert no-no.
But it has come to my attention that many people were not clued into this important fact. Thankfully, I am here to do so and help you avoid being "that guy" or having to stand next to "that guy," which is just as bad.
"Why can't you wear the bands' shirt?" some may ask. The simple answer is because you will look like an idiot. You are already supporting the band by going to their show, you don't need to show off your 1999 concert tour t-shirt to show your dedication, because no one cares.
Some people may not show up to the show in their favorite band shirt, but instead immediately go and buy a shirt and put it on. That is still a concert foul. Instead, wait until the show is over to buy a shirt. Of course, by then, the shirt you may have wanted could be sold out. Oh well, at least you looked cool during the show.
"So, does this mean I can wear whatever I want, as long as it is not the band's shirt?" you may wonder. Yet again, I have an overwhelming "no" for you. Are you going to show up to a Metallica show in a polo? I didn't think so.
Let's say you go to see the hip new underground indie band that is on the verge of making its big breakthrough. This is definitely a tough crowd to please fashion-wise. Why? Because they are so cool, stupid! If the band, while close to making it big, is still obscure, you had better wear a band shirt of an even obscurer band. A German band that has only played a total of two shows in their basement and strictly record to their 1989 boom box that produces a sound comparable to The White Stripes meets The Killers meets The Animals. If you don't have THAT band's shirt, (how dare you) then any crap from the thrift store will do. Sports jackets seem to be all the rage lately.
I'm sorry I cannot be there for you during this concert season holding your hand. I'm a busy guy. Just please promise me you will take to heart this pointless column and do your best not to embarrass your friends and loved ones by becoming "that guy."
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