How Concerts Bring People Together
By Grace Trippitt
ENTERTAINMENT
Edited by Francesca Sylph
6/9/20262 min read
©Lloyd Wakefield
Our world is constantly divided in its views. It is rare that there is complete unity in a room of people; it can often feel impossible to experience. That is, until you attend a concert.
Even before a concert starts, the mutual excitement and exhilaration is like nothing else — whether it is the Mexican wave that starts right before, or the stadium cheering as the artist descends to the stage. No matter your social or political views, in those moments, nothing divides us
In today’s concert culture, the art of creating unity has been adopted as somewhat of an online trend by fans. A particular trend that became a staple for Taylor Swift’s ‘Era’s Tour’ (and arguably the most iconic concert trend to have ever been) was friendship bracelets. Fans adopted the idea of making and exchanging bracelets at each concert as a symbol of friendship with other fans. The idea became such a staple that attendees would leave the concert with arms filled with beads spelling out different song lyrics. In 2022, you may have witnessed a sea of feather boas gracing the seats of Wembley Stadium during Harry Styles’ ‘Love on Tour’. You’d look out of place at an Olivia Rodrigo concert without wearing purple, knock your cat ears against the person next to you at an Ariana Grande performance, or stand on someone’s white knee-high boots at a Sabrina Carpenter show. In 2026, you’d now look odd if you didn’t rock polka dots for Olivia Dean’s ‘The Art of Loving’ tour. Concert dressing has become such a staple for fans, bringing people together instead of dividing them.
Concerts have always been a safe place for fans, not only because of contemporary fan trends, but because music has a powerful ability to comfort us, offering escapism from real world problems. However, safety has not always been guaranteed. 2017 saw one of the deadliest attacks to hit the UK in history at Ariana Grande’s ‘Dangerous Woman Tour’ in Manchester. Despite the cowardly act of terrorism, the years since have highlighted the resilience and togetherness that exist within arenas and stadiums. Fans have continued to show up, refusing to have their safety be questioned again. The aftermath of this event in particular highlighted how powerful music can be in the healing process, and in continuing to bring people together despite such awful circumstances. Following the attack, Ariana Grande returned to Manchester that June to perform again at the benefit concert she named ‘One Love Manchester’. The concert saw 50,000 people come together, with millions watching the livestream at home, to raise money for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund which helped victims and their families. Every person that attended represented the true meaning of resilience and solidarity, whether that be the victims themselves or the artists who came to perform despite fear. Even in the face of terror, a whole city showed up, refusing to let it define them.
For me, every arena or stadium that I’ve entered since 2017 have quietly reminded me that there is unity in simply showing up, even after unimaginable loss — and after my own experience, that means more to me than words can explain.
For more, explore fashion, travel, and lifestyle insights here.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
info@femmine.co.uk