Every-where I went to concerts
Hey there! I’m Toni, a software developer on Datawrapper's App Team. Come along with me on a journey down memory lane, where I reminisce about past concerts I went to.
I absolutely love music, and I love going to concerts! Nothing compares to the experience and energy of a crowd of total strangers enjoying the same vibe as you. Of course, not every event is a perfect concert: sometimes the crowds are not giving the right vibes, the venue is a bit shabby, or you don’t have space to move. But when everything aligns, it can be a magical experience of pure bliss.
Let’s take a look at all the concerts I went to in the past nine years, and where they took place. (If you click on the dots, you might find some of my favourite songs! 🎧)
Here are some notable discoveries I made while creating this map:
Porter Robinson and Justice are currently tied for most recurring acts I’ve seen, with 3 sets each.
I like using concerts as an anchor to plan a vacation around, like with the trips to London, or the festivals in Portugal and Spain, though it looks like I’m mostly traveling within Western Europe. Maybe I’ll try to branch out more in the future?
I also somehow never went to a concert in France, which is a bit surprising, since I actually listen to a bunch of French Artists from or connected to the Ed Banger collective, which Justice is also a part of. I’m sure it’ll happen eventually.
Over time, I definitely noticed the ticket prices are rising, especially after COVID. The most expensive ticket for a concert (not a festival) was about €97 for Tyler, The Creator in Cologne 2025, which is definitely a lot, but there were two pre-acts and Tyler really gives it his all during the shows, so I’d gladly do that again.
All in all, I went to 31 concerts/festivals. That’s a lot of dancing! 🕺
Now I’d like to share some general tips for concert visits, including some pet peeves of mine:
Consider wearing ear protection. Generally, concerts are loud enough to permanently damage your hearing when exposed for entire sets at a time. Most venues sell earplugs, if you forget to bring yours.
Please don’t constantly talk loudly, or record the entire show. In the cinema, you’d probably also be mindful about your volume. And while taking a few snapshots and a clip or two is fine, constantly blocking the view with your phone kills the mood. Some acts even specifically ask not to record, so be respectful of that.
Please be mindful of the space. When the crowd is full of energy and dancing, consider moving to the sides if you can’t match the energy or don’t feel like dancing. Always be extra careful in mosh pits, and take care of others as well. If someone trips: help them up! If you are tall and someone shorter is behind you, consider offering them to switch places. That could make all the difference for them that night, and you can still see over their head. Be mindful of your arms, and if you bump into someone, apologize.
Try not to spill your beer on others. It always seems to happen, and hey, I get it’s often just an accident, but like… at least say sorry. 😅
Enjoy the show. Not every show will be perfect, so learn how to accept the bad, while focusing on the good! Be mindful, stay hydrated and enjoy yourself.
Thanks for joining me on another musical journey. What was your favorite concert experience? If you have any other concert tips or pet peeves, do let me know! See you next week for a new Weekly Chart by our data vis engineer Luc. ✨
