Best Seats at a Concert: A Guide to the Best and Worst Views

 

Upper Levels and Balconies

It might seem like the upper-level seats are the bad seats, but that isn’t always the case. In fact, a lot of concert-goers may actually prefer the balcony and upper-level seats when it comes to the next great concert. To start, these tend to be the most affordable of all the seats, which means you can see your favorite artist live without breaking the bank. With the savings you get from purchasing upper-level seats, you may even be able to add one more concert to your annual lineup.

Balcony and upper-level seats can also add a little something special to the concert experience. While you won’t be as close to your favorite artists, you will get to see all the effects and the performance in its full glory. You essentially have a bird’s eye view, which can serve you as well at a concert as it might at a football game or hockey game.

One element you may want to keep in mind when purchasing these tickets is how you like to interact with the music. While it’s easier to get up and dance and sing along in some of the lower seats, upper seats are already a little limited when it comes to the up-close visuals, and your seat neighbors might not like it if you block the view.

Different arenas will have different types of balconies and upper-tier seats, some even hosting two or three tiers (or five, if you’re visiting Los Angeles’s SoFi Stadium). Check out the seating charts and find the best ones to fit your budget and preferences, depending on what the arena has to offer. 

Behind the Stage

Concert-goers may be very divided on the position behind the stage, but there are many who love this spot out of all the seating options. When you sit behind the stage, you’re right in the heart of the action, and that can be very exciting. These seats are also very affordable, which makes them an option for music lovers who don’t want to break the bank. Of course, it’s worth noting that all of those savings come with a cost.

When you’re in this seating area, you can be quite cut off from the performance, especially if the performance has a lot of gear or technology blocking your view. You may have a partial view, and you’ll definitely be closer to the performer than fans in many other seats, but you won’t be able to see the whole performance, and it will be harder to interact with the show. 

By the Speakers

If your favorite thing about the concert-going experience really is the music, you may want to consider a spot by the speakers. Of course, this kind of seat is going to vary a lot depending on the size of the stadium, the type of music it is, and the way the show is performed. That said, not all fans want to be that close to the speakers, so you may find tickets at a good price to fit your needs.

It’s important to protect your ears when attending a concert, however. If you do attend many concerts, you’ll want to use protective equipment and alternate between seats that are close to the speakers and ones that put some distance between you and the speakers.

Center Stage

Center stage seats actually refer to where the stage is: in the center. When you have seats at center stage, it means that the performer is right in the middle of all the action, and they’re providing a full 180- or 360-degree performance so that a lot of fans can get up close and personal.

One of the benefits of a center stage setup is that you get to see the show right there, and there’s nothing more exciting than being that close to your favorite performers. That said, some fans get nervous about sitting center stage, as they don’t know if the performer will come their way or stick to the other side of the stage. Center-stage tickets can also be quite expensive seats, so it’s worth it to factor that into your purchasing needs. 

Runways and B Stages

Another interesting setup you may see for the next concert you attend may include runways and B Stages. These are ancillary stages to the main stage and are built by the performer’s team at the start of every show. 

Many performers will do a few songs on the runways and B stages in order to get closer to the fans on the edges of the stadium, and that might mean an up-close experience without the up-close cost. While you’ll only see them on these stages a few times in the night, it’s more than worth it for the concert memories. 

The Floor

As you might expect, the floor is the very top spot to watch your favorite performers at live concerts. For the most part, the floor is set up with the stage at one end of the venue and seating just before it, which means you get an uninterrupted view of the performer and an up-close live music experience that just can’t be beaten. 

These seats are often considered the very best seats because you have the best visuals for any performance that might be taking place, and you can see everything without any distance between you and the stage. The sound quality here is also quite high, which makes it an ideal spot for listeners, dancers, viewers, and everyone in between.

However, fans on the shorter side may have trouble seeing if they have floor seats far from the front of the stage. If your floor seats are general admission tickets, some people prefer to have access to a seat instead — either because they like to take breaks throughout the show or because they aren’t fans of large crowds.

Because these seats are largely considered the best, due to their access to the performer and the view of the stage, they can be quite costly. If you’re looking to save on ticket prices, you probably won’t find tickets within your budget on the floor. 

Die-hard fans will probably agree that these are the best seats for truly engaging and making memories at concerts by your favorite artists, and that may just make it worth the extra cost. 

Pick Out Concert Tickets With TickPick Today

No matter what concert venues you visit or performances you want to see live, TickPick is the team you can trust. We’re the experts on live performances, and we’re proud and excited to share everything you need to know about the next great live show, including how to pick the perfect seats each and every time.

When it comes to live shows, you have options, and there are typically trade-offs when it comes to costs, views, access, and experience. If you’re looking to save money, you can find the cheapest seats a little higher up, whereas a front row or floor seat is sure to get you right up to where all the action is. No matter what the configuration of the venue might be or how the performer puts on a show, it’s easy to pick out the seats that fit your needs each and every time.

When it comes to the next concert experience, look no further than TickPick. We’re the team you can trust for the very best seats at the very best prices, and there are never any surprises when it comes to the cost of your tickets or the view you get. In fact, we even offer a BestPrice Guarantee to ensure there are no added fees when processing your tickets and a ticket grading system, so you can get a good view every time.

We also have a look at just where those concert seats might be, whether you’re seeing Taylor Swift in Nashville or an up-and-coming artist closer to home. Purchasing tickets and making the best concert memories is easy and fun with support from TickPick. 

How Can I Get the Best Seats at a Concert?

Different concert venues are going to have different options when it comes to seating, views, and the best sound from all your favorite artists. That’s why it’s always a smart idea to do a little research about the venue in advance so you know where to look when purchasing tickets. 

All that said, it’s useful to know how to pick out the best seats for your personal preference every time, and TickPick is here to help. These are a few of the different places you can sit at the next venue and what you can expect from each. 

Upper Levels and Balconies

It might seem like the upper-level seats are the bad seats, but that isn’t always the case. In fact, a lot of concert-goers may actually prefer the balcony and upper-level seats when it comes to the next great concert. To start, these tend to be the most affordable of all the seats, which means you can see your favorite artist live without breaking the bank. With the savings you get from purchasing upper-level seats, you may even be able to add one more concert to your annual lineup.

Balcony and upper-level seats can also add a little something special to the concert experience. While you won’t be as close to your favorite artists, you will get to see all the effects and the performance in its full glory. You essentially have a bird’s eye view, which can serve you as well at a concert as it might at a football game or hockey game.

One element you may want to keep in mind when purchasing these tickets is how you like to interact with the music. While it’s easier to get up and dance and sing along in some of the lower seats, upper seats are already a little limited when it comes to the up-close visuals, and your seat neighbors might not like it if you block the view.

Different arenas will have different types of balconies and upper-tier seats, some even hosting two or three tiers (or five, if you’re visiting Los Angeles’s SoFi Stadium). Check out the seating charts and find the best ones to fit your budget and preferences, depending on what the arena has to offer. 

Behind the Stage

Concert-goers may be very divided on the position behind the stage, but there are many who love this spot out of all the seating options. When you sit behind the stage, you’re right in the heart of the action, and that can be very exciting. These seats are also very affordable, which makes them an option for music lovers who don’t want to break the bank. Of course, it’s worth noting that all of those savings come with a cost.

When you’re in this seating area, you can be quite cut off from the performance, especially if the performance has a lot of gear or technology blocking your view. You may have a partial view, and you’ll definitely be closer to the performer than fans in many other seats, but you won’t be able to see the whole performance, and it will be harder to interact with the show. 

By the Speakers

If your favorite thing about the concert-going experience really is the music, you may want to consider a spot by the speakers. Of course, this kind of seat is going to vary a lot depending on the size of the stadium, the type of music it is, and the way the show is performed. That said, not all fans want to be that close to the speakers, so you may find tickets at a good price to fit your needs.

It’s important to protect your ears when attending a concert, however. If you do attend many concerts, you’ll want to use protective equipment and alternate between seats that are close to the speakers and ones that put some distance between you and the speakers.

Center Stage

Center stage seats actually refer to where the stage is: in the center. When you have seats at center stage, it means that the performer is right in the middle of all the action, and they’re providing a full 180- or 360-degree performance so that a lot of fans can get up close and personal.

One of the benefits of a center stage setup is that you get to see the show right there, and there’s nothing more exciting than being that close to your favorite performers. That said, some fans get nervous about sitting center stage, as they don’t know if the performer will come their way or stick to the other side of the stage. Center-stage tickets can also be quite expensive seats, so it’s worth it to factor that into your purchasing needs. 

Runways and B Stages

Another interesting setup you may see for the next concert you attend may include runways and B Stages. These are ancillary stages to the main stage and are built by the performer’s team at the start of every show. 

Many performers will do a few songs on the runways and B stages in order to get closer to the fans on the edges of the stadium, and that might mean an up-close experience without the up-close cost. While you’ll only see them on these stages a few times in the night, it’s more than worth it for the concert memories. 

The Floor

As you might expect, the floor is the very top spot to watch your favorite performers at live concerts. For the most part, the floor is set up with the stage at one end of the venue and seating just before it, which means you get an uninterrupted view of the performer and an up-close live music experience that just can’t be beaten. 

These seats are often considered the very best seats because you have the best visuals for any performance that might be taking place, and you can see everything without any distance between you and the stage. The sound quality here is also quite high, which makes it an ideal spot for listeners, dancers, viewers, and everyone in between.

However, fans on the shorter side may have trouble seeing if they have floor seats far from the front of the stage. If your floor seats are general admission tickets, some people prefer to have access to a seat instead — either because they like to take breaks throughout the show or because they aren’t fans of large crowds.

Because these seats are largely considered the best, due to their access to the performer and the view of the stage, they can be quite costly. If you’re looking to save on ticket prices, you probably won’t find tickets within your budget on the floor. 

Die-hard fans will probably agree that these are the best seats for truly engaging and making memories at concerts by your favorite artists, and that may just make it worth the extra cost. 

Pick Out Concert Tickets With TickPick Today

No matter what concert venues you visit or performances you want to see live, TickPick is the team you can trust. We’re the experts on live performances, and we’re proud and excited to share everything you need to know about the next great live show, including how to pick the perfect seats each time.

When it comes to live shows, you have options, and there are typically trade-offs when it comes to costs, views, access, and experience. If you’re looking to save money, you can find the cheapest seats a little higher up, whereas a front row or floor seat is sure to get you right up to where all the action is. No matter what the configuration of the venue might be or how the performer puts on a show, it’s easy to pick out the seats that fit your needs each and every time.

TickPick is here to help. Make us your first stop for tickets with a BestPrice Guarantee, and save big during the ticket processing step. You’ll even be able to pick out the perfect seats with our grading function. Learn and plan the next great concert with TickPick today.

TickPick is here to help. Make us your first stop for tickets with a BestPrice Guarantee, and save big during the ticket processing step. You’ll even be able to pick out the perfect seats with our grading function. Learn and plan the next great concert with TickPick today.