Arriving at a concert on a warm June night is one of the quintessential summer activities we all look forward to. Dancing barefoot on the lawn with your three best friends sounds like a lyric itself; however, nothing brings my mood down when I’m swaying to the sounds of the musician when I hear someone say “Wait, who is this again?” or, even worse, hearing slurred voices say “I don’t even remember who we saw…”

Every summer, kids head to concerts for many reasons–some for the music, some for the party, or some just for the pictures of proof. Living in the generation with the love of sharing–sharing in more ways than one–the rise in doing things just for the documentation rather than actually going for the experience is the norm. Kids are flocking to Zac Brown when they can’t stand Country and packing up their car to see rappers whose names they can’t even pronounce for the act of simply attending, for the social outlet rather than the entertainment. Instagram and Snapchat are magnets for postings about concerts. The #concert is a feed-clogger. I am all for photos with your friends and making memories; however, it becomes a waste if you are spending money just to take photos rather than listening to the musician.

  Although this may seem a bit naggy, theses situations can actually become dangerous. When you don’t actually know who is playing and you are there just for the pictures, odds are, you don’t care if you are going to be able to remember the concert the next morning.  More than ever, intoxication is rampant at concert venues and underage drinking appears so frequently, police and security are having to crack down on concert-goers to ensure safety. It is common for kids to designate a driver and drink on the trip all the way up to the concert–this means the drinking starts as early as noon. Along with drinking on the way there, tailgating is also a popular danger. According to Hartford police, just last year “between 100 and 200 people were arrested at every concert in Hartford–many of those were underage drinkers.”

With the heavy drinking and lack of supervision, teenagers can be vulnerable to adults and other people attending the concert–especially if your friends are unable to help or lack the comprehension to do anything. Just last year at a Keith Urban concert in Mansfield, a girl was allegedly sexually assaulted on the lawn while other patrons watched and even took cellphone video. Sexual assault at concerts usually goes under the radar as it is not reported. This is the result of a perfect storm of alcohol, underage kids, loud music, and going to concerts for the wrong reasons.

Going to see your favorite band in the summer can be one of the best parts of the season. Making memories and getting the opportunity to be with people who are enjoying their time as much as you is an essential experience. But before you buy your tickets this summer, check your intentions because being passed out on a soggy lawn is not going to make the best picture.