Fan Musings: The Art of Concert Report Writing
Over the past couple of years since I've been "on tour" traveling across the country to go to concerts and hook up with other fans, I've cranked out a number of concert reports to post on my website. I'm happy to say they've been very well received and many folks have told me they felt as if they were there at the show. When I write these reports, I try to make them a little different, especially if my report will be read along with many others from a message board covering the same show.
I thought I'd share a few tips on the fine art of concert report writing. It doesn't have to be a Pulitzer Prize work. Nor does it have to be a Rolling Stone level critique. But, there are few things that irk me more than reading what is said to be a concert report--but ends up consisting of only three words:
"It was great."
1. Thus being the first tip of concert report writing: Tell us WHY "it was great". Was it the performances or songs that touched you? Which ones? What kind of emotion did it bring to you?
2. Note anything unique about the performance. If you belong to a fan message board, you might be reporting on a same show being played in many cities. Thus, you might want to go beyond the song list rundown if others have already done this. Did you see anything happen on stage that might not have taken place at other shows?
3. Bring some personal or local flavor into the mix. Often when I've reported from different cities I've been to, I've tried to note something about the place or surroundings. Other times, I'll mention some things or preparation leading up to showtime (such as whether or not the dire travel weather predictions came true or not). Or, I usually meet people at a show, sometimes it's the setting of a first time in - person meeting of someone I've communicated with for a long time.
4. Break your report into sections. I tend to do this with the reports I write. I keep the concert itself, the personal/local flavor in point #3 or any encounters I have with the artists in separate sections. Some people just want to cut to the chase and hear about the show and don't give a hoot about the "fan fare".
If you have a website and post your report there, I suggest posting a website link to the report rather than the entire report itself. That way, you give people a choice whether or not to read it and they aren't plowing through a long post. Setting a report up via a web page also makes it easier to set it up into sections by way of bookmarks.
5. Exercise sensitivity when necessary. Two occasions where it's helpful to do this:
One, if you're a honest type who calls them as you hear them, be aware that if you mention you felt someone's had an off night, it's possible some die-hard fans will jump all over you.
Two, if you've had the lucky backstage pass, got to hang out with an artist or had some experience that is not readily available to the average concert-going fan aside from the autograph signing or picture, consider your audience before you post the details to a mass fan group. It's natural to want to shout about something like this happening to you, but will it bring about jealousy or hurt feelings, or lead more people to ask artists for similar favors? If you do share your experience, do it with a grateful, humble heart rather than an "I'm special" attitude.
So, the next time you head out for a show, take some paper and a pen...and take us with you!
--Wendy V