Paradiso, Watershed, Pemberton. All of these music festivals have one thing in common: a large venue. Getting the chance to experience large venue festivals is a definite must. You get the sense of community, you get to meet so many different kinds of people, make friends with your tent neighbors, and never have the feeling of being trapped and confined in one area. You just get the wide-open sky and the fresh feel of the air on your skin.

While large festivals are a hot commodity for music goers, small venue concerts are left in the dust and are highly underrated. Sure, large festivals give you access to listen to hundreds of DJs and other artists and even comedy shows, but small venues provide an up-close and intimate experience with a single artist. Going to smaller clubs that host DJs delivers a different kind of music experience.

You are in closer proximity to other people around you, as well as the artist themselves. It is as if you are getting a mini show all to yourself. You get to dance closely with everyone around you and not have an awkward amount of space that looks like you're dancing alone. Another thing is that there is rarely any pushing or shoving going on at the front of the stage—if you do end up getting to the front. Since the venue is so small to begin with, at every angle you stand at and whatever distance, you will still be quite close, so there is no need to push and shove your way to the front and fend off anyone trying to get in your way. At larger shows, there is always someone jabbing their elbow into the small of your back or you get your face whipped by some girl’s ponytail—no thank you.

But the ultimate reason why small venue concerts are the best is that usually after a show, most artists will come out to thank fans and even meet them and take photos. You will most likely never get that chance at a larger venue. I highly encourage getting a group of friends together and hitting a small venue show. No one ever regretted going to a concert, so here is an excuse to get out there and have some fun and go experience a small venue concert!