Wearing T-Shirt of Band at Their Concert: Cool? Lame?

I've read several articles (or Blogs, whatever they're called) stating that it is not cool to wear a band's t-shirt to their concert (unless it's an obscure opening act--certainly not a famous headliner). I've never been cool, so I'll wear what I want. I just wanted to get your opinions on the subject.

It's acceptable to wear an older shirt of the headliner as it establishes you as being a fan of long standing. Anything else is not acceptable and shows that you are a noob.

Honestly, wear whatever you want. I wear all sorts of obscure shirts and my patch vest at shows. It's a nice conversation starter with other folks at the show.

I saw Whitesnake a few Friday's ago and of the 1,000 or so people almost no one had a Whitesnake shirt on. I wore a Motorhead shirt. In my humble opine, you wear whatever you like, old or new, it's all cool.

I'd go see a thrash band at a club in the Bay Area sportin' a Ruby Slippers shirt and the catch a glam band on The Strip with a Legacy shirt on. I went to an Oingo Boingo show wearing a sleeveless t that said, "Heavy F-Yuck-in Metal" on the front. I also went to see Reba with my wife wearing a KNAC t shirt. The 80's were so much fun.

I can't remember specifically, but back in the day I probably wore band shirts to their shows. I didn't think anything of it. I just thought I was being a fan. It wasn't until I saw the movie PCU that the topic even entered my mind...



I didn't know it was a "thing", but I haven't done it since. They got into my head, man.

Seriously?  There are "rules" about this now?

I'm sooooo F'n old....

tohostudios wrote:

Seriously?  There are "rules" about this now?

I'm sooooo F'n old....

Well, that clip I posted was from 1994, so I guess it's been a "rule" since way back then.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

tohostudios wrote:

Seriously?  There are "rules" about this now?

I'm sooooo F'n old....

Well, that clip I posted was from 1994, so I guess it's been a "rule" since way back then.

That would make sense because I haven't been to a concert in about 20 years now.  I got tired of all the "kids" looking at the old fart and thinking I was a narc.

Bah ! I'll wear what I want. And if I had a shirt of a band I was going to see, of course I'd wear it.

It's probably not advisable to wear a Pansy Division T Shirt at a Mayhem gig! 

Other than that, who gives a sh*t! Since when have most metal fans had a clue what's cool anyway! 

I will wear a long sleeve shirt black or gray & if I buy a band's shirt at the show just pull it on over.. I see nothing wrong with that.

Rules on what's cool are funny.

Wear whatever you want in my opinion. The only thing I don't get is people who buy a t-shirt at concert and put it on immediately ... Did they come to a show topless? And how about washing it first?
I was at Dynamo festival this year, which lasted only for a day, and I could swear that I saw at least 100 people sporting their brand new festival shirt ... it was like "oh look, he / she was at Dynamo this year! How cool!"

I never see those classic 'Concert' t- shirts anymore - the real ones -
The ones with the city dates on the back - modern / recent concerts -
It's great to see - when someone, not only went to see the show,
but actually bought a momento shirt - to show off - for the next 3-4 weeks -
I always did that in High school, the next day -
and in my 20's next day at work - bravado points !
I LOVED the bootleg shirts sold in the parking lot ! Hell Yeah -
But bands like Megadeth and Metallica - hire people to confiscate them -
why ?????????????????????????? F'n Bytchs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah I always though that was cool seeing people walking around in school wearing a tour shirt from the concert they went to the night before.

tohostudios wrote:

Seriously?  There are "rules" about this now?

I'm sooooo F'n old....

Rules are meant to be broken, it sounds super lame to me.

If you bought the shirt at the show it's ok.

I love PCU and I quote that all the time but honestly, who cares? Wear what you want!

bgsully wrote:

Rules on what's cool are funny.

Yeah, rules are lame!

sovdat wrote:

Wear whatever you want in my opinion. The only thing I don't get is people who buy a t-shirt at concert and put it on immediately ... Did they come to a show topless? And how about washing it first?

I'll admit I never wash clothes before wearing them, even if I purchased them from a thrift store. I guess I like living dangerously.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I can't remember specifically, but back in the day I probably wore band shirts to their shows. I didn't think anything of it. I just thought I was being a fan. It wasn't until I saw the movie PCU that the topic even entered my mind...



I didn't know it was a "thing", but I haven't done it since. They got into my head, man.

Am I missing something? I don't see where the "that guy" aspect comes from.

One time a friend of mine wore a Nirvana shirt to a Slayer show and got hassled the whole time by Slayer fans. He finally turned it inside out I think, haha.

I've done it.

When I saw KISS in 97 on the reunion tour I wore a Love Gun shirt. Most of the people there had KISS shirts on.

Citanul wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I can't remember specifically, but back in the day I probably wore band shirts to their shows. I didn't think anything of it. I just thought I was being a fan. It wasn't until I saw the movie PCU that the topic even entered my mind...



I didn't know it was a "thing", but I haven't done it since. They got into my head, man.

Am I missing something?  I don't see where the "that guy" aspect comes from.

I believe Jeremy Piven was just goofing and they left it in the movie. It wasn't in the script.

There was an awesome t shirt place back in the 80's that sold all the extra concert shirts from the local shows. Man I miss that place. The selection was unreal. I got my first band shirt there in '86, It was Ratt's "Dancing Undercover" album cover. I can't remember if there was anything on the back, though. They were probably only open til about 1990 or so. The last shirt I remember getting there was the Anthrax Judge Dredd. I gotta get that one again.