The Best Gifts for People Who Go to Lots of Concerts
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If you’re shopping for someone who loves music, the easiest and most obvious route is afan giftlike merch or vinyl, especially if you already know they’re a Swiftie or a Dead Head. It can be trickier, though, to shop for someone who doesn’t obsess over any one artist but whose calendar is packed with shows or who’s always trotting off to one festival or another. I’m in that camp, and as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized how important it is to have the rightgear, from earplugs to a clear bag to comfortable shoes — I can’t hack it in a flat pair of Vans anymore if I’m going to be standing for two hours. So I asked people who go to concerts all the time, for work or for fun, to recommend their favorite gifts for people who love live music no matter what artists or genres they’re into.
Update on December 12, 2025
I verified that everything here is in stock and that prices are up to date. I also added notes about shipping deadlines to ensure gifts arrive in time for the holidays.
Gift cards, subscriptions, books, and other media
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This book of essays by poet and cultural criticHanif Abdurraqibis one of my favorites — about music but also in general. Abdurraqib approaches topics from Chance the Rapper to My Chemical Romance to Carly Rae Jepsen with incisive criticism and insight, and the beautiful way he captures the experience of live music will surely resonate with concertgoers of any musical persuasion.
Bloomsbury’s33 ⅓is a series of short, pocket-size books that focus on an iconic album. Music writer and co-host of theEndless ScrollpodcastGrace Robins-Somerville has been collecting them for years: “The small size makes these the perfect books to read while you’re waiting on line because you got to the show an hour before doors,” Robins-Somerville says.
Not everyone who loves live music can make it out to the show. For those folks,Dylan Tupper Rupert, a music writer, producer, and podcast host, recommends a subscription to a music podcast or newsletter. Aside from her podcastMusic Person(which I am personally a fan of), she suggests:Jokermen, which started as a Bob Dylan–appreciation project and evolved into a more broad late-career appreciation project about 20th-century greats;Don’t Rock the Inbox, a newsletter written “by two very smart women in Nashville and Dallas” that highlights left-of-center country music; andAmerican Museum of Paramusicology, a multimedia project byMatt Marblethat Tupper Rupert describes as a “soothingly scholarly yet offbeat look at historical intersections of music and metaphysics.”
Concert tickets would seem like an obvious gift, but between the difficulty of knowing someone else’s schedule and the competitiveness of online ticket sales, it’s best to leave the actual ticket buying to them. I recommend a gift card, so their next ticket purchase — or at least some of the exorbitant fees — is on you.TicketmasterandStubHubhave tickets for most large events;On Megift cards can be used for a variety of different venues, festivals, or on smaller ticketing platforms that don’t offer gift cards.
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Elsewhere Membership
If you know your recipient frequents a particular venue,Pitchforksenior editor Anna Gaca recommends checking to see if it offers a membership or season pass. For example, Elsewhere in Brooklyn offers yearly and seasonal passes that provide discounts and perks at the venue.
Earplugs
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If they haven’t been wearing earplugs, or if they’re still scrambling to find a foam pair before every show, a reusable pair makes a nice gift. The ones from Earpeace are super-comfortable and my favorite of the many I’ve tried.
Read more:I Tried 6 Pairs of Concert Earplugs to Find the Best Ones
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For the person who likes to have the “It” thing, go for the most popular brand: Loop. Vulture staff writerDevon Ivieswears by Loop’s Experience earplugs because they don’t look too dorky, aren’t too expensive, and come in a compact carrying case.For a slight upgrade, I’d recommend springing for the Switch model, which allow you to toggle between multiple noise-blocking levels — handy for the time between sets or shows at different volume levels.
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These Earos earplugs are a good choice for the person who loves to dance hard or jump into the pit — Zach Seely, founder and editor ofHard Packmagazine, says they lower volume without muddying the mix, sit flush, and never slip out even if he’s dancing.
For a big upgrade, gift custom — your recipient will have to visit an audiologist to get molds made of their ears, but the result will be a gift they can appreciate for years to come. “I have Loop earplugs and they’re fine, but what I’d really love is a fitting appointment for a specialist likeCrystal Guardianor1 of 1 Custom,” says Gaca. Tupper Rupert also recommends Crystal Guardian’s earplugs, which have a glittery option (!).Missing Piece Groupgeneral manager Joe Sivick recommendsWestone’s custom earplugs, which he’s been using for about seven years. “Nothing compares to custom earplugs that effectively reduce decibels but also equalize so you can still hear everything clearly,” he says.
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GOB Core Pack - 12 pairs
Or, for the person who just can’t keep track of a pair of either kind of reusable earplugs: An eco-friendly alternative to disposable foam earplugs. These are made from mushroom mycelium, so they’re completely biodegradable.
Venue-ready bags and water bottles
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Alison Morgenstern, head of product atNew YorkMagazine, frequents jam-band shows and recommends a mini Nalgene water bottle. She says it’s just big enough to last for a lengthy set —saving you from having to purchase overpriced water from concessions — and because it’s clear, most venues will accept it when empty. It can also be “clipped” to a bag by looping the lid through the strap before screwing it on.
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If they really love to maximize space in their venue-approved bag, Sivick swears by this collapsible water bottle. “My friend who has been going to concerts and festivals forever turned me onto it,” he says. “You don’t realize you need it until you have it!”
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Tupper Rupert says LARQ’s self-filtering water bottle is life changing for outdoor events where the hydration situation might be a little uncertain. (It’s also a great gift foroutdoorsy people.) LARQ makes a few different styles of water bottles — this one includes filtrationandUV sanitization, but there arecheaper modelsthat do one or the other.
Editor’s note:For delivery by December 24, order by December 14 with standard shipping or by December 21 with expedited shipping.
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Some festivals allow hydration packs, but the rule is typically that they can have only one main pocket. Either of these would be a nice gift for someone who goes to a lot of outdoor festivals, so they don’t have to carry a water bottle.
Editor’s note:For delivery by December 25, order by December 18.
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Baggu’s small crescent bag falls within most venue size limits, for those that allow opaque bags, and with so many color and pattern options, you can “customize” it to your recipient’s tastes.
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My sister gave me one of these Cotopaxi fanny packs a few years ago and we both like to bring them to shows because they are surprisingly roomy — I can fit my Nalgene water bottle in mine. Made from leftover fabric scraps, each one is unique.
Editor’s note:For delivery by December 25, order from REI by December 18 or from Cotopaxi by December 15. Expedited shipping is also available at Cotopaxi.
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This waterproof pack is Seely’s go-to for festivals. The interior is divided for organization, and the exterior has two pockets; it’s perfectly sized for a small water bottle, electrolytes, gum, and a phone, he says.
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A clear bag is rapidly becoming a necessity for the modern concertgoer. This teeny one from Baggalini is perfect for the minimalist who just needs a place to store keys, a wallet, and maybe some lip balm.
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For the stylish music lover who wants a nicer clear bag than the standard Amazon fare, Robins-Somerville says she’s been “coveting” this one from Coach.
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Robins-Somerville also recommends the Melissa x Telfar Jelly shopper as a more fashionable option.
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If your giftee is the type who always comes home with merch, Sarah Haege, director of commerce partnerships for the Strategist and a frequent K-pop concert attendee, recommends giving them a packable tote for holding any purchases they make at the show.
Festival gear
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For the person who already has tickets to a festival this spring, here’s a two-in-one for sunscreenanda clear fanny pack.
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For camping festivals, you can’t go wrong with a classic and extremely effectivecoolerlike the Yeti Tundra. Tupper Rupert says the Tundra is also the “absolute best cooler for turning your Prius into a tailgate before a show.”
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Sunglassesare another must for festivals with outdoor daytime sets. Since most people already own a pair they like, Tupper Rupert suggests gifting a glasses chain. “My hands are always full in a live-music setting, from drinks to phone to hugging anyone I run into,” she says, so this chain helps her keep track of her shades. “Guys wearing Oakleys on speedboats were right about this,” she adds.
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It’s easy to drain your phone battery at a show or festival but often impossible (and inconvenient) to find somewhere to charge. Gaca likes this battery pack from PopSocket because it easily attaches to the back of aMagSafephone case, which lets her keep using her phone uninterrupted.
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If they don’t have a MagSafe case, Haege likes this plug-in portable charger.
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For the more analog fans, Seely recommends a simple, water-resistant digital watch with an LED backlight, like this one from Casio. “I’d rather check this than pull out my phone, especially in dark venues,” he says.
Editor’s note:December 15 is the last day for economy shipping.
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Eno’s ultra-lightweight and quick-drying blanket will ensure they always have a clean place to sit at an outdoor festival. It easily stuffs into a carrying sack that can fit into a small bag, so it won’t be a pain to haul around.
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These water-repellent outdoor blankets are perfect for the person who likes to post up on the lawn during outdoor concerts and festivals, and they come in several festival-worthy patterns. I take mine to all sorts of outdoor events — one especially nice feature is the hidden pocket in which you can stash a phone or keys.
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Belle and Sebastian’sStuart Murdochswears by this folding mat for sitting or lying down in any environment.
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“Electrolyte-powder sticks are essential stocking stuffers for music-festival goers, who will no doubt be battered by all manner of depleting forces: dehydration, heat, sweat, alcohol, and the joys and trials of running on fumes and overstimulation,” says Tupper Rupert. She especially likes Waterboy’s because of its high dose of electrolytes. This variety pack includes six flavors.
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Seely mentioned these energy chews for an easy boost. “I use them for cycling, but they’re perfect when a festival runs long and you need something quick,” he says.
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If they’re headed to a faraway destination to see their favorite artist, thistravel pillow is our top pick, andMay HongofKPop Demon Hunterstold us that she and all her touring DJ friends swear by it.
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“You never know when a lighter will come in handy, and it looks a lot cooler than holding your cell phone in the air,” Sivick says.
Practical festival attire
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Gaca likes these UPF water-repellent parachute pants for festivals because they are lightweight, stylish, and provide plenty of sun protection.
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Since Zhang doesn’t typically carry a bag at shows, she likes to wear pants with plenty of pockets. The ones on this Uniqlo pair are large enough to fit her keys, phone, and snacks, and Zhang reports that they are easy to style for almost any concert or festival.
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Seely likes these pants from Korean outdoor brand Cayl to wear to festivals. They are light, breathable, and full of smart hidden pockets and are cinched at the ankles.
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Anyone who has been to enough outdoor concerts is familiar with the mad dash to find rain ponchos or shelter when bad weather surprises you. Gaca likes this reusable packable rain poncho as an easy upgrade from the single-use trash-bag style.
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Whether or not to bring a jacket is always a dilemma, especially for long festival days when temperatures can range widely. Seely says this jacket is “the ideal layer when temperatures drop,” and it packs down small so it’s easy to keep in a bag until you need it.
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Don’t let aching feet distract them from the music. Sivick saysBlundstonesare his go-to concert shoes because they are supportive, water-resistant, and nice looking. “Whether it’s standing for five hours at Bowery Ballroom, trudging through mud at a music festival, or walking for five days straight across Austin at SXSW, Blundstones are my first choice,” he says — and I tend to agree.
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If they’d prefer something with a heel, Zhang says these Naturalizer boots are her favorite comfortable boots to wear to shows.
Editor’s note:Many sizes are currently sold out.
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These all-conditions hiking shoes are Seely’s favorite footwear for high-step-count festivals. They’re waterproof and “grippy without feeling heavy,” he says.
Editor’s note:For delivery by December 24, order by December 14 with standard delivery, December 19 with express delivery, or December 21 with priority delivery.
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Zhang recommends Aerosole’s Fez sandals, which are vaguely orthopedic withoutlookingvaguely orthopedic.
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“Music festivals are a perfect testing ground for sartorial choices that are questionable in your day-to-day life but offer a technical advantage out in the field,” Tupper Rupert says. For a lightweight summer-festival shoe, she likesthe Keen Uneeks, which kept her comfortable during a three-day music festival in late summer in the South — “the ultimate test” — and earned plenty of compliments.
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Or just buy a set of insoles for the shoes they already own. Sivick says these immediately made a huge difference in comfort for standing at shows.
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The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
