Going to a concert is about so much more than just the music. Fans stand for hours in line to be closer to the stage (some even camp outside the venue for days) and plan their outfits months in advance. So, it's only natural they try to get their money's worth by going all out.
Another staple for fans when attending a concert is signs. Some bring them to catch the attention of the artists, and others want to entertain other concert-goers. And people sure know how to get creative with them. For that reason, we've compiled a list for you of the funniest, most creative, and thirstiest fan signs people have ever seen.
#1 Harry Styles Reading Fan's Sign: "Harry, Please Reject Me So I Can Move On"
Image credits: Subodh Bhatade
#2 This Really Happened To Me Last Night
My son was adamant that I ask Harry this question, and was constantly asking me if I had asked him yet whenever I FaceTimed him in Perth and Melbourne. He didn’t care to talk to me about anything else while I was away. He seems to think Harry is my friend and keeps asking when we’re going to visit his house.
He has since said, “No, he has at least 16 chimneys”. So I guess Harry must be wrong, because my son said so. Maybe my next sign will be, “My 4-year-old was disappointed with your single chimney. He thought you had 16”.
I will be living in this moment forever.
Image credits: megxndesignsstore
#3 Saw This Guy At The Avenged Sevenfold Concert Last Night
Image credits: Avoidingsnail
Back in 2009, music journalist Marc Hirsh wrote a piece titled "The Worst Music Trend Of The Decade: Yahoos Waving Giant Signs At Concerts." He called concertgoers with fan signs "pure evil" and "the worst development" of the 2000s. Where is this hatred coming from, you ask? He argues that showing up to a concert with a fan sign is selfish and, plainly put, not worth it.
"Signs provide nothing but arm fatigue and a misbegotten way of proving true fandom for the people holding them up," he writes. "And a deep, fuming rage for everyone else who paid upwards of $50 for the privilege of staring at the back of white posterboard for two hours."
#4 My Dad Went To A Bruce Springsteen Concert The Other Day. This Is The Only Picture He Took
Image credits: BurritoAmbassador
#5 Seems About Right
#6 This Sign
I personally love fan signs at concerts. I think they can be a great way to enhance a concert experience not just for yourself but for others too. Humor is subjective, of course, but when they're done with taste and respect and not just for social media clout, they can make other concertgoers and the artists laugh. As long as you don't annoyingly wave it around for the entire two hours, of course.
What's an inappropriate concert sign? One that makes the artist uncomfortable and forces them to draw a line. Like this incident at a Reneé Rapp concert a few months back, where the singer had to establish some boundaries when she saw quite a vulgar sign. While she interacts with some of the signs with funny and lewd language, others can make her uncomfortable.
"Sometimes signs are funny and other times they make me feel like a piece of meat!", she wrote on Instagram. "I get that the intention is to be funny, I really do understand it, I just feel a little weird about it recently."
#7 Harry Styles Replied To My Mom's Sign By Saying "Never"
Image credits: benalouise_
#8 Awesome Sign
Image credits: MrTommyLand
#9 What Does Your Mom Think You're Doing This Weekend?
Image credits: shreya_b.xo
Almost a year ago, a TikTok of a fan snatching another's sign away from their hands mid-concert sparked debate about sign etiquette. In a now-viral video, taken at The Weeknd concert, the user who did the deed captioned it with "No signs blocking our view here." People started debating: is this person just being a jerk, or are people with signs really ruining other concertgoers' experience?
#10 Yeah, This Happened
Image credits: zackteperman
#11 One Direction Fan Sign
Image credits: 1d_worldinfo
#12 This Sign At The Concert Definitely Made Me Laugh
Image credits: zombiefrosting
Most music outlets and journalists agree that you need to be mindful of your sign. Rolling Stone, for example, names large signs that block the view as a "don't" in proper concert etiquette. "Keep your sign to yourself and be considerate of everyone around and behind you. Hold it at chest level if at all possible and if you wanna raise it high, do so briefly so the folks behind you don't miss a moment," they advise.
#13 Someone Tell Joe Jonas That I’m Still Waiting For That Date
Image credits: nancyvillaro
#14 This Guy Is A King
Image credits: JamesC_777
#15 This Sign
Concert venues are increasing their security measures every year. Up until attending my first arena concert in 2022, I didn't know about the transparent bag rule. It was quite different from my experience at a Muse gig in 2016, where I rocked out to their hits sporting a full backpack. The list of prohibited items expands often, and large banners, flags, or signs are prohibited in most venues.
#16 Sorry Harry, I Lied To You I Had Contact Lenses, I Just Wanted You To Come Closer
Image credits: anniedressesup
#17 This Sign Was My Favorite At The Electric Forest Music Festival
Image credits: UnoMaas
#18 Waiting For That Call From My Man
Image credits: binseology
"Fan signs and flags are allowed, but they must not be raised in the air in front of the stage or anywhere else where they can hinder the visibility of others," Live Nation warns their customers. "Event personnel/security may ask you to lower your sign. You should leave the poles and sticks of flags and banners at home, as they are prohibited from being brought into the venue for safety reasons."
#19 Best Night Ever Besides The Fact I Could Barely Sing Along... Beyonce - Your Beauty Is Unreal
Image credits: chelseyb27
#20 That Is Hilarious
Image credits: Heatherrm1977
#21 A Family Secret Revealed
Concert etiquette has been a hot issue for the last couple of years since the pandemic. Many people on social media claim that after spending so much time at home for COVID-19, some folks forgot how to act in public. There's that fan throwing their mother's ashes on stage at a Pink concert, Bebe Rexha getting hit by a phone and needing three stitches, and Cardi B throwing a microphone at a fan who splashed her with a drink while she was performing on the stage.
#22 Someone I Know At EDC Right Now Caught An Awesome Photo Of This Sign
Image credits: dontleakmybootypics
#23 This Sign
#24 Strong Statement
While throwing things at your favorite artists while they're on stage should be a no-no for anyone with at least a bit of common sense, there are other concert etiquette guidelines experts recommend to ensure a smooth experience. Shrieking with all the might of your lungs is one thing fans should refrain from. For some, it's another way to get noticed, and others just might be a tad overexcited. Whichever you may be, think about the people around you and spare their eardrums.
#25 Hey, Riley Green, You’re The Best. Thank You
Image credits: HZolkowski
#26 This Fan Chose To Go To A One Direction Concert Instead Of Getting Engaged
#27 Harry Styles And I Had A Staring Contest And He Laughed At Me When I Blinked But Honestly, I Think He Cheated And I Want A Rematch
Image credits: kirstencalabrese
If I had a nickel for every time I've seen the sarcastic comment "Everyone just living in the moment, no phones in sight" under a video from some concert, I'd probably have a few dollars. It isn't a lot, but that's quite a few times if you do the math. People who have their phones glued to their hands for the entirety of the concert are another pet peeve for concertgoers. "You're paying for a live concert, not a streaming special, so put your phone away and live in the moment!" Rolling Stone writes.
#28 This Fan Sign For Louis Tomlinson At The Away From Home Festival
Image credits: Mary Jane
#29 “I Think Of You When I Shag My Boyfriend” Sign
Image credits: harrystylesrings_
#30 This Flag At Glastonbury Festival Refers To Boris Johnson's Defense Of The Downing Street Lockdown Parties
Image credits: scottygb
United By Pop has some useful advice for those who want to make good-quality concert signs. The three basic rules to keep in mind are: the letters have to be big, use high-contrast colors, and keep it simple. If you're trying to get the attention of your favorite artist, you have to make your sign legible. Tiny and plain lettering just won't do the job. So, grab a light-colored poster board, a Sharpie, and maybe even some battery-operated fairy lights, and let your favorite band know how much you appreciate them!
#31 My Friend Brought These Clever Signs To Coachella
Image credits: smoresahoy
#32 Don’t Underestimate Grannies
#33 Fangirl Moment
Image credits: nxtalija
#34 He Was Too Stunned To Speak
My sister only got married in a civil ceremony anyway, and I was there. Just not at the party afterward.
Image credits: daniela.bdr
#35 Sister Michael Watching Over Us At Glastonbury
Image credits: H__OConnell
#36 California Dreamin’
Image credits: big.paullyd
#37 Best. Totem. Ever
Image credits: xbabyninja1
#38 A Forever Big Time Rush Phase
Image credits: monika_themoney
#39 "Let It Grooow, Let It Grooow"
#40 I Mean, They're Not Wrong
Image credits: kookiezandmilk
#41 The Only Cat We Want To See
#42 My Winner Has To Be EF Jesus And His Keta-Mean Girl Totem At The Electric Forest Music Festival
Image credits: Distinct-Ad7606
#43 This One Had Me Cackling Every Time I Saw It
Image credits: beastly334
#44 That Is Awesome
Image credits: Nickelback
#45 Didn’t Get A Single Decent Picture Of Myself… But I Finally Got To Take My Mom To See The Love Of Her Life (Also Known As Harry Styles). So It’s Okay
Image credits: tiffanyyoconnor
#46 The Sign Actually Has Two Other Displays. One Is This One In The Picture, And The Other Is Bath & Body Work's Logo, But It Says Back & Booty Hurts. Absolute Legends
Image credits: dat_zan
#47 I Took A Picture Of These Signs At Outside Lands Festival
Image credits: TheAbeFroman
#48 This Fan Had Taco Bell In Mind
#49 This Sign At Harry Styles' "Love On Tour" Concert In Pittsburgh
Image credits: ashlie.schasel
#50 NCT The Link Concert Poster
