At just 16 years old, junior Christopher Cuevas has already attended at least 20 concerts, making live music more than just entertainment; it has become his main hobby. From traveling to festivals across the country to spending hundreds of dollars on tickets and merchandise, Cuevas says concerts are “my getaway from everything else.”
Cuevas attends a “minimum two [concerts] each month,” mostly rap shows in San Francisco and Sacramento. He said his interest in concerts began during freshman year after feeling left out when his friends started attending shows.
“I guess I got FOMO when I was younger because a lot of people I was friends with went to concerts,” Cuevas said. “I just really wanted to see my favorite artists live.”
Since then, Cuevas has built up an impressive concert history, including seeing artists like Playboi Carti, Kanye West, and Travis Scott. Out of all the shows he has attended, those three remain his favorites.
His passion for concerts also comes with a high price tag. Cuevas said the most he has ever spent was around $600 on multiple tickets for a Kanye West concert. Even with expensive ticket prices, he still buys at least one shirt at every show he attends.
“I buy at least one shirt per concert, which is $50,” Cuevas said. “My favorite one is from this festival called Rolling Loud.”
To support his hobby, Cuevas works at California’s Great America as a ride operator for Drop Tower. Before getting a job, he said his parents helped pay for tickets, but now he mostly covers the costs himself.
Balancing concerts, work, and school can sometimes become difficult, especially when concerts fall on school days. Cuevas admitted he skipped school once to attend the Rolling Loud festival in Los Angeles.
“If I have a show the same day as work, I usually just call off,” Cuevas said. “For school, I usually try to finish everything during school.”
Preparing for concerts has also become part of his routine. Since many rap concerts involve crowded pits and high energy, Cuevas says staying safe is important. He recommends staying hydrated, eating before the concert, and stepping away from the crowd if necessary.
“The shows I go to are usually rap, and people should probably hydrate and eat at least an hour before,” Cuevas said. “If you don’t think you can handle it anymore, just go to the back or chill on the balcony.”
Although he has never been trampled, Cuevas said he did fall once during a performance at Rolling Loud. Despite experiences like that, he believes the positives outweigh the negatives.
“The pros are so much better,” Cuevas said. “You get to meet new people, see your favorite artists live, and maybe even meet them after the show.”
Cuevas said he has met artists, including Ken Carson, three times and also met Nettspend in 2024, collecting signatures and photos as memories.
For Cuevas, concerts are more than loud music and crowded arenas. He says they provide an escape from everyday stress and allow him to connect with people who share the same interests.
“It’s my favorite hobby and my main hobby,” Cuevas said. “It’s like my getaway from everything else, and that makes me the happiest man in the world.”
