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It is spooky season and what better way to celebrate Halloween than by switching up your standard gig look for something a little more festive.
While bigger is almost always certainly better, you do have to be mindful of your fellow gig-goer when it comes to dressing up. Wings are always a bad idea, as is anything too tall because your enjoyment should never come at the expense of someone else’s. You also probably want to avoid anything too bulky if you don’t want to spend the entirety of the gig perched at the bar.
However, there are still plenty of options for dressing up to go a gig this halloween. Check out our top picks below.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
As shown by Phoebe Bridgers and Danny Elfman last year when they spoke to NME before performing at London’s Wembley Arena, this beloved musical speaks to those who like to really go for it with their halloween costume, and those who’d rather keep things simple. For Sally, you’re going to need a lot of face and body paint alongside a patchwork dress while a pinstripe suit is all you really need to recreate Jack Skellington’s iconic look.
Skeleton
Speaking of Phoebe Bridgers, the indie musician has become synonymous with a skeleton onesie after performing a majority of her gigs wearing one. It’s since become one of the coolest halloween costumes going.
The Bear
Most chefs have a variety of horror stories about working in professional kitchens and the hit TV series The Bear certainly captured the anxiety, tension and confrontation. Luckily, it’s much less terrifying to recreate Carmy’s signature look, with a tight white t-shirt and a blue apron all that’s needed. Maybe leave the chef’s knife at home though.
The Avengers
Since the launch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008, Marvel’s blockbuster films and accompanying Disney+ TV shows have provided fancy-dressers with a sprawling source of inspiration. We’re not sure how being topless and painted green will go down with your fellow gig-goer if you want to spend this halloween as The Hulk while Iron Man’s tech-heavy suit might be a little difficult to recreate but the likes of Dr. Strange, Scarlet Witch and Loki should be easy enough. If you really want to keep it simple though, just wear your own clothes and claim you’re Peter Parker.
Madonna
Madonna’s long-awaited ‘The Celebration tour’ kicked off earlier this month, championing her brilliant back catalogue and her incredible wardrobe. Again, the cone-shaped bra might not be the best bet for a sweaty punk rock show, but the nine costume changes Madonna undertakes during the ‘Celebration’ tour should give you plenty of inspiration if you wanted to dedicate this halloween to the Queen Of Pop.
Nostalgia is back
With the current resurgence in pop-punk, emo and nu-metal reshaping the rock scene in 2023, what better time to revisit some of the most outlandish looks from the early ‘00s. A red cap and baggy jeans is all you need to channel the spirit of Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst while a backwards cap, chequered shorts and a pair of vans will transform you into most pop-punk bands. A military jacket will let you dress up as both The Black Parade-era My Chemical Romance or The Libertines but please, leave the frosted tips in the past.