OK! Editors Remember Their Best Concerts Ever

Sure, concerts are a few wildly expensive hours of sub-par versions of your favorite songs—except when they're transcendent and life-changing! Read our favorites, then try to remember your own.

"I am Aerosmith's #1 fan, and in college, I met Steven Tyler on stage before a concert. I got to see him rehearse two songs, scarves and all. My best friend is the only person who has ever spoken of how this went down, and I'm not telling now!"—Lauren Brown, Site Director

"In high school, I went to a huge outdoor country music festival that benefited the children's hospital in my hometown. The concert featured everyone from Josh Turner to Sugarland to Brad Paisley. It was amazing to see my favorite singers live, and to know that a percentage of the proceeds were going to kids in need!"—Jillian Kirby, Assistant Editor

"Once upon a time, in a land far, far away—specifically Budapest, Hungary—I attended what was probably the best concert ever, a then-popular group called Chumbawamba, who had a big hit with their song "I Get Knocked Down." It was the first big concert I ever attended and I was doing it in another country! I wasn't that big of a fan of Chumbawamba, but I knew it would someday make a great anecdote."—Aaron Rasmussen

"Jay-z/Coldplay on New Year's Eve 2012. I am a huge fan of Jay-z, and it was always on my bucket list to see Coldplay, so the fact I saw them both the same night is crazy. They handed out bracelets that lit up when Coldplay was on and it. Was. Magical. Also, Gwyneth came on stage with Apple and Moses! Great start to a great year."—Nicole Solofsky, Photo Editor

"My first concert ever was Fleetwood Mac, REO Speedwagon, and Pat Benatar (my ultimate favorite singer) when I was 6 with my parents and brother. I got to leave camp early and we sat on a huge rainbow towel. Coolest first concert ever, right?"—Emily Kanoff, Social Media Manager

"Obvi, it was a Rihanna concert in New York City! Ri shut it down—she looked hot, played all the hits, and I danced hard! It was an epic night spent with the ultimate bad gal."—Kelli Acciardo, Deputy Editor

"My favorite concert of life is when my sister and I went to the Spice Girls reunion tour in 2008. It was right around the time of my 21st birthday, and it was the best birthday gift ever because I was the biggest Spice Girls fan ever in sixth grade. It saddened me that most of the audience was 10-year-olds who were born when 'Wannabe' came out, but it was an amazing time nonetheless."—Haley Longman, Entertainment Editor

"I thought I was very punk in high school, and my best concert was Green Day and Blink 182 on their Pop Disaster Tour. Green Day climbed on top of their amps, brought fans up on stage to play their instruments, and played 'Time of Your Life,' so life, made."—Kaitlin Menza, Senior Editor