Justin Aharoni (@jaharoni) for NYCountry Swag

As the summer concert season is coming to a close, we have been busy reminiscing about some of our favorite concerts that we were able to catch. To learn more about our favorite shows, click here. Although each concert is different and unique to the artists on the bill, there are some moments that transcend through each and every show.

1. The tailgate.
Although technically not the start of the show, everyone knows that the tailgate is a crucial component of a country concert. It’s your chance to grab your friends, crank up the music, and play a few drinking games with your crew and other country music lovers. Tailgates get the party started and make you even more excited for the night of music to come! Check out our tailgate essentials here to make sure you have everything you need for an epic tailgate.

2. The opening acts.
Getting to see multiple artists in one night is always a highlight, but when the tour is stacked with fresh talent and rising artists, it makes it even better! Plus, you get to say you saw the artist before they hit it big! We love championing rising artists, so getting to check out their sets are always a highlight! Still not convinced? Check out the many reasons, we encouraged you to get their early for Riley Green’s, Tenille Townes, and Russell Dickerson’s opening sets!

3. Gearing up for the headliner.
Just before the artist of the night takes the stage, the house lights dim, music begins to play, and fans begin to scream in anticipation. This moment isn’t always appreciated enough, but we live for the introduction song and the production before the artist explodes on to the stage. The energy in the venue is electric and the notion that you are about to see your favorite artist perform with thousands of other people, who love country music is always indescribable.

4. U.S.A. chants and red, white, and blue.
Here at NY Country Swag, we are big supporters of our troops, our firefighters, our police officers, our first responders, and our local heroes, such as our teachers! We created our hero collection to honor those who serve our country and community and donate a portion of our proceeds to organizations that benefit them across the country. Because of this, one of our favorite moments is when the crowd erupts into a U.S.A. chant after the artist honors our troops. In a typically divided world, the feeling of patriotism and being united feels magical.

5. Surprise guests.
It is so thrilling when the headliner brings a surprise guest to the stage! Most recently, at Jones Beach, Luke Bryan brought Morgan Wallen on stage to sing his song “Whiskey Glasses,” and Miranda Lamberts like to bring out her other members of the Pistol Annies on occasion too. The element of surprise keeps fans on their toes, and it is fun to guess, who might be showing up, especially during festival season!

6. Openers come back on stage with the headliner.
Usually, the headliner will bring their opening acts back on stage to duet with them. We love witnessing the camaraderie on stage and hearing a new version of one of our favorite songs! Over the summer, FGL gave us goosebumps, when they performed “H.O.L.Y.” with Dan + Shay, and back in September, Thomas Rhett had fans at Madison Square Garden up on their feet, screaming, when Dustin Lynch, Russell Dickerson, and Rhett Akins came back to the stage to sing Rhett’s “Beer Can’t Fix.” These are the moments you can only be a part of if you’re present for a live show!

7. When every single person in the crowd sings along or holds up their flashlights.
Two years in a row, one of our favorite moments have been when the whole venue sang along as Dan + Shay sang “Tequila.” This magical moment never gets old. Usually, during one of the artists’ slower, more vulnerable songs, fans show their appreciation and approval by putting on their flashlights and swaying their phones back and forth in the air. This creates some extraordinary imagery and usually brings the performer (and us) to tears!

8. When artists bring fans on stage.
We love getting to see fans being pulled on to the stage by an artist! It showcases the performer in a more human light, and it is fun to see how they interact with their audience up close and personal! We especially love, when the little kid in the crowd gets to sing along with the artist on stage, as we’re sure it’s a moment that they never forget! For us, this is the equivalent to getting a shout out from an artist on stage, as Russell Dickerson did for us in his MSG debut in September! Just like that little kid, who gets pulled up on to the stage, we’ll never forget that moment!

9. When the headliner covers a throwback song and the whole audience sings along.
Typically in an entertainer’s set-list, the singer will add in a cover of some old-school country song or a catchy modern song. Sometimes artists will even create their own medley or mash-up! Some crowd favorites include, “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” “I Like It, I Love It,” “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” and many more. It is always a blast to see how country artists put their own twist on cover songs!

10. The encore.
At this point, we know that the headliner is going to come back on stage to entertain us with a couple of more songs, but still, hearing the entire crowd shout “encore” and witnessing the gratitude shining from the artist is always a heartwarming moment. Plus, the encore is usually where you get to finally hear the songs you’ve been hoping to hear all night long. It definitely ends the night on a high note!

Let us know what your favorite concert moments are in our New York Country Fans Facebook group!

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The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.