Why that one fan always gets picked—and how it happens

I’ve spent way too many concerts hoping this would be my moment—the artist scans the crowd, locks eyes with me, and suddenly, I’m on stage, living the dream. Maybe I get a handshake, maybe I belt out a chorus, maybe I just freeze in shock. Doesn’t matter. It’s the ultimate concert fantasy.

And yet, every time, it’s someone else. The girl with the neon sign. The guy in the wildest outfit. The fan who looks like they might actually pass out. Meanwhile, I’m screaming my lungs out, hoping for something, while they get the moment.

At some point, I had to ask—is it really random? Turns out, artists aren’t just picking people blindly. There’s a pattern. Whether it’s a giant sign, a standout outfit, or pure, unfiltered energy, some fans just know how to catch their eye. And honestly? It’s not magic—but it sure feels like it.

An engaging sign

At a Coldplay concert in Sydney, April Brown and her husband, James Spencer, held up a sign saying, “We postponed our honeymoon for this!” Chris Martin, mid-performance, spotted their message, grinned, and moments later, they were standing next to him on stage. Honestly, it wasn’t about flashy graphics or neon letters—it was the story behind the sign. A personal connection, something that stood out from the usual “I love you, Chris!” posters. Holding up a sign is Concert 101 if you want to be noticed, but not just any sign, but the one that makes an artist pause, laugh, or feel something.

Festival fits

Then there’s the outfit factor. If you’re standing in a crowd of black t-shirts and jeans, guess who the artist’s eyes are going to land on? The person dressed like they belong on stage. At another Coldplay show in Mumbai, a fan in an eye-popping outfit—a wild mix of neon and funky accessories—was invited on stage simply because they looked like a vibe. There’s a reason why festival fashion is a thing. Sometimes, the right outfit doesn’t just get you fire Instagram pictures; it gets you a once-in-a-lifetime moment.  

Being a total vibe

Energy is another key factor. It isn’t always about being loud; it’s about being authentically in the moment. At a Justin Bieber concert in Mumbai in 2017, a fan named Aditya Chandwa, wearing a bright pink T-shirt on a dare, danced and sang with such unfiltered enthusiasm that he lit up the entire crowd. Bieber noticed and gave him a shout-out, proving that sometimes, it’s not about effort but about being completely in the moment.

Ultimate fans

Harry Styles gravitates toward fans who wear their emotions on their sleeve—the ones clutching their chest, mouthing every lyric like it’s gospel. At Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour, the spotlight often landed on fans in full-glam, disco-ball-inspired outfits. Because when you match the energy of the show, you become part of the performance itself.

Fan pit

And sometimes, it really is just about being in the right place. The front row, for example, has its perks. At Cigarettes After Sex’s Mumbai show, the band actually stopped for a bit just to shake hands with the people closest to the stage. Greg Gonzalez even handed out guitar picks to a few lucky fans standing right up front. No signs, no jumping, no elaborate plan—just proximity. When you’re up close, there’s a much higher chance of interaction simply because you’re the first thing they see. Sure, getting to the front isn’t always easy (or cheap), but if you’re willing to camp out in line or invest in a better ticket, sometimes it’s that simple.

But being seen isn’t just about physical distance. Ever noticed how, in a crowd of thousands, your brain instantly latches onto the one thing that feels different? It’s how we’re wired; our minds are trained to pick up on contrast, on emotion, on something that breaks the pattern. Artists are no different. They’re up on stage, looking out at a sea of faces, subconsciously scanning for something that pulls them in, whether it’s a neon outfit in a wave of dark tees, a sign that makes them laugh, or someone just absolutely losing themselves in the music. It’s not about effort alone; it’s about energy, about a moment that feels real enough to make them pause. Because when everything else blurs together, they’re going to notice the thing that doesn’t.

This could be your moment!

If you’re gearing up for Lollapalooza, it helps to know how some artists interact with their fans. Green Day has a history of pulling fans on stage, with Billie Joe Armstrong often choosing those screaming every lyric with full energy—he’s even handed guitars to fans mid-performance. Shawn Mendes is known for inviting fans to sing with him, like when he brought a fan on stage during his Wonder: The World Tour to perform '305' together, turning her sign request into reality. Louis Tomlinson often acknowledges fans completely lost in the music, while Zedd loves featuring festival-goers on the big screen, especially those with bold outfits or glow accessories. Whether it’s energy, a standout look, or the perfect sign, Lollapalooza India 2025 might just be your moment.

So whenever you’re in a crowd, remember that it isn’t always about trying to force attention. Enjoy the music, express yourself in your own way, and let your genuine self shine through. Even if you're not the one called on stage, the experience itself will become a cherished memory, a reminder that sometimes, being part of the magic is more than enough. 

Lead Image: Getty Images

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