As thousands of people entered the iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre at the S. Florida Fairgrounds, it was almost like COVID-19 never existed. Still, groups of people walked through checkpoints, presenting vaccination cards or proof of a negative test. At first glance, however, getting in to see Maroon 5 couldn’t have been easier.

Decreases in COVID-19 restrictions have allowed for more of these live concerts to be held. With the general requirements of masks, COVID-19 vaccination cards and negative tests, concerts are becoming a common event for Jupiter High students. 

Annika Espenship, junior, attended the Maroon 5 concert and was surprised by the thousands of people there and found the restrictions lenient. 

“Some employees did wear masks but then other employees didn’t so I think it was a personal preference,” Espenship said. 

Rylee Greenstein, junior, also attended Maroon 5 and had similar experiences.

“One of my friends forgot her COVID-19 vaccination card and almost had to use a friend’s negative COVID-19 test. She wouldn’t have had a problem getting in,” Greenstein said. 

The Maroon 5 concert took place outside at the iTHINK Amphitheatre where people can be more socially distanced. 

“I was expecting it to be a little bit of more social distancing and more masks being worn, not that it necessarily bothered me, I was just not expecting that outcome.” Greenstein said. 

On July 23, Maddy Torres, junior, attended the Rolling Loud festival in Miami and noticed there weren’t enforced COVID-19 restrictions like there was supposed to be. 

“No one wore masks, and people weren’t told to put one on either,” Torres said.  

Certain concerts like Maroon 5 and Rolling Loud were lax with their COVID-19 restrictions, however, for other concerts, it may not be the same. On Oct. 8, Harry Styles held a concert at the Panther Stadium in Sunrise, Fla.. 

“Everyone around me wore a mask and they always kept it on,” Tasnim Farhat, senior, said. 

Farhat noticed that even with 20,000 people at the concert, it was obvious there would be a lack of social distancing but with masks, most people respected the requirements. 

“Employees at the concert wore their masks and it looked like they were taking precautions,” Farhat said. 

Grace Lavallee, junior, also attended Styles’ concert and noticed how easy it was to show your vaccination cards or tests. 

“The employees took a quick glance at the vaccine cards or negative tests and let you in,” Lavallee said.

Students expressed that besides the masks, COVID-19 tests and vaccine cards, concerts are just like they were before. 

“The masks are normal to us too so it wasn’t that big of a change,” Farhat said.