please for the love of music wear earplugs, or loops, or something. I went to a Static-X concert once and I couldn't hear anything for three days after because I forgot mine and figured "sure, no problem, if it gets too bad I'll step out". I did not step out, they are way too good.
earplugs by far make the music better - the band is wearing them, the mixers and audio techs are wearing them, you should be wearing them. Live music is for feeling the music, and ear plugs would never stop that, but they also get rid of the highs from the speakers that everyone finds unnerving.
Wear earplugs. Protect your hearing.