I also feel concerts can be painfully loud without earplugs (though I find foam reduces the volume too much, so either we have different preferences or you aren

I also feel concerts can be painfully loud without earplugs (though I find foam reduces the volume too much, so either we have different preferences or you aren't getting a good seal with the foam). I have the exact Etymotic attenuating earplugs mentioned a few levels up. They don't reduce the volume as much as foam, but they reduce it enough for me, and the sound balance is much better. I can understand lyrics better with those earplugs than any other configuration I've tried, including no earplugs at all. They aren't magic and they won't get the volume/balance perfect for you, but for $13 they are pretty great.