How could I get a start as a concert photographer?

I'm 17 and being a concert photographer seems like something I'd really like to do. I've taken the photography class that my school offers and I've been taking art classes since freshman year (computer design and visual advertising classes mostly). I take some pretty good quality photos in my opinion and I don't even have a very fancy camera it's mainly just a point-and-shoot type Nikon brand camera. If I want to start going into this field as a junior in high school, how do I start? Do I have to apply at the concert venue itself? Will they even take someone who's still in high school and is only a junior without even a bachelor's degree? Also, what is the best camera to take photographs at concerts? Any and all help is appreciated!

You need to be a fully qualified photographer having done several years of training ending with a degree in the subject, and even a higher degree (Masters). You usually need to become a Licentiate of a Photographic Society and they have various levels that you can pass through. I'm not sure what happens in the USA but why not make enquiries through the classes you have taken at your school. Your teacher/tutor should know what you need to do.

Age and Qualification doesn't matter, all you need is passion for becoming a photographer built in yourself.Following are few steps needed to get started as a photographer:
start in small venues
use a lens with a small aperture (e.g. 50mm 1.8)
use high ISO settings
try to get in contact with magazines and internet platforms to get your press accreditation
save your money for a full frame camera and fast zoom lenses: 24-70mm 2.8, 70-200mm 2.8, ultrawide/fisheye lens.
Enjoy your new life as a concert photographer

You need to be able to take a good quality photo of the band, but most concert venues do not employ the photographers, the bands bring them in. That is where you need to start. Shoot bands in your school and work on your skill. As a few of the bands progress to doing outside gigs, work with them to get you a photo pass for the venues. Then network with the other bands on the bill to shoot for them as well.

As you start, you are going to do a lot of work for free, but then your work honestly is not going to be worth paying for. As you get better, and as you progress to shooting bands that might have a minor label contract and maybe some A&R money, you can get paid do do the shoots.

The first thing that you should realise is that you are not alone…

Being a 'Hot Shot' Photographer has never been so trendy… Every teenager wants to be one nowadays, it is seen as being 'cool'…

Unfortunately this means that to succeed you need to be able to offer a minimum standard of what is already available… Or, be capable enough to bring something new to the table… The odds are stacked against you succeeding… Don't let that put you off… It is better to have tried and failed than to not have tried at all… Well so they say anyway… It's a tough profession and very competitive.