As a college student studying the music industry, I love to follow my favorite artists on tour and have seen more than 25 live acts over the last three years. These concerts have ranged in size, from audiences of a few hundred people to 20,000 people, and in genre, from pop and jazz to country and rock music.
From all the live show experiences I have under my belt, I feel confidently prepared to walk into any venue with any act and immediately adapt to the atmosphere. However, I clearly remember how confusing and overwhelming the first few concerts I went to were, as I had no idea what to expect. If you are planning on going to your first concert soon, I highly recommend reading through the following tips, which are applicable to any live show experience.
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Apply NowKnow When to Get There
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One of the first things you should do after buying a concert ticket is to check the event's start time and the venue's “doors open” time. Both of these times are almost always listed on the venue's website and/or in the details of your ticket, and they will be crucial to planning when to arrive at the venue.
If you bought a pit ticket, which is generally labeled as “General Admission," plan your arrival based on how close you want to get to the stage. If you are trying to get a barricade (the very front row of the pit), you will want to arrive several hours before the doors open. If you want to hang out towards the back of the pit, you can likely get to the venue an hour before doors open and still get a decent spot. Of course, you might want to alter your plans based on the size of the venue and the artist's popularity level, but those are the guidelines I follow.
If you bought a seat ticket, I recommend arriving to the venue around the time the doors open, if not a few minutes later. This will help you avoid waiting in the long General Admission line, and you will still have enough time to grab some merch or drinks before finding your seat.
Also, keep in mind that most concerts typically have one or two opening acts. These acts are usually listed online and are promoted by the main act. If you are only interested in watching the main act, you can adjust your arrival time to a bit later, as the main act often doesn't come out until at least one hour after the ticketed start time.
However, I do recommend checking out the opening acts if you can, because you will be exposed to artists that you may have never heard of otherwise. I have found so many new artists to listen to just by watching the opening acts at concerts.
Know What To Bring
First, it is important to note that most venues have a strict bag policy, which is typically listed under the Frequently Asked Questions page of the venue's website. Specifications include the size of the bag and whether or not the bag is clear. However, exceptions to the policy can be made if you have medical needs that require a larger-sized bag.
If you don't have a bag that meets your venue's standards, you can find some cheap yet fashionable options on Amazon. You don't want to risk having to pay to check your bag or not being able to enter the venue because your bag is the wrong size!
Because the bags allowed in most venues are smaller than what you might use on a daily basis, I suggest bringing the bare minimum of items to the event. I also recommend leaving valuables such as jewelry and earbuds at home, because they are small and very easy to lose track of in a big crowd.
Additionally, most venues don't allow outside food or drink, so make sure you finish your snacks and toss everything in the trash before going through security. Some venues (typically larger ones) do allow you to bring an empty water bottle or a factory-sealed, unopened water bottle, but do your research to make sure anything you plan to bring inside is permitted.
On a final note, if you want to buy anything at the venue, including food, drink, or merch, bring your debit or credit card. Nowadays, most venues are cash-free and will only accept cards or smartphone payment methods. A complete list of payment options can usually be found on the venue's website.
Stay Hydrated
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I cannot stress enough the importance of drinking water before and during a concert, especially during the warmer months. Venues get hot very quickly because they consist of hundreds to thousands of people standing and sitting in very close proximity, which can become very overwhelming. Remember, if you are in the pit, you will be standing for a long period with no breaks, especially if you've already been waiting in line outside for hours.
If your venue allows you to bring in an empty water bottle or an unopened bottle, I highly recommend doing so. If not, I suggest bringing disposable water bottles to drink before getting inside and then buying water in the venue as well. Some venues will offer free water to people standing in the pit, but supply is usually limited, so you should buy water before entering the pit if you can.
The last thing you want is to feel lightheaded or pass out during a concert. I have seen this happen many, many times before and it does not look like a fun experience to have.
Watch Your Drinks
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Like any other busy space where drinks are being served, it is important to keep a close eye on your drinks to avoid them being spiked. Even if you are not buying an alcoholic beverage, your drink can be spiked by anyone. Never take a sip of someone else's drink or drink from a can that was opened before you bought it.
Also, always carry your drink with you rather than leaving it out in the open. While I think many might find this warning to be common sense, drug-related incidents happen far too often for this to not be mentioned.
Understand Basic Concert Etiquette
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At a concert, you do not want to alienate yourself by acting against the crowd. For example, if you are in the pit, never push people forward so that you are closer to the front. This is not only inconsiderate but also extremely dangerous, as it may cause people to fall and sustain serious injuries.
Also, if people from the front are trying to make their way out of the pit, do your best to clear a path for them. It is important to not be so absorbed in the moment that you are unaware of the needs of people around you. If you witness a medical incident or conflict, do your best to help by getting security's attention.
Another thing to understand when going to a concert is what is considered appropriate audience etiquette. For example, while it may be extremely common to stand up and scream during a pop or rock show, this may be seen as disrespectful at a jazz show. If you have any doubts about what is considered appropriate for your concert, I suggest doing internet research and watching videos of your artist's previous shows to see how the fans act.
Get Ready to Have Fun!
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Of course, the whole point of going to a concert is to have fun listening to your favorite artists perform in the same room as you! There is nothing quite like seeing an artist you admire run onto the stage and wave to the crowd and sharing a musical experience with a group of fans with whom you share something in common with. While the process of getting to this point can sometimes feel stressful, I promise that being fully prepared will make it all worth it in the end, and you will come out of the experience with amazing memories that will last for years to come.
