Many people choose to go to concerts to listen to their favorite bands. Follow these tips to avoid the annoying (and sometimes dangerous) mistakes that many people make in this type of situation.
Steps
Part 1 of 6: Check the Band's Schedule
Step 1. Start by subscribing to the newsletters on the internet and on the Myspace / Facebook pages of the bands you would like to see a concert of, as well as those of the clubs and other meeting places in your area
This way you can be sure you know about upcoming performances in time to buy tickets. Not all shows are advertised on the radio or in newspapers.
Some ticket offices and sites also allow you to sign up to receive mobile updates whenever your favorite artists add new tour dates in your area
Step 2. Visit their websites often to see new dates or changes in the itinerary
Step 3. When you find a concert you are interested in, check the availability of tickets
Many concerts sell all tickets before you have a chance to buy them.
- Don't think the seats are sold out until you've checked.
- Talk to people you share the same musical interests with. They are likely to be updated on upcoming new concerts.
- Locals often have "reserved" tickets which they sell a day or two before the concert. These tickets are available to the band or promoter, they have been "reserved" for them and they sell them if they don't use them. Always check.
- Groups that are growing in popularity may still play in small places. While this is a great opportunity to see them, you should think about buying tickets as soon as possible.
Part 2 of 6: Getting the Tickets
Step 1. Encourage your friends to come with you
This way you will be safer and it can become an even more fun experience.
- Start by asking around when you hear about the concert.
- You decide who buys the tickets, as if you buy them separately you will be seated far away (unless the seats are not numbered).
- Keep in touch with your friends after you decide to go. Make sure nobody changes their minds or makes other commitments, and buy tickets for them.
Step 2. Buy tickets from a reputable company
Go to the venue's website, or the band's website, or an internet site or real authorized place, such as a box office. Compare prices between sites to make sure you get tickets at a reasonable price.
- Buying online or in person gives you an equal chance of getting good tickets. Spending the night outside the club is no longer a guarantee of having good seats, unless the seats are not numbered, in this case arriving early to queue guarantees that you are closer to the stage, the sooner you arrive the better.
- Find the date and time of the tickets on sale and try to get them.
- Internet sites may offer you bad first search rankings. Unless the show is sure to be full, reload the page a few times for better tickets.
- Buying small amounts of tickets usually guarantees better seats. Try to buy a dozen, you will probably have some respectable seats.
- To buy online you need a credit card. At the box office they usually accept cash and credit cards.
Step 3. Choose the delivery method that best fits your schedule and situation
- You can avoid some fees by taking an e-ticket that you can print yourself. This is easy to duplicate, and since you don't know if it's valid until it's scanned upon entry, many people don't trust buying it if you want to resell it.
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Many venues offer a reservation service that allows you to buy your ticket and collect it once you arrive on site.
- To collect your ticket, you will need an identity document and the credit card with which you made the purchase.
- Many require that the name on the credit card, the name on the ID, and the name on the ticket match.
- You should avoid waiting until the day of the show to get your booked ticket. The line will be long and you will not have time to correct any errors (for example if there is no ticket + despite you have paid).
- Picking up your booked tickets in time also gives you the opportunity to resell the ticket if by chance you can't go there anymore, since those who buy it from you cannot pick it up at the club for you.
- The reservations desk is usually open during normal ticket office hours and longer on the day of the show.
- Smaller venues may have different hours and may not offer a booking service. Call for reliable information.
Step 4. Avoid auctions, unless you want to take the risk of buying counterfeit tickets or paying high prices in addition to shipping costs
Part 3 of 6: Getting Ready to Go to the Concert
Step 1. Check the weather forecast
Many concerts are outdoors and it wouldn't be fun if it's raining and you didn't bring a raincoat. Listen to the radio, watch the forecast on TV or check online.
Step 2. Go to sleep early
Going to sleep earlier than usual means you won't look awful the next day and will help you avoid a bout of sleepiness during the concert. Sleeping is important, so it would be ideal to have at least 8/10 hours of sleep.
Step 3. Call your friends
Confirm that everyone is participating and that no one has anything else to do or is sick that day. This means that you and your friends can determine how much money to bring and also the possibility of organizing the means of transport you intend to use (train, bus, car, etc.).
Step 4. Check what time the show starts by checking the ticket
Also on the site of the restaurant can warn of any changes.
- Some bands usually take the stage at the time indicated on the ticket. There may be an opening show before the lead artist performs, but don't arrive too late.
- Artists and family-oriented events start quite on time.
Step 5. Coordinate departure time based on traffic
Some concerts and bands have groups of fans who like to gather before the concert. The venue can tell you if fan reunions are expected for the concert. These festivities can start in the morning and go on until show time. Plan to leave early, bring food, drinks, toilet paper, and a change of clothes. Remember not to leave your stuff unattended or the car open
Step 6. Plan ahead for provisions and items you will need
Make a plan and share it with anyone who comes with you.
- Plan ahead what clothes to wear.
- Withdraw a reasonable amount of money from an ATM.
- Put away your tickets, ID, money, cell phone, camera (if allowed), parking permits, and any other documents you may need.
- Eat before you leave, as food is usually low quality or very expensive at concerts.
Step 7. Group car
Once you have your tickets, you may be surprised at the number of people you know who will go there. Usually the more the better, which cuts down on parking costs, gasoline, etc.
- Set up a neutral meeting place, perhaps at someone's home where there is adequate and centrally located parking.
- Determine a time that suits everyone to meet you. Set an earlier time for friends who are always late.
- In big cities you will find a lot of traffic for the concert. Leave early enough to avoid the rush before the show.
Step 8. Dress appropriately for the weather, but keep in mind that it is warmer inside
Dress in layers and consider a light jacket if it's cool. If the concert is outdoors, prepare in advance. You will probably be standing there for quite some time waiting for something to happen.
- Avoid wearing sandals or heels. They are very uncomfortable shoes, since you will be on your feet all day. Heels will increase the risk of twisting. With sandals you do not get wrong, but they will still be annoying. To go to a concert, the ideal choice is a pair of tennis shoes.
- If you bring a sweater or coat with you, they should be kept in the wardrobe if they are too warm to wear.
- Avoid wearing too much makeup. You won't look good if you sweat or cry. Often the concert venue gets pretty hot. If possible, don't wear any at all. If you really have to wear makeup, use some waterproof ones.
- Not all venues have a cloakroom, and those that do will be very busy before and after the show. It is best to bring something manageable.
Step 9. Expect your bag to be checked before entering the venue
Some bands and venues also have staff to search attendees and make sure they don't have any weapons or prohibited items. Women search women and men search men. Listen to the instructions as you enter and everything will be very quick.
- If you leave your camera in the car, be sure to keep it hidden.
- Bring an easy-to-handle bag. The less you carry the better.
- Bags should be slung over the shoulder or fit easily on the floor between your feet. The best bags close completely, so you can avoid being robbed by walking in a crowd.
Step 10. Always have your card handy
If for any reason you leave your seat they may ask you to show it in order to re-enter. They may also ask you for your ticket if you are already seated.
If you often leave your place to dance, walk in crowds or whatever you should keep your personal items in your pockets or give them to a friend and leave your bag at home
Step 11. Leave the food at home
You will not be allowed to carry it and you will be asked to throw it away if any are found.
Step 12. Find out what is not allowed
Some of the major international artists have begun to ban phones during the concert, since it is possible to use them to take photos or videos. Check with the event or artist website to find out what is allowed to take with you or not.
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Smoking is prohibited at most of the performances. Some offer outdoor areas or areas specially created for smokers. Respect the rules, regardless of how others behave.
Part 4 of 6: The Morning of the Concert
Step 1. Put the phone on charge
This is important in an emergency or if you and your friends split up. Use the phone to call.
Step 2. Take a refreshing shower
Step 3. Carry essentials in a small backpack
A bag that is too large can also be a nuisance to others and is still heavy to carry around, especially if you have to wait outside. All you need is some money, a phone, some snacks and tickets for the trip and the concert.
Step 4. Have breakfast
It is good to eat something, since you will be out all day.
The concert will surely last until late; having food in your stomach will allow you to avoid feeling sick in the middle of the event. The food you find at events is often expensive, so the ideal is to go somewhere and have a bite to eat
Part 5 of 6: Enjoying the Concert
Step 1. Follow the safety and staff instructions
Tell them if you see someone doing something dangerous, improper or illegal. Be responsible and follow the rules whatever others around you do.
Step 2. Take photos if allowed
If not allowed, have some common sense and discretion before you try.
- They may ask you to stop, confiscate your camera, or hold it for part of the show.
- The first time you can pretend your ignorance, but don't abuse it. Apologize, put your camera away and don't let him see it again. Most staff or security people prefer to warn you rather than kick you out, but don't abuse their patience by ignoring the warning.
- They usually care more if you make videos than photos and will be quicker to warn you.
- The photos taken with the mobile phone are always photos. They could confiscate your cell phone.
- If you can get it back, it could be damaged, have no SIM card, be in a box with 20 other perfectly identical phones, or not available until an hour or after the show ends.
Step 3. Find out if there is an opening concert
Many like it, it's a better investment for your money and a good way to get to know emerging artists. Although they are sometimes smaller groups, they often have a musical style in line with the main group. If you don't care, now is the right time to look for your friends.
Step 4. Arrive early to buy drinks, food or some goodies from the band
If you buy first you have the best choice of gadgets for sale
Step 5. Buy things on time
Stalls selling gadgets, beer and wine, and more often close before the show ends. Do not think about buying at the exit, it may be that you will not find anything anymore.
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Try to arrive early to buy something, especially if there is a wardrobe. If you want to buy a shirt, put it in your jacket pocket to avoid paying for two items in the wardrobe.
Step 6. Enjoy the show
Many leave early, or before the final encore and the lights come back on. Feel free to stay and enjoy the show. You may also be able to sit in an empty seat later in the finale.
You came to the concert to have fun, so make sure you enjoy the music. Also be sure to take plenty of souvenir photos that you can re-watch in the future
Part 6 of 6: After the Concert
Step 1. Gather your things that you left in the wardrobe, any items you have purchased and head outside following the flow
Step 2. Choose a meeting place away from the crowds in advance to find your friends and your means of transport
Step 3. Get out of the parking lot carefully
Many municipalities modify the road signs for the occasion and there are brigades to direct the traffic.
Advice
- Drinks are available at banquets and bars at most large events. You may choose to drink before the show. Beware of your alcohol level as drunk people may not be allowed into the concert.
- During a hard rock concert, you may encounter people who are poggling or getting euphoria. While it may seem the other way around most of the time, people at concerts don't try to hurt you. If you fall they will help you, and the same goes for you.
- Wear comfortable shoes that don't slip and don't change your balance. You may have to climb many stairs and move around in the dark. Concert halls are not the best place to wear high heels or wedges.
- Bring earplugs to protect your eardrums (there are some types of earplugs that offer more attenuation of certain frequencies than others, look at a music store). The music will sound the same, but it won't be that loud.
Warnings
- Since the flooring in most auditoriums is concrete or vinyl, you should be careful not to slip.
- Keep valuables tight in pockets, cloakroom staff could steal.
- Wardrobes are not always available. If they are, they get paid.
- Electronic devices could be damaged by impact.
- Food stalls and souvenir shops usually close when the lead artist starts playing, so if you need to buy food or drink afterwards you may not be able to.
- Going to concerts can damage your health. The loudness of music can damage your ears, secondhand smoke can damage your lungs, bumps can leave you with broken bones and scars (although this is rare and depends entirely on the type of gig), and dehydration can cause nausea or dizziness.