As a frequent concert goer (especially in the summer) I'd say I've quite a bit about how to survive just about anything a concert will throw in your way. I have mastered sneaking my way into the front, surviving the heat and for those short girls out there like me, finding ways to see around tall people. I thought a couple people might enjoy my insight on how to survive at a general admission ticket styled concert.
1. Get to the venue early if you want to be up close.
And I'm not talking like two or three hours early, I'm talking seven to eight hours early, especially if it's a big name band. Many lines outside of concerts are pretty chill and you will be able to move around and walk if needed and bathrooms and food trucks are usually provided for you as well. Another thing that is fun about waiting outside the venue is you get too meet a bunch of other crazy obsessive fans just like yourself. You can all survive the heat and wait together and then enjoy the concert together when you are all in the front row.
2. Stay hydrated.
Pack as much water as you possibly can. If you are waiting in line all day maybe even bring a cooler and run it back to your car before the doors open. It is so important to drink tons of water, even if you don't feel like you're thirsty or you don't want to. I have seen far too many people pass out in the pit of a concert due to dehydration. Make sure you are not one of those people.
3. Pack food or bring money to buy food.
You're going to get hungry. It might be a couple hours before the show, it might be during the show, it might be after the show. It will happen though, so make sure you are on top of it and have a plan or food ready for you when you get hungry.
4. Go to the sides of the crowds.
This is an observation that I have made while at many concerts, people tend to crowd toward the middle of the stage and avoid the sides. No, you probably won't get to touch the singer if they crowd surf or reach their hand out, but you'll have just the same view if not better from front row of the side of the crowd than a couple rows back from the middle. Not to mention the singers often go over to the sides of the stage during concerts so you'll get your fair share of up close moments. Plus, on the sides, you can get better Insta-worthy pictures of the whole stage and not just the middle.
5. Bring portable chargers.
A while ago these brilliant inventions were made and I can guarantee you whoever thought of these went to concerts... OK, maybe not, but the invention sure is perfect for them. Your phone is going to die from all the pictures and videos you will want to take before, during and after the concert, so snagging a couple of portable phone chargers from Target isn't a bad idea. They are small, work well and are easily transportable, what more could you ask for?!
6. Have a plan set in case you lose your friends.
Concerts can get very crowded, very fast and it's very easy to lose track of your friends in a large crowd with people pushing and shoving. Make sure you talk to your friends and establish a meeting place to meet after the concert, especially in case someone's phone dies.
7. Don't get overwhelmed at the beginning by people pushing to the front.
If you are at a general admission show and your somewhere toward the front/middle of the crowd, do not immediately freak out when the show starts and everyone in shoulder to shoulder. After a couple of songs, the crowd will realize everyone need space and spread out a little more.
8. Enjoy the show first-hand and not through your phone.
I know this one is a lot easier said than done. When you're at a concert you want to document every second of it so you can watch it on replay and show all your friends, I'm guilty of it, too, trust me. However, I can also tell you, you will enjoy the concert so much more if you are in the moment and not watching it through a camera screen. I'm not telling you to not take any pictures or record any videos, but maybe just record your favorite song, or take a picture every 20 minutes and then put your phone away.
Hope these tips help enhance your summer concert adventures. Have fun, stay hydrated and enjoy the moment because before you know it the concert will be over and you'll be itching to go to another one.
