11.30.11 - Rock Concerts 101, Part 1

Rock Concerts 101, Pt. 1

with professor musical snobby pants herself.

Rock on Grams, rock on.

By no means do I consider myself a "well seasoned" concert groupie (yet) but I have been through the gauntlet of venues.  I've been to huge festivals like EdgeFest (3 times!) all the way down to small intimate venues where I was only 1 of maybe 100 fans (The Spill Canvas at The Loft! Excellent show.)  I've also leaped through genres from Kevin Fowler at Billy Bob's Texas to Judas Priest at the Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas.  Here are just a few tips and tricks I have picked up along the way. 

Choosing your show.

           This is the easy part.  Who do you like listening to?  For obvious reasons, preferably a singer/band that is still alive (sorry Pantera fans.)  Be smart about this one kids, if you're into bands like 10th Avenue North you probably don't want to end up at a Metallica concert. 

Procuring your ticket.

          Ticket buying goes best this way:

1) Find who you want to see.

2) Determine where the show is to be held, duh.  What city, venue, etc. 

3) Double check the time and date of the show.

4) Observe when the tickets officially go on-sale (be sure to keep your eyes peeled for pre-sale options)  TIP: For bands you REALLY like, put yourself on their online mailing list. Often, you not only receive news on the band, but also tour dates, and ticket options before the general public.)

5) Find where the tickets are to be sold.  This sounds like a dumb option but sometimes the tickets are only sold at the venue on the day of the concert.  Don't get left out in the rain!

6) When the time is right, POUNCE (on the tickets) (with money)

7) Avoid creepy scalpers.  Do you really want to pay a 200% markup on your ticket?? 

Here are some helpful links of places I usually purchase tickets from for larger shows. 
Livenation
Ticketmaster
Ticket Supply 

THE BEATLES!! I would give a kidney to have a time machine and see these legends in concert.

Swag

          What you wear can really make or break your concert experience.  Seriously.  

• DON'T wear revealing clothing.  There's a good chance you'll be packed up against strangers (especially in a smaller venue) and you don't want to worry about exposure or Lester the Molester beside you.  
• DON'T wear a t-shirt of the band you're seeing.  It's just lame. (Exception! If you purchased a concert tee before entering the venue, go ahead and put it on if you feel so moved.)
• DON'T wear heels!  I don't care how incredibly HAWT your legs look in those wedges/heels/pumps/platforms, do. not. wear. them.  Your back and hips will thank me later.  You can never go wrong with a good comfy pair of well broken in Chuck Taylors.  (I have 6 pairs of chucks, but who's counting...)
• Be cautious of what purse you take.  Again, the size of the venue can be a factor here.  I typically don't even bring a bag into a concert but if you must, I would suggest a small bag that can be worn across your shoulders and back that sits close to your body. 

Kurt Cobain, the late great lead singer of Nirvana and famous Chuck Taylor wearer.

Onward!!

          Use a dang GPS.  Especially if you're traveling into foreign territory (ie. driving through downtown Dallas in a typhoon to get to the House of Blues and you've never ever been there before aaaahhhh!!!)

           

Have your ticket out and your government issued ID ready.  If you're going to a music festival concert (warped tour, EdgeFest, etc.) the ID is not necessarily required to enter.  However, at venues where a bar is readily accessible (The Loft in Dallas, The House of Blues) your butt will be sitting in the car for the remainder of the evening if you forgot that drivers license.

May I also take this opportunity to make an obvious (but unfortunately overlooked) point.  Ahem.  TRIPLE CHECK THAT YOU HAVE YOUR TICKETS BEFORE LEAVING YOUR HOUSE.  That is all.  

_______________________________________________

"Rock and roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can't help but move to it. 

That's what happens to me. I can't help it."
Elvis Presley

Happy Wednesday!!

 \m/  Jeni  \m/