college student's guide to concerts

a College Student’s Guide to Concerts

created by: juliana harman

who

said students can’t get views like this?

getting started is always the hardest part so start by asking yourself a few questions... how many shows do I plan on attending this year?

- what artists do I really want to see?

- how much am I willing to spend? How much am I willing to travel?

- Will I be going solo or taking friends? How will this affect my classes/workload?

where do i start?

the answer to these questions will determine most of your planning, so really think about your goals, and plan to be a little bit flexible.

tip: never jeopardize your education for a concert. make sure your homework is done, your grades are up, and you are in good academic standing.

who’s on tour anyways?

the easiest way to find out which of your favorite artists are touring is to get involved. follow their social medias and keep up to date with their fan base. unfortunately, twitter is best for this.

you can also sign up for LIVENATION email updates and make a habit of scrolling through ticketmaster every so often. you never know what you’ll find.

how do i get tickets?

if you’re on top of it... congratulations, this is usually the easiest way to get tickets. if the artist has just recently announced the tour, you may still be able to either register for an artist presale, or find out exactly when tickets will be going on sale. this first drop is when tickets are most easily accessible and also the cheapest. after this original sale, tickets may sell out which means...

you will be completely at the mercy of ticket resellers, everybody’s least favorite type of person. there are several places to purchase concert tickets that are being resold, however some may be more reliable than others. this is when tickets will be most expensive and you will be most vulnerable, stay strong out there.

if you’re late to the game...

more ticket tips...

so you’ve made it to ticketmaster presale...

there’s nothing worse than going into a presale unprepared, so here are some tricks to getting exactly what you want on the first try.

- join the queue waiting room 10 minutes early - know the ticket price ranges beforehand - establish your budget - think about where you’d like to sit - be patient - have your card preloaded to your account - be ready when the time comes

even

got tickets! now what? travel

now that your tickets are sorted, how are you getting there? there are tons of ways to cut down on travel expenses and make sure you’re making the most of your money and your time. choose shows close to where you live ask to stay with friends or family in the area - use travel points or rewards cards when possible - travel sites can find you the best deals on hotels choose shows within driving distance if possible - work out all of the details of your travel beforehand - be flexible

you dont need to travel for every single show!

to avoid excess spending and the risk of missing class, try to only travel for shows that are the most important. the money that you save could go towards more important shows, nicer hotels, or flights if needed. priorities!!!

tip: if you know youll be travelling a bunch, sign up for travel rewards or flight miles!

what if i’m in the pit?

i want to get close...

- get there early! if you want barricade, you’ll have to camp. do your research beforehand. during the show, the crowd will shift. take every opportunity to (respectfully) push your way closer

- if there is a vip ticket opportunity, those people will be closest so keep that in mind i’m chillin in the back...

- get there when doors open or closer to showtime to avoid lines find a spot in the back on higher ground if possible to make sure you have a great view

- this is where the crowds will be the least packed

i’ve got seats!

congrats! this is the most chill way to enjoy the show. you can arrive early to walk around the venue and get merch and eat, or you can arrive right at showtime to reduce your wait time and see the show right away. make sure you give yourself plenty of time to account for traffic and parking, the closer to showtime the more packed the surrounding areas will be!

venue policies

make sure you read up on your venue’s policies before you go. each show can have a different set of rules, even if it’s a place you’ve been to before. either the venue or the artist’s team should send you an email before the show with all the information you need. if anything, google is free! better to be prepared than sorry. some common policies bag policies, lots of places are clear bag only - parking policies - accessibility - what you can and can’t bring tip: if you don’t have a clear bag, carry your essentials and buy a tote bag at the merch stand. make sure they’re being sold before you do this though.

that was a lot... what now?

now that you have your tickets, your travel arrangements are set, you know where to park, and you’re well read on your policies and procedures, that’s it!

make plenty of storage on your phone for photos and videos, plan your outfit, and get excited because you’ve made it to the fun part.

have fun, make memories, and enjoy it while you can