NETWORKING IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY ON INSTAGRAM?

By: Noëllie Inard Entertainment Editor

@thedigil

She manages tours for artists. From her picture with singers to the content she shares about the music industry, she is a great resource to have in your feed!

As a fan, you must follow this account to connect with fans around the world!

Global community centered around music that posts content around career resources, artist discovery, and educational conversations around music.

By: Valerie Reyes Editor-in-Chief

Do you have concerts coming up this summer and have no clue what you’re getting yourself into? I have been going to concerts since I was about eight years old and I’d say I’ve learned a thing or two. Whether you’re attending your first concert or have been to a couple and still don’t know what to expect, I’m going to share my tips with you.

Buying Your Concert Tickets

Before going to a concert, you need your concert ticket. Buying concert tickets can be stressful especially if the artist is popular, so make sure that as soon as they announce a tour you sign up for their artist presale through the ticket sales company they are using. If you’re willing to travel, sign up to receive a code for concerts in nearby states. I recommend signing up for the artist or a ticket selling company’s newsletter because they might send out a presale code. If you don’t receive a presale code don’t lose hope, you still have a chance at getting tickets during the general ticket sales.

As for buying the tickets, I have tried different tricks to make sure there aren’t 1000 plus people ahead of me in the queue. I don’t recommend logging onto the site ten minutes before. So far, I’ve had luck getting tickets by leaving Ticketmaster open on my laptop hours before the sale. Also, by using the Ticketmaster app and entering the queue the exact minute ticket sales begin. I’m still trying to figure this out, but I hope one of these works out for you.

If worse comes to worse and you don’t get your hands on a ticket, you can wait to buy a ticket when it gets closer to the date especially because ticket resellers will lower their prices if their tickets aren’t being sold. The venue might release extra tickets the day of the concert or you can go to the box office as early as you possibly can to buy tickets for face value.

Avoid Getting Scammed

I have never bought tickets from resellers, but here are a few things that I plan on using if I ever buy from a reseller. Always ask the seller for proof of the ticket. It’s better to ask for a screen recording of them showing they have the ticket rather than a screenshot because it can be easy to photoshop a ticket. But also, be aware that the recording could still be faked and edited, so ask for additional proof such as an email confirmation to validate that they purchased the ticket. When it comes to payment send your payment through PayPal Goods and Services because they have a buyer protection that can give you a refund if you never receive your tickets after payment. If you do these two things and are still unsure, ask if you can send half of the payment for the ticket, then send the other half after receiving the ticket. If the seller refuses to send any type of confirmation and refuses to take the payment through PayPal Goods and Services, chances are you are getting scammed.

Venue Rules

Be sure to visit the venues websites to check on their guidelines and rules. You want to do this before your concert because every venue has different rules. Especially when it comes to bags and purses. If you plan on taking a bag I recommend buying a small clear bag or tote bag, depending on the venue they will allow any size as long as it is clear. You will also find any parking information as to what time lots open and how much it cost for parking. Lastly, you can find information on what you can and cannot bring in such as cameras, food, water, chairs, posters and more.

General Admission vs Seats

If you purchase a General Admission (GA) ticket, you will not have a seat. Your spot in a GA pit is determined by what time you arrive at the venue. So, if you want to get as close as you can to the stage you might want to arrive as early as five hours or camp out the day before the concert. This also depends on how popular the artist is and you might be able to arrive three hours before doors open and still get a good spot. If you want to see how early people are arriving, search up fans’ social media posts from a previous show. I use twitter to search up the hashtag of the show I am going to, to stay updated because fans will post updates. If you do decide to camp out for your concert check out the venue’s guidelines because some allow it and some don’t allow camping. Bring snacks, chairs, blankets, water and anything else you may need to stay fueled and energized. Make friends with the people around you in line because they will most likely be the ones next to you in the pit. If you end up in the back, all I ask is you do not try to push your way to the front because people waited all day for their spot. Most importantly if you camp out stay safe and have fun!

If you have seats for the concert no need to worry about waiting hours in line for a good spot. You can arrive at the venue at the time that works best for you. But keep in mind traffic and parking because you wouldn’t want to miss the start of the show. Either way your seats will be waiting for you when you arrive.

side of the venue go there first because the ones inside will have long lines. You can wait until after the concert, but trust me the lines will be longer than they are before the concert. Also expect merch to range from the cheapest item being $20 to the most expensive being $100. Prices also vary depending on the artist and you can find the merch prices and items on social media to get an idea of what you want to purchase.

Day of the Concert

The day you have been waiting for has finally arrived, so what should you bring? The less you bring the better because you don’t wanting to be hauling around so much stuff. Do bring a small clear bag or no bag. Make sure to take a portable charger or two because you wouldn’t want your phone to die during the concert. Your debit or credit card because many venues went cashless since COVID. If you have a point-and-shoot camera I recommend taking one to get great photos and videos. Posters if the venue allows them. Lastly, bring good vibes and have the best time of your life. Concerts are great experiences and I hope this guide brings you some ease to create a smooth and stressfree concert experience.