Why do we go to concerts? Is it to just hear the music? To enjoy the ambiance and dance like crazy to your favorite band? To be as close as possible in the hopes of catching their attention? For me, it’s all of the above.
There are a lot of people who don’t mind where they are during a concert. This is nice, because they still get to experience the music and dance while having the opportunity to leave their spot for drinks or bathroom breaks. And then there are people like me.
Ya’ll, I am going to give you my top eight tips to get you to that front row spot you’ve been coveting since the band announced their tour in your city. Get ready — we’re about to get wild up in here.
1. Know your area. It’s always important to have a layout of where you’ll be and if it’s safe. It also allows you to get to and from where you are without having to experience the insane traffic. It’s also nice to have close parking and know how much you’ll be paying beforehand. And if you’re like me, you’ll need a place to grab food and go to the bathroom while you’re doing all that waiting.
2. Get there early. This isn’t necessary if you’re somewhere like Arrowhead or The Sprint Center, where seats are assigned. You can afford to skip the opening band, head to the merch table and grab some snow cones. But if you’re going general admission? You better be prepared to sit. I once saw Beyoncé second row due to this rule. You will not be sorry.
3. Be prepared. If you’re going to hate holding a bag, just take your cash, ID and credit card for emergencies. If you have a jacket, be prepared to rock it ’90s style with the arms tied around your waist. Wear comfy shoes, because you’ll be standing for a few hours, but also be aware that if you wear flip flops or open-toed sandals, you’ll most likely get your foot stomped on.
4. Know the audience. Concerts are great places to make some friends because you guaranteed have something in common: the band. You don’t want to show up to a Hozier concert dressed in neon colors and glow in the dark lipstick ‘cause you’ll stick out like a sore thumb and people will make fun of you for lack of anything better to do. (Or maybe dress like that if your goal is to grab the attention of the band. You do you.)
5. Have a game plan. When I saw Ed Sheeran in February 2013, we had a whole set up going. Six lawn chairs, a heap of blankets, coats, hand warmers, foot warmers, bottles of water, heavy coats, hats and gloves. Because we were at The Midland in Kansas City (directly across from Cosentino’s Market, thank God), we were able to grab snacks and go to the bathroom. When it came fifteen minutes before doors opened, we sent two girls back to the car with all these supplies in their hands so they could get rid of our ridiculousness and simultaneously have their spots reserved in line.
6. Stick together. Link arms, grab hands, hold onto shirts. Do not lose your group! The wilder the crowd, the harder it is to get back to them. Especially if you’re front row. Hate to tell you, but you’re not getting back up there. People will assume you weren’t there to begin with and form a stance to keep you out. Once you’re there, you’re there.
7. Stay hydrated. Bring extra bottles of water up with you. Most venues will let you bring your own water as long as the cap is still sealed. You don’t want to be one of those girls they have to hoist up over the railing and escort you somewhere to sit and drink. You’ll miss the show and hate yourself for being so dumb.
8. Make friends with security. I’ve got my main men Bryan and Al, guys who work for Crowd Systems and are inevitably at every show I go to. I once spent six hours in a tent in 94 degree weather with people pushing up against me while I rocked out front row to Bleachers at Bonnaroo. Because we’d made friends with one of the security guards, he handed me bottle after bottle of water to make sure I was hydrated. (Six bottles in all. I was going HAM.)
Now that we’ve made it front row, we really have to seal the deal on our fangirl status and do a little stalking to meet the band. Bonus tips for this is…
1. Check out the venue beforehand so you can figure out where the artists enter and leave the building from.
2. If you see a tour bus, stake out the tour bus. Casually chill there at 2 a.m. until they casually stroll over there and get in.
3. Be patient. In my experience, the band usually comes out 2-3 hours after the end of the concert. Every time this has happened, it’s been 45 degrees out and I had no coat. But once you make it past that first 45 minutes, you have to tell yourself you haven’t frozen your butt off for 45 minutes to give up that easily. What was the point in that torture if you weren’t in it for the long haul? Momma didn’t raise no quitter.
There you have it, ladies and gents. If you pay your dues and stay patient, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic night filled with music, new friends and a signed set list. Use this information wisely, children.
All photos taken by the writer of this article, Hannah Strader. Thumbnail features Ed Sheeran. Photos featured in article in order: Jack Antonoff of Bleachers, Beyoncé, Matty Healy of the 1975.