This past month, I was lucky enough to go get to see Harry Styles for Love on Tour 2022 in Chicago. As always, he never disappoints in putting on a good show. That being said, there are things that you can do to always ensure a great concert experience, no matter what artist you decide to see!
As with any event, it is very important to make sure you come prepared. As a frequent concert attendant, here are my eight concert essentials that I always bring along with me!
- Clear bags
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With many big venues, like the United Center where my concert was, it’s common for venues to require clear bags. This makes bag checks quicker but to make sure everyone is safe. While not every venue requires them, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Plus, they have some super cute clear bags nowadays that can match just about any concert outfit!
- Earplugs or headphones
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At my concert, I was in the bowl right behind the pit and it was just as loud as if I was next to the speakers! I know earplugs can be a bit of a buzzkill, and concerts are meant to be loud, but it’s so important to protect your hearing. Earplugs help cancel out any unnecessary harmful decibels and prevent temporary hearing loss and tinnitus. This is especially necessary if you’re attending a concert with children as it’s crucial to protect their ears!
- portable charger
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It doesn’t matter whether you’re camping for days in hopes of getting a pit ticket or were lucky to get them in advance, you don’t want to risk not having a fully-charged phone. If your phone is dead, you run the risk of not being able to contact people you came with should you get separated, access digital tickets or take pictures or videos from the event. Portable charging cases and other handheld chargers are super important to have as they fit perfectly in your bag and even attach to your phone!
- Film camera
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As someone that’s all about capturing the moment, bringing a camera besides the one on your phone is something I highly suggest. While your phone is still great for keeping all those concert memories, a digital or film camera makes those photos extra special. Sometimes-depending where you’re seated, artists may take the camera from you and take pics themselves! How cool is that?
- hand sanitizer
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COVID-19 aside, concert venues hold millions of people each year alone. Though they may be maintained after every event, they’re naturally going to get extremely dirty. To prevent yourself from getting sick, make sure you pack a small portable hand sanitizer or hand wipes to stop even more germs from spreading or you from getting sick post-concert.
- The big five
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Though this one’s a given, you’d be surprised with how many times I’ve panicked because I didn’t bring cash or double-check to see where I put my ticket. Before the concert, make sure you put your important things: cash, debit/credit cards, driver’s license/ID and tickets (if they’re not digital) into a small pouch or wallet.
Not only does this keep all your important items in one spot, but it’s harder to lose them because they’re secure. In addition to handheld items, make sure you can access your digital tickets from the vendor app/website or Apple Wallet for when the time comes!
In addition to your physical (or digital) items, the most important thing to have is a game plan. Make sure you and the people you attend with know your schedule. If your venue has lots to do before the show begins as mine did, make a list of things and rank them from what you absolutely won’t leave the concert without doing, to what you can live without not doing. When I attended Love on Tour ’22, there was so much to do, from the merch trailers to special phone booths, to “Harry’s Garage” to concession stands, and the lines were too long to do it all. Having a set plan for the places you intend to hit first makes everything run so much sooner.
- comfy shoes…or blister patches
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I may or may not have learned this the hard way when trying to emulate Harry’s classic Chelsea/heeled ankle boot look for my Love on Tour outfit, but make sure you have comfortable shoes! Most of the time venue floors get nasty anyway, so it’s just easier to wear simple shoes you’ll be comfortable standing and dancing in for hours. However, if you’re like me and are very committed to having a cohesive look- even down to the shoes- be sure to bring a small pack of band-aids or blister patches!
- Sign
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If you’re a crazy-obsessed superfan like I am, making signs is always super fun. Harry himself is known for pointing out signs and that makes it even more worth it! Before your concert, head to the Dollar Tree or your local craft store to make one. Remember to keep your sign respectful and show your support for your favorites. In addition to signs, if you don’t have the time to create one, you can still pick up things to wave in the crowd like glowsticks and inflatable objects.