Concerts: tips and tricks on surviving the masses

Now I like to go to concerts. Some would say I am obsessed, but I like the term passion and infatuation for music artists much better. Being an avid concert go-er I have learned a lot about where to be, who to know, what time to get there, and ultimately the key tips to a successful concert. Whether you are a concert virgin or have few under your belt I am here to give you my tricks to take your experience to another level (while avoiding passing out too)

First things first,

1. What to wear.

Some people can throw on an outfit the day of, but I need to have my outfit planned at least a few days before or else all sanity will go out the window. When deciding your outfit there are a few factors to take it (listen in respective importance as well): weather, who you are meeting, how long you will be waiting. Knowing if it will be humid and 900 degrees or breezy with thunderstorms is something that should be taken into consideration first. Because getting rained on is no fun - trust me I have been through it all. Who you meet affects how dress or casual you want to go and how long is all about being comfortable while waiting or walking around. Plus never forget to take photos of you! If you are feeling yourself you go and snap a few pics for the gram. When you pick a good outfit or break out the shirt you bought just for a concert it is always fun to have a mini photo shoot with the person you brought and hype each other up.

2. Be ready for lots of standing.

Something you gain over going to lots of concerts is leg endurance and some stances to maximize space and minimize joint pain. It sounds silly but in the long run your legs will thank you when you realize that sitting or squatting can be an option. So take some time to stretch lightly before going in and remember to take into consideration those around you. And be ready for the post-concert aches because your feet will hurt, your underarms will hurt, and your soul will hurt (post concert depression is real).

3. Make friends. Whether you make some in line or before hand on twitter, having friends with you is a key on doing concerts right. With people by your side you are guaranteed to have 500% better experience (definitely real statistics). For example take Lexie: I met her through our joint love of the band Why Don't We, after being in a twitter group chat for a couple of months she has became a good friend that I text all the time. She is just one of the many friends I have made through Twitter and have grown to love. So trust me when I say it is the best feeling to be singing along to an artists song and looking at your friends all around you smiling ear to ear.

4. Barricade is something hard to get but fun to have. It takes waiting all day in all kinds of weather for and is not for the faint of heart. I have personally waited 9 hours for concerts to get the row behind barricade and it is disappointing but still a pretty darn good spot. Getting barricade is not only a feat of time but also physical constraints. Standing with hundreds of people behind you pushing you into a metal bar is not fun and can become tiring very quickly. At the show I was most recently at (pictured below) maybe 20-25 people passed out due to lack of water, food, and inexperience. I wouldn't suggest trying to get barricade if you are young or get winded easily. But if you get barricade let me tell you it is so much fun and makes any concert worth it.

5. Waiting after the show

If you don’t have meet and greet but still want to try and meet the artists your next option is to wait by the buses. It all starts with finding the bus/es in the morning or when you first get there. Then it is as simple as going when the concert ends or leaving a song early to beat the giant crowds that can form masses waiting by the buses. It isn't a guaranteed way to meet the artists and if they don't take a bus there is really no point, but it is nice to see them a last time after the show because you are less nervous and chill making it easier to have a conversation.

6. Meet and greet poses

If you are going to be meeting the talent you need a good pose. And here are some of my favorites to choose from: the basic smile and side hugs, a cute and cheesy group hug, be silly and cool (pictured above), hit your best superhero pose, the front hug and stare into each others eyes, and many alterations of the ones above can be made through simple changes. Your pose is something that sounds stupid to plan but listen you are paying money for this so it has to be good! Also in order to make sure you stand next to "your favorite" or "your guy" try going first and hugging everyone so then you can slip between or next to them.

7. Have fun

Don’t forget the whole reason you are there! You have waited in line for hours, picked the perfect outfit, even possibly met them, so all that is left is to enjoy the moment. I like to take videos over photos of the songs I like because it captures the raw feelings and movements and even the bad singing going on. This is what you paid for so don’t take this part for granted and let loose!

Concerts are a place to let loose and be free. They shouldn't be filled with the stresses of other people or drama from the past. So take the time you have and use it wisely, it could be the first time you see someone or the only time you see someone so make the most of it! Hopefully these tips can help you and your friends become concert veterans and meet talent and make real conversations and take great photos!

xo Christy

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