There are many ways to go to a concert. One is to passively attend – to simply witness the music taking place or enjoy the band from somewhere in the back. Another way, the better way if you ask me, is to go full length and soak up the entire experience. Once you make a personal decision to go to a live performance, (consider how this is becoming rare, since CDs are submitting to the breadth and depth wielded by the Internet and mp3s) remember you’re going to see this band play the music its members recorded in the studio.
They are trying to prove to you that they can play the music you hear through your listening device. So if you are paying money to see a performance, then get your money’s worth by attempting to sit front row and meet the band as well. Many people make fun and ask why I bother, but I say when you have the opportunity, seize it.
If you take the second approach, you must follow a certain set of guidelines. First, you must get to the venue early. However, how early you get there depends on how acclaimed the act will be. For example, if The Raconteurs are playing and the doors open at 7 p.m., you would most likely want to get to the venue a good three hours before to avoid all the other crazed fans who have counted down to the day to see Jack White in concert.
For the more “up and coming” acts, probably about an hour and a half before the doors open should do it. After you have made your way to the front of the line and are properly settled in your spot, the most important part of the plan must be executed. This is the time where you talk and make friends with the fans who have been staking out where the band will go after the concert.
Not to discriminate against these slightly obsessed people, but they have the best knowledge on the location of the autograph signing or the after-party. Make sure to stick with these people throughout the show because God knows they will be making a bee line toward the exit as soon as the encore is over so they can catch the musicians. If you complete these first two tasks, you’ve achieved half your goal of enjoying a memorable concert that you will not forget.
When you’ve waited the necessary amount of time until the doors open, dash to the front of the venue as soon as possible. Ignore everyone around you and run as fast as you can to get this spot. People there will be doing the same thing, so do not worry about feeling stupid. Leave that for the people standing in the back trying to act like they don’t care.
Now here comes the hard part: waiting. Usually you’ll have about an hour until the opening band starts, and from there it’ll be about 30 minutes after they finish for the main act to begin. When the adrenaline starts to run out while you’re waiting, try to avoid looking at your watch or cell phone because the time will not pass quickly. The band could even be cruel (like a concert I went to where the band had a digital clock onstage showing the time in huge numbers) just to make you more impatient. Don’t torture yourself. Make more friends and get a good idea of the venue exits instead. This will benefit you later.
Now that you have successfully made it into the concert and to the front row, enjoy it! Don’t worry about the people around you or how many people are trying their hardest to push you out of the way; you have a front row spot and they can’t do jack about it. I have made it an unflinching goal to be in the front row at all the concerts I attend. There is nothing better.
The final step to the plan is to keep an eye on those friends you made before the show and follow them to the exit. They know what’s up and you should too by now. An alternative to this, if you didn’t get any information before, is to linger after the concert when everyone is slowly exiting. Take this chance to talk to the people who work at the venue or for the tour. Being friendly to the people who are important behind the scenes is extremely beneficial. Also, I am not trying to discriminate, but it helps to be a girl.
Regardless, by using any of these tactics you should have the location of where the target is. All you have to do now is to wait for them to come out. It helps to stand out from the crowd, such as wearing an eye-catching outfit or trying to look like you could catch an eye, at least.
Emotions are the only thing you have to worry about now. If you get to meet the band and other pluses, you need to keep your cool and act like a normal human being. After all, they are just like you; someone just liked the sound of their music. You could easily do the same thing. Be patient as well and remember that they just played an hour-and-a-half set, and screaming in their faces and grabbing at them may not be the best way to get an autograph.
Keeping these things in mind will help you achieve the lofty status of concert connoisseur.
