5 Tips for Surviving Your First General Admission Concert
What exactly is a general admission concert? Well, when you get a concert ticket, you are either assigned a seat or a section. When you have a specific seat, you get all warm and cozy in your spot and stay put.
When you have general admission ticket, you are normally assigned a section: balcony, floor, etc. Sometimes there’s seating (but it’s not preassigned), but normally you’re there to try to fight your way to the front.
Say goodbye to personal your personal space. The lovely (maybe sweaty) people around you are going to be your close buds for the night. They can be some of the best and worst concerts, depending on your preference. On one hand, you have a chance to get close to the stage and being closer to your favorite band than you’ve ever dreamed.
On the other hand, you have to deal with insane amounts of sweaty (often drunk) strangers who will invade your boundaries and shove you in every direction. If that sounds like your dream vacation, I applaud you.
5 Tips For Surviving A General Admission Concert
Timing is EVERYTHING
If you want to be in the front row, you need to get to the venue early. That’s right, early early. You’ll most likely have to get to the venue in the morning or early afternoon (depending on the popularity of the band).
That means you’re going to be standing in line for a while. If a band is really popular, you might need to put on your party pants and get to the venue at 6 AM. In that case, make sure you’re prepared. It’s also important to note that most of the time, there will be standing room only.
Don’t forget to bring food, water, the right clothes, etc. I recommend bringing an external phone charger. That way you won’t have to worry about your phone dying. Bring some cash (just in case there are vendors outside). And if it’s hot out, bring sunscreen!!
If you’re going to be there a while, bring some some sort of entertainment. Maybe a book, a magazine, some cards… but make sure it’s compact and fits in your bag! This is my favorite cross body bag, meaning you can keep it close and it’s comfortable.
I recommend looking up the location because all concert venues are different and have different rules. They might not have a bathroom for you to use before doors open. There might not be any shade. It might not be in the safest neighborhood… do a little research firt to make a plan.
Drink Water!
Ok, I know I sounds like a total Mom. But it’s vital. Dehydration isn’t fun, it blows. If you don’t stay hydrated, your energy will dwindle and you won’t last all day/night. Drink water while you wait in line and be sure to bring some cash to buy a water bottle or two. A lot of venues won’t let you bring one in. If you’re going to be in a sea of people, you’re going to get hot & sweaty. So don’t be silly, drink some water!
The Shoes
One major concert no no – cute, but uncomfortable shoes. Unless you’re sitting, don’t wear heels. I can’t tell you how many girls I’ve seen struggling because they wore some sky high platforms. Wear something comfortable! You’re going to be on your feet for a while and it will help you stand your ground in the crowd! I highly recommend wearing closed toe shoes (boots or tennis shoes) so your little tootsies don’t get trampled.
Stand Your Ground
If someone says “I’m trying to get to my friends” or “I’m looking for my boyfriend”… a lot. ofthe time it’s a lie. Stand, your, ground. As soon as you find your spot, you need to establish dominance. People are going to try to push their way in front of you to make it closer.
While it’s possible other concert goers got disconnected from friends, most of the time they’re just trying to get closer. It’s a good time to note that if you leave your spot, there’s a strong likelihood you won’t get it back.
There’s no space for more people, so if you let someone go in front of you… you’re going to lose your spot. Spread out your legs a little and get your power stance on! But, make sure you’e polite and respectful of other people’s space.
Don’t Be Lame
What’s the definition of “Lame”? That kid who tried to push in front of you to get to their invisible mom in the crowd… that’s lame. Respect people’s space. Don’t cut in line. Don’t ruthlessly elbow people. Be respectful. Everyone is there for the same reason.
If you didn’t get in line at the crack of dawn and can’t make it to the front, accept the mild defeat and enjoy the show. Don’t spend an hour shoving people (who waited) trying to hose their space.
At the end of the day, concerts are amazing. There’s something to be said about getting into a giant crowd of your musical peers and enjoying a show. It’s kind of like an unspoken bond. Don’t forget to follow these steps the next time you’re planning on going to a show. And above all else… ENJOY YOURSELF!
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