Concert/Festival Tips
Welcome and congratulations on taking your first steps into the world of live music! The atmosphere might seem intimidating at first but you’ll soon learn that the communities for most demographics are accepting and welcoming. In this section I will be providing you with the tips and tricks I have learned through all my time in the pit of some of the craziest sets. Please refer to the headers of each section if you want something specific.
Getting to Concerts and Entry:
The main thing to consider for going to your first concert is what the parking situation is. Not even getting into the venue yet, I know. But trust me, knowing if parking is limited, like at the Glass House in Riverside California (and free!) or if you are looking at a SOFI stadium situation where parking is abundant but you might be paying more than your actual ticket (I’m looking at you SOFI $175 parking passes for Metallica). There might be options outside of the venue, I recommend checking out reasonably distanced away parking structures, especially in Los Angeles, they are abundant.
Additionally, if you can, I would recommend getting to the venue about 2 hours ahead of time. The reason for this is twofold, one so you can secure a good spot and two, if you want merch, sometimes artists will have merch outside of security, allowing you to run back to your car.
While it might be tempting to purchase premium parking, DO NOT BUY PREMIUM PREMIER PARKING, the only exception is if you have a disability or do not mind waiting in line while leaving.
The reason for this is because food vendors and bootleg merch vendors are notorious for setting up in these areas, and usually getting them to move requires security and a very headache inducing endeavor of stop and go traffic. I made this mistake when seeing My Chemical Romance and ended up wasting around 2 hours leaving.
Additionally, these spots are closer to the venue exits and concert goer’s usually give themselves priority when walking through the parking lot, so if you get really bad luck, you will be stuck between a sandwich of vendors and concert goer’s.
When it comes to alternative means of transport, ridesharing might be a decent option but there are some things that need to be considered.
First is the concert premium, there are instances where you might see the cheapest Uber being $80+ for bigger venues. If you are in Vegas, these prices can easily get over $100!
A good solution for this that can reduce cost is to park your car outside of the venue close to the venue but further away then the average concert goer. For free options, I would recommend malls or shopping centers with bars open around that time. This way, if you are comfortable with walking a little bit before and after, you can beat the crowd and give your ride service driver a more convenient entry point and save yourself the headache and increase in cost for hot-zone premiums.
Now finally moving to the actually getting into the actual venue. The first thing to consider for patrons is the types of bags that are allowed within a venue. Generally these are clear bags with the dimensions of 12” x 6” x 12” or smaller (Don’t worry, I will include links and have a section for good concert supplies). Some venues allow clutch bags around the size of a fanny pack but be ready to run back to your car if you get a particular picky security guard.
Food and Drinks:
Generally when it comes to alcohol (most of you will be wanting to drink) I generally do not recommend drinking within venues (I only do it for the purpose of reviewing drinks but handle most of drinking outside of the venue). To get your fix with drinking, I would recommend seeing if there is a liquor store across the street or better yet, a 711. The reason being these will sell 3-packs of Modelo or whatever your poison is for roughly $9-$10/3 cans, as opposed to $15-$18 for a single can inside a venue.
The same principles for alcohol applies to concert venue food. Now if you see a novelty item that you want do not let this stop you, have fun! But do not bring drinks or food into the pit, if they even let you bring it in, it will NOT survive and you will be sad. Generally stuff like hotdogs are like $15-$20 dollars, totally not worth it! They will not fill you up and you will feel dumb spending the money on it. If you are hungry, buy something dense! I personally recommend burrito’s if you are getting anything at venue to eat. If you can eat outside and know you are full enough for around a 6 -8 hour experience, you are already more prepared than others, no sense in being miserable at your first concert.
Water is the most important so it gets its own bullet.
The first thing to know is that venues allow for a 32 oz CLEAR and EMPTY water bottle to be brought in, you want to bring one.
Pit patrons sometimes do not follow the no smoking rule, so not only are you dealing with excessive body heat, sweat, but also smoke! Smoke WILL dehydrate you, even if it is secondhand. Having a bottle handy will prevent you from being those poor souls that pass out and have to be crowd surfed out over the barricade (more on this later).
If you for some reason have forgone the water bottle suggestion, venues do provide water bottles, at least most that care do (some even provide liquid deaths!). But the bottles are not guaranteed to reach you if you are not in the front. It is your responsibility to know if water is being distributed and inform those in front of you that you need a water, generally people will take care of you, unless you are near moshers, they are in their own world. A disclaimer is that if you receive a water bottle, you will notice there is no cap. This is so water is not thrown at artists! DO NOT DRINK MORE WATER THAN YOU NEED AT THAT TIME. Pass it to a friend or if you can, hold it in an offhand. Drinking the whole thing isn’t smart since you might not know when the next one will come and you might end up having to use the restroom.
Merch:
Merch is personally one of my favorite parts of concerts. Sometimes if you are lucky, artists will provide signed merch at the booths (these get swooped early and there is no knowing its even available).
When it comes to shirt prices, expect to at minimum spend $30 dollars at smaller venues like the glass house, but for big venues/bands this price increases to $40. For hoodies, this can get all the way up to $90-$120 (looking at you system of a down). Caps are around $30 and misc items like patches, bandanas and pins are like $10-$15 dollars. Finally, posters around usually $40 (these are usually high quality poster board) but as a heads up, you have to protect it yourself, venues do not offer poster tubes!
I will include it later with a picture but a good way to secure T-shirts, if you have a bag with detachable straps, is to loop the strap through the arm hole and the head hole. This way no one can steal your shirt and you won’t potentially lose it in the pit!
Dress and Fashion:
Generally most things are good to go when it comes to dress code but there are still somethings to consider.
Firstly, if you want to have stubbed outfits or like spikes, be sure to check the venue rules regarding this. Most places do not allow for you to have spikes on your outfit and will have you take them back to your car.
Spikes & Studs – If you want to wear studded jackets, spiked accessories, or belts with metal details, be sure to check the venue rules. Many indoor venues won’t allow sharp spikes, and security might make you remove them or take them back to your car. Outdoor festivals tend to be more relaxed, but it’s still worth checking in advance.
Example: A leather vest with flat studs is usually fine, but a jacket with long, sharp spikes might be an issue.
Boots & Footwear – Comfort is key, especially for standing and moshing all day. Closed-toe shoes are always a good idea to protect against getting stomped on in the pit.
Example: Combat boots, Vans, or Converse are great choices, but avoid heels or flimsy sandals unless you want sore feet (or worse, broken toes).
Layers & Weather Prep – If you’re at an outdoor festival, be ready for changing weather. Indoors, venues can get hot fast.
Example: A band tee with a flannel or lightweight jacket is perfect—easy to remove when it gets too warm. For outdoor events, bring a hoodie or rain poncho in case the weather turns.
Bag Restrictions – Many venues have size limits on bags, so double-check policies before bringing one.
Example: A small crossbody bag or fanny pack is usually safe, but a large backpack might not be allowed.
Band Tees & Personal Style – There’s no strict rule about wearing a band’s shirt to their concert, but don’t be afraid to wear what makes you feel good.
Example: A classic Metallica tee is great, but if you’re feeling more like a mesh top and ripped jeans, go for it.
Pit-Ready Clothing – If you plan to mosh, avoid anything that could easily be pulled, ripped, or cause discomfort.
Example: A crop top and high-waisted jeans work better than something oversized that could get caught on someone.
Accessories & Safety – Avoid wearing anything that can easily get lost or snagged in a crowd.
Example: Long necklaces and big hoop earrings might not survive a rowdy pit, but wristbands, chokers, and studded bracelets are usually fine.
At the end of the day, wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident—just keep practicality in mind!
Staying Safe at Festivals & Concerts
Stay Hydrated – Especially at outdoor festivals or packed venues, dehydration can sneak up on you fast. Many events have free water refill stations, so bring a reusable bottle if allowed.
Tip: If you start feeling lightheaded or dizzy, get out of the crowd and find water ASAP.
Know the Pit Etiquette – If you’re going into a mosh pit, be aware of your surroundings. If someone falls, help them up. If you don’t want to be in the pit, stay on the edges.
Tip: Keep your arms up to protect your face and be mindful of people crowd-surfing overhead.
Be Aware of Pickpockets – Crowded spaces make it easy for things to get stolen. Keep your phone and wallet in a secure pocket or bag.
Tip: A crossbody bag worn in front of you or a zippered pocket is safer than keeping things in your back pocket.
Have a Meet-Up Spot – Cell service can be spotty at festivals, so if you're going with friends, pick a meeting place in case you get separated.
Example: “If we get lost, meet by the merch tent at 9 PM.”
Watch Your Drink – Whether it's water, soda, or alcohol, never leave your drink unattended. If you set it down or someone hands you an open drink, don’t take the risk.
Know Your Exits – When you get to a venue, take a quick look around for exit signs. In case of an emergency, you’ll know where to go.
Listen to Your Body – If you start feeling overwhelmed, overheated, or unwell, don’t push yourself too hard. Step back, take a break, and get fresh air if needed.
