The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at ODU chapter.

Beginning my college journey meant opening up new doors and jumping into new experiences as the years went on. Going to my first concert my freshman year was one of them. Finally basking in the feeling of meeting my favorite artist was one life changing experience that made me want to someday live the life of a concert hopper.

Nevertheless, for as many concerts I have been to since I’ve started college, there is something new I learn every time I am faced with a pit or a new venue. Things like what to bring, clothes to wear and even concert etiquette are all things I learned to master as I went to see the groups and artists I listen to.

Here are some tips and tricks about attending concerts that you may have not known before, that I learned and now love:

How To Get the Tickets You Want

Battling ticketing sites is one of the first steps that can be a pain to get through when you are anticipating seeing your favorite artist. Knowing how the ticketing process works and gathering information through the site itself or through the artist is a great way to be knowledgeable before sales happen.

In recent years, artists love to drop the tour dates and announce a tour two to three days before tickets go on sale, so you really have to keep your ears open and stay alert on social media to gauge when the tickets open for presale and general sale.

Obtaining a presale code or getting in the queue early is a sure way of getting the seats and ticket prices you desire. This is especially true if you are seeing a huge artist, like Sabrina Carpenter; without a presale code, many of her fans were unable to get tickets.

Frequently check the artist’s socials, ticketing sites, and even places like Twitter or Instagram to find out how you can get a presale code and get some tips on how to navigate ticketing for who you are going to see.

Ticketmaster, especially, can be a real pain to navigate, but patience has never failed me at times when I thought all was lost. Staying parked on that seating chart and oftentimes waiting for seats to pop back up has saved me!

Although it may seem like a lost cause, those tickets you may have desperately wanted may not be gone for good. All it takes is some patience before you can see them again and add them to your cart. It also doesn’t hurt to check back at a later date or when resale releases too see what is available.

Handling General Admission

In most cases, both big and small artists tend to make their concerts general admission with a standing pit to both make it cheaper and secure more attendees.

Since general admission is typically first come first served, getting there early to get a good view is crucial. For someone who is on the shorter side, even with a good pair of platforms, it becomes a struggle to find a good window between masses of people to get a decent view of the stage.

To combat this, I’ve learned through both my friends and prior concerts that getting there at least one to two hours before doors open is an excellent way to get in a spot you desire. In all of the general admission concerts I have been to, this time frame has always worked out for me so that I am in good view of the stage in either the second row or somewhere in between the front and the middle.

Although actually seeing the artist up close is a key thing for me in my concert experience, it goes without saying that some people just love the vibe and space they get further back in the pit to get a wider view.

With general admission, it is also good to note that some venues do have a seating option available, but those are either farther back or on the sides of the space. Don’t be discouraged if being in a pit is just not your thing. Check all the seating options available to see if they have seats you can pick out.

What To Bring

There are lots of things to bring, but oftentimes you have so little space in your bag depending on the venue. It’s important to look at a venue’s website before attending to see what you can and cannot bring, as well as the bag size policy for entry.

For me there are some key essentials I bring with me to every concert, especially in a general admission setting where a pit may be involved.

Mini Fan

A mini handheld fan can be your lifesaver, especially in the summer when you are bumper-to-bumper next to someone in a pit. It can get extremely stuffy and overwhelming if it starts to heat up and a fan can certainly help. Almost all venues accept portable fans in their venue, but it doesn’t hurt to call or look on their website to check!

Pain Medication (Tylenol)

Headaches are a common thing to experience before or after a concert, especially if you’re in the heat for a long period of time or if the music is just too bass-heavy. I always love to bring a couple of Tylenol with me just in case I feel a headache brewing. Things like Tylenol and any medication are sure to clear when you go through check-in at any venue.

Earplugs

As stated before, sometimes artists will have the bass at ungodly volumes during a concert, and a good way to help with that is a pair of earplugs. It’s a good idea to pop in a pair of earplugs as an additional mode of protection if you are in any way close to speakers or the front of the stage.

No need to worry about it declining the music quality, as with a good pair like these ones on Amazon, you will hear absolutely no difference between when they’re on and when they’re off.

Candy or Mints

Battling general admission has also taught me that standing on your feet for hours on end, even when you’ve eaten a good meal, can deteriorate your energy level.

A good trick I have learned is that a small piece of candy, a mint or a piece of gum can give you that boost of energy or sugar dose to keep you alert. I have never had a problem with bringing my little pieces of candy inside a venue, but always make sure that it lines up with your respective venue’s guidelines.

It’s also important to note that drinking water at any moment you can is essential. Even though most venues don’t allow you to bring in open drinks or bottles, make sure to grab one from inside. If you ever need to step away and are feeling lightheaded, dizzy or nauseous, please do so and don’t be afraid to speak up if you need space within a pit or general admission setting. Your health comes first.

Portable Charger

An important item, if not the most important item to a concert experience, is a portable charger. As someone whose phone dies way too quickly, a portable charger is the first thing I grab on my way out before heading to a concert.

Not only is it important to keep your phone charged to photograph those memories from the concert, but it is also always vital to keep your phone charged in case of emergencies, especially in a place where you have to travel to attend.

What to Wear

Whatever you choose to wear to a concert, it should always be something that you are comfortable in. We absolutely love looking good for our favorite artists, but we should also love being comfortable and cool.

Although I love wearing a good platform and having that extra boost, sometimes the pain that comes from wearing them can be too much to bear when standing for hours on end. Make sure that your shoes of choice have a good cushion, are comfortable, but still cute for your style.

Concert Etiquette

One of the topics concert attendees don’t touch on is proper etiquette for a concert. In a general admission setting, a lot of things can make a person uncomfortable and turn their dream concert into a nightmare based on the actions of the people around them.

Space is a concept many people aren’t aware of when things are so packed in a pit, but it is something I try to be aware of every time I go to a concert. Being pushed right on another individual to the point they can’t move freely is something that can be both dangerous and frustrating. If possible when joining in on a pit, make sure to create some space between the person in front of you and next to you so everyone can be free to dance and move around.

With that space, it is also important to be mindful when you are jumping or dancing that you aren’t hitting the person in front of you. Additionally, pushing and making space where there isn’t any in a pit can be inconsiderate to those around you.

Remind yourself that you’re here to see your favorite artist and although we love a good fan-artist interaction, pushing and making others uncomfortable for that one moment may not be worth it.

Always try to be respectful and kind because the fan next to you spent the same money as you and they deserve to have a good time too.

Seeing your favorite artist and listening to your most played song will always be a core memory, so make the most of it and just live in that moment!

Concert Tips and Tricks: How to Navigate Concerts From a Professional Concert Goer