Spring Break
Remember these rules to enjoy summer's concerts
Caitlin Mazzola
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Focus
Summer is coming, and the warm weather brings a slew of concerts. Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Warped Tour are all coming up - even Billy Joel and Elton John are touring. Concert tickets are not exactly cheap these days, and there is a certain protocol that concertgoers must heed so that everyone enjoys the experience they paid for. If you're headed to any musical festivities this season, whether it's at an outdoor festival or at a small venue, pay attention to the following concert-going do's and don'ts.
DO triple-check
for your ticket.
Forgetting the ticket is probably the worst thing a music fan can do when attending a concert. Not only does it screw the absentminded groupie over, but now the throngs of people waiting behind in line have to suffer for that one person's forgetfulness as he pleads with the ticket taker. If you do not want to be the center of angry glares and nasty muttering, triple-check that the ticket is on its way to the concert with you.
DON'T bring a jacket.
If the concert is outside and there will be room enough to move comfortably, by all means bring a jacket. If the show is in a tiny, cramped venue in which all the visitors will be tackling each other to reach toward the stage, don't bring a jacket. The place will be hot and sweaty and the jacket will end up tied around your waist, or in your arms, or lost. Your jacket becomes a burden and probably a target for you to be shoved into the back with all the other lumpy jacket holders who are taking up more room than is allotted per person. Or, you'll have to pay money to have it checked in when you could have just left it in the car.
DON'T bring a bag.
There is nothing more annoying than being packed together in a tiny place when someone is constantly bumping against you with her monstrous bag. There's an unwritten rule at small venues that each person has a very limited amount of personal space, and nobody wants that space invaded by a bulging growth hanging off of someone's arm. No one needs to bring more than some cash, a phone and maybe a camera. Wear pants and stuff any necessary items in your pockets. If you still don't have enough space for your things, bring a significant other and shove your things in their pockets.
DO triple-check
for your ticket.
Forgetting the ticket is probably the worst thing a music fan can do when attending a concert. Not only does it screw the absentminded groupie over, but now the throngs of people waiting behind in line have to suffer for that one person's forgetfulness as he pleads with the ticket taker. If you do not want to be the center of angry glares and nasty muttering, triple-check that the ticket is on its way to the concert with you.
DON'T bring a jacket.
If the concert is outside and there will be room enough to move comfortably, by all means bring a jacket. If the show is in a tiny, cramped venue in which all the visitors will be tackling each other to reach toward the stage, don't bring a jacket. The place will be hot and sweaty and the jacket will end up tied around your waist, or in your arms, or lost. Your jacket becomes a burden and probably a target for you to be shoved into the back with all the other lumpy jacket holders who are taking up more room than is allotted per person. Or, you'll have to pay money to have it checked in when you could have just left it in the car.
DON'T bring a bag.
There is nothing more annoying than being packed together in a tiny place when someone is constantly bumping against you with her monstrous bag. There's an unwritten rule at small venues that each person has a very limited amount of personal space, and nobody wants that space invaded by a bulging growth hanging off of someone's arm. No one needs to bring more than some cash, a phone and maybe a camera. Wear pants and stuff any necessary items in your pockets. If you still don't have enough space for your things, bring a significant other and shove your things in their pockets.
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