Summer Concert Survival: For Dummies

By Emily Young MA ‘16

Have you never been to Coachella, Stagecoach, Austin City Limits, Fun Fun Fun Fest, Burning Man, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, etc? You are not alone.

Hi I’m Emily, age 22, and I am a summer concert newbie, unless, if you count Air and Style, but that’s the minor leagues.  I’m talking the real deal: multiple days, huge headliners everyone has heard of, and ticket prices that will break your heart and wallet. 

When I look back at my childhood, there are some clear reasons I never got into the live music/concert scene. Some people learn to appreciate music through playing. I however found out that it was a bad idea to play the flute with asthma and that I couldn’t read music notes. Some people appreciate concerts because the atmosphere and the artist’s performance make the live experience so unforgettable. Personally, I would like to forget all the young girls screaming at the Jonas Brother’s, my first concert. Desperately needing to make up for lost time, I did what any broke college kid would do. Wait online for Lollapalooza early bird tickets and pray for the line up of the century. Headliners Paul McCartney, Metallica, and Florence and the Machine, win, win, win.

  I am originally from a suburb of Chicago and Lollapalooza is the perfect summer concert for beginners. First of all, it’s in downtown Chicago, not the middle of nowhere like Coachella. Better yet, you can commute and if you’re me, you can sleep at home. !No Tents! !Civilization!  I’ve been so excited for Lollapalooza, but now that it’s finally here I felt unprepared. Thus I bring you:

Emily's Summer Concert Survival: For Dummies:

1. Go with someone, preferably who has been to a concert before and has similar music tastes.

If you go with too large of a group it’s hard to navigate around the concert and have the same interests.  If you’re a newbie like me, it’s nice to go with someone who has been before.  If you’re both new, keep reading—trust me.  

2. Check out the Spotify playlists 

Most concerts have a Spotify playlist.  It’s a great way to check out artists you haven’t heard of as well as get excited for the concert.  Although you will make a game plan of bands you want to see, things change (ie. the weather delay) so it’s good to familiarize yourself with other bands too.  

3. While festival fashion is very much a thing, wear whatever you want. 

No one cares about your outfit except you.  Wear comfortable shoes and an outfit you don’t mind getting dirty.

4. Plan transportation to and from the concert.

You don’t want to be driving when 10,000 people are rushing out of the concert.  Use public transportation if you can.

5. Read the rules on what you can and can’t bring in.

All concerts have their own set of rules on what you can and can’t bring in.  For Lollapalooza, attendees were allowed to bring in up to one liter of commercially sealed water per person, but no aerosol sunscreens.  Make sure to read the rules because you don’t want something you need (like sunscreen) to be tossed out.

6. Sit down when you can

The first day you’ll be so excited and want to run around and see everything and everyone.  3 Day concerts are about survival.  By the end of day one, your feet will hurt and you will be tired of standing.  Sit earlier in the day, that way you can still stand by the end of the night for the very crowded headliners.

7. Shade and sunscreen

You’ll know after the first day who applied sunscreen and who didn’t. Apply and reapply.  Also seek shade when you can, even if you have to make it.  

9. Put your phone in airplane mode

Make your battery last through all the photos and videos of the concert by putting your phone in airplane mode.  If you need to keep your phone on, turn your email to manual fetch, turn your brightness down, turn off all locational services, and close all of your apps.  Check out the sponsors for free charging stations.

10. If you plan to buy apparel, buy it on the first day when they still have your size

Yes, you can wear the wristband for the next couple of weeks or you can just plan ahead and actually get the t-shirt you want in your size.  

11. Drink Water. Seriously.

A guy passed out right before Paul McCartney five feet away from us because he probably didn’t drink enough water.  He missed out on the best concert of his life because he didn’t drink water. Don’t be that guy.    

12. Plan bathroom trips

What if you had to go to the bathroom in the middle of Paul McCartney?….You don’t.  Plan bathroom trips in advance, especially if you are going to stakeout early to be closer to a band.

13. Eat food

You are not going to survive three days without food.  The first day we were running around so much all we had was ice cream.  Luckily we wised up and planned time to eat the next two days.  

14. Have Fun *Essential*

You will be standing a lot, getting minimal sleep, and be hot and sweaty.  If you aren’t having any fun, you will just be miserable.  Jump, dance, sing, make friends, photo bomb, and take photos of yourself too, because if you don’t, it didn’t happen.

Stay tuned for The Bands You Need to See: Lollapalooza Review!

~Emily