shiny shiny, shiny boots of leather

Today I went to a concert totally last minute. Me and my sister (she’s my concert pal) decided to go a few hours before it started. We went to see Anberlin and Taking Back Sunday. And we are pretty avid concert goers (my sister more than me). So I’ve decided to put together a short list of tips for the newbies (and even the veterans who still haven’t learned from their mistakes). It’ll even serve for me, in the future.

1. Water. Lots and Lots of water. This is something that i still have to learn. I know it bothers a little to be holding a bottle of water while you’re waiting in line, but believe me, it is worth it. I’ve seen people pass out, dehydrated. It would suck pretty bad to pass out during a concert. You want to enjoy yourself. My tip is: take a not so big cooler, fill it up with ice and enough bottles of water for you and the people going with you (at least 2 per person). I know from experience it sucks to be parched. It takes your attention away during the concert, and usually water in the venues are very expensive.
2. Comfortable clothing. You want to show off that cool mini skirt you bought at american apparel? Don’t. Show it off somewhere else. You’re going to a concert, you’re going to be jumping, screaming your lungs out, and people are going to push. they’re going to squeeze you so bad you’ll wish that skirt riding up was that comfortable, old pair of jeans you have. If it’s cold, wear extra socks (if you’re going to get there before the doors open; even 30 minutes before). Don’t hesitate to take that scarf or the hat. You’ll be glad you took it. A little before the doors open, you just run back to your car and leave it in there.
3. Which brings me to tip number three: do not take purses, valuable items, big amounts of money. Take the least number of items possible. if you took your purse, leave it in the car. what was that? no car? ugh. that sucks. And make use of those deep front pockets in your jeans. This is important: do not put anything in your back pocket. With people rubbing on you, pushing you, it’ll ride up and fall out. Adios extra $40 you decided to take to buy that super cool band tour T-shirt and awesome poster of that really hot drummer you like. But like I said, don’t hesitate to take those extra items of clothing if it’s cold. You can just leave it in the car later. If your parents took you and you don’t have a car, well, I suggest you prepare yourself to endure the cold and leave the extra items in the house.
4. Get there earlier. As early as possible. Especially if it’s that really famous band, that has that really cool song that plays on the radio all the time. Of course, this is optional, but I prefer to do it, most of the time. When you’re stuck in the middle, it gets rough. When you’re up front you can hold on to the barricade, lean on it. In the middle you get to lean against that sweaty guy who stinks. Plus, the other stinky guy is behind you and keeps rubbing on you and pushing you against stinky guy number one. It sucks. If stinky guy number one is taller than you, it sucks even worse. So get there earlier. You going to have to wait. But usually, it’s worth it. You can also get some tips to make time go by faster. It comes in handy.
5. Be patient. I know waiting in line sucks. But if you really, really, re-heeeally love the band, then waiting is worth it. You can get there later and try to make your way to the front, but it’s not really fair to the people who got there at 6 a.m. (some people still get up THAT early). And I know concerts aren’t about being fair; they’re about having fun, but it’s a little selfish, and I’m not that kind of person. You’re making other people’s concert day bad. I don’t want to do that. So you be the judge of how you want to do that.
6. Enjoy yourself. You’re going to a concert. You want to have fun. People are going to push you, crowd-surf and kick your face by accident, and in some not so rare cases, break your camera when crowd-surfing. Some cursing is allowed. What the hell right? But don’t let that ruin your good fun. Jump, sing along, dance. Do what makes you happy. That’s what concerts are about. Plus, no one is going to pay attention to what you’re saying. So you can scream anything you want. ^^

I think that was the basic. I might have forgotten some things.

If you’re a veteran concert goer, what are your most important tips for the newbies or the the people who never learn (like me)?