What to Bring to a Concert – and What to Leave at Home

If you’re preparing for a concert and deciding what to bring, here are the essential items you’ll need.

Top 10 Concert Essentials:

1. Tickets

Always remember your tickets. Most tickets are now on mobile apps, so you’ll need to bring your smartphone with the correct app downloaded to access the tickets at the event. If you have physical tickets, keep them handy in a pocket or a small bag upon arrival at the venue.

2. Comfortable Shoes

As tempting as it can be to wear your most stylish shoes to a concert, it sometimes runs the risk of discomfort as you stand and dance the night away. Avoid wearing uncomfortable heels, thin sandals, or overly fancy shoes that might get dirty or damaged. Opt for comfortable sneakers or boots so you can focus on dancing and enjoying the music.

3. Phone

Whether or not you have mobile tickets, you’ll want to bring your phone to the concert. It will allow you to snap pictures and videos of the show, preserving cherished memories. It can be used to purchase snacks via Apple Pay at most venues. It can also be useful for coordinating meetups and rides with friends.

Some concerts are going phone free, but this doesn’t actually mean you should leave your phone at home. You can still bring your phone to phone-free concerts and simply secure it in a venue-provided locked pouch during the show. This way, you still have access to your mobile tickets before the show and can call for a ride afterwards.

4. A Credit/Debit Card

You’ll want to bring a form of payment to the concert in case you want to purchase food, beverages, or merchandise. Nowadays, many of the largest event venues have switched to a completely cashless system. Bring a credit or debit card to ensure you have a payment method they’ll accept. Bringing cash is a good idea, but it shouldn’t be relied on as the main form of payment anymore.

5. Layers

Concerts are not always temperature-controlled environments. Often, venues are outdoors, making them subject to the elements. For an outdoor concert, you’ll want to prepare for whatever the weather has in store so you can enjoy the show in comfort, rain or shine. For indoor concerts, be prepared to shed layers if you’ll be in a crowded GA area and dancing a lot.

Lightweight shawls, jean jackets, or cardigans can be ideal concert wear that you can shed if need be.

6. Photo ID

Always bring a form of identification to a concert. Event staff will often check identification upon entry to the concert and differentiate underage and of-age attendees for alcohol sales. Whether you want to purchase alcohol or not, at most concerts you’ll still need to present your ID.

7. Portable Phone Charger

A prepared concertgoer should always bring a portable phone charging bank. Attending a concert can significantly drain a phone battery. From presenting the tickets on your phone, to scrolling your phone while waiting for the concert to begin, to taking endless videos during the show, you’ll probably use your phone often during the night. Make sure to bring a portable phone charger so your phone doesn’t die as you’re recording your favorite song or right before you need to call an Uber home.

8. Keys

Bring your keys, and keep them in a safe place, like a zippered pocket in your coat or bag. Don’t risk losing your keys by keeping them in an unsecured pocket. In a rowdy concert environment, it’s especially important to keep your valuables safe.

9. A Small Bag or Backpack

Most venues permit attendees to bring a small bag to carry in their wallet, keys, and other essential items. Check the venue’s policies before the show to see their specific bag policy. Commonly permitted bags include small cross-body bags or totes. Some venues also have clear bag-only requirements.

10. Sunscreen or Hat

If you’re attending an outdoor concert, sunscreen or a hat is essential to ensure you aren’t sunburned during the show. You may also want to bring sunglasses if it’s a particularly bright day.

Optional: Earplugs

Some people bring earplugs to protect their ears from the loud environment of a concert. Certain types of earplugs are designed specifically to prevent hearing loss while preserving the music at a show. Earplugs are especially important if you’re a frequent concertgoer.

Items to Leave Behind:

Large Bags

Almost all venues prohibit large bags. Keep your items limited to what will fit in a small bag and your pockets. Some venues have a clear bag policy allowing for slightly larger bags and backpacks. Always check the venue’s specific bag policy.

Outside Food & Beverages (Depending on the Venue)

Many venues don’t allow outside food and beverages, so don’t assume you can bring your own snacks. Make sure to check the venue’s policies before you bring something so it doesn’t get confiscated. Smaller amphitheatres often allow small snacks, while larger venues usually prohibit all outside food. Medical exceptions can always be made.

Professional Cameras

Most venues don’t allow professional cameras or recording equipment. Sometimes, smaller point-and-shoot cameras are allowed, but make sure to check the venue’s policies before bringing your camera.

Find Tickets to Your Next Concert

Now that you know what to bring to your next concert, you just need to find tickets. Getting tickets to your next concert is a breeze at Event Tickets Center. Skip the ticket queue and purchase tickets the easy way. With no hidden fees, fraud protection, and customer support throughout your transaction, Event Tickets Center is the place to find your next concert tickets.