Pre-Show Checklist: Concert Essentials (3rd blog post)
This is a simple list of items you shouldn’t come to a concert without. Bringing these things will save you money and time and keep you comfortable on show day.
1. Phone Charger
If you don’t bring anything else on this list, bring this. A concert is no place to have a dead phone. Most people like to document and share their experience using their phones with apps like Snapchat and Instagram. More importantly, you need it to stay in contact with the people you came to the show with.
Bring a phone charger so you don’t have to decide between recording the encore performance and calling a ride home. I would recommend a portable charger so you don’t have to worry about finding an outlet and potentially missing parts of the show while your phone charges. If you ignore this tip and end up with a low battery, there are usually unreasonably-priced chargers for sale at merchandise stands. Bringing your own will save you money and eliminates the anxiety that creeps up as your battery percentage declines.
2. Cash
Yes, you can pay with your card too but it doesn’t hurt to have options. Paying with cash also makes things a lot easier for a few reasons. Unfortunately, mistakes do happen. I’ve seen guests return days after a show because they have been overcharged for drinks or something else they purchased. Because the vendors operate separately from the venue, we can’t help. (Some are notoriously tricky to get in touch with.) This isn’t a common occurrence, but it does happen. There is also the issue of overspending. It might seem convenient to open a tab and pay for everything later, but it’s easy to get carried away and end up with a huge bill at the end of the night. Avoid this situation by paying for your purchases on-the-spot with cash if possible. If you can’t make it to the bank, most venues have ATMs posted throughout the grounds.
3. Water Bottle/Snacks
This is a venue-specific tip. (Note that a lot of venues do not allow any outside food or beverages. Visit this website for some general venue guidelines.)
The two major amphitheaters in Charlotte permit guests to bring in a 20-ounce, factory-sealed water bottle and a clear, gallon-sized plastic bag of food. Take advantage of this, it will save you money and you won’t have to stand in long concession stand lines.
Both venues also allow guests to bring an empty water container (any size) to fill at one of the water stations on the grounds. PNC Pavilion is the only outdoor venue with these stations, but, if you ask nicely, someone from one of the concessions stands at Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheater might top you off.
4. Jacket
Monday was the first day of Fall! That means temperatures will (hopefully) start to drop soon. Keep this in mind when going to both indoor and outdoor concerts. A sweater or light jacket will keep you comfortable if you get cold and can easily be removed. Some people will find carrying around a jacket annoying, so use your own discretion with this tip. Always check the forecast before deciding on an outfit.
