What to Expect at a Sold Out Show
I am dedicating this week’s post to sold-out shows. The reason I decided to discuss this topic will become clear shortly, but first, let me share some upcoming shows to look out for:
The Fillmore
- 9/13 Banks
- 9/15 Quando Rondo
- 9/19 Stunna 4 Vegas
Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheater
- 9/15 Lizzo: Cuz I love You Tour
- 9/19 Kacey Musgraves: Oh, What a World: Tour II
- 9/20 Nf: The Search Tour
PNC Pavillion
- 9/20 Kid Rock and Hank Williams Jr.
- 10/6 ZZ Top: 50th Anniversary Tour
- 10/11 Brantley Gilbert: Not Like Us Tour
Now that that is out of the way, I have to share some bad news. Three of those shows listed above are sold out. If you were hoping to see Lizzo, Kacey Musgraves or Kid Rock and you haven’t already secured a ticket- I am truly sorry for your loss. Take some time to gather yourself and continue reading when you’re ready.
If you’re one of the individuals who was fortunate enough to get a ticket to one of those shows- congratulations! You’ll want to pay attention to the information that follows.
Going to a concert is a fairly simple process: you arrive, you watch the show, then you leave. None of this changes when a show is sold out, but I’m going to share some things that you should consider if you want to have the best possible experience. Let’s get into it:
- Come on time, seriously.
This tip isn’t meant to scold those of you who are habitually late to everything. I get it. A concert isn’t like your job or a class, but I strongly recommend being on time for a sold-out show. Punctuality doesn’t really matter at any other show, we aren’t going anywhere. But, if you arrive late to a sold-out show, it’s you who won’t be going anywhere. Think about it, the place you’re heading to is literally going to be packed to maximum capacity. If you don’t arrive on time, you WILL run into heavy traffic, long lines and other avoidable delays.
Early is on time and on time is late- Bo Schembechier
- A note about parking: specifically at PNC Pavilion, parking fills up quickly. If you arrive after the lots have filled, you’ll have to park a mile offsite at the Neighborhood Walmart on N. Tryon and walk back to the venue. It’s great exercise, but no one wants to do that. I will say it was interesting to see the late KISS fans trekking it in their platform boots.
Once you do park your car (if you decide to drive) you’ll run into additional delays at the entrance gates. Security is great about getting people through the doors, but arriving later puts you behind more people who are also trying to enter. *We do offer a Fast Pass which grants you access to an express entry gate for $10. You can purchase it ahead of time online or when you arrive on site. Personally, I wouldn’t rely on the Fast Pass because plenty of other customers will also be using it to get in. You may be able to enter faster, but there will still be a wait. You run the risk of missing portions of the show if you arrive too late in the evening.
Lastly, unless you have purchased a seat, I would suggest being in line to enter the venue when doors open. Doors usually open an hour before showtime. I say this because all lawn seating at the amphitheaters is general admission. This means seating is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you really want to get a seat right in the center of the lawn (which I would advise against at a sold-out show) then you have to beat the other 20,999 people to it. I’ve seen things gets pretty intense when gates open. People are usually sprinting and elbowing past one another to stake their claim. You should know what you’re up against.
2. You are stuck with your seat.
When there is a sold-out show, there are a couple of changes regarding seating. Usually, we try to be very accommodating about seating. Some people don’t know this but say you purchase the worst seat in the house, aka the nose-bleeds. Once you get inside, you can upgrade to closer sections for between *$10–30. Going from the back of the venue to the pit for only $30? Pretty good deal. Those who do know about seat upgrades often rely on them to get good seats at the lowest prices. Unfortunately, this isn’t an option for sold-out shows. There are no seats left to upgrade to so you’re pretty much stuck with what you bought. If you think the show has the potential to be sold out, purchase your tickets with that in mind because you may not be able to upgrade later.
The only upgrades that are sometimes available to purchase at sold-out shows are VIP Box Seats. These range in price depending on who is playing, but be prepared to spend more on these.
3. If you want it, buy it.
My final tip pertains to buying merchandise. I haven’t seen an artist completely run out of merchandise at a sold-out show but, if you already know you want something, in particular, I would suggest buying it as soon as possible to ensure you get the size/color item you want. Most people will visit the merch stands before the show starts. Don’t wait till the intermission to get that shirt you’ve been eyeing and end up with the only thing they had left, a flimsy keychain. The merch stands tend to wrap up shortly after the headliner goes on.
- Information is applicable to Charlotte venues discussed in this post. If you’re seeing a show that is not in Charlotte, check directly with the venue for details.
