Frequently Asked Questions:
Have a question you don’t see covered here email me and I would be happy to get you an answer.
Q: Why do you go to multiple shows of the same tour? Aren’t you seeing the same show?
A: It’s the experience, not all shows are exactly the same night after night, you get different set lists, different special moments, you may make new friends and you may experience a different energy. There is something so special about live entertainment. You cannot download those feelings, it’s not something you can see when watching a video. It’s your heart beating faster when the lights go down and you know the act is about to take the stage. Is the anticipation of what songs or dances will we see tonight, what surprises are we in for? Will the singer or performer look me in the eyes and sing to me for a second or two? There is an energy in the room that is so hard to put into words. It’s like a natural high. Each night and each show is different so if you can go to multiple shows you will enjoy the experience. Buy tickets on one side of the stage and then flip for the next night, you will see and notice different things from different angles too.
Q: How can I meet my favorite artist?
A: Keep in mind not all artists and bands offer meet and greets. However these days more and more of them are offering opportunities either via fan club contests, special events, fan trips or purchasing VIP packages. First thing you should do is join the fan club and read through the website. If you don’t see any obvious answers there ask in the forums/message boards within the fan club. If they do offer them but, you have to get a VIP package first be ready to pay. That can range from $250-$2000+ depending on the artist. Read the fine print really good before you make a decision, sometimes they will include your ticket to the show/event, other times you have to purchase the package separately. I.e.: For J Lo’s Vegas residency you buy your ticket for the show and then at checkout you can add on the photo op/meet & greet for an extra charge if they are still available for that show. It may be obvious but, make sure it specifically says a photo op if that is what you want. Not all photo ops are meet and greets and vice versa.
Q: How can I get great seats for a show?
A: Join the fan club if there is one first because in almost all cases the fan club will have a pre-sale so you will have another option to pull tickets ahead of the general on-sale. Also there are frequently presales for specific credit cards too most often its AMEX and MasterCard. Plan on working on it, if at first you don’t’ succeed don’t give up, just try at the next presale or the general on-sale. If it something you really want to see plan to be available for at least an hour when tickets go on sale and keep trying. Often they release tickets in batches so you may strike out the first 15 minutes but, pull what you want within a half hour. You can also buy on the broker sites but, just note most VIP packages are non-transferrable.
Q: What is the difference between a photo op and a meet and greet?
A: There is a very big difference in most cases. Truthfully this is where many go in with the wrong expectations and end up disappointed. Photo ops are typically quick. I have seen them sadly as quick 5-10 seconds to a more reasonable few minutes. If you are not sure and want to be sure you are spending your money on an experience that will give you value ask other fans either in the fan club forums or on social media. A meet and greet is slightly different, sometimes you meet the artist get an autograph and possibly a photo.
Q: What are photo ops like, what do I do? What do I say?
A: I always tell friends treat the individual like you would want to be treated. They are man or woman just like us. I once heard an artist tell a girl that was crying in front of him “I am just a man, I put my pants on one leg at a time like you” when he was trying to calm her down. It can be overwhelming when you meet someone you have idolized for years or someone you admire. Take a deep breath and then let them take the lead, if they reach out their hand go ahead and shake it, if they go in for a hug, hug back. Just respect their personal space. I have seen people get all over an artist, try to kiss them etc. Think of it this way, in most cases you are a stranger to this person. Would you want someone you didn’t know coming up and laying all over you? Also think of the people behind you in line. If you cross a line with an artist it could ruin it for the people behind you. Try not to drink a lot before, I have seen a girl that could barely stand up walk into a meet and greet with a full band and let’s just say it didn’t go well and I don’t think she even remembers the experience. You pay a lot for these experiences make the most of it, make a great impression and make your dream come true!
Question: What is the difference between GA (General Admission) and regular ticketed seats? Pro’s and cons of both…
Answer: Ticketed shows are great because you know exactly where you are sitting, you can easily see it on a map and you know that you have basic personal space around you. Pro’s: exactly what I just described and it allows you a lot more of your personal time to either work later, explore the city you are in and you can typically dress nicer etc. because you are not sitting outside for hours. Con’s: ticket stress the day they go on sale and possibly not pulling the location/ticket you want.
General Admission can be great because often they are less expensive and it takes the stress out of the day tickets go on sale. Ever hear the saying “Do the time, front of the line”? It’s a very true statement in the GA environment. I have waited more than 12 hours+ outside a festival or large show to be in good position to get front row. In almost all cases the earlier you arrive and get in the line the better position you will have for the show. Pro’s: If you are willing to put in the time, often outside in the weather conditions you can typically get a position closer to the stage and it’s also a good time to make friends with those that are sitting there with you. I love meeting new people from around the world at concerts. It’s fun to sit and learn their stories and you have a shared passion with them.
Cons: Etiquette and general fairness is not always honored by others around you. Get close to those around you and stick together as you enter. I was at a show recently where others from the back of the line tried to just join in with the front of the line and security did nothing. Be ready to walk very swiftly or run if they do not tell you that you can’t to get that spot. Know that you will be standing in your spot once at the venue for several hours. Try to sit on the ground if you can just to create a little more space around you for as long as you can. Also do your research so you know what to expect. If there is a VIP for the artist see if that comes with early entry. If so, just understand they will be getting in ahead of you and you will not get front row. In a VIP Early admission GA it’s sometimes more civil but, be prepared when the general public enters for people trying to push their way forward into better locations, you often lose all semblance of personal space when the show begins. The other con is you give up a lot of your personal time so you have to decide if you are in a new city do I want to go and sightsee or do I want to be close and you have to make that individual decision for yourself.
I absolutely have a preference of having a Ticked seat at a show whenever possible.
What can venues/VIP Ticketing companies do to improve GA experiences? Give out numbered wrist bands and that is the order you enter and check the wrist bands and be sure everyone is in order several times Have a security member present to monitor at least an hour or two ahead of time to ensure people are not sneaking their friends up at the front of the line. Nothing is more annoying and upsetting to other fans that have waited for hours and hours than to see people just cut the line and in fairness it should not be allowed. Tim McGraw’s VIP team gives out numbered wrist bands and it worked so effectively.