It's only February and we're already bombarded by tonnes and tonnes of announcements for concerts and festivals, spelling out doom for our wallets and putting our time management skills to the test. To celebrate the occasion, Guru has compiled simple survival tips for concert and festival-going needs in order to have the best time. What good would it do if you're not prepared?
Sleeping and waiting don't mix
This usually goes for high-profile concerts, chances are you've taken note of the date and time when tickets of your favourite artist's concert go on sale. And you know it's gonna sell out within the hour of them going live. We suggest have your credit card ready and click that refresh button over and over until your finger bleeds and you're able to make a purchase. Doze off for even a few minutes and your chances will be zero. We know how it feels to miss buying tickets for Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, The 1975, Maroon 5 (how many times must you see them though)! It all comes down to luck for this one so may the odds be in your favour!
7-Eleven is your go-to pre-game
While the food on site is highly convenient, some may be put off by their exorbitant prices. Not to mention, long queues. Many, however, will know that the trick to a cost-efficient pregame is to buy your food and drinks at the nearest 7-Eleven or other convenience store before heading in. So get there early, forget the opening acts and spend your money and time at the nearest convenience store. Otherwise, face the long queue lines at the concert/festival and potentially miss your favourite songs and moments by the artist. Thank you, come again!
Book now or pay the price
If a festival is out in the sticks, it is most wise to find a place to stay nearby for easy access (nobody has to make the long ride home while inebriated). If you don't take heed of the words I'm writing now, then be prepared to meet eager taxi drivers hoping to make big bucks off you, egging you to pay them a fixed (usually hefty) sum of money. This holds true for festivals that last longer than a day, you don't want to go through the same ordeal more than once. There may be shuttle bus services that send you to a fixed location or you can walk but we think most of you will just groan after a few hours of singing and dancing. #SayNoToBadCabbies
Get a room you two (or how I learned to stop worrying and make new friends)
Referring back to finding accommodations, why pay full price when you can team up with some people and help even out the costs? Sharing a room or carpooling together can make your concert/festival experience even more valuable, as you end up meeting like-minded individuals with the same interests and could therefore potentially meet up together on future events. With that being said...
Buddy up
Concerts are best enjoyed with friends so buddy up and share the moments together. Plus they can help you do other things -- take photos, provide additional inventory space for your snacks and drinks, sing and dance along all night with you. If you don't have a companion to go with then get to the event and make some new friends! This is a great chance to come out of your comfort zone and have a chat with fellow music lovers!
To mosh or not
Highly prevalent in rock concerts and located either around the centre or in front of the crowd, mosh pits have always been a part of the concert going experience. Moshing, or the participation of pushing and slamming into each other, is intended to be a moment of bonding between concertgoers. Some have expressed annoyance due to how dangerous and accident-prone it can be while others think it's a great way to move around to the beat of the (aggressive) music. Be ready to take the plunge or once you see everyone forming a pit, you'd best stay away far away as possible or you could end up with a broken arm the following morning.
Social media
For whatever reason, we are fond of having photo backdrops for all those social media savvy people to take photos at the concert and festivals. Up your social media game by dressing up, strut your stuff and take the best photo (or hundreds of photos) and upload it on your Facebook and Instagram to show off that active lifestyle. Don't forget to add the location or use lyrics as captions for the ultimate effect.
Live in the moment (or capture it)
Within the live shows landscape, technology is here to stay. And part of the technology that has become integral to the concert experience is the smartphone. Oftentimes, you will find droves of people flashing their phones up to record or even Facebook live as if they have thousands of followers waiting to share the experience (this goes for during the show and even before entering the actual show!). Naysayers will say it devalue the experience (does anybody actually go back and watch all the live performances they took?), and some venues have gone on to ban said items (look no further than the recent announcement made by Mustache underground venue). Whatever the case, we suggest you do what you like but don't overdo it. However, we're sure you'd want to record key moments like Celine Dion slaying My Heart Will Go On or Mimi's twins on the stage (we are referring to her kids, get your head out of the gutter), or especially when your artist says sawasdee krub/ka!
Know your venue inside and out
For every newly-announced concert, odds are the major concerts usually take place around Muang Thong Thani, Bitec Bangna, Rajamangala or GMM Live House. You'd best be prepared and expect what each venue holds. For example, Muang Thong Thani is a large area and you'd best familiarise its location of many venues, as well as take heed with the amount of traffic you're about to face. If you're going Rajamangala Stadium, be prepared to face huge amounts of crowds as you wade through them to get to your seat and, most importantly, fighting to find taxi that will take you home. Heck if the venue takes place outside of Bangkok, it might help to familiarise yourself with the surroundings such as the yearly Big Mountain Music Festival in Khao Yai or Wonderfruit or Kolour parties in Pattaya or even Unkonscious in Phuket, Asia's biggest trance music festival.
Be prepared for long trek even if it's in walking distance
Many times you will often find that concerts will make announcements that the stage is within walking distance. Even though the concert is said to be "in walking distance", be prepared to make long walks to the actual venue. Case in point -- Bitec Bangna. Many shows take place within the halls of the big convention centre and (assuming the best possible route) not only do you have to walk for minutes on end from the BTS station to the centre, you will also spend an arduous amount of time walking in that wide endless hall to finally reach your show. Muang Thong Thani has loads of venues, some walking may be required. Or how about Wonderfruit and its numerous stages, where time management is of the essence. Walking from one stage to another requires careful planning, might as well burn off a few calories while you're at it!
Patience is a virtue
Large amounts of patience will be required when at most events. From waiting for a taxi and dealing with a large of amount of traffic during rush hour to waiting in line at food and drink stalls or heck, just waiting and praying for your artist to show up on time, you just gotta learn to have an insane amount of patience! You'd best take this time to listen to your favourite songs and memorise lyrics or planning when to head back before crowds and crowds of people will flock to the streets and fight over public transportation.
Pack smart and bring your gear
Sometimes, bringing yourself and a fat wallet may not be enough! A little backpack with a few essentials with a power bank/portable charger, spray repellent, gum, sunglasses, yadom, etc. If your artist starts playing your favourite song late in their set and your phone has no power left (we warned not to overdo it) or your itching from all the mosquito bites in an outdoor, blazing hot day of a festival, then don't say we didn't warn you.
The flags and props
If you're screaming for attention and want to make it to the events' official photos, you'd best be dressed to impress! These can range from bringing your country flags, glowsticks or wearing elaborate jewellery. But please, wear something that is comfortable and is easy to move around in. We're here to enjoy music not partake in a fashion show or walk the red carpet.
Enjoy your time!
Last of all have an incredible amount of fun while you're there! Not following these tips won't spell the end of your experience but by taking them to heart, it may just make it even more memorable (and hopefully make your money's worth). So go out there, memorise songs/lyrics, pack accordingly, book when necessary and have the time of your life!
