There’s nothing like a good gig, the roar of the crowd, your favourite band, being surprised by the support act you’ve never heard of – it’s a great night out, but how do you make it better?
A bit of planning goes a long way, helping make a night out potentially into a longer trip where you can do and see more. So where do you start?
Night out or day trip?
Going to a gig or a show can be a simple night out. If you live a bit further away from the venue, travel will take longer. Why not turn your gig trip into a day out?
If your show is in a nearby city, spend the day exploring, bouncing around cafes and shopping. You might even have events related to the show you could go to, like meet & greets or fan experiences.
Going to a gig is great, but meeting other like-minded fans who you can share the excitement with, and maybe make some new friends in the process? That’s just better.
Stay over?
Think about how far you’re travelling for the gig, what time it finishes and what you’re options are for getting back.
Can you make the drive back that night? Have you got a designated driver? What are trains like?
Some shows people need to leave before the end to get their train, which isn’t ideal as that’s usually when you hear the biggest song and miss the epic finale to the show.
Staying over obviously pumps up the cost of going to a gig, but if it’s easier and safer to travel the next day, or if you want to have the day in a town or city but couldn’t on show day, this is a great option.
Plus, who doesn’t love reminiscing over the best bits of the show over breakfast?
Plan travel
How are you getting to the gig? Travel is a major hurdle to overcome.
Train, plane, automobile? There’s a bunch of options to keep in mind, but focus on a few things:
Budget – how cost-conscious are you with your trip?
If you’re staying over or not – this absolutely factors in and gives you more flexibility
Time frame – what’s going to get you to the gig on time?
Keep those key points in mind and you’ll absolutely pick the perfect way to get to the show. If you’re parking, keep in mind that a lot of people will drive to gigs, and parking can be expensive. Pre-booking nearby can be a great way to save money and beat the crowds, especially if you don’t mind parking a short distance from the venue.
Arrive early
Are you the sort of person who loves to be at the front, in the middle of the pit, or someone who likes to stand at the back?
Depending on the size of the gig when you arrive can have a massive impact on who you view the show.
If you absolutely have to be at the barrier, getting there early is always going to help. If you’re in VIP (fancy) or seated in a bigger venue, getting there early isn’t as much of an issue – instead, focus on getting there to get situated before the show starts.
Enjoy the show
We all spend a lot of time glued to our phones. But if you’ve spent a small fortune on gig tickets to see your favourite band, why would you want to watch the show through your phone screen when you could be enjoying yourself there and then? Sure, grab the odd snap, but spend more time getting involved and enjoying what you’re seeing.
Some bands and performers have even started requesting that fans don’t use phones during their shows, so depending on who you’re going to see and where, it might be worth checking the rules in place beforehand.
Knowing what to expect, and then just being able to enjoy the show, makes a huge difference – and you’ll be surprised at what just a little bit of planning does for a gig trip, especially when you aren’t worrying about travel.
