5 simple concert rules

By Danielle Marsh

Going to one of the jillion concerts in town this summer? Places like the St. Augustine Amphitheatre or the St. Johns County Fairgrounds can be tough to navigate for those that don’t know the venue. Tear this bad boy out and use it as a guideline for optimum concert going pleasure. You’re going to need it this summer because the Fairgrounds and Amphitheater have killer lineups and you will want to be ready to have the best time possible.

Rule One — Go with friends

The more the merrier. Concerts are so much more fun when you are hanging out with friends. Large groups are the best because you will have other people to enjoy the concert with. You and your friends can start a dance floor on the outskirts of the stage area if you’re at the Fairgrounds, or you can belt out your favorite songs with the rest of the crowd. And besides, who else are you going to sneak backstage and meet the artists of the Warped Tour with?

Rule Two — Sit down

Since the Amphitheatre has seating, take advantage. It’s cool to stand while the band makes their entrance or plays its major hit, but don’t stand the whole show. Speaking from a 5’3” perspective, sitting is a natural position for me because it gives me an even playing field with the rest of the world. However, when the 6-foot man decides to stand in front of me, I can’t see. As we all know, once one person stands, everyone stands. If you do find yourself at a concert that doesn’t offer seating, like the Fairgrounds, don’t get too close to the stage. That’s where everyone wants to be and it is more crowed there. It might be cool to have Tom DeLonge’s sweat sprinkled on you, but the closer the people stand together the hotter it is this could lead to bad results like heat exhaustion or dehydration.

Rule Three — Less is more

You only need six essential things at a concert. Numero Uno, Your tickets…duh. Most importantly, a cell phone, it’s always a good idea to have one. You can also flip it open and suddenly you have a lighter to wave around during your favorite song, and you won’t have to worry about starting any forest fires. Third, your drivers license because you can’t drive without it. Next is some extra cash, so you can buy some munchies and a soda. Fifth is your credit card, for the impulsive need to buy excessive amounts of band paraphernalia. And lastly, your camera, so you can document the evening and post it all over Facebook. Ladies, as much as this may kill you, you do not need to bring your Mary Poppins bag that has a year’s supply of make-up. All you really need is a tube of lip gloss and you’re good to go. The less you bring the better. Plus, if you go with a really great guy, you can convince him to carry most of it for you.

Rule Four — Get there early

Personally, I hate it when the people in the seats next to me come in half way through the bands first number. It is distracting and I end up missing part of the song because I have to listen to the couple read their ticket stubs 50 times to make sure their in the right seats. It’s rude and inconsiderate not only to the people around you, but also to the band that you paid good money to see. If it’s a free-for-all open venue – like the fairgrounds — it pays to be early. At Warped, you’ll be ahead of the crowd if you write down the times for each band that is playing. This way you eliminate the possibility of missing your favorite band and only catching the last five minutes of their show.

Rule Five — Take care of yourself

Try to not get too drunk. Know your limit. Drinking is fine, as long as you don’t overdo it. You don’t want to be so far gone you end up puking halfway through your favorite band’s set. It will ruin everything for you and those around you. Plus if you’re wasted, you won’t remember the concert the next day. And nobody wants to have their time ruined by babysitting you. So don’t get bombed. Especially if you’re drinking in the heat of the day while traveling back and forth to different stages. Alcohol messes with your blood pressure and can cause more serious heat related issues. Sounds crazy, but maybe you should stick to water. It’s healthier for you and won’t require your friend to hold your hair back.

That’s it! If you follow these guidelines you are guaranteed to have an awesome time. Remember, you’re there to have fun, so make the most of it.