Everybody has that one friend who snags the best concert tickets am I right?
That friend is Jeff. He’s got the scoop on where to look, where to buy, and how to score the best seats. Here are his top tips…
Tip 1 - Ticketmaster
Ah, Ticketmaster – love it or hate it, it’s our go-to for snagging those coveted concert tickets. While the prices and fees can sting a bit, there’s no denying its the #1 ticketing app.
To boost your chances, make sure you’ve got the latest app version installed, are signed in, and have your payment info updated at least 30 minutes before the sale kicks off. This way, you’ll be ready to jump into the ‘waiting room’ and queue up as soon as tickets drop.
Tip 2 - Keep Checking Back
It’s a part time job checking back on tickets, but do it regularly! If at first you don’t find the seats or the price you want them for, it really is worth your time to KEEP CHECKING!!! Sometimes people cancel tickets and also stage configurations may change for different venues, so they may add more sections/seats.
Our example: We had our hopes on getting tickets to The Rolling Stones, in Vegas May 2024. When they first went on sale, tickets were STARTING at $700USD and there were only VIP packages available. That’d be awesome, but we try to somewhat keep our heads when it comes to ticket prices. So the next day, Jeff checked back – guess what?! More tickets were released and we got general admission for $375 each! Expensive, yes but hey it’s the Stones! A once in a lifetime for us.
(This does not apply for Swifties, in that case, you get what you get and just be pumped about it)
Tip 3 - Seats vs Standing
Did you know that general admission tickets are usually cheaper?! Yes, this means you have to stand elbow to elbow with others and not great if you’re a shortie, but for us, there’s just something to be said about being that close to the band! It’s like you’re in it with them! I’ve had Sebastian Bach unintentionally sweat on me and I’ve seen Bryan Adams’ molars – it was pretty epic.
So watch that even though there are front frow SEATS available, they are usually more money than the STANDING general admission pit in front of those seats. So you’ll end up standing at your seat anyway, otherwise you won’t see over everyone in front of you.
Tip 4 - Presale Codes
Some artist presales will exclude certain prices & seats, so check for tickets using the presale code and without using it.
Presale codes are announced through the venue, promotors and even the artists themselves on social media (they might all be different codes)
Once a concert is announced, click through the link to the concert page (on Ticketmaster). Sometimes tickets are on sale even before the presales are announced…an error on their part? Most likely, but you may be able to take advantage of it! (pssst, it’s how we got tickets to HEART)
Tip 5 - Loophole
You’re gonna wanna pay attention to this one… Ticketmaster will not let you leave single seats between you and another purchaser in the same row. One way around this, is by selecting the one seat you want to leave empty, (one of the end seats of your seat selection), click through to the payment screen. Don’t be scared, this ticket will only be held for 10 minutes, not technically in your cart, so you won’t be charged for it. Then click back arrow, going back to the seat selection and you’ll be able to select the actual seats you want. The seat you initially selected, will be grey/blurred out now and not clickable. This way, you can select the seats you actually want, and not have to buy the one on the end. Thus, leaving that one single seat between you and the stranger danger.
Tip 6 - Download Your Tix
Once you’ve purchased your tickets, download them right away to your Apple or Google wallet. Yes, they will remain in your Ticketmaster account, but most venues have terrible wifi, so you may not be able to download your tickets when you’re in line, waiting to get scanned for entry.
Tip 7 - Concert Etiquette 101
For General Admission: Getting there early and snagging a prime spot? Awesome! Strike up a convo with your neighbors; clearly they’ve got killer taste just like you. Plus, your new concert buddies will likley have your back if you need a bathroom break or want to grab a drink.
On the other hand, showing up late and expecting VIP treatment? Not cool. We’ve all been there, but pushing your way to the front isn’t the move. And if you find yourself a few rows back, embrace the people-watching and it’s ok to slowly creep up as empty spots come open, but don’t be pushy.
We’ve been in situations where folks behind us clearly knew we were there first, yet we’ve both gotten chirped at, pushed and Jeff even got pushed down & kicked when he was coming back from grabbing a beer. It’s not only uncool but also kinda scary.
So be aware of your surroundings, and if you recognize that someone was ahead of you, be a champ and let them by.
For Seating: This opinion seems to differ from person to person, about whether you can stand up in your seat or if you should stay seated the whole time… We believe that as long as you’re considerate of those behind you, that’s what matters!
Yes the seats are angled in the grandstands, but you standing the whole time will affect others experiences (as well as your own, as they’ll likely yell at you). We’ve been to a ton of concerts and we’ve had a woman stand up in front of us for the entire Aerosmith concert and it totally changed our vibe for the show. Having said that, if it’s the last song or the encore or your absolute favorite banger – go ahead and stand!
Be considerate – it’s just good concert karma.
Some Extras...
Download the Bands in Town app and save your favorite artists to stay in the loop. Set your location to your nearest venue and even add places you’re planning to visit. It’s a great tool for discovering upcoming concerts in your area or checking out shows at your next travel destination.
- Avoid third party sites as much as possible because the fees are insane.
- Always check the fees because they may look cheaper at first then hammer you with fees right at the end (Stubhub & VividSeats are terrible for that).
- Use the venues preferred method of purchasing first like Ticketmaster, AXS, Live Nation to avoid relying on third parties delivering you the tickets.
- Make sure you know what currency you’re paying in – you may think it’s a great deal, then realize it’s actually in USD.
- Read the fine print on obstructed views. Seats may seem great and at a great price, but partial or obstructed view may be listed.
“Live for the music, love the vibe, and always respect the tribe.”
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