Everyone teen has that first concert that opens them up to the wonderful world of live music. From seeing heroes in person to hearing that special song live, there’s nothing quite like feeling the energy of a concert. Unfortunately, a lot of concerts can really tap out your spending money. The more popular the show the more you’re going to end up spending, which could really leave you missing out on some major shows in your lifetime. Of course, there are several ways to get around some of those high price costs though. With a little extra research and motivation you could be sitting in your favorite show for a whole lot less than other people opted to pay, which won’t just make your night great but will help improve your financially savvy skills.
1. Take to the Internet
Although camping out in front of a venue might be the ideal of buying concert tickets, there is a much easier way to it. With modern technology there is now a faster and easier way to get tickers without having to risk catching a cold before the big day. Of course, convenience isn’t always the best way to buy tickets, but when it comes to shopping online you’re more than likely going to save some major money too. When you choose to buy your tickets online you’re already giving yourself the opportunity to shop around which will guarantee you a better price every time. There’s nothing like standing in line at a venue only to find out you could have save $20 if you’d just stayed at home in your pajamas. There’s a lot of online tickets sale sites so make sure to do a little research before your tickets hit the market. With any luck you’ll be online and ready to go as soon as they’re released.
2. Press Pass
If you’re into photography, blogging, work for a newspaper or anything that might be considered the press then you can apply for a press pass. These passes work different at individual venues so you might have to call and ask around before your rely on this pass to get you into a show. On the other hand, most press passes will anyone considered to be the press a free or discounted ticket that will ensure you get front row seats to the show. This can be one of the most exciting experience for concert lovers, so if you’re interested in this type of pass then you may want to get a jump start on your own personal blog. You might have to go to greater lengths to prove you’re the press so don’t try to it unless you’re actually running a blog or working for a paper, but once you’re in you’ll really get a spectacular experience.
3. Venue Loyalty
There’s nothing quite like having a venue you can call a second home. From all the memories of past shows to the anticipation of new shows, becoming a loyal customer to one venue can really help you save some major cash. A lot of venues will offer season passes which can get you into to just about any show for free or a significantly discounted price. This can be a great way to save a lot of money if you tend to frequent one location often. Finding a venue that seems to cater to your interests can be the hard par though. With a little research you should be able to find a place that you will feel comfortable spending your weekends checking out the latest music. Some venues will even recognize their regulars with a small discount without any extra purchases. You may even be able to grab some free snacks or will be given advanced information about upcoming shows.
4. Join a Street Team
Joining a street team can really make you a part of the whole concert experience. Although you probably won’t be able to do this for main stream concerts you may have the opportunity to help boost up a smaller gig. Typically a stream team member is in charge of promoting the upcoming band’s gig. This can include simple jobs like passing out fliers, setting up the venue and checking tickets. You may also be asked to use your social media accounts to help you pass around the world while encouraging new people to check out the band. Usually you’re given a free pass into the show for all of your hard work. However, some street teams will even let you back stage to hang out with the band or will give you a small wage for your troubles. So, if you’re interested in becoming a part of the show, rather than just watching it, you might want to ask around local venues to see if they’re looking for street team members.
5. Volunteer
If there isn’t a street team available in your area, or you aren’t really into advertising then try to volunteer. Most venues tend to need a little extra help, especially if they’re looking at a bigger show. When you hear about a fun concert try calling up the venue to see if they’re going to need a little extra help during the show. You might be asked to check tickets, do a little security work, or hand out beverages, so be prepared to provide qualifications that allow you to do this in a public area. The bad thing about volunteering is you might not be able to see the show first hand, but you will be able to hear the music while you’re working. Of course, if there’s multiple shows throughout the night you might talk to the supervisor and see if you can take time off during your preferred concert to listen in. Even if you can’t get the time off you’ll still get to hear your band for free and will have some volunteer work for your resume.
6. Avoid Parking
It doesn’t matter if your concert tickets are cheap or cost a fortune because parking is going to cost you a lot either way. There is fortunately a whole lot of ways to avoid parking at a concert. Usually if you can catch a ride to the show you’ll be free to avoid the high charges and will be able to enjoy a drink without having to worry about the drive home. Of course, if you can’t find anyone willing to drive you then you may want to ask around about a carpool. With the shared cost of the parking fees you should be able to get in and out of the concert without spending too much. If you can it might be best to try public transportation. Usually you can buy a pass for the night at a fraction of the cost of the parking fees. You might also consider taking a taxi with a group as the shared cost won’t cost you as much as having to park your car for a few hours.
7. Secondary Sellers
Sometimes unforeseen things get in the way of a concert, which can really be terrible when you’ve bought your tickets well in advance. There’s a lot of people online who are trying to find a way to get some money back on a show they just can’t attend. A lot of ticket vendors will actually buy tickets from these unfortunate people so they can pass them along to you at a discounted price. This can be one of the cheapest ways to purchase tickets, but you’ll still probably end up paying next to regular price. A lot of people will also sell the tickets on sites like Craig’s List. This can be very dangerous for buyers as they might not be real tickets. If you choose to go this route then you should make sure the tickets are real before your purchase them. Although there are a lot of honest people just trying to get some money back on their purchase, some people will try to rip you off. Make sure to look up reviews on the seller and look over the tickets closely.
8. Utilize Credit Card
When it comes to purchasing things like credit cards you might be surprised as to how great your credit card company can be. A lot of card companies will actually give you a lot of points with the purchase of tickets, which can help you make up some of the money you lost of the tickets. Of course, one of the best things about credit card points is you can also use your reward points on the ticket prices themselves. This will essentially give you a free concert that might seem to make the music even sweeter. Of course, if you don’t get to use the points on the concert then you may get a boost for this year’s annual vacation or other must haves you been waiting for. Some credit card companies might even give you early access to ticket purchases, so make sure you know what your company will do for you.
9. Listen In
Sometimes tickets sale out a bit too fast, or we just don’t have the money to go. However, there is always one way to get back into the game and doesn’t take anything but a keen ear and fast dialing finger. Most radio stations end up buying tickets for major concerts in the area. So, one of the easiest ways to try to get to your dream concert is to tune into the radio station and hope for the best. A lot of stations will offer the tickets to a special called which is probably one of the easier ways to win. You just have to make sure you’re fast and ready to go when the competition starts. Other stations or host might require you to answer a series of questions or recognize a song though. So it might be in your best interest to brush up on some basic trivia, questions about the band, or your musical knowledge. With any luck you’ll be able to win the amazing pair of tickets and might even get to go back stage. Of course, this method isn’t guaranteed, but there really is no harm in trying.
10. Just Wait
Although it might not always seem ideal, waiting can be one of the best ways to save a whole lot on your tickets. Sometimes it is impossible to do this as tickets tend to sell out fast when a big name comes to town. However, if you’re not worried about missing the show then you may want to hang out and wait until 48 priors to the show. A lot of the time vendors will actually sell tickets cheaper as the show date gets closer. If you’re still looking to check out the concert a couple of days prior to the show then go to the vendor and ask if there is any tickets left. If there is you’ll usually get them for cheaper. Of course, the longer you wait the better the deal will be. If you’re really just looking for some fun on a week night then you can always wait until the actual day to see if your tickets are still available. Sometimes, this can be one of the fun ways of adding a spontaneous night to your week.
Going to a concert can be a right of passage for many teens, so don’t stress about letting your child down due to prices. You may find that these amazing tricks not only help you see some amazing shows, but also also brings a sense of worth ethic to teens who like to frequent shows. Either way you’ll end up enjoying your favorite bands without having to worry about going on a ramen diet for the rest of the year.
