There I was, finally standing amidst the electrifying crowd, waiting in fervent anticipation for Taylor Swift to make a grand entrance with her iconic introduction of “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince”. When she finally appeared, it felt as though the tireless hours of queuing for tickets was all worth it.
Although there were six shows in Singapore, securing tickets was extremely challenging. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one charmed by concert culture.
So, after going to great lengths to scrimp, save and finally secure coveted concert tickets, how can you ensure that you’ll get the best experience from a concert (because, as we all know, stuff sometimes happens)? In this article, I’ll uncover things that can potentially go wrong during a concert and share tips for the ultimate concert experience – wherever in the world that may be.
Meet youngsters’ latest obsession: music tourism
Besides Taylor Swift, I was lucky enough to score tickets to catch performances by other big-name artistes like Coldplay and Bruno Mars in the first half of 2024 alone. As a newly-minted avid concert-goer, I’m eager to see what other acts will be hitting our shores in the rest of the year.
Concerts are the “in” thing now, especially for the younger crowd. As they say, music transcends borders, and this is certainly the case for some fans who are willing to hop on a plane to catch their favourite star perform live. Media influencer Melissa Lee is an example, having already spent over S$7,000 to watch three shows, with a bulk of it going to travel costs.1 This emerging trend of music tourism is not uncommon among Gen Zers and millennials, with many planning to travel for a music festival within the year.2
On 16 May 2024, pop star Olivia Rodrigo’s tickets for her show in Singapore sold out within minutes. Given how willing people are to pay for concerts, fans who couldn’t secure tickets to see her here might be contemplating flying to see her perform in another part of the world. Come to think if it, this is a pretty good reason for an avid fan to maximise their annual leave and get 32 days off.
5 tips to ensure the best concert experience ever
It’s just a concert, what could possibly happen? You’d be surprised but anything could happen, and you don’t want to be caught off-guard especially if you’ve travelled thousands of kilometres from home to watch a performance. Here are some must-have tips, coming from a seasoned concert-goer.
1. Beware of potential scammers
It might be tempting to turn to Carousell for resale tickets if you couldn’t get them via official channels, but don’t be rash. When an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is, and beware of heavily inflated resale ticket prices. The prospect of seeing your favourite artiste live might be exciting, but you shouldn’t risk becoming the next concert scam victim nor should you have to empty your bank account for it – remember to strike a balance between financial prudence and indulgence.
2. Take care of your personal belongings
I’m sorry, Mum and Pa, I know you’ve nagged at me about this tirelessly. I speak from the (painful) experience of being a victim of theft, having lost my wallet at a concert several years back. All it takes is a split second of distraction for an experienced thief to make their move – in my case, I had left my bag unattended while catching up with a friend. I only realised how much of a hassle losing my belongings was when I had to make a police report. Although my loss didn’t amount to much, the incident did ruin my concert experience. Having learnt my lesson, I now make sure to always bring only what’s essential and keep my bag with me throughout a concert. Once bitten, twice shy, right? Having your valuables stolen at a concert abroad would pose far more inconvenience, but if you ever find yourself in such a predicament, here’s a guide to making a travel insurance claim.
3. Minimalist packing for the win
Remember, just the essentials! Pack outfits (including shoes) that are comfortable, functional and can be worn outside of the concert. As concert venues can get rather hot, you might want to bring along a portable fan to combat the heat. Importantly, include your power bank so your smart phone stays juiced up and ready to capture every magical moment during the event.
4. Beware of prohibited items
If you’ve attended concerts at the National Stadium, you’re probably familiar with the list of restricted items – from sharp objects and illegal substances to outside food and drinks. But if you’re under the impression that the list of items is the same for every venue, think again! From umbrellas at the Coldplay concert to stuffed animals at Ultra Music Festival, the list of banned items varies from event to event so do your homework before showing up. It would be a nightmare to deal with unsolicited panic when you’re meant to be enjoying yourself, and especially nerve-racking if you have to deal with the language barrier abroad.
5. Account for unexpected situations
Flight delays, lost baggage, sudden weather changes, falling ill, getting injured... these can all disrupt a much-anticipated concert experience overseas.
For one, imagine booking flights, transfers and hotels, but have something last minute come up. Not only could you lose out on concert tickets you paid dearly for, but you might also potentially lose much more in paid flights and accommodation. But being insured will ensure you get as much of your money back as possible. Singlife Travel Insurance Plus and Prestige plans go a step further in covering trip cancellation for any reason.
Attending any concerts that are outdoors also means there is the possibility of disruptions caused by heavy rainfall or thunderstorms. For peace of mind when going abroad for concerts, consider getting travel-insurance that offers wide-ranging protection, such as rainfall coverage.
Bring on the music
Concerts might be the event of a lifetime for many of us, offering an unparalleled experience that produces feelings of euphoria and communal energy. However, anything can happen and it’s best to go prepared, especially if you’re planning to travel to catch a performance. So, remember these five tips and keep yourself protected by choosing travel insurance policies that provide comprehensive coverage. After all, it’s better to attend concerts with peace of mind rather than worrying about all the things that could potentially go wrong!
Note:
1. Source: The Straits Times, “Over $7,000 for Taylor Swift: Meet the Singaporean Swifties travelling the world to watch the superstar”, accessed 23 May 2024.
2. Source: TripIt, “The Setjetting Generations: How Gen Zers and Millennials Travel in 2024”, accessed 23 May 2024.
