This video rocks, I've never seen anything so comprehensive...

tips
1) HAVE CONFIDENCE!
2) Wear something awesome and flashy to the show.
3) Bring a friend, support is both fun and awesome!
4) Be bold, have fun, live for the day.
5) Chat with everyone.
6) Ask about the after party.
7) Wait by the back door where they exit for the tour bus.

tips for guys
1) Work at the venue.
2) Freelance and get backstage or to the show.
3) Put on a security shirt and confidently play security guard...as you get to the group.
4) Chat with everyone!

Taking a picture
It's not terribly hard to sneak a camera into a concert these days. And with camera phones, it's too easy. As someone whose been to a lot of shows, it's so cool and fun to look back on the pictures you took. Always try to take a couple pictures if you can.

Mosh pits
The only REAL and helpful advice I can offer you is be real careful what mosh pits you see going on. There is a huge difference from a Muse mosh pit and a Rob Zombie mosh pit. Use your instincts. Stay on the sides and feel it out, and enter when it looks like you wont totally get knocked down and possible even knocked out.

extra Info
Pamela De Barres' book "I'm with the band: tales of a groupie" is reccomended.
Other good rock backstage/wife books are...Deborah Curtis' "Touching from a distance"
Mickey Leigh's "I slept with Joey Ramone"

The LAST resort
1) If you couldn't score a ticket come at the last minute before the show starts and try to get one from a scalper (BE CAREFUL) they tend to drastically lower their prices right before the show.
2) Have a cop friend? Have him accompany you before the show, find some scalpers and once you initiate wanting a ticket have your copper friend come along and confiscate the ticket. It's a dirty game, but it works.

winning tickets from radio stations
Radio stations can be your best friends. I've done this enough and had success with this too. Heres what you do when you know between some span or time or at some time they will opening up phone lines for concert tickets:
1) Find their hotline (should be a 1-800 number) and call it hang up to have it on redial (aka speed dial).
2) Sit at the radio with your finger on the redial button.
3) They moment they open the lines, call and keep calling.
4) Depending on the popularity of your local station (like if you live in a metropolitan area) you should just call and keep calling even when the lines aren't open. In major cities there will be WAY more people calling and your better off just calling the whole time instead of when they open the line or right before you think they might.
5) Make sure your phone battery is fully charged before you attempt this!
6) It's probably a good idea to have a pen and paper near by, or a source...like a computer. Just in case.
7) To get ready for the contest, listen to the radio station before hand to get a feel for it. And see what the contest/trivia might be like.

Hecklers and buzz killers
There are jerks everywhere, as we all learn as we grow. And they are defintely at concerts too. There usually large/loud and drunk people pushing around and starting fights. You will stop them right away. They can get out of control and almost ruin the show. Just ignore them, and keep an eye out for your music loving comrades. It's always good to have someone's back and know they'll return the favor more than likely. They will try to ruin the show and put you in a bad mood in some cases.

Just for fun Concert lingo
Roadie: People who pack up instruments and move them. Also usually a friend on the band.
Toadie: Someone who wants to be a roadie or like a groupie but is a dude.
Groupie: Muse for the band.
Band Aid: Girl who doesn't sleep with the band but flirts and hangs out like one of the guys.
Piggy back: Blending in with the group.
GTOs: Girls together only. The groupie rock worshipping goddesses.

Do the hussle
1) JOIN MALILING LISTS AND NEWSLETTERS related to the bands you like. You will always get information first! Sign up on ticketmaster.com for email alerts. This is a big help. Visit your favorite band's site often, keep up-to-date on what's going on.
2) Getting good tickets is all about notice. If you know ahead of time your chances are way better. Check regularly, ask around, check the bands site often!!!
3) Plan ahead, get a map of the place so you know where you'll be and how easy it will be for you to get upfront. Organization never hurt!
4) Get familiar with the venue, if it's outside or inside, know where your seated or how you can possibly get to meet the band.
5) If you have any professional photographer friends and they are going to see the same show as you (to take pics) ask them if YOU can meet the band or the people involved. If they are your friend and they have real connetcions, they will. Just ask them in advance!

The best advice I can give you is to be determined but positive! If things some how don't work out, ENJOY THE SHOW. Stand up and dance! Throw your fist in the air! Sing loud! You paid for it!! Plan ahead and always be on the look out suck up and save up early! Talk to people and if you are really desprite to see a certain band don't be afraid to make some calls!

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