Summer is here and so are the open air music concerts that have become so popular in recent years. Rock and pop festivals have been around for decades, but a relatively new phenomenon is the one-off large concerts, often staged in the impressive surroundings of stately homes, forest parks or county show-grounds. While festivals are all about tents and mud, and alcohol and drugs for many ravers, these new concerts are more likely to involve picnic tables, champagne and cold chicken sandwiches.
Having shelled out the price of a ticket to see Elton John, Status Quo or Take That performing at Blickling Hall in Norfolk or Sherwood Forest, it is important to be prepared in order to extract maximum enjoyment out of the event, which can be the experience of a lifetime. Here are some important tips to help along the way:
- Make sure you read the ticket to be aware of the restrictions imposed by your venue. It is no good spending a lot of money on an impressive picnic and plenty of alcohol if security at the gate turn you back because they prefer you to buy from the outlets inside the venue. There is a lot of variation in the regulations at different locations, so check the ticket!
- Be prepared for the weather. In many parts of the world, especially the UK, the fact that it is June or July does not guarantee dry warm weather. Check the weather forecast before you leave the house and even if there is no sign that it may rain, a small umbrella or lightweight waterproof jacket may save a soaking later on.
- Even if it is a lovely warm sunny day, the concert will go on into the evening and this means that the temperature will drop. Shorts and T-shirts are not going to be sufficient later on as the sun goes down, and late August evenings can get very chilly. Pack a few extra layers to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the whole performance.
- Make sure you arrive good time. If the ticket says that doors open at 4pm, aim to be there at or before this time. For some groups with committed fans, you can be sure that queues will begin to form at the gates several hours before the performance starts. To avoid long queues to get into the car park or into the venue itself, arrive early.
- The toilets at these venues will be of the temporary type, and will involve queueing. If you don't want to miss the main act, make sure you get in queue earlier rather than later.
- You will be surprised at some of the lengths people go to with their food and drink, especially at classical music concerts. Table cloths, candlesticks, whole roast chickens, champagne flutes and huge quantities of beer are often trolleyed into the venue, making a small box of sandwiches seem very insignificant.
- Don't expect to be home half and hour after the performance finishes. Bottlenecks at the gates and in the car parks will cause very long delays, especially in stately homes which were not designed for large crowds and hundred of cars. Some people have found that a short sleep in the car while the chaos sorts itself out is less stressful.
Above all, enjoy the spectacle. The opportunity to be in the presence of the great musical acts is one not to be missed. With a little preparation the experience can be greatly enhanced.
 |
