Planning the perfect concert experience

This is a big concert week for a small group of Stuck in the 80s fans and particularly me. And big concert weeks require a lot of strategic planning.

It begins tonight with seeing Journey for the first time in 27 years. (And seeing Heart for the first time ... Cheap Trick for the third time.) But it continues with a small contingent of blog/podcast fans going to Vegas to see Morris Day and The Time on Friday and the Regeneration Tour on Saturday.

Considering the historic significance behind all these shows (Morris' first reunion show in 20 years; a rare U.S. appearance by The Human League), there's added pressure on the planning -- anything to make sure these became ideal experiences.

So without further hyperbole, here's my fool-proof, 10-step "day-of" plan for a great concert experience.

1. TAKE THE DAY OFF: Concerts are better enjoyed when you not rushing to the venue from the office. Plus, at our age, a nice afternoon siesta after a late afternoon, pre-concert feast of Taco Bell gorditas never hurts.

2. NO PLAYING THE MUSIC OF THE BANDS YOU'RE SEEING: Sure, it's OK to overdose on Journey's new album in the weeks leading up to the show, but I have a strict policy against it on gameday. I want the music to feel fresh. (I should say that my frequent concert pal Sean Daly maintains the opposite of this rule.)

3. CHOOSING A WARDROBE: Don't wear the shirt of the band you're going to see. ("Don't be that guy," as Jeremy Piven says in "PCU.") These days, I go with my patented black Tommy Bahama knockoff shirt, usually with jeans and shoes that won't be ruined by sloshing through concert arena muck. But by all means, mentally undress those of the opposite sex who wear the faded baby-doll concert tees from previous tours.

4. BRING A GOOD FRIEND, NOT A DATE: You won't remember the date's name a month from now. But your friend and you will talk about the show 'til the day you're both sitting side by side in the nursing home, waiting for your sponge-baths.

5. ARRIVE EARLY: Back in the old days, when it was general admission to most arena shows, this was mandatory if you wanted good seats. Now it just makes sense so that you can relax and even browse the concert tees (Hint: take then back to your car after purchase, since you parked so close).

6. GO EASY ON THE DRINKS: A shocker, I know, but everyone remembers the tragic ending to my "ziplock bags of rum" story from the Sting concert back in '85. To this day, I rarely have more than one or two drinks before or during a show. Remember, you don't drink beer ... you only rent it. And I hate paying the rent check while missing out on great tunes.

7. KNOW THE SET-LIST: This is a controversial practice of mine, but lately I try to look up the band's set-list on the Web ahead of time, so I know at what point in the show is a good time to grab a hot dog or a final beer. You want to be surprised? Fine. But I was more than happy at the Rush concert to head for my car early rather than listen to the 10-minute, head-numbing encore of "YYZ."

8. MINIMIZE DANCING: At our age, chances are you can't dance anyway. Feel free to stand up, sway around like someone sucker-punched you, but don't annoy your neighbors by pulling out moves best left to the days when you only had to shave twice a week.

9. SING ALONG: I'm anti-dance, but pro singing-at-top-volume. Go figure. Chances are no one can hear you anyway. You honesty think I'll have my mouth shut if Journey plays "Stone in Love?" I'll be in full air-guitar mode as well. Have fun -- it's a concert.

10. PULL A FERRIS THE NEXT DAY: Oh, yeah, the dreaded "stomach flu" (nod, nod, wink, win, know what you mean) -- why does it always strike the morning after the big show? Surely the boss won't begrudge you a few extra hours of downtime. (Oh, he will? Then schedule a phantom doctor or dentist appointment. You'll actually get sympathy for showing up late.)

Will I pull a Ferris the day after this long concert week ends? No need. I'll be vegging in our private pool cabana at the Luxor in Vegas on Sunday with the rest of the die-hard '80s fans. That's my final rule in concert planning: Allow plenty of time afterward to bask in the memories with those who went with you.

[AP photo]

Comments

[SM]

Rule #2 is the only one that I disagree with.. I like getting fired up for a concert by listening to the band's music as much as possible the day of the show.

The exception: when I'm taking my daughter to Hannah Montana or some other teen artist. Then I would definitely follow the blackout rule.

For anyone who can answer -- where do you find the set list?

[Jeff in Cuba]

Awright, I'm heading back out on the road and I'm counting on the greater 80's Nation to fill me in later on everything I miss.

Have fun in Vegas; I really wish I could be there. Do me a favor and make a few snarky comments about complete strangers on my behalf!

[Mike Frazer]

I saw Cheap Trick in 1979 in New Zealand. The loudest gig, nay, the loudest sound of any kind I have ever heard, my ears were ringing for 3 days. So I suggest earplugs.

[don in tulsa]

first things first. yyz is one of my favorite songs so yes i listen to all of it even though it's not actually 10 minutes long. i only wish it were longer. now that i have that out of my system about # 2 i actually do like to listen to the songs of the band i'm going to go see. i completely agree with # 3, don't be that guy. alas, i see far too many of "those guys" on the rare occasions that i get to go to a show. on # 7 i never look up the set list that way i can hold out hope that the band will play one of my personnel favorites, until of course they don't. as for the rest i agree with them all. personally i can add 1 more to the list. # 11 i never leave before the concert (or game, or fight or whatever) is completely over with. in the past the person i was riding with has wanted to leave early "to beat the crowd." unfortunately about a million others had the same idea so it was all for naught. my beloved browns almost gave a game away while my ride wanted to get out early and we nearly missed a very close, exciting finish. so now it's an ironclad rule unless it's a really bad performance. and it has to be REALLY bad.

[Neil]

I absolutely agree with the not bringing a date rule. That actually goes for just about anything. The only good concert venue in Chicago for a date is Ravinia. That is a place made for dates, because you can bring chairs, alcohol, and pretty much whatever you want. That is the only venue I bring my girlfriend. My last few concert dates ended up in disasters. One more concert tip, remember where you parked your car. I had a couple of not being able to find the car after the concert incidents. That is not fun.

[Neil]

I actually do the opposite of number 2 and I make a compilation CD of the set list. I like to get familiar with the set list before the concert. With most bands I am pretty familiar with the music, but for me I like to have the songs fresh in my mind before a show. I agree with going easy on the drinks. I drank a little too much when I saw the Police last time, and I was out getting beer when "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" was playing. It hurt me because, the ticket was expensive, the beer was expensive, and I love that song. I was kicking myself for waiting in line so long especially since I figured the ticket price out to be almost 10 dollars a song.

[Spears]

Truth be told, we were on deadline and HAD to leave before YYZ. But given the choice, I'd have still bailed on our Canadian friends. Never liked that tune.

I'm surprised there's no grief over my "no date" rule. I see wisdom prevails.

[Cockett]

Steve,
For once, I'm gunna have to disagree with you.
Your exit during YYZ at the last Rush concert made you miss a good 10 minutes of totally awesome '80s prg instrumental rock.

Also, for that show, sitting in the front row at orlando (this past spring), I wore my Rubix Stage Jacket (that hideously Don Johnson '80s white jacket). i pretty much stood out so much I had the boys on stage chuckling, rather than being a guy in a black tshirt on their front row. Hell, don't take my word for it, You Tube it.
I stand out when the stage lighting illuminates me during the song Subdivisions (right in front of Geddy).

So if you want to be seen by the band, and you're not a girl that garner that type of attention, wear something gaudy!

Have fun in Vegas, brother!

~Crockett

[Clark]

Here's another tip: Don't bother calling the venue if you want backstage passes. They don't sell them and they're not going to put you in touch with anybody who will hook you up. If you don't already know Somebody, your options are either being attractive (and close) enough to get noticed at the show itself or to work in a field where you might find yourself in position to do a favor for someone with the tour, such as working at a restaurant, hotel or other service provider a concert tour might need. Beyond that, you can try to win a radio station or online contest, but that's usually just a lame meet & greet and not a true backstage experience.

[Brad]

The other thing to consider - do you go on Media Blackout before the show?

I'm seeing the Regeneration Tour next Tuesday, three days after the Sit80s Vegas Bacchanal. If it's a great show, I want to hear about it. But if it's a lousy show, I don't want to know. It will totally kill the buzz.

So, Spearsie - this is my request: Lie to me if you have to, but tell me How Awesome It Was...

We're all counting on you - good luck.

[CHAD]

steve, get it at best buy. you get two bonus tunes for 9.99. also you get a little leaflet with a bonus material website, where you can download the studio version of who killed rock n roll.

[Sherrie]

Wow, I wish I'd considered this plan on my most recent concert binge. I saw three shows in a week, and by the third show I had no vacation time left at work. So, I worked all day then made a mad rush for the Hard Rock in Orlando. My seats were in the second row, but as the show started the crowd surged to the stage and I ended up right against the stage. Two singing at the top of my lungs, exhausting hours later, the concert ends and we're invited to the hotel bar with the band, but I get way too responsible and decide to forgo that due to work at 8AM. Drive home, drag myself to work a few hours later and feel like a zombie following a Mack truck encounter. Sure enough, by lunchtime I'm getting emails from friends with photos of their debauchery with the band at the hotel bar that I passed up in favor of coming to work. See, if I had only considered these guidelines I'd have had a much better time! Thanks for the wise words, this should be a check off list for all concerts from now on.

[Spears]

Chad -- I'll be picking up Rick's CD today and hope to post a review later today or tomorrow.

[Spears]

I'll be passed out, eating chilled fruit at the Luxor pool this time around.

And my boss will vouch that coming in late for me still means coming in about an hour early.

[CHAD]

off topic, anyone else besides bassnote got the new rick springfield cd? its a great cd, easily his best since rock of life, not a clunker on it. who else can remember a year like this for classic rock artists with so many great cds(asia, def leppard, dokken, motley crue, journey, night ranger, john mellencamp, bryan adams, rick springfield, and ac/dc in october). i know next year will be quiet.

[hamptune]

Yo Steve, one flaw in your tips: you just told your boss you would be faking it (an illness) the morning after. Might want to think up something else...

[Spears]

I'm a bit on the tall side, and I feel bad when I'm obstructing the view. That's also why I tend to stay seated much of the show.

[CHAD]

a lot of those tips sound familar. i dont attend the number of shows i used to, but i tend to go on vacation during a show, since i usually have to travel to houston to see one. tip number three i used to follow strictly, have slipped a little these days. lets see, i hate when im not early enough for a show. i need a least a hour for crap to happen. i hardly ever drink during or before a show. ive been to close to 100 shows in my life, been drunk at one. lets face it, they are too expensive to not remember things about. ive never been a dancer, so i hardly ever move, except during that certain song where everyone does. for the most part, i sit at shows, unless i have to. ill watch for little things, look for broken guitar strings etc. i guess im a little weird, just wanna see every aspect. and for a bit of a rant, doesnt it pi** you off when the tallest guy in the whole city is always standing in front of you.

[Marissa]

**sobs**

[Bassnote]

I don't know why I thought the concert was yesterday. Sorry about that Steve. I have so much crap going on with buying and selling a home right now, that my brain is in overload. Anyway, have a great time TONIGHT.

[Spears]

I usually have my cell phone with me, but I find the photos they take are usually pretty worthless.

And no, no, NO I don't hold up my cell phone in lieu of a lighter.

[Blaine]

A most excellent list. I concur on each item and am apt to give some "air keyboard" if the mood hits.

I know a lot of people have a cell phone with a built-in camera, but I am anti-cell phone and don't carry mine that much. So, for the Genesis concert last year, my wife smuggled in her quality digital camera by hidding it under some "feminine" products in her purse - the guy checking for cameras didn't feel like messing with that, I suppose. And we got some good shots.

Also, as I've gotten older, I resort to ear plugs more and more.