First time at a gig

[Firsttimeforeverythingmaybe]

I have tickets for a big stadium gig and the nerves have kicked in so much that I’m now thinking of cancelling

It very much is a bucket list gig but having never been to an actual concert before, I’m stressing over every little detail. To try and help me prepare please can anyone tell me the following, as well as any other helpful tips

1/ if ticket states doors open at 4, is that what time to get there? I’m a wheelchair user with space and a seat in the dedicated area

2/ trying to figure out where best to park - limited disabled parking at the stadium so what time should I arrive there?

3/ will there be stewards to help point me in the right direction?!

If you’ve got a designated seat then you won’t need to get there for 4pm. That’ll be more for people who are standing on the stadium floor and want to make sure they are at the front. Which stadium is it? That’ll help people advice on parking.

Who is the gig for? 😄
People will have already been queuing before 4 for general admission, it depends if you have a seat booked.
Check with the venue beforehand if they have additional accommodations, as I’ve waited with my friend before in a designated area we didn’t even know about until somebody told us in the queue.
Some venues you can prebook parking 🤞🏻
And there are usually stewards everywhere at larger venues

Edit: just realised you do have a seat booked, I’d turn up ten mins early in that case

I would call the venue directly about parking as the concert promoters often simply don't have the correct information for disabled parking, but for big gigs it could take hours to get out of the parking so consider where's worth locating parking further away and your companion helping you to the venue (I'm parking around 2km away for the Taylor Swift concert as an idea). Always eat just before going in as food is expensive inside but some venues allow empty plastic bottles and you can refill inside.

There's lots of stewards but it's worth looking online to see where the entrance for the wheelchair seating is.

Thanks all, it’s the Principality stadium Cardiff.

@mitogoshi i didn’t think about how long to get out of the stadium - our hotel is an hour away, that’s going to be a long night!

If you are a wheelchair user there will be a dedicated space - usually barriered or roped off. Make yourself known to the stewards and they will take you there.

Enjoy the gig!

You can usually pre book parking for gigs at the principality but the car parking can be a distance away. There are hundreds of stewards around who will help you to tell you where to go. I have been to gigs there a few times. It is busy when you leave but to be honest you have just been to a gig so you are buzzing and don't care! There are also water fountains there and loads of toilets

If you are going to see a certain gentleman from New Jersey then don't you dare cancel, it will be one of the best nights of your life!!!

P.S. See you there ;-)

You'll be fine. I know the stadium well and there will be help for you.

I know who you're seeing!!!

See you there 😀

It's all on their website

Ooh that’s me told I’ve been a huge fan for nearly 40 years but never had the courage to go see him live. It’s now a ‘now or never’ scenario for me so I’m trying - but oh my word tge anxiety

Hope you have an amazing time!

I know it is, but the amount of information is overwhelming plus I was looking for real life tips as well

Thanks for the reminder re prebooking parking, I’ll give them a ring tomorrow.

Don't cancel!
It's normal to be nervous if this is your first time at a stadium concert, but I think you will have a lovely time!
I don't have any advice, but you have been given some good advice from previous posters.
Have fun!

Hi although I posted above I was thinking this morning about your post.
I've been to many and I do have some issues that make it quite difficult.

My only advice on a personal level especially in Cardiff as it's a city stadium is leave lots of time.
Cardiff gets very busy on gig days and game days. It's a fairly small city for such a huge event.

So have the mindset of right we're all in this together and try to relax into it.

I'm going to that gig and trying to remember wow this is his only European one, how bloody fortunate!

Eat snacks, take water for the time you're getting into town and when queuing.
You won't be able to take drinks in.

Not sure where you're staying but again make time.

Unfortunately getting out of a stadium takes ages but try and go with it.

I can't help with the disabled parking bit. I do know they shut alot of roads in the city tho so an Uber or public transport back to your hotel will probably be the best bet.

Or try a local taxi firm.

But essentially I just wanted to say it's totally ok to feel nervous but to be prepared that if you go with the flow it will be ok.

Also my goodness do not not go!!

Once in a lifetime and the memories will be worth it.

Xxx

He (and the band, especially M. W.) are absolutely incredible live, I'm not even the big fan (that's my better half 😁) but we went once last year and this year we've got tickets to Wembley too!

He will probably come on promptly at 7pm or whatever time is says on the ticket, we won't be getting to the stadium until around six (conveniently we are local). I wouldn't worry about getting there for 4pm if you have a reserved area for your wheelchair/a ticketed seat.

Take lots of spending money for your shirts (£40) etc. if you'd like a souvenir. Definitely buy the live album afterwards (download from website?) if it's one of the gigs they record. Have a blast!

even if it is a little bit challenging, try to leave plenty of time, accept that leaving is a nightmare and absolutely enjoy 3+ hours of Bruce.

There’s no disabled parking left at the stadium so I’m trying to plan where to park. We’re staying at Ross on Wye on the Sat night as we can’t travel down until after 17.30 and don’t think I can manage the full way to Cardiff in one go that time of day. So trying to decide whether to stay there on the Sunday night as well or book somewhere a little closer - but the issue with that is we can’t check in until 3 and ideally I wanted to be in the city centre asap on the morning!

Thanks @Tcateh thats incredibly helpful

We are going to this concert also and have been to many stadium concerts before, some of which were with a family member who is disabled.

So yes, check where you will be able to park, and I'd probably get there a little earlier to get a space (maybe about 5) sometimes in local Facebook groups people offer out their driveways etc for a small fee. May be worth looking at.

Are you staying at a hotel? If so they will probably let you drop your bags off earlier and check in when you are ready.

There will be loads of stewards to point you in the right direction.

You will have an amazing time!!

Look on just park for parking spots nearby. Or look on the council site for parking restrictions on match/game days.
4pm is for the fans to get to the front.
The venue/artist usually post approx times on the web page.
There might not be a queue for the disabled loos but try and go at the beginning of a less popular song and make sure you go before the end rather than q at the end.
The stewards are always helpful it's their job! Just ask and they point you in the right direction.
I think Bruce is a bit random in his choices each night but look on Spotify for the tour playlist to give you an idea of what he's playing.
We are seeing him at Wembley.

So many Bruce fans - it’s amazing

@Firsttimeforeverythingmaybe how did you get on?

Google what time the support act comes in. Usually around
Nothing to stress about (except the prices of the expensive beer)

I went - thank you to everyone for the encouragement, it was absolutely amazing! I managed to get a hotel 10 mins walk/roll away with free disabled parking so that was a huge relief (except I didn’t cancel the original hotel in time so ended up paying for that one as well…)

The concert itself was so good - we had amazing seats and it was just three hours of total heaven Sang my favourites - Backstreets and Priest!!

I hope the pp’s who were also attending enjoyed it as much as I did!