Tips For Standing At An Arena Concert

[MarmaladeSandwich7]

We have standing tickets for Take That at Cardiff in June & although I am excited, my anxiety is taking the edge off. DH & I usually get seats so I don’t know how it works for standing eg what do you do about going to the loo etc? People get there really early to secure a good place so how do you get back to where you were?! I know it sounds daft but it’s the practicalities that worry me.
Any other advice about standing is welcome 🤗

As long as you’re not wanting to be right at the front you’ll be fine, you can nip to the toilet/bar no bother.

It’s much more fun standing too, I always stand at gigs if possible

Have fun!

Go to the loo when you arrive, then just wait til the end to go again.

People do come and go but it's really hard to find your companion in a massive crowd unless youre at the perimeter. Or go together and then find yourselves a new spot when you come back.

It’s The Circus Tour which is staged in the round so it’s not crucial to go for barrier.

When you get your spot, look around at the edge of the stadium to find fixed coordinates of where you will stand. This gives you a good idea of where to head back to if you have nipped out. Whoever you're with can also hold something distinctive like a jacket up in the air so you will spot them to pinpoint it. My DD and I have done many standing gigs now, starting when she was 14 in Hyde Park. We always agree our points out when we get there and we have both happily come and gone separately to the loo/bar/food etc. You will also get familiar with the people who are around you so you can look out for familiar clothes etc so you know you're on the right track. If it helps reassure you, agree a meeting place outside of the main throng of people so if one of you gets really lost you both know where to head to (you won't but it might help to reassure you).

Another thing to note is that people do tend to move forward when the main activity comes on so you might need to reset your agreed 'coordinates' if you've shuffled forward with the crowd. However, this might not happen so much at the Circus tour because things are happening all over the place.

I am jealous!

We did standing for a concert for a major artist and it was hell. We were front row and constantly getting squashed. We couldn’t go to the bar or toilet as would have lost our spot: I was completely physically exhausted after and it took me about two days to recover however it was such an unbelievable experience being front row

Download ‘what three words’ app which will give you coordinates in the form of three words for where your friend is standing, and also share your whereabouts on ‘find my’ or whatever the android equivalent is. That way you can home in on one another.

if you want the barricade or a really good spot at the front it can involve camping out the night before and queuing all day on the day of the concert. If that’s not your thing I’d turn up shortly before doors and take a punt. Cardiff is a small arena and you will have a good view wherever and there’s always easy access to the toilets at the sides. I wouldn’t assume being able to get back to your original spot in the crowd unless you are at the edges so best to go to the loos at same time

I wouldn't rely on your phone, signal can be tricky in very crowded places. Arrange somewhere you'll meet at the end if you get split up (and don't worry too much if you end up doing some of the gig on your own - you'll find each other after). Don't drink much, then you won't need the loo.

I wouldn't advise doing front row. It's easier to get through from the sides as the crowd is a bit looser. The good thing about standing is you can move if you want a better spot.

I always aim to stand for gigs, you feel so much more in the action and part of the experience.

Standing at gigs is good fun, but don’t expect to claim your spot and stay there, people move around and you’ll have to. If you go to the loo or for drinks/food separately and you’re in a good spot at the front you’ll find it trickier getting back there, especially carrying drinks as you’ll get jostled. Go together and find a good view when you’re back.
It will get more cramped at the front and as people (usually men) get drunker the drinks will be more likely to go flying and spill on you. I prefer middle to back so I can see the acts and get better access in/out and more space to dance.

I’ve stood there. My tip is to locate yourself in line with signs so you can find your way back so middle of area in line with rear door then in line with a side exit or sign. Second tip is don’t drink much, the booze and soft drinks are over priced, water is free and when I went there was water points in the arena. We were pretty near the back and could sit down on the ground during the support. Other tip is if there’s likely to be queuing to get in, bring food/buy food at Greggs or similar and eat in the queue outside before you go in to avoid buying the overpriced food inside. Last time I stood was Taylor Swift so very busy but very well organised. I didn’t stand for Stereophonics but found a lovely restaurant 5 minutes walk way for a meal and came in no queue 5 minutes before the support act started. It’s a very organised venue, just do look up which entrance you need to use in advance to save walking in a large circle as I did the first time

I went to my first standing arena concert a few weeks ago (Yungblud). My friend and I got there while the second support band were on and got a good spot in the middle. We stayed there until one of us needed the loo then went together and came back and stood nearer the edge. We were both knackered for a couple of days but we’re in our 50s and Yungblud is ridiculously high energy! Was loads of fun. I’d definitely do standing again over seated.