If you’re a music enthusiast dreaming of traveling abroad to see your favorite band live, this guide is essential for ensuring you secure tickets, especially for high-demand shows.
In this article, I’ll share valuable strategies and tips based on my personal experience – coming from someone who has been attending rock concerts since 1995, back when you had to queue up at dawn to buy tickets. 😊
Keep an eye on social media and newsletters
One of the keys to buying tickets is closely following the artists you want to see.
Follow them on social media and subscribe to their newsletters. If it’s a band you really love, consider joining the official fan club (if there is one, you’ll find a reference on the artist’s official website).
Often, artists announce exclusive pre-sale codes on these platforms. These codes can give you the chance to buy tickets before they go on sale to the general public.
Be mindful of deadlines and the requirements to sign up and receive these codes.
Recently, I bought a ticket for Green Day’s European tour (I saw them at the amazing Waldbühne arena in Berlin), and the pre-sale was exclusive to those who bought the new album on their site or signed up for the newsletter through a specific link. They sent a unique code via email the day before the pre-sale started.
For Slash’s European tour, there was a central link to register your email and receive the pre-sale code, but it was a code with the band’s initials and the tour year, the same for everyone, sent just a few hours before sales began.
Pearl Jam is my all-time favorite band and I’ve attended their shows in various cities. I’ve been a member of the official fan club since 1996. Currently, when a tour is announced, official fan club members enter a lottery for the shows they want to attend and provide their credit card number. If selected, the ticket is automatically purchased and charged to the credit card.
Register on ticket sites in advance
Before the ticket sale opens, it’s crucial to register on the authorized and official ticket sale websites.
Make sure your registration is complete and you have a valid account.
If the site is in a language you don’t understand, check in advance if it’s possible to switch the language to make navigation easier.
Some sites may also require email or phone verification to confirm your account, so don’t leave it until the last minute.
Also, save the login information automatically on your computer for quicker access.
Prepare for the purchase
On the day of ticket sales, agility and calmness are essential. Tickets go on sale at a specific date and time.
Make sure to log in to the site well in advance. I usually log in an hour early because I’m a bit anxious. However, depending on the platform, 20 minutes before should suffice.
A useful tip is to use different browsers in case one has technical issues. I typically open the ticket sale link in Safari, Firefox, and Chrome.
If the concert is especially high-demand, enlist the help of family and friends, with each person logged into a different account.
Buying on a computer is generally easier than on a smartphone, especially if you need to choose sections and seats, as the map view is more user-friendly.
Double-check the time zone
The start time for ticket sales for international shows may be in different time zones than where you are.
International shows often have ticket sales times based on the concert location’s time zone. Be sure to factor in the time difference when planning your purchase.”
Make sure you know when ticket sales start, taking into account the time difference between the concert location and your own.
If in doubt, type the indicated time into a Google search, and it will show the local equivalent time for where you are.
Do a mock purchase in advance
Before the big day, consider doing a mock purchase for a different event at the same venue where you’ll be seeing your favorite band. This allows you to not only familiarize yourself with the venue layout and seating options but also to practice navigating the ticketing platform.
While you’re at it, try running a test transaction through the checkout process. This way, you can ensure your payment method is set up correctly and avoid any last-minute hiccups during the actual ticket sale.
Know where you would like to sit to speed up the purchase process (and have a backup plan in case you don’t get your preferred section).
Here at Travel2Concert, we also have a directory of the main concert venues worldwide to help you learn more about the venue in advance.
Be prepared for the waiting queue
Some ticket sites use waiting queues or waiting rooms before ticket sales start.
Be aware of this practice and be prepared to wait patiently, as it’s a common strategy to avoid system overload.
Entering the site early won’t change your position in the queue. When sales start, the order of ticket availability is random.
Usually, it’s not necessary to refresh the page once sales start. However, I recently experienced a situation on the German Ticketmaster site where the sale time arrived and the page just kept loading. I tried refreshing one of the browsers, and the tickets were available for purchase.
Avoid the “Choose the best seat” option
While the “choose the best seat” option might seem convenient, it takes the decision-making power out of your hands. We recommend skipping this feature and instead opening the venue map to manually select your seats.
By reviewing the seating chart beforehand, you can identify your preferred sections based on factors like proximity to the stage, sightlines, and overall atmosphere.
This ensures you get seats that best suit your needs and preferences for enjoying the concert.
What is best for one person may not be ideal for another. For example, I’m quite short and don’t see well from a distance. So, I prefer side and higher seats over those directly in front.
The only exception is when the venue has a single section and/or all sections have open seating. In this case, the “choose the best seat” option can be used as it won’t make a difference and will speed up your purchase process.
Prepare your payment methods
Have your international credit card handy and ensure you have access to a token if necessary. Having a second payment option, like PayPal, can also be useful to avoid any issues.
Know in advance your spending limit for the show and how many tickets you plan to buy. The quicker and more prepared you are, the better your chances of getting the tickets you want, especially if the artist plans multiple dates.
If the artist you’re interested in is playing two consecutive shows and you want to attend both, ask someone to help by buying tickets for one date while you purchase for the other. I don’t recommend trying to buy for both dates simultaneously, as you might encounter issues and end up with none. Some sites don’t even allow purchasing more than one event at a time.
By following these valuable tips, you’ll be well-prepared to face the rush for tickets to the most sought-after rock concerts abroad. Remember that speed and preparation are essential, but it’s also important to stay calm and patient during the purchase process.
Do you have any golden tips to share with our community? Tell us in the comments!
