Starter pack: Attending concerts 

Because of the recent bombing incidents in other countries, Philippine concert venues decided to implement stricter rules for concert-goers. Make sure to read the concert guidelines before attending. Some of these concerts won't allow even a small bag - you’ll definitely want to have deep pockets where you can slip your phone and cash in.

Imagine the hassle of bringing a huge bag and being halted at the entrance to deposit it in the package station. And when the show is over, you'll need to fall in line again to get your bag before heading home. Think about this intelligently. There are hundreds of people who may have a similar situation to yours, resulting in long lines and long waiting times!

Photos and videos are part of the fun, and what completes this is your outfit! But there's a huge chance you'll be on your feet majority of the time, so plan accordingly. Make sure your outfit allows you to stand for long periods of time, especially since there'll be lots of moving and grooving with the music. We wouldn't want to end up sitting in a corner and hating yourself because of your sore feet or because your outfit and your shoes aren't weather-appropriate. 😫

Tip: Ditch super-high heels! If the concert is too formal, wear a shoe that’s comfortable yet presentable! Trust us, your feet will thank you during the show and the day(s) after. 

There are always a lot of photos and videos involved with attending a concert so be sure to bring an extra battery pack for your phone. An empty battery can be the worst thing ever even though you're enjoying watching and singing. It's important to live in the moment but you won't be able to take photos or videos that will capture the moment.

Don't be a burden to your concert buddy. Bringing your own power bank will surely save you from the hassle of borrowing or looking for a charging station/compatible battery pack.

Tip: if you are on a concert date, be a knight in shining armor by lending your power bank to your woman if she’s in need! This adds POGI points, for sure! Or you can also be a dear by reminding your buddy to bring a battery pack.

We know that most women prefer to flaunt their long shiny hair just like what we always see in shampoo commercials. Your OOTD shot can also look better if you've got your hair down. There’s even a shampoo brand that uses a concert scene as premise. But girls (and boys), wouldn't you agree that having a hair tie is a must when attending a concert?

We think so, too! Most  Asian countries have unpredictable weather; it can be really cold or humid at night. This is why it's advisable to bring one. Hair ties will keep you looking less sweaty and neater even after jumping and grooving. 

You also wouldn't want to ruin your concert neighbor's experience by having your hair all over their face as you dance around. 😉

Even though most of the concerts in the Philippines are held in big venues, there’s only a few stalls/stores that can be found inside. Thus, there’s an 80% chance that they don’t have card transactions, so be sure to bring enough cash.

And if you are an avid fan of the artist/s - having enough money in your pocket for a band shirt, CD, or merch is perfect!

Concert venues prohibit outside water or food for security reasons. Explosive chemicals or liquor may look similar to some flavor of Gatorade, soft drinks, or even just crystal clear water. It's better to just buy water and food from a shop inside the concert venue.

Tip: The best decision would be to eat a meal before the concert. It would be a bit of a hassle to look for food inside the venue. You'll need water or drinks to energize you but when it comes to food, eat before the show!

Handkerchiefs or tissues are, well, pretty handy for both men and women because it’s nice to have something to wipe off the sweat and dirt off your face!

Another reason why you should bring one has nothing to do with you. It’s the chance to lend it to others who might also need it. Be sure to put one in your pocket when you go to concert with your girlfriend or when you're accompanying a friend who's been wishing to see their favourite in the flesh! Tears will surely pour sometime during the show and your concert buddy might need it.

Women will surely appreciate your offer of a soft hankie. It’s a gallant and chivalrous gesture; there’s just something comforting about it. If you offer it to men, they'll also surely thank you for helping them be less sweaty.

But ya know, at the end of the day, your hankie will also benefit you personally!

Tip: Carrying some tissues and wipes will come in handy when you need to clean your hands up after having a concert snack!

This is option but you can put this inside your pocket. You can write your emergency contact list in a piece of paper. It will help you if you lose your phone or you realize that you forgot your hotel address (if the concert is abroad).

If you don't, at least make sure you have the mobile number of your buddy memorized in case you lose each other in the middle of fangirling and freaking out.

Last, but the most important! Don’t ever ever forget to bring a physical copy of your tickets! Sure, it may be available through an app or it can be accessed via email or your phone. But it will also save you from the hassle of system errors if there’s no internet, mobile data, signal, or if you've lost your phone!

Before you leave the house or the hotel, make sure your concert tickets are kept in a safe space in your bag or your wallet!

So there! What you need to bring to a concert depends upon you, but there's nothing wrong with being ready with the items we've listed above! They come pretty handy so you won't have to worry about the concert guidelines and policies. (But you'll still need to take note of concert guidelines and policies when preparing!)

What else do you have on your concert checklist? Let's compare notes!