The ART of Concerts on a Budget

As warmer weather is finally here, it seems spring has arrived at last, and summer is just around the corner. With warmer days and sunnier skies, many of our minds fast forward to things to do during our free time and looking forward to stay at home orders being lifted…and what is more fun than seeing artists perform our favorite songs? While concerts can be a fun way to get out of the house, spend time with friends and hear amazing songs performed live, they tend to be pretty expensive and we’re not sure what the concert season will look like in these unprecedented times.

If you’re anything like me, it can be hard to see your favorite artists when you’re ballin’ on a budget. It can be even harder now, when so many of us are stuck at home, dreaming of the days when we can finally escape our house. While you’re waiting for those days to arrive, you can start to plan your concert outings ahead of time, and what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t try to help you save time, stress and money doing it? So, here a few tips to help you find that perfect concert a little bit easier and hopefully a little bit cheaper.

1. Virtual Concerts: With COVID-19 forcing the nation and the world to take a break from gatherings, many artists are turning to virtual concerts. Some have taken to social media to livestream uplifting music and give patrons a much needed break from the news. Here’s a list with a little something for every type of music lover and the best part of all? It’s 100% free.
2. Find “up and coming” artists: Finding artists before they get big not only saves you money, but also gives you bragging rights about discovering them before anyone else. How do you do this? Well, both Apple Music and Spotify have playlists for just that. Add “New Music Mix” on Apple Music or “Discovery Weekly” on Spotify to help you get ahead.  Second, see what is playing in your own town, such as local bars or smaller venues, and decide if you want to take a chance on them after listening to a few of their songs. Perhaps one of the best concerts I’ve seen took place in a small bar in Ocean City, Md., seeing Jordan Davis stop by because he was friends with the opening band. I paid about $20 to see him then…today he’s had three “Top 10 Hits.”
3. Find right venues for cheap concerts: Going off #1, local venues can be easier to get into and cheaper to buy tickets. They often provide a more intimate experience. Another bonus of going to smaller, local places is that you don’t have to buy your tickets months in advance for a large, expensive venue. Who knows if you’ll even want to go out on that day…it’s so many months down the road.
4. Presales: Presales are a great way to allow you to browse tickets and events before everyone else. Sometimes credit cards give you access to presales or points for spending. You could become a Ticketmaster member to get alerts of sales on your favorite artists or venues.
5. Bring Your Friends!: Not only does bringing friends make your experience more fun, it also can help you save $$$. It may not specifically help lower your own ticket costs but going to concerts isn’t just about seeing the music. There’s food, drinks and so much more. Splitting the cost on these other components can help save money on the overall concert experience.