Backstage Passes
How do people usually get backstage passes to concerts?
Whenever I go to a show I see those few lucky people with backstage passes, and I wonder to myself "How the heck did they get that?"
Besides winning a radio contest or knowing the band is it ever possible to purchase a backstage pass? I know this may sound ridiculous but I have no idea, that's why I'm asking!
Thanks!
The most common way is from the band's management, and staff, or the tour crew, and security. Backstage passes are not supposed to be placed up for purchase. But occassionally, you will find a few up for bid on auction sites.
Be Very Careful, if you decide to purchase one of these from an auction site. For several reasons.
1) They could be counterfeit
2) Some artists now serial number or bar code the passes. If the passes are found to be on a site. The number will be accounted for. Since often a record exists of who was issued that pass number. The staff/crew member found to have placed it up for bid, will often be fired, and serial number/UPC cancelled and placed on a list. If you hold that pass, you will be denied access, as a security risk.
3) Having a genuine backstage pass doesn't guarantee any extended time with the artist. Sometimes all you'll get is an extended look at the artist. This is because backstage passes are issued in various levels of access.
The most common pass is issued to press/media. Usually for them to attend a press reception ,Q/A. Next is the type issued to venue crew/staff who need to set up and attend to hospitality rooms etc. The backstage passes that are the most coveted are known as "AA" passes, known as "All Access" this is for the inner circle of tour crew/staff and the artist's friends/family. These are the ones that will allow you to actually "hang out" backstage.
The ordinary fan will have the best luck scoring a pass two ways.
1) From the crew working to set up. If you can get chatting with the crew at break time, when they're outside the venue, they may be nice enough to give you a pass if they determine you're nice/have an extra.
2) Security. Two ways to get one out of them. Be super-nice, but don't look/act like a "rabid fan". Their job is to keep the artist safe, not get the artist's hair pulled out/clothes torn from their body.
A word about groupies. As long as there are concerts... There will be groupies. If an artist is into "snagging groupies" (and surprisingly, a lot are not). The roadies will be the ones to gather them up. Usually an artist will spot somebody in the crowd. If they want to "meet you" they will let the roadie know, usually during an instrument change. Often, artists that have been touring for years, will have a few groupies that they like to "see regularly" on each tour. Those groupies will know ahead of time, and have backstage passes reserved for them by the roadies.
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