The First Live: A Guide to Going and Seeing Your Favorite Artist
The moment when music you've been listening to through a screen touches your skin as a vibration of air. Wanting to go to a live performance after finding a favorite artist is an expression of your desire to receive that music more deeply with your whole body.
However, there are many anxieties with your first live performance. How do you get tickets? What should you bring? Are there any implicit rules? In this article, we've organized the steps to make your "first" experience the best it can be.
Step 1: Catching Information
Live schedules are usually announced first on official websites or SNS (X, Instagram, etc.). "Tour" refers to a series of performances across the country, and "One-man" refers to a solo performance by that artist.
Check the "LIVE" or "SCHEDULE" page on the artist's official website first. What's important here is to aim for the "Advance Reservation Period" rather than the "Ticket Release Date".
Step 2: Getting Tickets
In many cases, live tickets start with a "Lottery".
- Fan Club (FC) Advance: The earliest and highest probability slot.
- Official Advance: The first lottery slot open to everyone.
- Playguide Advance: Lotteries held by sales sites like Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, and e-plus.
- General Sale: Final first-come, first-served sale. Popular performances can sell out in seconds.
When applying for a lottery, a smartphone electronic ticket (app) is often required, so be sure to install and register the specified app in advance.
Step 3: Getting Ready
Once you have your ticket, start preparing for the day.
Belongings: "Lightness" is Justice
At large venues, it's basic to keep your luggage to a minimum.
- Ticket (Smartphone): It doesn't start without this. Don't forget to charge it.
- ID: For electronic tickets, identity verification may be required.
- Drink: One 500ml plastic bottle.
- Towel: You'll sweat, and sometimes you'll wave it to the song.
- Cash: For merchandise (goods) or the drink fee at the venue (around 500-600 yen).
Clothing: Easy to Adjust Temperature
The venue gets hot with heat, but it may be cold outside.
- Moving easily and wearing familiar sneakers is recommended.
- It's ideal to leave heavy coats in coin lockers outside the venue and wear something like a T-shirt inside.
Step 4: On the Day, at the Venue
Venues have a "Door" (opening time) and a "Start" (performance start time).
- Merchandise: If you want to be sure to buy goods, you need to go a few hours before the door opens.
- Admission: You may pay a "drink fee" in cash upon entry. You'll receive a coin or medal, which you can exchange for a drink at the drink counter.
- Performance: The moment the lights go down and the SE (intro music) plays is the start of the live.
FAQ
Q: Is it weird to go alone? Will I stand out? A: Not at all. It's not weird, and you won't stand out. In fact, there are surprisingly many people who come alone to live venues. Many people prefer "solo participation" because it allows them to focus entirely on listening to the music. Everyone around you is also focused on seeing their favorite artist, so no one is paying attention to you. Feel free to immerse yourself in the music with peace of mind.
Finally: Cherish the Afterglow
The rule of the live is "not to bother others," that's it. Whether you raise your hands or watch quietly, you can participate freely in your own way.
And after the live is over. The coldness of the air when you leave the venue, or the small resonance remaining in your ears. That "After the Fade" is the most beautiful part of the live experience. Take that feeling home and listen to the music again in your daily life. You should find a different resonance there than before.