Survival of a Punk Rock Festival

6. Meet the Band

     Meeting the bands after they have played their set is always an experience. One band can be your idol.  Another band may be the reason you started a band of your own.   The ladies may think band members are the hottest guys on the planet, same for guys I guess, but you get the point. Last summer, I remember the meet and greet for the punk band, Blessthefall, after they performed their set at the All Stars Tour Festival in Dallas.  As soon as the lead singer, Beau Bokan, walked out to his band’s merchandise table, all the girls started screaming. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster at Six Flags.  He was just that cool.

     When it comes to meeting your favorite band, it helps to know where the merchandise table is. This is where a roadie (a guy who travels with the band) sells shirts, CDs, and other merchandise with the band logo on it. This is the table where the band members will come to sign autographs, take pictures, and just hang out with the fans. To avoid a big line, it always helps when you know that the last song of the band’s set is almost over. Trust me, you will know this because it is always announced it to make the crowd go crazy. Once you know the end of the song is coming, go to that band’s merchandise table to get a good spot at the front of the line.

      One crucial thing to never do while meeting a band is offer them drugs. Sometimes you’ll see a member of a band walking around the venue, and there is always that one stupid guy that will offer him a blunt to come smoke with him. Please don’t do this because they will either be nice about it, or get in your face and be very angry. The next thing you know is that you’re either about to get killed by a band member or escorted out by security. Now granted some bands do smoke weed, but never with fans.

     While meeting a band, it’s always helpful to have a spare permanent marker in your bag or back pocket.  After getting so many autographs, you don’t want to miss out on more autographs because a marker ran out. Also, be sure to have what you want autographed ready to go when you meet the band member.   It may be a shirt, album, or hey, even your forehead (seen it) ready for autographs.  Be sure to have your camera or Iphone on the camera app and ready to go as well.

     After reading this blog, feel free to leave a comment sharing a crazy band meet and greet story or experience. From getting your shoes signed; some crazy fan girl crying because she got to meet the lead singer of the band or anything that you thought was crazy that happened. I would like to hear about it.   A band meet and greet after their set makes a festival even more of an awesome experience, and you shouldn’t miss out on this at your next festival.