What is the “Concert Waiting Game?”
Welcome to the concert waiting game! Had to wait two hours for the show to start? Yep, that’s normal. Here is the deal with what I call the “Concert Waiting Game.” At any given concert the ticket will state that the show starts at 7:00pm. You show up at 6:00pm and make it to your seat right at 7:00pm. At 7:15pm the lights flash off and the energy spikes. You get a slight shock as an unknown pre-act takes the stage and plays at lively 30-minute set. The pre-act show ends and the lights come on again and you have crossed the line into the Concert Waiting Game. Finally at 8:30pm the lights flash and split into lasers, the show has finally begun.
So why the wait? Two things are at play in the Concert Waiting Game, what is happing backstage before the concert and what is happing in the venue lobby. Even when doors open early, many people arrive at the venue right at the concert start time. Venue security wants to make sure everyone has made it inside before the official show starts. Once inside many people like to start the night off with a cool drink or some flashy merch. As people stand in long concession lines the concert schedule builds in extra time to ensure that those waiting in lines will not miss their favorite stars. To help fill the space the Headliner act will perform often followed by some up beat music or a local DJ to make the wait more enjoyable. Keep in mind many Headliner acts are worth seeing and are often well-known Artists who put on amazing performances.
The second factor is what is happing behind the stage. Behind the black void stage, a huge team is getting ready to give you an incredible performance. The artist and band are running through a what’s known as a silent sound check to ensure the sound is working and can be heard. There is a bustle of stage hands plugging in cords, programming lights and getting the stage set for the night. In many cases the stage crew is unable to fully set up the stage until the Headliner is finished with their performance.
Not every show has a waiting game, many small club shows start right on time, also if the artist does not have a pre-act they will likely start right on time. Even though there are many small factors that may leave you an unofficial player in the Concert Waiting game, the end result is well worth the wait.
