The Ultimate Outdoor Concert Survival Kit: 7 Things You Should Never Leave at Home

IT IS officially summer, which means outdoor concert season is hitting a high note. My plans include 40 shows in three different states, with acts ranging from Willie Nelson to Post Malone. I’ll see some in stadiums, others on sprawling lawns. No matter which, I’ve learned to be careful about what I bring—security has become real sticklers, for instance, about bag size. I was recently turned away at the door of a Japanese Breakfast concert because my cross-body bag was deemed “too big.” The security agent brought out a ruler!

To make sure I never miss an opening act, I’ve developed the following summer-concert survival kit. Adopt my strategies and you, too, can avoid getting turned away. Because there’s no worse sin than an unused concert ticket.

1. Barely-There Beauty

The most stringent bag policies, first implemented by the NFL but now common, permit only clear bags no bigger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, about the size of the medium L.L. Bean Boat and Tote. The Little Earth Clear Stadium Bag ($13) is similarly sized and zips shut. The straps make it easy to throw over your shoulder, and you can even pick one with the logo of your favorite sports team.

2. Shake Your Fanny Pack

In addition to clear bags, some venues let you bring in any bag that’s smaller than six inches by nine inches. I am partial to the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L ($48), which has both interior and exterior pockets for stashing stuff like lip balm or keys. It’s so useful, I’ve started using it on dog walks. Unfortunately, this means sometimes my dog, Radio, thinks he’s coming to the show.

3. Blow it Off

Hand-held fans might lack fashion cred, but you’ll appreciate their function in sweaty festival crowds. The Honeywell Turbo On The Go Fan, HTF090B ($25) is small enough to fit in a tote but powerful enough to cool bodies up to 3 feet away. It can be held or propped up on its base.

4. Flavor Savor

Each ticketed guest can usually bring a one-liter bottle of (unopened, unfrozen) water into a venue, but no other more exciting liquids. People try to get around this by duct-taping flasks to their legs, but don’t. Carry a few packets of DripDrop ($19 for 16 single-servings) of your favorite flavor (I like Berry) and dump it into your water after you enter. It is no whiskey, but come the next morning, you’ll be happy you hydrated.

5. Can You Hear Me Now?

To protect your hearing and still enjoy the music when you’re close to the stage, seek out better earplugs than drugstore disposables, which block all noise indiscriminately. Instead, get ones specifically made for concerts, which just soften music to safer volumes. The Etymotic ER20XS High Fidelity Earplugs ($20) are affordable, reusable and designed to sit within your ear without protruding.

6. Power Up

You’ll need a well-charged phone for displaying tickets, making cashless payments and calling a car home. Some venues offer charging stations, but the wise come prepared with backup power. The Anker 337 Power Bank 26K ($70) is beefy enough to refuel three devices at the same time. Just don’t waste the power filming and trying to upload videos for your minuscule Instagram following.

7. Smarter Seating

Unlike chairs, which might be comfier, blankets are allowed at most outdoor venues. The light Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket ($125) is padded and coated with a water- and stain-resistant finish. That makes it easy to keep clean and dry, even if spread over very muddy grounds.

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