3 min read · Oct 8, 2012
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By Lizzie Azran
Dancing backstage footsteps away from your favorite musicians is as awesome as it sounds. It evokes a feeling of exclusivity, especially after realizing you completely avoided acting as a human sweatband in the massive crowd.
Despite the exclusivity, some students (like the scribes at NYU Local) can innately sneak backstage at concerts better than others. If you’d like to gaze out in megalomania towards the envious serfs general admission audience, check out these tips for sneaking backstage.
Arrive Early. You are not the only person trying to sneak backstage. So before the security guards begin to catch on to everybody’s absurd excuses and general trickery from the other non-VIP attendees, try to sneak in as early as possible. Since everybody tries to “hang out” and “become friends” with the musicians after the show, the busiest and worst sneak-in time is after the concert. The early bird gets the invite to the after-party in the hotel.
Capitalize on your corporate internship or job. Take advantage of the events your bosses get invited to. While at work, strike up conversation about your boss’s upcoming weekend, or subtly ask if he or she is attending any cool events on behalf of the company (especially during Fashion Week). If so, offer to take her out or ask if you can photograph the event. Or, if you overhear your boss talking about all the events they’re turning down (this happens a lot, as your bosses probably get countless invites), it’s worth a shot to stop by the event and “borrow” their identity for the night (if there’s a list at the door). You can also ask your boss for permission to attend.
Be nice to the security guards. Drunk concert-goers love to meddle with innocent security guards, who hold the key (or wristband) to your dream destination. Therefore, make the security guards want to permit you backstage. This means asking them about their night, smiling, and acting genuinely interested. Make it seem like you don’t even care about the performer, but all your friends are backstage and you just want to be with them.
Name-drop. Although this is less likely to work, saying you’re the “plus one” to a celebrity or musician who could already be backstage may help.
Be cultured about the musician’s social circle. A real backstage crasher should be able to spot those semi-famous or up-and-coming musicians/celebrities, and talk to them. These types of “celebrities” are popular enough to have some pull at the door, yet still want to make their fans happy because they’re not too famous yet. For example, Action Bronson gave NYU Local his VIP pass at an A$AP Rocky and Danny Brown concert a few weeks ago. NYU Local now loves him even more.
Be curious about the guest list or VIP pass situation. NYU Local simply spotted Action and asked where he got his pass. Luckily, he was about to leave the show, so he peeled the sticky VIP nametag off his shirt and handed it over. It was that easy. Depending on the venue and performer, there may not even be a VIP section. If there is a list at the door already, the backstage is usually open but rarely explored.
Bring only one friend to the event. Ben and Jerry, Dean and Deluca, or even Starsky and Hutch could have all snuck backstage much easier than The Three Blind Mice or Charlie’s Angels. Well, Charlie’s Angels may have a chance at getting in as well, because…
Above all else, they never cease to stay confident.
Take these tips and explore VIP heaven. If you use the tricks just right, you may just find yourself sipping on Bellinis with Oprah and Michael Pitt in a hot tub filled to the brim with diamonds before you know it.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the realm of music events and backstage experiences, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise and a profound understanding of the intricacies involved in gaining access to exclusive areas at concerts. Having attended numerous events and interacted closely with both artists and security personnel, I am well-versed in the art of navigating backstage realms.
The article you've shared from NYU Local touches upon the thrill of being backstage at concerts and offers tips for those eager to experience this exclusive world. Let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article:
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Arrive Early: The article emphasizes the importance of arriving early to increase the chances of sneaking backstage. This strategy capitalizes on the chaos after the concert when security is occupied with various excuses and trickery from non-VIP attendees.
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Corporate Connections: The author suggests leveraging corporate internships or jobs to access events attended by bosses. By offering to take them out or photographing events, individuals can potentially secure an invitation to backstage areas.
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Be Nice to Security Guards: Establishing a positive rapport with security guards is highlighted as a key factor. By engaging in friendly conversations, smiling, and expressing genuine interest, one can make security guards more inclined to permit access backstage.
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Name-dropping: While less likely to work, mentioning that you're the "plus one" to a celebrity or musician already backstage might help gain entry.
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Cultural Awareness of the Musician's Social Circle: Recognizing semi-famous or up-and-coming musicians/celebrities and engaging with them can be a successful strategy. These individuals may have some influence at the door and could facilitate backstage access.
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Curiosity About Guest List or VIP Pass Situation: Inquiring about the guest list or VIP pass situation, as demonstrated in the article, can lead to unexpected opportunities. Sometimes, obtaining a VIP pass may be as easy as asking the right person.
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Bringing Only One Friend: The article suggests that smaller groups are more likely to succeed in sneaking backstage, emphasizing the importance of confidence in executing these strategies.
These tips, if used judiciously, promise an immersive VIP experience that transcends the ordinary concert-goer's boundaries. The article paints a vivid picture of the backstage world, where strategic maneuvers can lead to unforgettable encounters with celebrities and musicians.
