Imagine this: you have just won an opportunity to meet one of your favorite musicians. You can barely contain the excitement. You have picked out an outfit and practiced what you are going to say. The world comes crashing down when you arrive at the concert and your name is NOT on the list.
Meet & Greets are the “dog and pony” show of the concert industry. Some M&Gs involve a group of fans invited by radio stations, fan club members, or select people affiliated with record labels, sponsors, or other special people. I have some tips on how to be fully prepared to rock out with your favorite rock star.
1. Day of show contact-whomever set you up with your M&G be sure to ask who at the venue will be your contact day of show. You should ask for their full name, email address, and cell phone number. Should there be any problems at the door you can easily hit up the contact for help. You would not believe how many times people show up at the show and someone forgot to put their name on the list.
2. What to wear?-Most M&G’s are a cattle call; a long line of concert goers and two seconds with the artist. Wearing a dress and heels waiting an hour or two in line probably not going to be comfortable. Make sure you are wearing something flattering so you are not stuck with a picture that is not Facebook profile worthy. If you are given a snazzy sticker pass to stick on your clothes put it on your pants. I have several pictures with a dorky pass on my chest.
3. Do you bring your camera?-Some venues and artists are extremely strict about bringing cameras into the venue. Be sure to call the venue or check their website to find out for sure if you can bring them. Sometime M&G’s provide professional photographers that will take your picture and give you a website to collect your picture from later. It might seem dorky but practice a possible pose. Ladies, please make sure to put your purse down so you don’t have an unflattering lump on your body.
4. Bring your ID-the only way you’ll get to meet your favorite artist is if you bring your official ID. This is for security purposes and is non-negotiable.
5. Autographs-some M&G’s allow time for personal autographs while others only allow for a quick picture. Bring something small just in case the artist is willing to sign something. In other cases there might be some promotional material the management will bring that the artist can sign. Either way the best way to find out is ASK!
If you follow these tips you should have no problems at the door and more time with your favorite artist!
Do you have any tips to add?
dutchbaby says
Thanks for these valuable tips! Do you have any advice how one could get invited to a M & G?
Lady Antebellum – I’m impressed!
Alexa Brooks says
Hi Dutchbaby!
Thanks for the comment!
There are many ways to try to get invited to a meet and greet. You can listen to the radio for their contests, join a Fan club like Lady A’s, and more.
These can be pretty hard to get into if you don’t know someone directly. But Lady A has a great program http://ladyantebellum.com/meet-and-greet
Many other bands and artists do. My ultimate suggestion is to study their website, follow on twitter, “like” on Facebook and see what they come up with.
Thanks again!
Marisa Alma McGinnis says
Great photo of you and Lady A. I like your M&G tips too.
Marisa Alma McGinnis says
Love the photo of you and Lady A! I always wondered how people “got to meet the artists” in person, now I know.
Alexa Brooks says
Thanks Marisa!
Sarah says
Can you give the artist something? Do they allow it?
Alexa Brooks says
Hi Sarah! Thanks for the the comment. This is a great question! It is going to depend on the artist/management. You might want to check their official website and call the venue ahead of time to be safe. I know some venues are strict about signs and stuff like that.
chloe says
do you have to pay for a meet and greet? and how do you get your name on the list?
Alexa Brooks says
Hi Chloe, it really depends on if there is a contest or if you are in a band fan club in order to get into a meet and greet. But I would say I have very rarely heard of people paying for a meet and greet. I hope this helps.
Ashley Light says
Hello I wrote a letter type thing to give to someone in new kids on the block should I bring that with me to give to him
Alexa Brooks says
I’m sure a note would be OK, but no big signs or gifts because in some cases security may take them! Have fun!
Irene Kilchenmann says
On the Website “Adventures in Wonderland” you can buy “meet&greets”! I’ve recently bought a meet&greet (30 Seconds to Mars) for next year. I still don’t know what to say when I look in their eyes….;) But I think the best way is to behave like a normal person..I usually smile a lot, so I think it’ll be no problem for me..;D
Alexa Brooks says
Hi Irene! Good luck and have a great time! How much did they charge for a Meet & Greet?
Char says
I just purchased a ticket package that included a meet & greet. The package includes 2 really good tickets, a $200 donation for one of the artists favorite charities and a professional photo. It was on facebook under tickets for charity. So excited, hope it lives up to my expectations!
Alexa Brooks says
Hi Char! Sounds great! Have Fun!
Char says
Thanks! I’ll post pictures after I attend. It’s not untill end of January.
Amber Tilton says
My question is: when you don’t have VIP/m&g tickets, how early should you get to the venue or if it better to stay after? I’ve had a good experience with both so I’m not too sure which to do… I’m seeing pentatonix tomorrow so I’m not sure which to do. Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated… Thanks again!
Alexa Brooks says
Hi Amber! So sorry for the delay. Unfortunately there is no hard or fast rule to these. Your best bet is to try to arrange with a fan club or radio station, etc
dogbie2 says
So im meeting sleeping with sirens soon and im so excited but so stressed at the same time xD
what should i bring? A bag cause im meeting them and i want to get them to sigh things or no bag cause its standing and it’ll get in the way
also, what ID do i bring?!!
Thanks
Alexa Brooks says
Hi! That is so fun! Be sure to bring government ID (Driver’s License or if you are in school, a school ID should work). It terms of a bag maybe bring something disposable in case they don’t allow you to bring anything for the band to sign. For some meet and greets, they provide something for you. I agree having a bag when you are attending a General Admission show is a PAIN! Depending on who set up meet and greet they might provide info a few days before. I hope you have a great time!