Four Lessons I Learned From the BSB DNA Tour
The 2019 DNA Tour is my first Backstreet Boys concert. As readers probably know me, I am team NSYNC (JC Chasez all the way!). In contrast, my two friends are Backstreet Boys fans and really wanted me to go to the show with them. I do like some BSB songs ( Fact: JC wrote “Treat Me Right” for BSB so the group knows his value as a songwriter). Also, since I was going with two friends, I knew I would have a fun time and I had a blast!
This concert taught me four important lessons about planning my next concert.
Lessons Learned
Don’t Buy Tickets From a Third party
My friends and I originally decided to buy tickets from StubHub because Ticketmaster only had nosebleed tickets and the good seats were expensive. So we managed to buy tickets off StubHub that were reasonably priced and had a good view of the stage. I had bought tickets from StubHub before and faced no trouble so I wasn’t suspicious or nervous about anything going wrong.
Unfortunately when we arrived at the TD Garden and checked in, the tickets were fake when the ticket checker scanned our tickets. We had been cheated and scammed! My friends and I couldn’t believe it. We initially thought we were going to miss the concert.
Coming from a travel business background, I immediately went to the box office. I also had to remain calm and positive for my friends. Luckily, we were able to buy new tickets with reasonably good seats. Also, I was able to call StubHub the next day and get a full refund for the fake tickets.
From this experience, I learned to never buy concert tickets from a third party. Only buy tickets from Ticketmaster (I know they are problematic right now), friends, or actual fans.
Closer is Better
While we managed to get good seats in the upper sections with a clear view of the main stage, the location was still significantly far.The boys resembled disconnected and unreachable moving characters. To get a closer look, we had to watch one of the large TVs. That’s when I realized for the next concert, always try to snag seats as near to the stage as possible. That way you get a closer view of the artist and feel a better connection.
I understand that tickets near the stage will always be more expensive. The two friends I went with were on a budget and preferred cheaper seats. I’m not encouraging you to blow your bank account to get better seats. But if you can afford it, I strongly suggest purchasing concert seats closer to the stage.
3. Plan Your Outfit in Advance
Less than three days prior to the concert, my friend wanted us to wear BSB fan t-shirts. I was not able to get a t-shirt on time whereas my other two friends had amazon prime and were able to get t-shirts before the concert. I ended up buying a $40 DNA t-shirt at the venue itself.
From this incident, I learned that I need to plan my concert outfits in advance and that way I have enough time to search and find the clothes online. For future references, I prefer to buy personalized designs from GracinCreative or QuriousShop on Etsy.
4. Go to the Afterparty!
Howie and Nick hosted an afterparty at a Waterfront club in Boston. I was hesitant to go considering the concert and afterparty was on a weeknight and I had work the next day. And we were going to be out really late. But my friend, Amy and I decided to go anyway since we didn’t know when the next time we would go to an afterparty with our favorite boybanders.
And despite Howie and Nick only performing for 30 minutes, Amy and I still had a blast! We danced and sang BSB songs. Howie and Nick’s presence further energized us and kept us moving all night. Also, it was nice to see Howie and Nick relax a little and celebrate with the fans.
Side note: I was able to change my work schedule and come into work at a later time.
You can read the full blog post of the 2019 BSB DNA Tour here.
