Drive-in concerts provide an opportunity to see and hear musicians perform live and in the open air. These events have become highly popular during the establishment of the social distance rule.
Still, in order to enjoy this type of concert, you’ve got to know the situation beforehand and get prepared. Otherwise, you might find it difficult to see and hear the performers clearly and feel comfortable at the concert. There are several factors that might affect your mood, starting from the dripping rain and ending with the noisy neighbors next slot or right in front of you.
Below, you can find recommendations that’ll let you foresee the possible challenges and make the concert a fantastic experience.
1. Arrive Early
Though your ticket specifies the row your vehicle should be parked in, it does not always specify a specific location. As a result, it’s a good idea to arrive at a venue early (at least 1.5 hours before the event starts) to obtain the best spot. In most cases, this will be directly in front of the stage.
However, if your ticket is not front row, a seat not directly in front of the stage but closer to the panoramic screen might be an even better choice. Moreover if the seat in front of you is occupied by a bulky pickup blocking the view of the stage.
2. Cut Expenses
Drive-in concerts aren’t cheap, but the good news is that you don’t have to pay for each passenger in your car. You pay for a vehicle, and you can bring 4 or 6 friends with you, depending on its capacity. If you don’t mind a big company, bringing friends would be a terrific alternative for both fun and saving money.
3. Go Big
If you’re a proud owner of a pickup truck and aren’t frightened of hostile looks from strangers behind your back, this vehicle would be ideal for a drive-in concert. It’ll let you sit higher (on the car’s trunk) and thus, see and hear more. However, if your ticket is in the first five rows, it is not recommended that you take the pickup. Larger vehicles, such as RVs, are generally disallowed during drive-in events.
4. Check the Sound
Naturally, it is up to the musician and the venue to conduct the soundcheck. However, if only your parking lot isn’t closest to the stage, you’re most likely to turn on your car stereo eventually. At drive-in concerts, the sound from the stage is broadcast live on the FM channel. This allows everyone to hear the loud rocking sound, despite the huge area of the venue.
Before you go to a concert, check that your car’s FM receiver is in working order. It’s also a good idea to take along a battery-powered standalone radio or a speaker with the FM receiver. This will protect your car’s battery from a significant discharge during several hours of work.
5. Bring Comfortable Things
Unlike regular concerts, drive-in events allow you to take a lot of things with you in the trunk of the car and feel almost like home. You can bring chairs and even a small table; usually there is plenty of room in the parking area for such things. You can also take an umbrella, for protection from rain or sun. However, make sure not to block the view for the people in the car behind you. In sunny weather, be sure to bring a hat and sunglasses. For the performances in the evening, take a blanket to get wrapped in it if it gets chilly. Don’t forget the binoculars, even if your ticket is in the first few rows. They will let you watch the band or a musician perform and also spot places like restrooms and food courts.
6. Take Food and Drinks with You
Because you may bring your own food and drinks, a drive-in concert can finally be less expensive than a typical concert. Get several packs of your favorite snacks and the drinks you like. Alcohol is prohibited at many events, so it’s best to clarify this beforehand. Local food courts are also available at such events, although they are often located behind the back rows, and it can be a long walk to get there.
7. Pin the Restroom Location
The first thing to do after you have safely parked your car in your chosen parking lot is to find out where the restrooms are and how to get there. Because the restrooms at such events are usually mobile, they run out of water around the end of the show. Bring a gallon of water with you to the performance in case you need to wash your hands.