Meet and greet concert tickets give fans the chance to meet their favorite music artists before or after a show. They provide an exclusive, VIP experience that goes beyond just seeing the concert. Meet and greet tickets are prized by diehard fans and typically sell out very quickly.
What is included with meet and greet concert tickets?
Meet and greet concert tickets include access to the concert itself along with the chance to meet the artist or band. The specifics can vary, but most meet and greets include:
- A reserved spot near the stage for the concert
- Access to a pre-show or post-show meet and greet event with the artist/band
- A photo opportunity with the artist/band
- An autograph from the artist/band
- Commemorative VIP laminate or lanyard
Higher tier meet and greet packages may include extra perks like:
- A backstage tour
- An exclusive Q&A session with the artist
- VIP merchandise
- Food and drinks
The meet and greet timing varies – it may be before the show, during soundcheck, or after the concert. The duration is also set by the artist but usually lasts 5-20 minutes. The interactions are typically quite rushed since the band has many fans to get through.
How much do meet and greet concert tickets cost?
Meet and greet concert tickets are more expensive than regular tickets. Pricing can vary greatly depending on the artist and the specifics of the package:
- Basic meet and greets may start around $100-$200 on top of the concert ticket price.
- Higher-tier VIP packages can cost $500 or more.
- Very exclusive experiences with A-list artists can run into the thousands.
In general, the rarer chance to meet famous artists will command higher meet and greet prices. The pricing also depends on what’s included – photo ops, autographs, swag, and extra perks add cost. Concert promoters, venues, and the artists themselves all influence meet and greet pricing.
Where can you buy meet and greet concert tickets?
There are a few ways to get meet and greet concert tickets:
- Directly from the artist’s website – Many bands sell VIP tickets directly to fans.
- Concert promoter sites – Promoters like LiveNation offer meet & greet packages.
- Ticket resale sites – Resale sites like VividSeats or StubHub may have marked-up meet & greet passes.
- Auctions – Charity auctions sometimes have meet and greets.
The tickets often sell out in presales or immediately when they go on sale to the general public. Fans may need to act quickly or leverage artist fan club presales.
Why are meet and greet concert tickets so expensive?
There are a few key reasons why meet and greet concert tickets command such high prices:
- Exclusivity – Only a limited number of meet & greet passes are sold.
- High demand – Lots of fans want a chance to meet their favorite stars.
- Unique experience – It’s a rare opportunity that can’t be replicated.
- Artist fees – The artists may charge their own appearance fees.
- Production costs – Extra staffing, logistics, and planning costs.
Ultimately, the law of supply and demand drives up meet and greet ticket prices. Fans are willing to pay premium prices for once-in-a-lifetime, VIP access to stars. Promoters and artists also know meet and greets are highly coveted, so they price them accordingly.
What should you bring/wear to a concert meet and greet?
To make the most of a concert meet and greet experience, fans may want to:
- Bring a camera – Usually just phones are allowed for photos.
- Bring something to be signed – Such as a photo, poster, or album cover.
- Consider your outfit – Wear concert apparel or merchandise from the band.
- Arrive early – To ensure you get through security in time.
- Limit belongings – Only carry essentials so you’re not bogged down.
- Be respectful – Keep conversation polite and reasonable with the artist.
- Shower/groom – Look and smell your best when meeting stars.
It’s also wise to carefully read all rules, guidelines and FAQs provided with the meet and greet ticket package. Things like autographs per person, camera policies, and event timing may be detailed there.
What do you actually do at a concert meet and greet?
Typically meet and greets unfold as follows:
- Check in – Fans exchange tickets for access credentials like wristbands or laminates.
- Wait in line – Fans line up and are slowly moved inside near the stage/backstage.
- Brief interaction – Fans are quickly led one-by-one to the artist for a moment together.
- Photos – Poses are made for pictures and cameras snap.
- Autographs – The artist signs memorabilia like posters, albums, shirts.
- Goodbyes – A few parting words are exchanged before fans are escorted out.
The entire meet and greet encounter usually lasts just a few minutes per fan. Some key things fans should do include:
- Be ready with your camera for photos.
- Don’t take too much of the artist’s time – keep talk simple.
- Thank the artist and say how much you appreciate them.
- Respect no-contact rules due to COVID-19.
- Follow all directions from event staff.
Are meet and greets worth it for fans?
Meet and greets can be expensive, so are they really worth it for fans? Here are some pros and cons to weigh:
Pros
- Once in a lifetime experience to meet a favorite celebrity.
- Exclusive souvenirs with autographs and photos.
- Chance to say thank you and express fandom up close.
- Often access to the best seats for the actual concert.
- Backstage insights and inside access.
Cons
- Very expensive compared to regular concert tickets.
- Interactions may feel extremely rushed.
- No guarantee you’ll make a connection with the artist.
- Photos/autographs may have imperfections.
- Artists could be having an off day.
Overall, meet and greets are likely worth it for diehard fans that view the experience as priceless. More casual listeners may be disappointed with quick fan interactions. Managing expectations around time limits and costs is key.
Are there any meet and greet alternatives?
If meet and greet tickets are too pricey or sell out, some alternative options include:
- Artist pre-show parties – Mingling events prior to the concert.
- VIP packages – Without the meet & greet element.
- Merch bundles – Ticket + merchandise packages.
- Concert live streams – Virtual live show access.
- Concert tours – Of backstage areas and tour buses.
Artist fan clubs also unlock presale ticket access and sometimes exclusive content or events. While not the same as meeting stars, these options provide added perks and access for big fans.
Tips for an awesome meet and greet experience
To have the best meet and greet experience possible, fans can remember these tips:
- Dress neatly and wear artist gear if you have it.
- Bring a high quality camera and memorabilia for signatures.
- Have your questions/comments ready but keep them short.
- Smile, be polite, and thank the artist for their time.
- Post photos and brags on social media after.
- Have realistic expectations around time limitations.
- Arrive very early in case lines are long.
- Respect security and all rules enforced.
- Soak up every moment of the rare experience.
The most important thing is for fans to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime chance to finally meet their idols face-to-face. As long as you come prepared and make the most of your limited time, a VIP concert meet and greet can provide amazing memories that last a lifetime.
Meet and greet etiquette
Proper etiquette at a concert meet and greet helps ensure positive interactions with the artist. Some key meet and greet etiquette tips include:
- Give them personal space and keep a respectable distance.
- Don’t have physical contact without their consent.
- Keep conversation light – avoid overly personal questions.
- Stay off your phone and be attentive during your turn.
- Be patient as staff needs to keep the line flowing.
- Stay calm and composed – resist urge to scream or act wild.
- Thank the artist sincerely for their time when leaving.
- Do not overstay your welcome – follow all instructions.
Rude, disrespectful, or unruly behavior may get you removed from the event without refunds. Just relax, be polite, show gratitude, and enjoy your rare time meeting the stars.
Are meet and greets awkward?
Meeting a celebrity you idolize for the first time can definitely feel a bit awkward. Some things that add to potential awkwardness include:
- Language or cultural barriers.
- Very brief time together – just seconds.
- Security hovering nearby.
- Not knowing what to say or do.
- Stars being tired from touring.
- Fans being nervous and anxious.
However, there are ways to help overcome the awkwardness and make the most of the experience:
- Come mentally prepared with talking points.
- Keep conversation light and positive.
- Make it about thanking them and expressing your fandom.
- Use humor to break the ice if appropriate.
- Have photos and items ready for signatures.
- Remember they meet tons of fans and are used to it.
While inherently brief and surreal, meet and greets can still be amazing. Focusing on being polite, grateful and prepared helps smooth over awkwardness.
Funny meet and greet stories
With everyone nervous and the interactions quick, some funny or awkward moments can happen at meet and greets. Here are some amusing stories fans have shared:
- A fan was so nervous they passed out in front of the band.
- Someone spilled coffee on the artist.
- A fan proposed marriage and got politely declined.
- Stars have misheard odd fan names like Keester or Gandalf.
- Fans have gotten starstruck and been unable to speak.
- Items like babies or pet lizards have been thrust at artists for photos.
While these moments are mortifying for fans, the artists are usually understanding. They know fans are excited and want to make a memorable impression. The best approach is just to relax, be yourself, and don’t try too hard – then you’ll avoid awkward situations.
Common meet and greet questions
Fans are often curious what kinds of questions they can ask at a meet and greet. Here are some commonly asked questions that are generally OK:
- “What inspires your creative process?”
- “How did you guys first meet?” (for bands)
- “What do you enjoy most about touring?”
- “Where’s your favorite place you’ve traveled?”
- “Will you play [obscure song] again live someday?”
Just keep it positive and remember to avoid anything too long, personal, or invasive. The artists likely won’t have much time to chat in detail.
Weird meet and greet requests
Meet and greets can bring out some wild fan behavior. Here are some of the weirdest meet and greet requests and moments artists have experienced:
- Asking the star to record a voicemail greeting.
- Proposing marriage or asking them on a date.
- Requesting they officiate a wedding.
- Asking for their clothing or DNA like strands of hair.
- Trying to pitch them business ideas or scripts.
- Having them talk to a relative on the phone.
- Fans showing up overdressed in wild outfits.
- Offering hand-written fan fiction stories.
Crazy behavior like this is frowned upon and may get fans kicked out or banned. The key is keeping things reasonable and remember the star is a person too – requests that make them uncomfortable have no place at a meet and greet.
Handling crowds at meet and greets
With multiple excited fans all congregating at once, crowd control is important at concert meet and greets. Some key crowd management tactics include:
- Advance ticketing and screening.
- Spreading the event over a long time frame.
- Limiting items allowed to speed up lines.
- Well-distributed queue lines.
- Staff to direct fans and enforce rules.
- Separating meet location from concert seats.
- Removing overly disruptive attendees.
Smooth crowd flow is critical to make sure all fans get their chance despite time limits. Venue staff also maintain order and safety as mass excitement for stars can easily get out of hand.
Why do artists do meet and greets?
Artists participate in meet and greets for several key reasons:
- It generates huge revenue from ticket sales.
- They enjoy rewarding and interacting with loyal fans.
- It helps grow their fanbase.
- Their labels and management push them to.
- It creates excitement and buzz around their tour.
While taxing for introverted artists, most still recognize meet and greets are a big part of being a major musician today. Fans love them and artists use the events to give back.
Conclusion
Meet and greet concert tickets provide once-in-a-lifetime access for diehard music fans to finally come face-to-face with their favorite stars. While the quick interactions can be costly and potentially awkward, they create powerful memories that last forever. For artists, these exclusive events help connect with supporters and generate major revenue through premium ticket sales. Careful preparation and reasonable expectations are the keys to having a positive meet and greet experience on both sides. Superfans agree the huge price tags are absolutely worth it for the chance of a lifetime.