Meet Your Favourite Band or Singer

Is there a band or singer you're so obsessed with that you'd probably pass out if you got to meet them? Here are several things you can do to make your semi-stalkerish dream come true.

Steps

  1. Find out which record label the band or singer is on. Many record labels have promotional teams known as Street Teams. If you join one of these and help out with things like handing out fliers before concerts, they may give you a backstage pass or invite you to promotional parties in your area.
    • Go to the label website to look for Street Teams opportunities and sign up.
  2. Go to as many concerts as you can, and if possible, arrive early or stay late or both. Sometimes you will see the musicians going in and out of the venue and will be able to get to know them like that. Sometimes bands will stick around after the show and hang out with fans.
    • Smaller bands will often recognize fans who have turned up regularly. Try to wear something that makes you stand out, and wear that every time, so you're easily recognizable.But try not to stand out too much!
    • Many large arenas use Street Teams to help promote productions and shows locally. If they usually play your arena this is another great way to get on a list.
  3. Try talking to the roadies (usually big guys carrying equipment around), band security staff or others who seem to be associated with the band. If you are friendly and enthusiastic (but not crazy), they may be able to get you in.
  4. Check out band forums and find out where the band hangs out in particular towns, what hotels they stay in, and where they've been seen hanging out.
    • Consider booking a hotel room where the band often stays. Some bands are loyal to certain hotels in certain towns and their behavior is predictable. Check out the bar area in the hotel after the show or the pool area the day of if it's a nice place.
    • If you know which bars or clubs the band visit before or after their shows, go there and try to get into the VIP areas. People who seem fun (and sane) are more likely to get in to the popular band hang-outs and be invited into the VIP areas. You may need to buy access into a VIP area.
      • Be friendly and send over a round of drinks/shots if you're in a bar. Ask the wait staff or band what they are drinking before you do. They often appreciate the gesture and will chat with you and offer a photo opportunity.
  5. See if a fan club or fan site offers VIP packages for concerts and fundraisers. These often include tickets to a show, invitation to a meet and greet, priority seating and sometimes a gift or autographed piece of memorabilia.
    • These may cost more but often when you pay for such privileges you will have the opportunity to meet the band and they offer package buyers some one on one conversation during a group meet and greet with other package buyers.
    • They are more likely to speak to you at these than just encountering them while they are out with friends.
  6. Get involved in writing reviews of concerts and records, perhaps for a website or local newspaper. This should enable you to get on the guest list, or better still, a press pass which allows you more access to the band.
  7. Be polite.
    • Never attempt to invade their personal space without permission.
    • Ask before you hug, take a picture or interrupt a personal moment.
    • If they're with friends or family you should acknowledge them, be friendly and perhaps excuse the intrusion if they are being open to your interruption.
    • Never cry, hyperventilate or be anything other than a friendly person.
    • Never confuse "meeting" someone with aggressively approaching them, running after them, screaming at them, jumping them or grabbing them. A meeting is a civil introduction and sometimes will lead to a conversation.
  8. Check with local musical instrument stores for musician clinics.
    • Some larger music stores (like Guitar Center) will periodically have instructional clinics. There is usually a lot of interaction with the people that attend the clinics and the crowd sizes are usually limited.
  9. Use Social Networks (like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.etc.) And that may help you of some sort.
  10. Enter contests to meet your band or musician. It makes you more eligible to meet them.

Tips

  • If you are successful at getting backstage, don't push your luck. Try not to be starstruck or pretend to be someone you are not. Remember, people are more likely to be interested in you if you are genuine.
  • Don't go crazy when you meet the musician/s they may find it a bit over whelming.
  • Most artists are regular people like you and me. If you keep that in mind it makes it easier to keep from being star struck. Most famous people are nervous around adoring fans but relax once they know that you can be yourself around them.
  • Don't take every piece of memorabilia you own to get signed by the band. They generally don't appreciate it. Take one item that's large enough to sign and a working Sharpie pen.
  • If the band you are trying to meet is playing a festival (Mayhem Festival, Ozzfest, Family Values, etc.) nearby, chances of it are the band might do a signing at their table or they will be walking around.
  • If the band is up and coming, try to catch them at a smaller venue where they are opening for a larger band. Very often you will be able to meet the band at the merchandise table during the headliner's set. Buy something directly from the band - they will be very enthusiastic about signing it.
  • Apply for a job at a local musical instrument shop - local bands will often use these and are a great way to get contacts.
  • Just remember, the folks you are trying so hard to meet may be famous musicians but are rarely as interesting or fun to be with than your own friends waiting for you at the bar.
  • Don't say you're "their number one fan." From their standpoint, it's a cliché.
  • Remember that concert meet and greets are often called Cattle Calls by industry professionals. This is actually what most backstage access has become and the days of fans partying in the dressing room is rare with major acts. The bands are usually there for a few minutes while people are herded in front of them. These usually happen before the show. You may or may not be allowed to take pictures and they might sign a flat for the people attending. These are usually geared towards impressing radio or other locals in the industry and not so much for fans.
  • If you are close enough to the security guard or band worker and you start having a conversation with them about equipment and or various topics about the band they might let you backstage because of your friendliness or to show you "equipment."
  • Do not attempt to jump on stage or anything similar. It will not make a good impression at all and may get you kicked out of the concert or worse.

Warnings

  • Don't tell them how much you are obsessed with them, just be friendly, and they probably will be too.
  • Also, don't be snobby to other big fans of the group because, for one, it's just rude and annoying, and for another, bands love it when their fans get along at their concerts.
  • Everyone has bad days. If a band (or one of their members) appears snobbish/mean to you (A.K.A, Axl Rose of Guns n' Roses), it doesn't make them a "bad" band...they may be stressed, or just having a bad day. Don't take it too seriously.
  • Even in larger venues, the crew and band have been working closely together with the staff of the venue.

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Sources and Citations

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