With summer quickly approaching, many York students are beginning to think about which concerts or festivals they will be attending. Even if you have been to concerts before, here are a few tips that you should always remember so you are ready for anything the day might throw at you.

1. Remember the essentials

Before you even leave your house, make a checklist (either in your head or in the Notes app on your phone) of everything you need so you don’t forget anything important at home. The last thing you want to do is have to turn around and go back home to get your tickets. You will most likely need an ID, your ticket, some cash, and your cell phone.

2. Dress for the fest

Everyone likes to look cute when they go out with their friends, but it’s still important to keep comfortable. Don’t get too dressed up like you’re going out to a club, summer concerts are a perfect time to wear a simple pair of shorts and a tank top or t-shirt and a good pair of closed-toe shoes.

3. Prepare for the weather

Outdoor concerts during the summer can get really hot! Be prepared to sit or stand outside in the heat for a long period of time. Bring sunscreen or at least put some on before leaving for the day, and make sure you have a pair of sunglasses or a hat handy at all times. There’s also a pretty big chance of rain or thunderstorms as you get into the later summer months, so a small umbrella may be necessary. Make sure you check the weather before you leave your house so you’re ready for whatever weather there may be.

4. Pick a meeting spot with your friends

At general admission concerts or festivals, it’s especially easy to lose your friends in the crowd. Before the concert starts, talk to your friends and pick a spot to meet up after the concert is over in case you get separated throughout the night.

5. Eat something before the concert

It’s easy to get so caught up in the moment that you forget to eat, but it’s important to have at least a granola bar or some trail mix before the concert starts! Some venues will let you bring food inside and some won’t, so make sure you eat your snack before they let you in for the concert. Most venues sell food and drinks, but the prices are usually a bit extreme.

6. Put down your phone

You may want to get a good picture of the concert for your Instagram, and that’s okay, but it’s important to enjoy the concert as well! The last thing you want to do is pay so much attention to your phone that you don’t even remember the concert at the end of the night. Snap a couple pictures during the artist’s first few songs and then put your phone down and enjoy the rest of the concert.

7. Hydrate or bring a friend with a Camelbak

Venue prices are almost always expensive, but it’s not a bad idea to splurge a little and buy a water bottle sometime before the concert that you can keep with you during the whole show. Concerts can get really crowded, especially if the venue is general admission, and it’s nice to have some water with you at all times just in case you need it.

8. Pick the best time to buy merch

At pretty much every concert venue, there’s a spot to buy merchandise for whatever band is playing. While most of the time it seems easier to buy merch before the concert starts because it’s less crowded, I would suggest buying it after the concert so you don’t have to worry about holding onto whatever you buy while trying to enjoy the performance. If you do decide to buy a shirt before the concert, make sure you have a good place to put it so it won’t get lost or stepped on.

9. Don’t let your phone battery die

You should stay off of your phone during the show, but between using your cell phone before the event starts, taking a few pictures during the concert, and texting your friends to see where to meet up, your phone may start to lose its battery. Portable phone chargers are relatively inexpensive and last for a long time, and you can get them at places like CVS, Target, or Walgreens. It’s a good idea to bring one so you won’t have to worry about trying to get home at the end of the night with a dead phone.

10. Dance to the music

Don’t let an outfit malfunction or the weather stop you from having a good time with your friends, the most important thing for you to do is have fun with your friends and enjoy the music! The artist that you’re seeing wants you to have a good time.