Rock N Roll: The Groupie Chronicles

Because I generally already know the bands I see play bigger venues after meeting them in smaller ones, I actually asked a roadie friend of mine who is a guitar tech for a band that would fall under the category of ‘hard to access’ for you, and so this response is a mix of what he suggests and what’s worked for me. In my experience it largely depends on venue size! If you’re talking a huge venue, your best bet is probably by running into them somewhere outside of it before the show like the hotel lobby, it’s not really my style but I know a lot of people have some level of success at least meeting them this way. I generally stick mostly with bands who I already know or who I meet through other bands i’m on the road with. There have been some chance meetings of course, I’ve met a band in a hotel who I didn’t even know of before and got passes from them that way, but it wasn’t a concious decision to go and look for them. So it can work, you just have to be at the right place at the right time.

Other than that also depending on the size of the show, if you are a writer or photographer you can get freelance work and the company will hook you up with media passes through the tour’s promoter. It’s more difficult but if you have a legitimate skillset it’s doable.

Other than that, google and listen to the radio in search of competitions to win passes in your area and enter anything that gives you even a minute chance at it! The more people you meet the easier it will be to get in to shows you don’t really have any connections at, even knowing people who are familliar with the venue can be helpful. Good luck!