Our Top 10 Concert Safety Tips: Enjoy the Show Responsibly

Attending a concert can be an unforgettable experience. From seeing your favourite artist live to sharing the atmosphere with thousands of other fans, there is nothing quite like the energy of a live performance.

A little preparation can help make sure the night is memorable for the right reasons. Concert safety is not about expecting something to go wrong. It is about knowing your surroundings, staying connected with the people you trust and feeling confident about where to find help.

Here are imabi’s top 10 practical tips for enjoying concerts safely and responsibly.

1. Know Before You Go

Before the event, check the venue’s official website and familiarise yourself with:

• Entry points and opening times

• Emergency exits

• First-aid and welfare facilities

• Accessible entrances and facilities

• Toilets and water refill points

• Bag restrictions and prohibited items

• Re-entry rules

• Transport and collection points

Venue requirements can vary considerably. Checking these details in advance can help you avoid delays or having to leave personal belongings at the entrance.

It is also worth downloading or taking a screenshot of your ticket, travel details and venue map in case mobile connectivity is limited.

2. Make a Plan With Your Group

Concert venues can become extremely busy, making it easy to become separated from friends or family.

Before entering, agree on a clear meeting point in case anyone gets lost. Choose a fixed, easily recognisable location rather than somewhere that may become crowded or difficult to access.

Make sure everyone knows:

• Who they are travelling with

• How they are getting home

• Where they will meet if separated

• Who to contact if plans change

Through imabi, you can use location tools to share your journey with trusted contacts, confirm when you have arrived and ask someone you trust to call or collect you through Rescue Me.

3. Keep Your Phone Charged

Your phone may be essential for accessing tickets, checking transport, contacting friends and arranging your journey home.

Charge it fully before leaving and consider bringing a portable power bank. Screenshots of tickets, booking confirmations and transport information can also help preserve battery life and provide a backup if the signal becomes unreliable.

Avoid using all your battery recording the performance. Leave enough charge to contact your group and complete your journey safely.

4. Stay Hydrated and Know Your Limits

Concerts often involve spending several hours standing, dancing and moving through busy spaces.

Drink water regularly, particularly during outdoor events or warmer weather. Locate the water points when you arrive and bring an empty refillable bottle where the venue permits it.

Some people choose to drink alcohol at concerts. Pace yourself, alternate alcoholic drinks with water and avoid mixing substances. Alcohol can affect your awareness, judgement and ability to respond to an uncomfortable situation.

Festival and venue medical teams are there to help. Seek assistance early if you or someone you are with starts to feel unwell.

5. Protect Your Drink

Never leave your drink unattended or accept an opened drink from someone you do not know or trust. Where possible, watch it being poured or opened and avoid sharing drinks.

Someone who has been spiked may suddenly appear far more intoxicated than expected or experience dizziness, confusion, nausea, difficulty speaking, memory loss or poor coordination.

If you or a friend suddenly feels strange or unwell:

• Tell someone you trust immediately

• Alert venue security, welfare staff or the medical team

• Move to a safer area

• Do not leave the person alone

• Call 999 if they are unconscious, struggling to breathe or in immediate danger

Spiking is never the victim’s fault, and concerns should always be taken seriously.

6. Protect Your Hearing

Concert sound levels can be extremely high, particularly close to speakers or the stage. Prolonged exposure can cause temporary or permanent hearing damage.

Consider using reusable concert earplugs, which are designed to reduce volume without significantly affecting sound quality.

Take occasional breaks in quieter areas and move farther away from the speakers if you experience ringing, discomfort or pain.

7. Stay Aware in Crowded Areas

Crowds are part of the concert experience, but conditions can change quickly.

Pay attention to movement around you and avoid pushing towards already congested areas. Keep emergency exits and walkways clear, and follow instructions from stewards and security teams.

If a crowd becomes tightly packed:

• Stay calm and remain on your feet

• Move with the direction of the crowd rather than against it

• Keep your arms slightly raised to protect your chest

• Move gradually towards the edge when it is safe to do so

• Alert staff if you see someone fall or become distressed

If an area feels unsafe, trust your instincts and move away.

8. Respect Boundaries and Look Out for Others

Everyone has the right to enjoy a concert without harassment, intimidation or unwanted contact.

Consent must always be freely given and can be withdrawn at any time. Someone who is unconscious, asleep or severely intoxicated cannot consent.

Check in with your friends and take concerns seriously. If someone feels uncomfortable, help them move to another area or find a steward, security officer or welfare team.

You do not need to confront a situation directly if doing so could put you at risk. Report it to event staff and allow trained personnel to respond.

Through imabi, users can also access trusted information and relevant reporting routes, including anonymous options where available.

9. Dress for the Venue and Weather

Choose comfortable clothing and footwear, particularly if you expect to spend several hours standing.

For outdoor concerts, check the forecast and prepare for changing weather. Depending on the conditions, you may need:

• Sunscreen and a hat

• Waterproof clothing

• Warm layers for the journey home

• Supportive, closed-toe footwear

• A small bag that complies with venue rules

Avoid carrying unnecessary valuables and keep your phone, keys, identification and payment cards secure.

10. Plan Your Journey Home Before the Concert Starts

Do not wait until the encore ends to decide how you are getting home.

Check the last train, bus or shuttle times in advance and identify the venue’s official taxi, private-hire and collection points. Allow additional time for queues, road closures and large numbers of people leaving simultaneously.

Use licensed taxis or reputable private-hire services, and confirm the driver, vehicle and registration details before getting in.

Let someone know your plans and update them if anything changes. imabi’s journey-sharing and arrival tools can help you remain connected with trusted contacts as you travel.

Know Where to Find Help

Concert venues usually provide several forms of support, including:

• Security personnel

• Stewards

• Medical teams

• Welfare spaces

• Accessibility staff

• Lost-person and lost-property services

Ask for help as soon as you need it. You do not have to wait for a situation to become an emergency.

Call 999 when someone is in immediate danger, seriously unwell or a crime is taking place.

The imabi platform brings trusted safety and wellbeing information, location tools, mapped support and reporting routes together in one accessible place. Setting up your trusted contacts before heading out means the tools are ready should you need them during the event or on your way home.