Concert 2023: Eras, Renaissance tours prohibited items

Don’t bring these items to a concert this summer

Updated August 7, 2023

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Summer is the season of concerts, as evidence by Taylor Swift’s popular Era’s tour, as well as Beyonce’s exciting Renaissance tour. And those are only the biggest ones; other popular acts include Ed Sheeran, BLACKPINK and Drake, all of whom are set to perform throughout the summer.

But before you head to your favorite artist’s concert, keep in mind that there are a few items you’ll want to leave at home. We’re here to give you the rundown on the most commonly prohibited concert items, and alternatives that you can bring along instead. It should be noted that this is only a general idea of what items are permitted at venues, cited from sources such as Ticketmaster. Specific venues will have specific guidelines, so be sure to check out the rules at your particular concert venue before hitting the road for the show.

Make sure to bring a reliable camera that you can use for the post-concert debrief with friends who missed the show.

While selfie sticks aren’t very old, they’ve already been banned in nearly all concert venues. The reason given is that they can be a danger to other concertgoers (do you want to be near someone while they’re dancing with a long pole?). Not to mention, they can obstruct others’ view of the show. If you want to snap a picture of yourself or the concert, you’ll have to be content with just using a camera or that on your phone. If you do want a separate camera, you’ll need to keep it small; no professional-grade cameras and no cameras with detachable lenses. Vahoiald sells one of the highest-rated small cameras on Amazon, with over 1,900 five-star reviews and comments from buyers who love the camera for its portability.

Capture those unbelievable tour shots of your fave artists with this 1080P Digital Camera that also shoots video footage.

The last thing you want to hear on concert day is that the bag you brought won’t make it into the stadium with you.

Most venues have restrictions on large bags, as they can lead to tripping and blocking the view of others. What is considered a large bag varies from venue to venue, so as a rule of thumb, you’re better off sticking to bags on the smaller end. These include clutch purses and gallon-size plastic bags. Some venues may require your bag to be clear. For this reason, we recommend bringing this cute, clear mini backpack with over 1,800 five-star reviews. Buyers love this bag because it’s roomy while still meeting the size requirements of most stadiums.

Keep a close eye on all of your valuables with this stadium approved clear mini backpack that can act as a clever alternative to a heavy handbag.

Don’t let a few dark clouds rain on your parade—stay ahead of surprise weather with a durable rain jacket.

If bad weather is forecasted for your outdoor concert, you should think twice before reaching for the umbrella. Since they pose a safety hazard and can obstruct view of the concert, umbrellas are banned in many concert venues. If you want to keep the rain away, we recommend wearing rain-protective clothing such as a rain jacket or poncho. We tried the Whisper rain jacket because it’s lightweight and stylish, while providing excellent rain protection.

Stay dry with the Merrell Whisper Rain Shell which comes eight different colors and is seam sealed against wind and water.

While we know you'll be singing along and dancing in front of your seat, there’s a good chance you’ll be sitting and waiting for a bit too.

No one wants a concert of their favorite artist to be ruined by getting sore after sitting on a hard seat for hours. The venue operators don't want this either, but they are strict about the cushions that will alleviate your pain. Cushions are to be no larger than 15 inches by 15 inches. Additionally, they cannot contain armrests, zippers, pockets, flaps or metal backs. In short, nothing fancy. Fortunately, this seat pad by Northeast lacks the bells and whistles that would get other cushions confiscated, while still being comfortable, as its 3,046 five-star reviews can confirm.

Opt for a comfortable foam cushion that can protect your backside from stadium seats that have been warming up in the sun all day.

If you scored tickets that are a bit higher up to save a few bucks, bring a pair of binoculars that will bridge the distance between you and the stage so you don't miss a beat.

If you have bad vision (or bought a nosebleed seat to save money), it's only natural to consider buying binoculars. Before buying them, know that many modern venues have screens set up so you can easily see the performance no matter how far away you are. If you still wish to buy binoculars, most venues allow them so long as you don't bring a bulky carrying case. The Athlon Optics Midas UHD 8x42 are one of the best binoculars you can bring to a concert, as they're lightweight, compact and boast excellent optics.

Nosebleed seats are no match for Athlon Optics’ Midas Binoculars that can deliver you high definition visuals through its lenses.

Have a long travel journey or lengthy wait ahead of you before the concert begins? Take along a blanket!

Battery-operated clothing is another no-no at most venues. If you planned on wearing some for warmth such as a jacket or socks, we suggest bringing a small, ordinary blanket instead. One option is a throw blanket such as the Bedsure Fleece Blanket. This blanket comes in multiple sizes and colors, is lightweight and is velvety soft.

The lightweight nature of the Bedsure Fleece Blanket is perfect for pre-concert to and from the venue via plane, train or car.

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