How to Fully Enjoy Your First BTS Concert: A Guide for 'Auntie ARMY'

How to Fully Enjoy Your First BTS Concert

A Guide for 'Auntie ARMY'

If you’re headed to your first BTS show in the coming weeks, you may be both over the moon AND a little nervous about the experience.

And if you’re Auntie ARMY (40+), it may have been a minute since you attended a concert of any kind, and you may not be familiar with the ways K-pop differs from other music shows.

Let's start with what you should bring. The trick here is to bring as little as possible (venues limit bag size) without leaving anything out that you might really need.

So, here are my suggestions. And these are simply suggestions. You know yourself best and can judge what's necessary and what isn't!

Concert Checklist – Recommended

1. PHOTO ID & CREDIT CARD
2. CLEAR BAG – see venue guidelines for approved bag dimensions
3. EAR PLUGS – can be old school or Loops
4. FULLY CHARGED PHONE & CHARGING CORD
5. ARMY BOMB W/ NEW BATTERIES (3 AAAs)
6. WEATHER ESSENTIALS – depending on the forecast for your tour stop, you may need a handheld fan (my ARMY friends recommend THIS ONE), hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, raincoat, or umbrella; again, check the venue guidelines to see if umbrellas are allowed in the stadium and plan accordingly
7. COLLAPSABLE BAG FOR MERCH/FREEBIES—keep it folded up until AFTER you’ve entered the venue
8. HAND SANITIZER OR WET WIPES
9. FACE MASK
10. COMPRESSION SOCKS

Concert Checklist – Optional

1. WATER IN DISPOSABLE OR COLLAPSABLE BOTTLES & ELECTROLYTE POWDER (e.g.: Liquid IV) – this is for waiting in line to enter the venue, especially if it’s hot weather; you likely won’t be allowed to bring water bottles into the stadium
2. SMALL SNACKS TO EAT IN LINE – think granola bars or nuts
3. TYLENOL, ALEVE, ANTACIDS, THROAT LOZENGES & PERSONAL MEDS/MEDICAL EQUIPMENT – if you have a health issue, make sure you have anything you might need and consider informing the staff of your condition once you’re seated; if you have balance issues and will need to navigate stairs, consider bringing a cane for extra support
4. PORTABLE PHONE CHARGER – tens of thousands of people in one small area means your phone will be working harder (and more slowly!) and its battery will deplete much faster than usual; if you don’t want to be stuck with a dead battery, plan ahead!
5. BANDAIDS
6. BOTTLE CAPS – many venues’ concessions serve drinks without caps for safety, so you may need to bring your own if you’re afraid to spill; again, check stadium guidelines to ensure this is allowed
7. BREATH MINTS, KOPIKO CANDIES
8. BLADDER LEAKAGE PRODUCTS – if you know, you know 😉
9. FREEBIES & ‘ARMY TIME’ SIGNS – you are not required to make signs or bring freebies to share, especially if this is your first concert; if you do choose to participate, make sure you’re following venue guidelines for sign dimensions, and don’t put anything in your freebies that’s not allowed in the stadium
10. BANDANA/SCARF – this is handy to sit on when you’re outside or use for quick cleanups
11. HAIR TIES
12. LIP BALM

WHAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE EXPECTED

• YOU’LL BE ON YOUR FEET A LOT – At a minimum, you’ll be standing in line for the venue and dancing for much of the 2½-hour show! You might also choose to stand in line for merch/other activities. Depending on where your seat is, you may also be climbing a lot of stairs and/or getting up and down multiple times to let fellow ARMY into their seats.

• MANY FANS BRING FREEBIES TO SHARE – It’s common (but not required) to bring small fan-made gifts to hand out before the show. Think photo cards, stickers, friendship bracelets, or charms. (Note that you can still accept a freebie, even if you don’t bring freebies to exchange.)
• SOME FANS DRESS UP IN COSTUME – Prepare to see lots of creative cosplay among ARMY. Some will dress in fashion from music videos or recreate moments from BTS lore. If you do choose to wear a costume, be sure you’ll still be comfortable!!

• ARMY BOMBS COORDINATE WITH THE MUSIC – When paired with the official app, lightsticks change color, flash in rhythm, and create other fabulous visual effects – making you part of the show!

• ARMYs LEARN FANCHANTS FOR THE SHOW – BTS’s label publishes official fanchants for us to learn, so we can sing/rap along, echo certain parts of songs, and shout the member’s names together. My favorite resource for this is an ARMY creator, doshielasol. They have a spreadsheet HERE with links to their YouTube videos so you can practice! (In my experience, American audiences do not do the fanchants perfectly. I focus on learning the chorus for each song on the set list and knowing which songs have a name fanchant, but I don’t stress too much about the rest.)

• SOME FANS BRING SIGNS FOR ‘ARMY TIME’ – Between Act II & the Encore of ARIRANG, cameras will search the audience for clever, funny or heartfelt signs fans have made for the show. Not to sound like a broken record here, but check the guidelines for your venue to ensure signs are allowed and find out if there are size restrictions.
• CONCERT ETIQUETTE IS KEY – It’s important to keep your lightstick and signs at chest level during the show, so ARMYs behind you can see. Be aware of the people around you and treat them with kindness and respect.
• OTHER BTS EVENTS ARE HAPPENING IN THE CITY – Beyond the concert itself, ARMY groups and local businesses organize other activities where fans can meet and celebrate seeing Bangtan together! I also like to support local K-pop shops and Korean restaurants.
• ARMYs ARE SUPER-FRIENDLY – If you are attending the concert alone, don’t be nervous. The vast majority of ARMY are very kind and welcoming. Don’t be afraid to chat up the person next to you about their bias, where they’re from, how and when they discovered BTS, etc. And if you need help, just ask!

GROWN ARMY CONCERT PREP

3 WEEKS PRE-SHOW (OR ASAP)

• GET ‘FIT FOR ARIRANG’ – Train gently and gradually to be on your feet for long periods of time. If you’re relatively fit but have qualms about standing for several hours on the day of the concert, go to https://www.dinahkate.com/fit-for-arirang-sales-page for support!
• LOOK UP VENUE GUIDELINES – Learn what is/isn’t allowed in the stadium and plan accordingly.

2 WEEKS PRE-SHOW

• DESIGN TRANSPORTATION/PARKING PLAN – Figure out how you’ll get to/from the venue (and consider having a Plan B, too).
• ARRANGE ADA ASSISTANCE IF NECESSARY – Contact the venue (or local ADA) if you need accessible parking, wheelchair assistance, etc.

1 WEEK PRE-SHOW

• CHECK WEATHER FORECAST – Secure weather-related necessities, e.g.: sunscreen, hat, handheld fans, bug repellant, umbrella, raincoat, jacket, etc.

• PLAN YOUR CONCERT FIT – Decide what you’re going to wear and always err on the side of comfort over cuteness or cosplay ... especially when it comes to shoes! Your footwear should be comfortable, broken in, and have good tread. 👟
• TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH – Make an effort to get good sleep and eat well in the days leading up to the concert. If possible, rest a little extra the day before and after your Bangtan experience.

DAY BEFORE THE CONCERT

• CONDUCT ARMY BOMB MAINTENANCE – Put fresh batteries in your lightstick and pair it with the app. (I’ve heard conflicting information about whether it’s necessary to pair your ARMY bomb with the app … but I’m going to do it to be on the safe side. Click HERE for instructions.)

• DOWNLOAD YOUR TICKET – Save your ticket in your wallet app AND open it on your Ticketmaster or SeatGeek app as well. It seems that some venues only accept tickets from the wallet, while others want to see the dynamic barcode in the ticketing platform’s app.

• FOCUS ON YOUR HEALTH – Eat well, get good rest and avoid alcohol. You want to feel your best on show day!
• SET INTENTIONS FOR TOMORROW – Consider how much you want to spend on show day and what you’ll need to feel your best. Promise yourself you’ll be present and move through any hiccups with grace and ease!

DAY OF THE CONCERT!!!

• GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME – Most fans arrive early and spend the hours before the doors open making friends and exchanging freebies. I get that you may not have it in you to wait in the hot sun … but don’t roll up late. There is no opening act, so if BTS starts on time (and they typically do), you’ll miss the first few numbers.
• HYDRATE WHILE YOU WAIT – Standing in line (especially in hot weather) can be grueling, so take care of yourself by drinking plenty of water and snacking if you need to. 

• LIVE IN THE MOMENT – Don’t be afraid to dance, shout, and have the time of your life!! Life is too short to worry about what other people think. You might want to film one or two moments but spend most of the concert looking at BTS with your own eyeballs!

• PLAN POTTY BREAKS – If you have to use the restroom, go right after Merry Go Round or IDOL so you don’t miss a moment of the performance. 

• PICK UP AFTER YOURSELF – ARMY is known for leaving spaces better than we found them. Put your trash in designated bins and encourage others to do the same! 

I know you're going to have the time of your life at the BTS show!

The most important thing is to listen to your body and take care of yourself and others. Let's love ourselves and each other -- and make Bangtan proud.💜