First concert. want it to be awesome. any advice?

im going to a shins concert at the greek theatre in LA and was wondering if there are any things I should or shouldn't bring? should i get there early? i looked online and the rules stated not to bring cameras or water bottles, do they enforce it? will they have a place to buy merchandise? I probably sound like a dork, worrying about all this but i want my first concert to be amazing.

First concert. want it to be awesome. any advice?opera cd

if you want to be in the front, get there at least an hour early. and if your cam is small enough, you can sneak it in. but, honestly, it's more fun to just see the band and not worry about recording it, unless you're planning on making a video out of it, or you know it's the ONLY time you will EVER see them... etc. oh, and if you are in the front (assuming it's general admission, not assigned seating) prepare to be elbowed beyond belief and SOOOO effing hot. The opening bands give you a false sense of security that you won't get beat up too bad, and it's not gonna be THAT hot, but trust me... about 10 minutes into the main band, it gets pretty miserable, but, it's all worth it :]]]]

and also my suggestion would be this:

if it's a decently small venue, and you can see the tour bus, don't be stupid and leave right away like everyone else. Wait around until people start filing out, then head the direction of the exit the band will come out of (this might not always be possible, it just depends on the bouncers/artists, but mainly the venue). and hang out for at least 10 minutes because the band is waiting till everyone leaves so they aren't totally mobbed I've met like 10 bands this way. No one even thinks about that, but it's usually my sole goal haha.

Also, it helps if you show up REALLY early (like 4 hours) and scope around the building to see all the possible places they might come out, where it's most likely that they would park their bus, which one is most likely the one concertgoers will be heading out (avoid those). If you see bouncers, chat them up in a VERY casual way (if you ask for it, they'll just flat turn you down, but if they recognize you later that evening, they might be more receptive)

And about merch: wait until after the concert to buy it. It will always be in a really obvious spot. By waiting you risk possibly running out of your size or style shirt you want, but which is more important to you? Having a certain style shirt, or being front row?

but mainly:

HAVE A ROCKING TIME!!!

First concert. want it to be awesome. any advice?opera singer opera theater

do not bring your purse/wallet, carry cash in your pocket leave purse/wallet and all important stuff iny our car otherwise you will be robbed for sure. unless its just a cheap purse that you dont care about, just dont put your important stuff like a credit card and your drivers license in it, put those in your front pocket if you must bring them.
your not supposed to bring a camera but u still can sneak it in i got to rock concerts and he have metals detectors to go through. every concert i have been to had merchandise stands. just go and have the time of your life