Packing a bag is always an issue — especially when you’re trying to figure out what you can take to a concert these days.

Clear bags, nothing bigger than 5”x3”, no liquids, no sharp objects… some concerts are even banning cell phones.

So that begs the question: what can you bring? What do you need to bring?

Well, we at Soundigest are concert veterans, and we’ve got our bag pared down to the absolute essentials. We can pack a clear bag the size of a pocket journal, no problem.

First: The Bag

Finding a “regulation” bag that doesn’t look awful is an adventure all on its own. For the utilitarian in all of us, this Magicbags clear crossbody ($8.99 on Amazon) is a fine, small crossbody bag that holds the absolute basics: phone, wallet, keys.

Of course, there are some people who value form over function, and that’s cool too. There’s a few options on Dolls Kill, from fanny packs to crossbodies, and these days, even Target is getting in on the festival bag action.

What Goes in the Bag?

There are several types of concerts, but presumably, any one that’s not letting you take an opaque bag into the premises is probably one that’s going to get rowdy. Theoretically, you don’t need much for a concert. In a pinch you only, absolutely, need three things.

• Tickets – And you want them printed. Yeah yeah, we live in a digital age. But what happens when everyone in a sold out venue is trying to hop on their Wi-Fi to get their tickets? You’ll be stuck waiting for longer than the person at the door will want to wait — so be sure to have a physical copy of your tickets.
• Wallet and CASH – Are you over 21? Do you like buying things? If you answered yes to either of those questions, be sure to bring your wallet with an ID and cash in it. While most bands these days are taking card thanks to the advent of Square, there are still plenty of DIY bands that can’t afford such fancy accessories and prefer to trade their goods the old fashioned way. Alternately, you’re going to need to park somewhere, and many parking areas in big cities are Cash Only. 
• Phone – Most of us don’t leave home without it, but especially if you’re going with friends, it’s pretty easy to get lost in a venue. And while the merits of recording a show are questionable at best, you may wanna flex on the ‘gram. And you can’t do that if you don’t have your phone.

Optional Goods

If you’ve still got room in your micro-bag after you’ve stashed the essentials, here are some other great items to keep with you, just in case.

• Portable Charger – Hey remember that “phone” thing we mentioned earlier? If you plan to spend any amount of time waiting in a line, you’ll probably want to bring one of these too, because you’re going to need something to pass the time, and if we’re being frank, Twitter is highly entertaining.
  
• Water Bottle – Okay, so maybe this one stays in the car, but still. Spending a few hours in a mosh pit is a legit workout, and you’ll probably be parched by the end of your excursion. Be sure to keep one of these somewhere near you, just in case the lines at the bar get way too long.

Did we get it all? Let us know what you bring in your bag at @Soundigest on Twitter and Instagram!