Been to every summer smash besides the first (2018), Been going since I was 16. Here’s what I’ve learned through my almost 7 years experience
- DONT PUSH AND LET PEOPLE THROUGH
As someone who always ends up at barricade for my favorite artists, I can tell you this YOU DONT NEED TO PUSH EVERYONE AS HARD AS YOU CAN TO GET TO THE FRONT!! You can easily slide inbetween people or at least squeeze between people because trying to push through people does NOT work. The best thing to do is get up to where you cant slide between people before the performance and when it starts, people will start moshing and opening pits and you can easily get to the front. Also, if someone is trying to push through you just let them through, its not worth it to waste all your energy to fight back and hold a spot, you can easily get back up to the front. Most importantly, if you see someone struggling in the pits help them out, help people up, let people through the crowd trying to get out.
- Zipper Pockets
Almost every year at least one person in my group gets their phone stolen/lost. One year we actually tracked em down on find my iPhone and pulled up to their crib in the suburbs and it was some younger kid who was actually really nice who found it and was trying to give it back. But this is why zipper pockets are important, I wouldn’t even trust your backpack with valuable items its hard to tell between being pushed in the crowd and having your bag unzipped.
- Water backpack
Beverages are insanely expensive and waiting in lines to get a sip of water is not enough. People from warmer areas might not realize it but chicago in June is insanely humid and hot. Even if you just have one or two to share with your group and take turns wearing it is so worth it.
- Watch out for crash outs
Most people are pretty chill but you will definitely run into them crashouts in the pits. If you see someone get sucker punched/kicked for no reason help them out and defend them especially when its like someone giant attacking a lil kid. We do not let that shit slide round here so please don’t let that slide it aint no reason to be intentionally hurting other people
- Meeting Spots
Service is pretty bad most of the time, so you and your group should have a designated meeting spot if you get lost in the crowd. Also, don’t be like me and my friends the first few years and say the lyrical lemonade carton because everyone will be trying to meet there and you’ll be tryna find a needle in a haystack. Pick a spot less obvious and maybe even have the whole group walk there and see it and stand in the exact spot you will meet at not just a general area.
Lemme know if yall have any questions about anything. Lineup might be the best so let’s make ts the best year!