Hi all. This will be my first time going to a J-Rock / VAMPS concert I would like to ask a few questions in regard to the preparation for the concert.

1) Since I believe there will be a long line, how many hours earlier should I go to the venue?
2) How is the concert atmosphere usually, in terms of people's behavior? Do they push each other like crazy?
3) Is camera allowed?
4) Suggestions on what I should or should not bring?
5) Anything else I need to know/prepare?

Thanks a lot for the help!

3) I think the camera thing depends on the venue itself? I've never been to the Showbox before, but the last time i was at a VAMPS concert in Japan, no cameras were allowed, so chances are cameras won't be allowed in Seattle.

4) Try not to bring something that you need to HOLD onto (e.g. purse, bottles, etc.) That way you can free your hands and enjoy the concert without having to worry about your belongings. Actually they might have lockers...? Last time I left my belongings (passport, money, etc.) inside the locker, and I lost my key, hahahaha~ Yikes.

2) I really *really* hope there's not a lot of pushing/"moshing"/whatever. I don't mind being smooshed up all close together, but I am there to enjoy the music and actually see the band, not to spend the entire concert fearing for my safety. I want to be able to get up near the front and not have to worry about getting kicked in the head. :-/
It's VAMPS! We're there for the love, right? :)

I'm not going to this concert, but I'll answer anyway:

I totally agree with you on the moshing thing. Some people are a bit small and would be easily hurt, and ending up with broken bones and bashed heads is a bit of a fun killer. I'd probably be injured in a heartbeat.

I saw HYDE at Slim's and, thankfully, there was no moshing. But there WAS pushing towards the front as soon as he came out. As soon as he hit the stage the whole room compressed forward so I was literally stuck to the person in front of me. (At the end of the concert, because of all the sweat and stuff, I had to peel myself off the guy in front of me. It was gross).

When you're in the crowd it is very very very hot. So much body heat, so wear something light so you can keep cool. I heard there were people passing out from the heat.

Wear comfortable shoes because you're going to get stepped on. In fact, I didn't even know where my feet were. They certainly weren't under me! And because of all the pushing, we swayed side to side a couple of times and my feet actually came off the ground. I was being held up by all the bodies smashed around me. That's how tightly packed everyone was.

As for behavior, it varies. Some people are friendly, some people become bitches as soon as the concert starts. I was mostly okay, but my sister got stepped on by some girl's mother on purpose so that her daughter could move forward. I think my sister said she ended up on the ground and someone had to help drag her out, but I don't quite remember. She moved to the back after that, though.

I didn't really have any issues with anyone, personally. The only iffyness with me was that my arm was stuck around some guys waist (I had been holding hands with my sister, we got separated, and the moving crowd caused me to end up with my arm around the guy in front of me's waist). Toward the end of the concert I guess his girlfriend got sick of my arm there, and she shoved me off. That was the only issue I had.

Some other people had horror stories though, of almost getting into fights because of others trying to violently shove to the front. There was some issues with Japanese fans injuring others to get to the front (spiked heels, or something), but hopefully we won't have that issue this time.

So basically it's 50/50. Some people will be nice, some people will be out for your blood.

If you do make it to the front, you're going to be smooshed like crazy because everyone pushes forward. So you'll be smashed up against the railing.

And after the concert, if you linger around you might get something off the stage if the techy guys throw some stuff. One girl I was talking to nearly got hit in the head when a drum stick was thrown out. Sadly, someone else got it before she could grab it.

Try not to bring anything breakable, because if it hits the floor it's gone. The girl next to be dropped her glasses and at the end of the concert we found them on the other side of the room, smashed.

Sorry for the long reply, but I wanted to make sure I mentioned everything so you'd have an idea of what to expect.

(04-07-2009, 11:26 PM)Tokio Wrote: I'm not going to this concert, but I'll answer anyway:

I totally agree with you on the moshing thing. Some people are a bit small and would be easily hurt, and ending up with broken bones and bashed heads is a bit of a fun killer. I'd probably be injured in a heartbeat.

I saw HYDE at Slim's and, thankfully, there was no moshing. But there WAS pushing towards the front as soon as he came out. As soon as he hit the stage the whole room compressed forward so I was literally stuck to the person in front of me. (At the end of the concert, because of all the sweat and stuff, I had to peel myself off the guy in front of me. It was gross).

When you're in the crowd it is very very very hot. So much body heat, so wear something light so you can keep cool. I heard there were people passing out from the heat.

Wear comfortable shoes because you're going to get stepped on. In fact, I didn't even know where my feet were. They certainly weren't under me! And because of all the pushing, we swayed side to side a couple of times and my feet actually came off the ground. I was being held up by all the bodies smashed around me. That's how tightly packed everyone was.

As for behavior, it varies. Some people are friendly, some people become bitches as soon as the concert starts. I was mostly okay, but my sister got stepped on by some girl's mother on purpose so that her daughter could move forward. I think my sister said she ended up on the ground and someone had to help drag her out, but I don't quite remember. She moved to the back after that, though.

I didn't really have any issues with anyone, personally. The only iffyness with me was that my arm was stuck around some guys waist (I had been holding hands with my sister, we got separated, and the moving crowd caused me to end up with my arm around the guy in front of me's waist). Toward the end of the concert I guess his girlfriend got sick of my arm there, and she shoved me off. That was the only issue I had.

Some other people had horror stories though, of almost getting into fights because of others trying to violently shove to the front. There was some issues with Japanese fans injuring others to get to the front (spiked heels, or something), but hopefully we won't have that issue this time.

So basically it's 50/50. Some people will be nice, some people will be out for your blood.

If you do make it to the front, you're going to be smooshed like crazy because everyone pushes forward. So you'll be smashed up against the railing.

And after the concert, if you linger around you might get something off the stage if the techy guys throw some stuff. One girl I was talking to nearly got hit in the head when a drum stick was thrown out. Sadly, someone else got it before she could grab it.

Try not to bring anything breakable, because if it hits the floor it's gone. The girl next to be dropped her glasses and at the end of the concert we found them on the other side of the room, smashed.

Sorry for the long reply, but I wanted to make sure I mentioned everything so you'd have an idea of what to expect.

I agree about the horror stories involving crazy japanese girls. That's what truly scares me I hope they have some kind of safety measures for the venues, like no spikes, no chains or stuff that is forbidden at any other concert. But because vamps are having more concerts in japan after the US tour and after having 3 months before that.. one would think japanese fans could just stay in japan

I truly don't understand people that go to concerts trying to injure someone! they should be having fun not stalking performers.. creeps me out

Maybe a street team member should speak to J about this matter?

Thanks all for the info, I appreciate it

I'd really like to get to the front row for better view, but I fear for my safety. I even heard some horror stories of people who got pushed and fell and got stepped on and died because of the incident (not in VAMPS concert, it's just some random band). Since I'm small, it's pretty easy to get trampled on or something like that. Now I'm wondering if I should stand somewhere in the the back. But then again since I'm small, if I stand in the back I might not get a good view >_< I've never been to the SHOWBOX since I live so far away from Seattle so I can't plan which spot would be best.

I think you'd probably be okay in the front, just squished. I don't think VAMPS concert will be really violent with moshing and fighting. I think only a minor number of crazy people will get too physical but you could get them kicked out if they cause problems. I'm sure most of the problems will just be bickering from attitude problems and clashing personalities.

@Usagi: Venues generally have rules against anything that could be considered a weapon, so if you see someone will spikes and stuff with the intention of hurting others then report them to venue staff. They can be thrown out for that.

I just have this disturbing habit of getting kicked/smashed in the head at every concert I go to. It sucks spending the whole time afraid I'm about to get punched in the face, so I often end up near the back/side somewhere. I have high hopes for these shows though, since there will likely be a larger female crowd and it typically seems to be the guys who fight and flail the most. (No offense, guys.) ;)

(04-07-2009, 11:26 PM)Tokio Wrote: I'm not going to this concert, but I'll answer anyway:

I totally agree with you on the moshing thing. Some people are a bit small and would be easily hurt, and ending up with broken bones and bashed heads is a bit of a fun killer. I'd probably be injured in a heartbeat.

I saw HYDE at Slim's and, thankfully, there was no moshing. But there WAS pushing towards the front as soon as he came out. As soon as he hit the stage the whole room compressed forward so I was literally stuck to the person in front of me. (At the end of the concert, because of all the sweat and stuff, I had to peel myself off the guy in front of me. It was gross).

When you're in the crowd it is very very very hot. So much body heat, so wear something light so you can keep cool. I heard there were people passing out from the heat.

Wear comfortable shoes because you're going to get stepped on. In fact, I didn't even know where my feet were. They certainly weren't under me! And because of all the pushing, we swayed side to side a couple of times and my feet actually came off the ground. I was being held up by all the bodies smashed around me. That's how tightly packed everyone was.

As for behavior, it varies. Some people are friendly, some people become bitches as soon as the concert starts. I was mostly okay, but my sister got stepped on by some girl's mother on purpose so that her daughter could move forward. I think my sister said she ended up on the ground and someone had to help drag her out, but I don't quite remember. She moved to the back after that, though.

I didn't really have any issues with anyone, personally. The only iffyness with me was that my arm was stuck around some guys waist (I had been holding hands with my sister, we got separated, and the moving crowd caused me to end up with my arm around the guy in front of me's waist). Toward the end of the concert I guess his girlfriend got sick of my arm there, and she shoved me off. That was the only issue I had.

Some other people had horror stories though, of almost getting into fights because of others trying to violently shove to the front. There was some issues with Japanese fans injuring others to get to the front (spiked heels, or something), but hopefully we won't have that issue this time.

So basically it's 50/50. Some people will be nice, some people will be out for your blood.

If you do make it to the front, you're going to be smooshed like crazy because everyone pushes forward. So you'll be smashed up against the railing.

And after the concert, if you linger around you might get something off the stage if the techy guys throw some stuff. One girl I was talking to nearly got hit in the head when a drum stick was thrown out. Sadly, someone else got it before she could grab it.

Try not to bring anything breakable, because if it hits the floor it's gone. The girl next to be dropped her glasses and at the end of the concert we found them on the other side of the room, smashed.

Sorry for the long reply, but I wanted to make sure I mentioned everything so you'd have an idea of what to expect.

LOLOL That is soo true at both the concerts i went in Anaheim and Hollywood XD Like SERIOUSLY its like you're discriving my experience.. And since we were so packed when stuff started being thrown fromt the stage ppl from the front pushed back causing a domino effect and we all fell LOL man that hurt but thinking about it makes me laugh so hard XD I hope its not like that this time though >_< I feel like I had 5 broken ribs after the 1st one OUCH!

Uhhh.. Imagining the domino effect makes me shiver -__-;; I guess that's so likely to happen if they throw something to the crowds. And from watching some concert DVDs, we know that HYDE does that often (I am not sure about KAZ or the other band members), throwing guitar picks or water bottle. It will be nice if you can get it, but I'm pretty sure it's like a war out there in order to get it.

I wonder about the pushing thing (not the regular pushing, but the one that makes you stuck in the middle like all of you described above). Does it only happen at their concert overseas or in Japan as well? When I watched Laruku's DVDs (for concerts which took place in Japan), it seems that the fans were not really pushing each other like crazy. Maybe it just looked like that, but not in reality. And then again, those are Laruku that I was watching, not HYDE's solo or VAMPS. Anybody has been to a VAMPS concert in Japan?