What's the best way to get backstage passes to a concert? I figure
that I don't have a chance in the world to win them. If you need to
know the exact band I can let you know in an email.

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Clarification of Question by kitch8-ga on 04 Mar 2003 13:29 PST

I understand the comment about being a hot chick...but I want to add
my daughter is the one that really wants it and is only 10......

It helps to be a good-looking girl. ;)

I can't vouch for the usefulness of this, but I found a book that says
it will reveal the secrets of getting backstage passes:

http://www.secretsbymail.com/cgi-local/shop.pl/page=products.htm

Knowing someone in the music industry: "I got my backstage passes
through a relative in the music industry" (Antrina McFarland's message
at alt.music.duran-duran,
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=347CF040.58F2%40earthlink.net&rnum=2&prev=/groups%3Fq%3D%2522getting%2Bbackstage%2Btickets%2522%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3D347CF040.58F2%2540earthlink.net%26rnum%3D2).

Gtting a press pass : "If if know someone in the radio business you
can get a press pass."

Just hang there and ask: "Just try to get a pass by hanging around a
bit after the show.. or if you can get to the venue when they are
doing soundcheck, you might be able to see some of the band and talk
them out of a meet and greet pass"

(both last tips from
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=KnEB4.8%24Yo1.111%40portal.bsu.edu&rnum=8&prev=/groups%3Fq%3D%2522backstage%2Btickets%2522%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3DKnEB4.8%2524Yo1.111%2540portal.bsu.edu%26rnum%3D8).

i would recommend looking up the local affiliated record label (of the
artist)in the phonebook.  most of the big labels have local business
offices for their sales reps. or distributors. there might be a way to
sweet talk the sales rep (or nice intern who answers the phones?) into
hooking you up.  maybe barter for a case of beer, or some other
nicety?

you could also try to talk to the manager of the nearest chain (read:
big $$) record store, like tower records.  but do it in-person. they
are often privy to free tickets & passes, through the record label.

if the artist is someone really huge, like britney spears or the like-
you're sure to have a much more difficult time.  in this case there
would be hundreds of other young girls trying to do the same thing.

i'd say that hanging around the backstage area before or after the
show would be only done as your last resort, esp. since there are
likely to be many others trying the same.  then again, it might work
anyway.

good luck!

if you're desperate, I've had repeated success with the "wait by the
backstage door" routine, if you're willing to get rained on. my
strategies:

- scope out the venue AHEAD OF TIME to find the "real" exit that
artists use, asking employees questions is a great idea on this one,
or choose a familiar venue you see shows at and get this information
"wired" long before the artist you want to meet comes through town. I
sometimes play music in a lounge at a ritzy hotel, which is connected
to the backstage of a next door concert hall by a discreet passageway
that opens behind the bar of the lounge, so that the stars can escape
to their hotel rooms before anyone at the show knows their gone. if
you're hanging at the lounge, however they are yours to bother!

- leave the show a little early (i know, I know!) and position
yourself carefully
 before the "rush"

- be prepared to be patient. if you picked the right exit, they either
bail the minute the show is over, or they wait quite a while for all
but the most die hard fans to split before they make their move to
avoid hours of greeting.

good luck!