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You know the feeling. You’re halfway to the venue and you suddenly realize your phone is at 12%, you left your layers at home, and the only thing standing between your eardrums and the PA stack is hope. After a lot of shows around Colorado, from tiny bar gigs to sold-out nights at Red Rocks, I’ve settled on a short list of stuff that actually earns its spot in my pockets. Here’s what I bring to every show.

1. Earplugs (Seriously, Get Good Ones)

This is the number one thing on the list for a reason. Tinnitus is forever, and the ringing in your ears after a loud show is your hearing quietly taking damage. The problem with the cheap foam plugs at the merch table is that they muffle everything, so the show sounds like it’s happening underwater and you end up taking them out halfway through the set.

That’s why I recommend the Loop Switch earplugs. They have a little dial built into each plug that lets you switch between three levels of protection without taking them out. Crank the protection up when you’re near the speakers, dial it back when you want more clarity or need to actually hear your friend talk between sets. They lower the volume without wrecking the mix, so the band still sounds like the band. They’re small, reusable, and come with a keychain case, so they just live on my keys and I never have to remember to pack them.

If you go to more than a couple shows a year, this is the best money you’ll spend on concert gear. Your future self will thank you.

2. A Portable Charger

Your ticket is on your phone. Your ride home is on your phone. The photos you’re definitely going to take are on your phone. And nothing drains a battery like a packed venue where your phone is fighting for signal all night. A small power bank that fits in a pocket means you’re not rationing battery during the encore or hunting for an outlet at midnight.

3. Layers, Because Colorado

If you’ve ever been to Red Rocks, you already know. It can be 85 degrees when doors open and 55 by the encore, with wind that shows up out of nowhere. Even at indoor venues, you’ll be freezing in line and sweating by the third song. A light jacket or hoodie you can tie around your waist is the move. Bonus points if it has zippered pockets.

4. Comfortable Shoes

You’re going to be on your feet for hours, possibly on concrete, possibly getting stepped on. Wear the comfortable shoes. Nobody at the show is looking at your feet, and if they are, they’re jealous of how comfortable you look.

5. Water

Between the altitude, the dancing, and whatever else you’ve got going on, dehydration sneaks up fast in Colorado. Lots of venues let you bring in a sealed bottle or an empty reusable one you can fill inside. Check the venue’s bag policy before you go, but hydrating is not optional here, especially at outdoor shows.

6. A Small Bag That Passes Security

More and more venues have strict bag policies, and plenty are clear-bag-only now. A clear backpack that meets stadium bag rules solves the problem once, and a small crossbody or fanny pack works where the limits are looser. Either way, you get through security faster and keep your hands free. Look up the policy on the venue’s site before you leave the house. Two minutes of reading beats a long walk back to the car.

7. Your Ticket, Downloaded Ahead of Time

Cell service at a packed venue is a coin flip. Add your ticket to your phone’s wallet or take a screenshot before you leave home, so you’re not the person holding up the line refreshing an app that won’t load. Same goes for parking passes.

The Short Version

That’s it. Nothing on this list is expensive or complicated, but together they’re the difference between a rough night and a great one. Now that you’re set, go find your next show. Check out what’s happening tonight or this weekend across Colorado.