Guide to Summer Concerts, Part II

Nothing says summer like rocking out to the sweet tunes of your favorite band at the county fairgrounds amphitheater. The smell of hot dogs and funnel cake wafting on the sticky air, the hippies selling homemade chocolate brownies in the parking lot, the guy who thinks the US Air Guitar Championships are being hosted directly in front of your seat...Ahhh. Good times.

Yesterday, we filled you in on concert tips and pointers. Today, we bring you a list of the essential items you'll need for maximum concert enjoyment:

Incognito glasses. Unless you have your driver's license, a friend with a license, or parents who will drop you at the entrance, chances are you might be stuck attending the concert with your dorky, toe-tapping older sibling or, worse, mom and dad themselves. The key is to accept the ride and then, with the help of your handy disguise, blend seamlessly into the crowd until it's time to meet at Exit 6. It's like they're not even there.

Lawn seats. Front row center seats sound good in theory. And if you're one of those fans who would love nothing more than to stare up at the nose hairs of your favorite rock god or goddess for three hours, then they are essential. But the lawn is where the magic happens. Don't forget a big blanket. You just might end up sharing it with the hottie next to you.

Beach ball. Part of the fun of a concert is the shared feeling of fan euphoria. There are few other instances you would sincerely want to profess, "I love you, man!" to a stadium full of 24,000 strangers. Bring the beach ball, and you immediately unite the crowd in a mass game of Monkey in the Middle.

Water. You don't want to be that girl who passes out from heatstroke in the middle of the second set. Trust us on this one. It's worth paying $8 for bottled water from the price-gouging concession stand to avoid receiving CPR from this guy.

Lastly, one thing not to bring/wear: A T-shirt of the band you're seeing. We get it—you like the band. Ostensibly, that is why you are at the concert. Wear their gear to their show, and people will assume you never really listened to the band until a week ago, when you bought the shirt off eBay to make everyone think you've been following them since 1998. And never, ever wear the shirt you just bought.

What concerts are you going to his summer, Sparklers?