aaamusic | On 21, Nov 2021

Have you been itching to go to a concert?

It’s been a long time since the global pandemic first shut down our ability to go to live music concerts. Now that we can start gathering again, it’s more important than ever to do things right. One of the most important factors to consider is proper security management.

To protect the health and safety of everyone involved, you can’t leave anything to chance. Having a solid plan, putting it into practice, and hiring the right people is key. Read on for the full guide to security management in music concerts.

Account for the “New Normal”

As the world prepares itself for reopening, so should every event planner. Life after 2020 is now considered the “new normal,” with many events like concerts adjusting to it. Depending on where things are being held, certain restrictions and requirements could be in place.

To some, pandering to what clients want might be tempting. However, it’s best not to risk going against a district’s health orders if you want to avoid hefty fines. When organizing a concert during the “new normal,” make sure you follow the protocols in place.

On the same note, providing hand sanitizers or antibacterial wipes is ideal. If masks are optional, it doesn’t hurt to recommend them too. This makes your venue feel a bit more responsible.

Personal Space and Exit Routes

There are several things you’ll need to consider when it comes to hosting a music concert. One of them will be the physical arrangements at the venue. These will range from security barriers all the way to secure exit routes.

Consider where the concert-goers will be in relation to the performers. You’ll need to provide enough space for them to enjoy the show without jostling or discomfort. Barricades like low metal fences or ropes help guide moving crowds and provide a sense of safety.

However, this is only if you’ve allocated enough space. Stampeding and tripping can cause serious injuries, especially when crowds get excited. Whether it’s enjoying the music or panicking during an evacuation, don’t let an overcrowded venue lead to accidents.

It’s a good idea to mark all the exits clearly and provide multiple safe ways to get to them. Keep these exits and pathways clear using soft barriers like ropes or easy-to-see floor markings. Dedicate some security personnel to ensuring escape routes don’t become blocked.

Space Out the Vendors

Position vendors a little away from where you expect the most traffic. Things can get rowdy at a music concert, making it difficult to ensure quality control and safety. The last thing you want is someone getting burned or injured by bumping into a food stall or a skewer.

It is worth having designated areas for food and drink. Allowing plastic cups in the main area will minimize glass-related injuries. There is a reason most music concerts position their food and merchandise around the edges of the action.

Know Your Floor Plan

One of the most crucial parts of security management is having a floor plan and knowing it by heart. Create a map of the venue and make sure all your staff and security guards know it. This helps them navigate the place with ease.

It doesn’t matter if it’s for assisting others or responding to an emergency. Also, make sure to mark where the points of sale are for vendors and the ticket booth, and bathrooms and exits. The crowd isn’t your only concern – everyone else in the venue is your responsibility too.

Establish capacity limits per area based on local laws and safety and keep them marked. It will make it easier to usher people into other areas if things get too crowded. It’s not uncommon for overcapacity accidents to occur during these times.

Don’t let this happen to you; otherwise, it might be an expensive lawsuit waiting to happen. When creating the floor plan, take note of information like where the security booth is and where your guards are. Make the map as detailed as possible, including measurements.

The pattern is like a fire-escape plan for your building – because, in essence, it is. More so, always make your map and supporting information available to emergency services. It will make ensuring everyone’s safety easier and may very well save lives.

Ensure Easy Access to Safety Tools

All kinds of event security need easy access to safety equipment. Fire extinguishers and first-aid kits should be plentiful and easy to get to. They should never be in hard-to-reach places or blocked by impassable crowds.

You should also have plenty of personnel on the ground with the training to use this equipment. Making sure your own staff and any additional hired security are well trained is vital. That said, it’s still important to work with local emergency services to prepare for the worst.

Having such services on stand-by can mean life or death during an unfortunate event. If it’s possible to team up or coordinate with one, make sure to do so.

Emergency Services Are Your Friend

The last thing you want to happen during a major event is unnecessary casualties. Be it a minor, or worse, a major one, if it’s preventable, then it shouldn’t be in the picture. This is why it’s important always to have open communication with emergency services.

These include police, firefighters, and paramedics. While it’s smart to have a first-aid booth available, it’s best to have all bases covered. Don’t leave things to chance, and always prepare for the worst.

There could be accidents that traditional security services won’t be able to handle. This is especially true with medical emergencies, drug overdoses, and injuries. Sometimes music festivals contain pyrotechnics or other sources of fire.

Even concessions offering hot food can carry fire risks which can cause injuries. This is why having a direct line to emergency services is one of the most important security tips for music events.

Find a Good Security Company

Depending on the nature of the event or the size of the venue, you might need to bring in extra help. Music concerts especially could benefit from a professional security company. The United States Protective Services is one of the best companies to look into.

When it comes to finding a reputable company, there are three things to look for. These are training, licensing, and insurance. The latter two are self-explanatory. You need to make sure that whoever you hire has a license and insurance so you can avoid liability.

Depending on the event and jurisdiction, there will be legal requirements to meet. Doing your research and selecting a company that can take on the job will save you a headache. As far as training goes, you need to be careful.

Security training is no joke, as your guards might need to do everything from bodyguarding to crowd-control. Riots can break out during concerts, so your security services will need to be able to respond. It might be necessary to protect individual musicians or limit damage to property.

Although security services won’t be completely on their own, it may take a while for the police to arrive. With that in mind having the right people on the ground will make all the difference.

Implement Searches at the Gate

One of the first lines of defense you have when it comes to security is bag and person screenings at the gate. It’s up to you to decide how thorough you should be, but among all security tips, this is one of the most basic. By controlling what’s allowed in, you limit risks to public health and safety.

There are a number of reasons you should double-check things at the gate. Outside substances like party drugs increase the risk of overdoses and related injuries. Items which could serve as weapons are also worth catching at the door.

You can find everything from needles to fireworks and even guns in people’s bags or on their person. There are several options available to you when it comes to implementing searches. Determine what kind of protocol you want to follow early, and stick to it.

The most basic and cost-effective approach is bag searches. These are often accompanied by a basic and not-too-invasive pat-down. You’ll catch a lot of drugs and alcohol this way, but you won’t get the more determined smugglers.

Metal detectors and x-rays are more expensive and will require trained personnel. However, they make it far more difficult to smuggle weapons or other dangerous goods in.

Consider the Weather

The weather isn’t something you can control or predict. Despite this having a backup plan in case of poor weather conditions can prove handy. This is especially true if your venue is outdoors or in a high-risk area for storms, wind gusts, and high waves.

Make sure that your set-up is up-to-code with the safety of the attendees in mind. It should also allow effortless evacuation in case anything bad happens.

Prioritize Security Management

Many things can go wrong during a music concert, so proper security management is vital. From protecting the musicians to handling large crowds safely, it’s a priority. Make sure to check out our site for more information surrounding security management.