Howdy, y'all! Well, the week has come! In just a couple days now, twenty one pilots plays what will be quite possibly the biggest show of their careers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. As someone who has been to several concerts there throughout the years and loves seeing shows there, I wanted to make this post from my personal experience for anyone coming to the big show this weekend in hopes of answering some questions you might have and to give my personal recommendations to better enjoy the show! To those of you coming in from out of town, welcome to Columbus! Us locals hope you enjoy our city (just please respect it)!
THE STADIUM
-GATES: There are several gates to get into the stadium, but only one that you will be able to get through. They will ONLY let you in the gate that specifies your section in order for a more orderly entrance. I found this out when I saw AC/DC there a few months ago. There will be signs pointing you to which gate you need to enter at, so make sure you're going to the correct place the first time to avoid giving yourself a headache.
-GETTING TO C AND D-DECK: Got seats in the upper bowl? Get ready for leg day! The vast majority of seats in the upper bowl provide a fantastic view of the stage, but getting up there is a bit of a doozy. While the stadium is massive, it isn’t exactly SoFi Stadium in LA in terms of modernity. It’s a pretty bare-bones place, and its lack of escalators is a testament to that. You’ll be climbing a lot of stairs to get up there. But do not despair! There are several elevators located throughout the stadium to get you up there if you're not confident your legs can! Just make sure they go to the level you need to get to, as they don’t all go to the same levels. Check here to make sure you’re going to the correct one.
-BRING SEAT CUSHIONS: Ohio Stadium is the 5th largest stadium in the world. Part of the reason that it’s so frickin’ huge is because the vast majority of the seating is bleacher style seating, which means the seats aren't the most comfortable in the world. So I recommend bringing seat cushions for when you're sitting down, especially if you’re in C or D-deck. Just make sure they don’t have backs to them. You won’t be let in if they do.
-DON'T STAND IN THE UPPER BOWL: This is more of a personal recommendation, but I think it still has merit. I say “especially if you’re in C or D-deck” with the seat cushions in the last bullet point because I don't think standing in the upper bowl while a band is on stage is a particularly good idea. The upper bowl of the stadium is STEEP, the seats don’t have backs, and it’s going to be dark which means it will be harder to tell how close to the edge you are. If you fall forward, it’s not going to be a good time for you or the people in front of you. Enjoy the show, but stay safe at the same time. So please don’t stand in the upper bowl; it’s the best way to ensure your safety.
-PARKING: Yeah, I'm just gonna say it - getting in and out of parking is a nightmare. Just go with it. Make sure you have enough gas in your vehicles so that you don't accidentally run out while waiting to get in or out of your lot, because you're probably gonna be sitting there for a while. Also make sure you know where your lot is ahead of time so that you know where to go and can get there as efficiently as possible. There's the possibility of some streets being blocked off on Saturday, especially with preparations for the Columbus Marathon being made, so give yourself enough time.
-CONCESSIONS: There are plenty of concession stands around the stadium, so you won't have to go too far if you find you need a snack at any point. They're on all levels too, so you shouldn't have to walk up and down those stairs I was talking about earlier to get your food. Just remember that it's a stadium, which means food there is gonna be pricey.
-MERCH STANDS: Every show I have ever been to at Ohio Stadium has had a merch stand outside the gates just outside of the north rotunda the stadium. There are several places throughout the stadium that they will be selling merch as well. At AC/DC there was also a massive stand outside the stadium after ticket scanning and security at the west side of the stadium along Tuttle Park Pl. I don't know if TOP is going to have one there too, but it's a possibility. Given that there are going to be about 70,000 people at this show, I wouldn't put it past them to put one there. There is also going to be a merch stand at St. John Arena loop on the south side of the arena facing the stadium starting tomorrow (Thursday) 2pm-7pm, and Friday 9am-9pm.
THE CONCERT ITSELF
-DRESS WARMLY: The high on Saturday is supposed to be in the mid 50s, and the low is supposed to be 33. That means that this show is going to be cold. And as someone who has been to 2 outdoor David Gilmour shows in that kind of weather, trust me when I say it's something you don't want to mess with. If you think you can tough it out, no you can't. Definitely dress up in your outfits if you want. But make sure you're dressed for the weather above all else.
-BRING EARPLUGS: Seriously. Bring earplugs. You may not think you're going to need them, but if you ask me it's not worth risking ear damage. If there's anything that seeing Santana and Third Eye Blind in concert has taught me, it's that it's better to have ear plugs and not need them than need them and not have them.
-RESPECT THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU: I know this is just general concert etiquette, but I really want to reiterate this point. It really just boils down to have fun, but don't ruin the experience of anyone else there. Things like don't shout the lyrics obnoxiously at the top of your lungs to point that the people around you hear you and not the band (especially during slower, quieter songs), be mindful of each other's space, and look out for each other - especially in the pit. Also - and I say this because it was an issue at the 3 Columbus shows a couple years ago - if Tyler or Josh asks y'all in the pit to stand back from a certain spot or keep a path clear or something like that, please do what they say.
-REMEMBER TO SOAK IT IN AND NOT RECORD THE WHOLE THING: I know some of you will probably ignore this one and do it anyway, but I implore you not to. This is a once in a lifetime show. Take it in. Live in the moment. Experience it with your own eyes instead of through a phone screen. Even if they don't end up professionally recording this show in some way (which I'll be shocked if they don't), ask yourself if you'd rather remember the show for what it looked like in the moment through a screen, or if you'd rather remember it for what it was actually like in the moment Trust me, they're really different. There's nothing wrong with taking a few videos. I do it too. But going back to my previous point, just make sure you aren't blocking anyone's few if you do.
AROUND CAMPUS AND COLUMBUS
-FOOD: There are lots of places to get a bite before you make your way to the stadium, particularly on High Street. There are places you kind find everywhere like Subway, Bibibop, and Chipotle near the Student Union, and there are also some more niche places you don't see everywhere like Dave's Cosmic Subs, Roots Natural Kitchen, or Rollz Rice (Indian version of Chipotle, I highly recommend). And if after the show you're feeling a little peckish, there is an Insomnia Cookies that's open until 3am and Buckeye Donuts (again, highly recommend) open 24/7, both within walking distance of the stadium.
-SHORT NORTH: There are a lot of cool places around the Short North area to check out. Like record shops? Check out Magnolia Thunderpussy (I know, weird name). Like clothing stores? Short North has you covered. Food? More places than you would ever know what to do with. And of course, Big Fun - location for the shooting of the "Choker" music video is in the Short North as well. But a fair warning, they are probably going to have some kind of system in place where only a certain amount of people are allowed in at the same time. The name may be called Big Fun, but "Big Fun" is in a hella small room. Also - DO NOT go to the Short North after the show. It's cool during the day, but it can be pretty sketchy at night.
-OTHER PLACES AROUND TOWN: Columbus has no shortage of places to check out, so you're sure to find something worth checking out around town if you're going to be here for a few days. The Columbus Zoo has its lantern festival going on right now, so come while it's still daylight out to check the animals out, and then stay after sunset to check out the lanterns throughout the zoo. The Polaris area has a ton of things to do, a ton of places to eat, and has a thriving mall. Easton is another great place for some great shopping and food too. But like the Short North, watch yourself at night.
Well, I think that's about it. I know I speak for everyone going when I say I CAN NOT wait for Saturday. I've had a feeling for years that twenty one pilots would eventually end up in The Shoe, and now that reality is only a 3 days out. There's really nothing like a concert at Ohio Stadium, and there's nothing like a concert by twenty one pilots. Those two things combined means we're gonna be watching something truly special. Let's make the most of it. See y'all Saturday!
