7 Reasons to Hire Concert Security Guards
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Concerts are an exciting opportunity to see your favorite musical artists perform live. But with safety issues like crowd crushes, fires, and even terrorist attacks becoming more common in recent years, concertgoers need to feel safe when attending a show.
Every concert, no matter how big or small, should have expert security guards on staff to keep things under control.
From guarding access points to monitoring crowd size, here are seven reasons why your events are safer when you hire experienced concert security guards. We’ll also explore the questions you should ask when interviewing security teams for hire.
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Concert Security Guards Maintain Access Control
Like sporting events, concerts can attract tens of thousands of people, and large crowds can quickly become a problem when they’re not regulated.
That’s why the first step every venue should take is to station security guards at every entryway and access point. These security personnel are responsible for asking fans to show their ticket when entering, ensuring only ticketed attendees may enter.
Concert security guards can use metal detectors to scan for weapons and check attendees’ bags for drugs so prohibited items don’t enter the venue. Performers who don’t allow cell phones and other recording devices will appreciate the attention to detail.
Security guards also provide access control at other key points, such as venue parking lots and backstage, preventing unauthorized concertgoers from entering restricted areas.
Related: The Ultimate Event Security Checklist
They Deter Criminal Activity and Disruptions
People are less likely to commit crimes or cause disruptions when security professionals are visible.
At concerts, security guards can deter all sorts of criminal behavior, including:
- Underage drinking
- Drug use and distribution
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Physical assaults
- Sexual assaults
Visible security guards will not only deter crime, they’ll also make concertgoers and event staff feel safer. Post guards in visible locations to send the message that your venue is prepared in the event of a disturbance.
Concert Security Guards Manage Crowds
Even at small venues, crowds can get out of hand. Crowd control issues like crushes and stampedes could arise at any time when too many people are occupying one area.
General admission concerts and music festivals that use standing areas, such as Coachella, have a higher risk for crowd control issues than other special events. When there’s no seating, concertgoers are more likely to dance, crowd surf, or push their way toward the stage.
Concert security guards receive training to manage and restrain large gatherings of people. Technologies like RFID readers, drones, and CCTV cameras help them monitor crowd size and spot potential hazards.
Crowd management should apply to every part of your venue, not just seating and standing areas. Hire guards to control the flow of people in stairwells, hallways, restrooms, lounges, concession stands, and other areas where people gather.
If you’re hosting a concert in an open outdoor area, make sure you designate a perimeter and post guards to enforce it.
These measures will provide peace of mind for everyone, from performers and audiences to event organizers and staff.
They Protect Audiences and Staff
At concerts, fights can break out over something as mundane as someone sitting in someone else’s seat by accident. Security officers act quickly to break up fights and deescalate tense interactions.
Guards also ensure that unauthorized people and weapons don’t make their way into the venue. They can monitor surveillance cameras throughout the venue to detect suspicious activity before a crime is committed.
Guards can deter or intercept the theft of staff and concertgoers’ personal property, such as wallets and mobile phones. Some security professionals are trained to render basic first aid when needed — yet another measure of protection for audiences and staff.
Concert Security Protects Performers and VIPs
It’s a standard practice at music venues to post security guards by the front stage, protecting performers. If an unruly fan makes it to the stage and interrupts or harms a performer, it won’t be a very successful event (and the performer will be unlikely to return to your venue).
Concert security guards can prevent people from running or climbing on stage. Security teams stationed within limited-access areas, such as tour buses or backstage, protect artists and their VIP guests from unruly fans.
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They Improve Emergency Response Times
Event security might not be the same as law enforcement, but having them on staff can speed up your venue’s emergency response.
How?
Part of their job is to create emergency evacuation plans based on the venue’s layout and unique security needs. These plans ensure that when first responders are necessary, the guards contact them immediately.
Concert venues have a higher risk for fires because they’re full of high-power lights and audiovisual equipment. To keep people safe and comply with fire safety regulations, your security team will include fire safety protocols in their emergency plan.
Venues can become sweltering hot, especially when people are dancing and drinking alcohol or it’s a summertime concert outdoors. Security guards can move concertgoers experiencing dehydration, heat stroke, or other medical concerns to safety until medics or EMTs arrive.
They Run a Full Risk Assessment Before Events
A concert security guard’s responsibilities start long before the scheduled event.
In the weeks leading up to your venue’s concert or festival, your team will do a complete risk assessment of the interior, exterior, perimeters, parking lot, lights, gates, and fences. If the current security measures aren’t up to par, they’ll update the security plan to address the gaps.
Security companies know how to identify weak entry and exit points that are potential threats to access control. They’ll assess your venue’s security cameras to confirm they’re functional and adequate, showing you where to position cameras for optimal coverage and surveillance.
Depending on your venue’s needs and whether it has a security monitoring room, you may want to hire an on-site team to monitor the cameras. Otherwise, hiring someone to monitor the cameras from a remote location might be enough.
Some venues find that a combination of on-site and off-site monitoring is best to prevent oversights and improve response time.
What Should You Look for When Hiring Concert Security?
Before you hire guards to safeguard your next live music event, consider your needs. How can you find a private security team with the right experience and tools to meet those needs?
The answer is to ask questions — as many as possible to ensure the concert will be a safe experience for everyone.
Here are the questions every concert organizer and venue should ask themselves before hiring security.
Do You Need Armed or Unarmed Guards?
Depending on the venue’s location and the type of concert, armed security guards may not be necessary.
Having said that, you might consider hiring armed guards if your venue is located in a high-crime area. It’s also wise if you expect a massive turnout or if the performer deals with stalking or threats of violence.
Armed guards undergo extensive firearms training. Many are ex-military and ex-police with top-level law enforcement training.
Check out more of our tips for hiring armed versus unarmed security guards.
Do You Need Security Indoors, Outdoors, or Both?
Depending on the size and layout of the venue, you might only need to hire guards to protect the inside or outside of the venue.
Ideally, most venues should hire guards who can handle both. When everyone leaves the concert at the same time, it’s often a rush for the doors. Stationing guards throughout indoor hallways, exterior walkways, and parking lots will manage the flow of foot and vehicular traffic.
If the venue uses on-site parking lots, guards can also patrol them during the concert to prevent thefts and vandalism.
How Long Will You Need Guards on Site?
A professional security company can brief you on how early guards should arrive — and how long they should stay once the event has ended. This will depend on when the venue’s doors open and how long it typically takes the expected volume of guests to leave.
When budgeting for concert security, don’t assume four hours is enough because you’ve scheduled a four-hour event. Guards should arrive well before it begins and stick around afterward to tie up loose ends.
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What Type of Experience Should Concert Security Guards Have?
Event security services with concert experience should know how to handle every issue this article has covered, from crowd management to emergency response.
Keep in mind that a multi-day outdoor music festival will have different needs than a small concert venue that typically sees a few hundred ticket holders a night. The more complex the event, the more experienced your concert security team needs to be.
Before hiring, ask what type of concert experience the security firm has. It’s best to hire one that’s handled venues similar in size, type, and guest volume to your own.
Live music shows should be a time for fun and pleasure. Unfortunately, things can go downhill fast if your venue doesn’t use a concert security solution.
Without proper security measures in place, you risk the lives of your patrons, staff, and talented musical artists. Rigorous security makes it possible for everyone to have a great time.
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