For many people, getting a signature from Eminem or Taylor Swift is almost impossible. Unless you pay attention to a few little tricks.
It’s not easy to get an autograph from musicians. But if you follow a few rules and tricks, your chances increase many times over.
1. Timing at the hotel is everything
Most musicians in the A category stay in the most famous five-star hotels in the respective city, which are usually not far from the concert location. Instead of hoping in vain for an autograph moment after the concert, the timing should be midday or early afternoon before the gig. At this time the stars usually leave the hotel for the upcoming sound check in the hall. Position yourself inconspicuously but clearly visible near the back exit or the underground car park exit. Since the musicians are not yet exhausted from the concert at this point, the chances of a short conversation and a signature are particularly good.
2. Keep an eye on the tour bus
The area around the tour buses behind the concert hall is often a hotspot for autograph hunters, but also something for professionals. Because it requires a lot of patience and proper time management. You should find out where the closed backstage access is four to five hours before the official entrance. During this time window, the musicians usually arrive at the hall to carry out the sound check and test the stage. After the sound check there is often a period of idleness during which it is not unusual for the stars to stretch their legs for a few minutes. However, it’s better to stick to the barriers so as not to antagonize security.
3. Use promo dates on radio and TV
There is hardly an arena concert that is not accompanied by some promotion. This usually means that musicians can be found at radio or TV events. Research where that might be in advance of the day of the concert. The stars usually give live interviews in the morning. The big advantage in these places is the extremely low competition for a signature. If you position yourself at the entrance or exit of the station building in good time, the chance is high because the atmosphere here is usually very relaxed and the sought-after artists can take a little more time.
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4. VIP upgrade brings an autograph more often
If you don’t want to take any risks (and have a little more change), you can also take your chance with a VIP ticket. Many organizers offer exclusive packages that include a so-called “Meet & Greet”. This is the most expensive option, but in return it guarantees you an orderly meeting with the musicians in a private setting. Whether there really is a chance is usually stated in advance in the organizer’s terms and conditions. There are often restrictions on how many items can be signed or whether you are allowed to use your own pens. Anyone who doesn’t adhere to this could end up empty-handed.
5. Use politeness as a door opener
In the excitement, many fans tend to scream their favorite’s name at a deafening volume. That’s not a good idea because hardly anyone wants to expose themselves to this stress. If you instead stay calm and make eye contact unobtrusively and also politely address the star by his or her real name or first name, you have a much better chance. A friendly “please” and an honest compliment on a particular song often work wonders. Always treat security staff with respect. Anyone who stands out positively and behaves cooperatively in such situations is most likely to have the staff turn a blind eye and pass an album or something else for a signature.
6. Bring a treasure
Musicians react strongly to visual stimuli. Anyone in a group of fans who holds up a vinyl record that is no longer available, an expensive super deluxe edition or a rarely noticed tour artwork naturally stands out from the crowd. It is known that many stars prefer to sign such historical objects rather than something from the merch stand or even a blank sheet of paper. You often have no chance even with photos randomly printed out from the Internet. There is also a reason for this: This immediately raises the suspicion among the stars and their management that the autographs will later only be resold at a high price on online platforms.
7. The advantage of having the right pen
An often underestimated mistake when preparing for an autograph hunt is the lack of a suitable writing tool. Stars rarely have a pen ready themselves. A thick, waterproof marker with a sturdy bullet tip is ideal because it can stick instantly to various surfaces. It is best to choose a shiny silver or gold tone, especially if dark album covers or black T-shirts are to be signed. A rich black is best for bright surfaces or classic posters. Another tip: Always have the cap of the pen already removed, this makes things quicker for the musicians.
This is how you get autographs from…
Taylor Swift
It’s actually become impossible to get Taylor Swift’s autograph on the street. Instead, their management is using a different strategy to give real fans autographed albums. The singer regularly and always unannounced places strictly limited, hand-signed CD or vinyl editions of her records in her web store. If you want to act in good time, you can use automated page monitor apps (such as Distill or Visualping) that immediately sound an alarm as soon as something changes on the website.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish simply doesn’t sign autographs on the road anymore. This is also why people react allergically to professional traders who only want to sell their signature for a profit. However, it is known that the singer responds to personal letters and homemade gifts and to honest compliments and creativity around concerts. Sometimes she spontaneously grabs the poster and signs it or, if she really likes it, even responds with a hug.
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran has long been considered one of the most approachable superstars in the pop world. He once parked a truck in a supermarket car park in Hertfordshire to promote his own hot sauce (“Tingly Ted’s”). There were also lots of autographs for surprised customers. According to insiders, while on tour he often feels like looking around the city in question. Anyone who follows his social media account and some fan accounts often quickly notices where he appears in bars, department stores or museums. There is a great chance of getting an autograph if you ask politely.
