As an avid concertgoer, one of the most common questions I get asked when attending an outdoor music festival is “What can I bring?”. With the Red Hot Summer Tour coming up, I wanted to provide a quick and handy guide for fans on what items are allowed into the venue. By properly preparing and packing permitted items, you can have the best concert experience possible!
What Type of Event is the Red Hot Summer Tour?
The Red Hot Summer Tour is a series of outdoor music festivals held at various wineries and venues across Australia each summer. The concerts feature high-profile rock bands and adult contemporary artists performing full live sets. The shows run from midday to late evening, with festival grounds opening at 11am ahead of the first act.
It’s an all ages event but caters predominantly to adult crowds, with camping options available at some venues. The production involves multiple stages, large screens, professional sound and lighting, and space for food trucks, bars, and sponsor activations.
As an outdoor music festival, certain rules and restrictions apply regarding what you can bring into the venue. It’s not quite as flexible as an indoor arena concert in terms of prohibited items. Security and police will be checking all bags on entry.
List of Recommended Items to Bring
Here are some suggested items to pack for a comfortable and enjoyable day at the Red Hot Summer Tour:
- Valid tickets or e-tickets on your phone
- Photo ID
- Sunscreen and hat
- Jacket or layers
- Refillable water bottle
- Snacks
- Portable phone charger
- Earplugs
- Sunglasses
- Medications if required
- Cash for food/drinks
- Festival chair or picnic blanket
- Empty reusable water bottle
Packing essentials like sunscreen, water, warm layers, medication, and cash will make your festival experience safer and more comfortable. Rehydrating regularly and protecting yourself from sun exposure is key. Having snacks on hand means you won’t have to wait in long queues if you need a quick energy boost.
A fully charged phone, portable charger, and earplugs allow you to capture photos/videos while protecting your hearing. Sunglasses and chairs offer relief from squinting and standing all day. And don’t forget your valid ticket!
List of Items You CAN Bring
While the list of prohibited items is long, here are some of the main things you CAN bring into the Red Hot Summer Tour venues:
- Small bags and backpacks
- Non-professional cameras
- Sealed plastic water bottles (must be empty on entry)
- Empty reusable bottles
- Small amounts of food in sealed containers
- Portable chairs and picnic blankets
- Baby strollers
- Mobile phones and chargers
- Non-aerosol sunscreen lotions
- Sunglasses
- Hats
- Rain ponchos
- Prescription medications
As long as your bags and their contents comply with the rules, you should have no issues getting them through security. Chairs, blankets, empty bottles, sun protection, phones, and medications are all fine to bring in.
List of Prohibited Items
To ensure safety and compliance with regulations, there are various items that are strictly prohibited inside the festival grounds. Security will confiscate any disallowed items on the spot, so it’s crucial to leave these at home:
- Alcohol & illegal drugs
- Glass bottles or containers
- Umbrellas
- Professional cameras
- Audio or video recording devices
- Dangerous weapons
- Pets or animals (certified assistance animals exempt)
- Drones or remote flying devices
- Selfie sticks
- Bicycles, scooters, skateboards
- Laser pointers
- Spray paint cans
- Fireworks
- Large chains or wallet chains
Trying to smuggle in alcohol, weapons, drones, and professional cameras could get you evicted or arrested. Leave anything that could be construed as dangerous or illegal at home.
Umbrellas are prohibited as they can obstruct other people’s views. Pets are also not allowed unless they are certified assistance animals. And if you were planning on bringing bicycles or scooters to move between stages faster, leave them at home as they are banned from the event grounds.
More Details on Specific Prohibited Items
To provide more context around some commonly restricted items:
Alcohol & Illegal Substances
Bringing your own alcohol or illegal drugs into the venue is strictly prohibited. Security will confiscate and dispose of any that is found. The bars inside serve alcohol, so leave your own supplies at home to avoid trouble.
Glass & Bottles
Glass bottles and drink containers like beer bottles are banned as they can be thrown and used as projectiles. While plastic water bottles are allowed, they must be empty on entry and can then be refilled inside.
Professional Cameras
Video and audio recorders, GoPros, and any cameras with detachable lenses are prohibited. You are welcome to use point-and-shoot or phone cameras to take photos, but leave the pro gear at home.
Drones & Remote Control Devices
For privacy and safety reasons, drones and other remote controlled flying devices are banned from the event grounds. Leave them at home to avoid confiscation.
Umbrellas
Large umbrellas and parasols are not permitted as they can obstruct the view and crowd the walking areas between stages. Small compact umbrellas may be allowed in if necessary.
Tips for Getting Items Past Security
To maximize your chances of getting permitted items past security without issue:
- Travel light and leave prohibited items at home
- Have bags ready for inspection
- Only bring see-through plastic water bottles and empty them before entry
- Keep medication in original packaging and have IDs ready
- Consume any food or beverages before going through security
- Make sure portable chargers and power banks are easily accessible
- Be respectful and compliant to security staff requests
Being well prepared and cooperative will speed up the screening process. Have bottles empty and ready, keep snacks sealed and stowed separately, and take electronics out of bags in advance. Arrive early in case there are delays.
Always comply with any instructions from security personnel. If they request you open a bag or dispose of a prohibited item, arguing will not help your case. Stay polite, honest, and friendly for the smoothest experience.
What Happens If You Bring Prohibited Items?
Attempting to smuggle in banned items like drugs, alcohol, weapons, or drones can have serious repercussions:
- Items will be confiscated immediately
- You may be denied entry and have tickets revoked without refund
- Possible removal by security or police
- Risk of arrest or legal prosecution
- Banning from future events
Venue security and police take a zero tolerance approach to prohibited items. You will lose any banned items and may lose entry privileges or face arrest.
Consequences for Specific Items
Alcohol/Drugs
Alcohol and illegal substances will be confiscated and disposed of. Possession may result in eviction, fines, and criminal charges depending on quantity and legislation.
Weapons
Weapons including knives and firearms will be confiscated immediately. The perpetrator risks eviction, arrest, and prosecution for possession of a dangerous weapon in a public place.
Glass
Glass bottles will be confiscated and not returned. Refusal to surrender glass items may result in eviction without refund. Glass is banned as broken shards are dangerous.
Drones
Drones will be confiscated and not returned. Operators may face fines or prosecution under aviation laws for improper public usage.
While having items like medications, cigarettes, and vaping devices taken may be inconvenient, attempting to sneak in clearly dangerous and illegal items puts you at risk of legal consequences that can affect your future.
Recommended Items to Buy Inside
Once you are inside the festival grounds, there are certain items worth purchasing or activities worth enjoying:
- Food & Beverages – Try vendor snacks, meals, non-alcoholic drinks. Stay hydrated!
- Alcoholic Drinks – Enjoy bars with beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails.
- Merchandise – Grab tour t-shirts, hats, hoodies, and items from your favorite bands.
- Amusements – Enjoy carnival rides and games between sets.
Having cash on hand allows you to sample vendor cuisine, rehydrate and cool down with cold drinks, purchase tour souvenirs, and enjoy carnival activities without needing to make multiple ATM trips inside the venue.
Tips for Buying Items Inside
- Arrive early before queues get long
- Be aware of set times so you don’t miss acts during merch runs
- Ask vendors if they take card or require cash payments
- Carry your purchases back to campsites/cars before mosh pits
- Hydrate regularly with water from free refill stations
Getting to the venue early allows you time to explore the full range of food options before lines lengthen. Splurging on gear and amusements is all part of the festival experience, just be strategic with timing around sets. And take advantage of free water refill stations to save money and stay healthy.
Conclusion
Attending music festivals means balancing security rules with coming prepared to have an epic experience. Now that you know exactly what you can and can’t bring to the Red Hot Summer Tour, you can pack accordingly and comply with all regulations.
Travel light with essentials like sun protection, necessary medications, sealed water bottles, and phone chargers. Leave prohibited items at home or in the car to avoid hassles or legal risks. Arrive early, be cooperative at security, and treat staff with respect.
Once inside, indulging in food, drinks, souvenirs and rides is all part of the fun. Just remember to track set times and stay hydrated. By following this guide and these tips, you’ll avoid preventable issues and be ready to have an incredible time at the show!
