- Initial sell-outs aren’t always final; ticket releases often happen in waves.
- Alternative sources like fan clubs, presale alerts, and resale platforms offer second chances.
- Flexibility with show locations or dates can open up more opportunities.
- Planning with alerts and community groups helps prevent missing out again.
You waited for so long for the concert to be announced, set your alarm and had several devices on hand—but then you saw “SOLD OUT” when you tried to get tickets. Nothing is worse for a live music fan than having their dream show suddenly taken away from them.
This happens a lot these days. Because of fan presales, special memberships, bots grabbing tickets and the rising excitement around concerts, tickets sell out faster than a meat pie at a sporting event. However, not getting into the first round doesn’t necessarily end your chances.
There are still options (or some smart tricks) to help you get into the show without putting your kidney on the line. We’ll explain your options when your favourite concert is sold out and the first thing to do is stay calm.
Don’t Worry – The End May Not Be Immediate
It’s natural to think your chances are over when a show sells out in no time. But when I see that first message that my tickets are sold out? It’s usually just the start. Often, promoters, artists and venues reserve a certain number of tickets for technical reasons, VIP releases, media use or just to build excitement.
With the event getting closer, these reserved tickets usually become available again for everyone to buy. Sometimes, more seats are put on sale because of changes in the show or tickets are released at the last minute. Because these releases are often unexpected, you should always be ready.
Save the official ticketing link and visit it every now and then. Look for the venue, the artist and the ticket seller on your favorite social networks. Enable notifications so you don’t miss out on any extra drops. Getting alerts by email from the venue or the ticketing service is a useful way to stay updated.
In other words, the sold-out status won’t last forever. Having patience and being active can sometimes help you get a job after others have left the race.
Looking for Different Methods of Access
The sale is done and I haven’t seen anything on the website (so far). At this point, it’s fun to find the other paths that only the most devoted fans know.
Many ticketing platforms and promoters now offer waitlist features that notify you if extra tickets become available. These are more than just a formality—they often connect directly with systems that release tickets in real-time, especially when buyers cancel or more allocations open up. If you’re hoping to see a major international act or a one-off local show, joining a waitlist for sold out shows in Australia can put you in the front of the queue when new seats drop.
Another path? Join fan clubs or subscribe to mailing lists. In many cases, artists give their most loyal fans special opportunities to hear new music. Examples of these perks are early access to tickets, getting more tickets or special secret gigs that aren’t announced to the public. It only takes five minutes to sign up and it could greatly increase your chances next time.
A few venues let you know about upcoming ticket releases, so be sure to check their sites instead of only the main ticketing sites.
Even so, you should always be cautious. Because fans may be eager for tickets, scammers often target them, so never pay for tickets to a random profile. If something looks suspicious, it’s probably not safe. Always use official sites, reliable platforms or reliable communities when looking into second chances.
Use the Resale Market in a Clever Way
Resale has a reputation problem and sometimes that reputation is deserved, but it isn’t always about shady deals online. If you still want to go to the concert, buying tickets from resellers might be your only option, but only if you do it carefully.
Make sure to stay away from sellers who have no buyer protection and are only found on social media. It’s simply not a safe thing to do. It’s better to use well-known resale sites such as Tixel, Twickets or Ticketek Marketplace. They make sure tickets are real, keep prices in check and cooperate with event organisers to ensure everything is above board.
In the past, resale meant paying much more than the original price, but that’s no longer the case. Many artists and venues now back ethical ways to resell tickets to protect their fans. So, sometimes you might be able to purchase tickets for face value or even less, especially as the event approaches and sellers want to break even.
When you do this is very important. After a show sells out, prices tend to rise because of the panic. However, if you keep calm and wait, things usually settle down. You’ll find the best deals on tickets in the days or weeks just before the concert.
If you’re unsure, rely on your instincts and compare the ticket to the official information on the event website. They will often recommend which resale websites to use and warn you about the unreliable ones.
Expand Your Options With Alternative Shows
Wish you could be at the Sydney show? You might find what you’re looking for in Brisbane or Melbourne. If you’re open to alternatives, you might discover many more opportunities.
If the first concert is sold out fast, artists often organize a second or third show to satisfy their fans. It’s often the case that these additions arrive a few days (or even hours) after the first sell-out, so waiting a bit longer can help.
Attending concerts in smaller cities or towns often means you’ll find more tickets, less competition and a closer experience. You could arrange cheaper accommodation and travel and turn it all into a fun road trip with your friends.
It’s also worth checking out local radio and community networks, as they may have secret shows or giveaways not many people know about. If you follow them on social media or watch regularly, you could win something unexpected.
Social media accounts of artists are your best friends in this journey. Often, they’ll suggest extra shows or mention pop-up concerts to build excitement before a tour. Keep your notifications on, watch Stories and don’t hesitate to join the conversation—a lot of news is shared there before it’s official.
Simply put: being open to change or a little travel can sometimes result in a better show.
Plan Ahead for Next Time
It’s always frustrating when you miss out on tickets, even once. Still, there is some good news. A little planning and a few good habits can usually prevent it from happening. If you love live music, it’s smart to have a plan so that you’re at the front next time, instead of having to make last-minute choices.
You should first set up notifications with the main ticketing websites. Many let you favorite artists or venues to receive alerts when tour announcements are made or when tickets become available. You get to know about it before the general public which is a big advantage.
Signing up for artist newsletters or joining fan clubs may feel a bit outdated, but it’s still one of the top ways to get early access to tickets. Often, these lists are given early access to tickets and you should sign up if you really want to see that artist perform.
Community spaces are worth checking out, too. Reddit, Discord and Facebook groups for music genres or artists are good places to get early news, helpful tips and the chance to trade tickets with other fans, not ticket resellers.
Be sure to check your payment information one last time before tickets start selling. When tickets are going fast, make sure you’re logged in, your payment information is saved and your internet connection is strong.
Even though it looks like a lot, these habits mean you’ll probably attend next time.
Conclusion
Missing out on a concert ticket feels rubbish—but it’s not the end of the road. Whether it’s nabbing a ticket through a resale platform, joining a waitlist, or jumping on a surprise second show, there are still plenty of paths to that stage-side moment.
Live music is about connection, energy, and the shared buzz of being part of something bigger. And the good news? There’s usually more than one way to get in. So stay sharp, stay optimistic, and with a bit of patience and clever moves, you’ll be back in the crowd before you know it.
