From ProjectLoop

Outdoor concerts are plentiful during the summer season in Chicago. Most of them are in large outdoor parks in which the only thing that stands between you and the concert is a metal fence. Highly scalable and in the right situations, you can just walk right in. Here are some tips on getting in if you are strap for cash and are going to be in Chicago for the 2008 Summer Concert season:

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• Take the train and then the "L" - There is no reason to drive to these outdoor concerts.

They are usually in convenient areas where public transportation stops and runs all night.

It also helps in not having to look for parking or leave the concert to pay the meter after you have

already gotten in.

• Scout the area for easy-ins - Sometimes you can find an opening where the security isn't

even looking or has just gone on a break to use the washroom. Watch for these

spots, they can make the whole process go much smoother.

• After running the scout party around the parameter, look for spots in the

fence where there are not many people. The best places are behind the food

tents and when they are bringing the food inside the concert.

The larger the truck, the better your cover.

• If you're with a group of friends, climb the fence and jump over all at the same time.

There is no sense in leaving someone who is with you behind. This way if your

caught everyone gets thrown out and you don't have the lonely friend.

• Once inside make note if there is any special wrist bands or stamps you're supposed to have but do not.

If that's the case, cover your wrists until you get into a large crowd of people. Unfortunately, without these bands alcohol may be off limits to you, but you can always find a friendly drunk.

Concert Spots

Millennium Park - You can sit in the grass along the west side of the park. There is a wall of evergreen trees that blocks people from the inside from seeing in. If you sit in the grass you can hear whatever is going on there pretty well. If you stick your head through the evergreen trees, you can see the stage and the jumbo-trons that are showing the action on stage.

Grant Park - Grant park may be the easiest of the parks to get into as it covers the main bulk of the Chicago Loop area. Even if you can't possibly find your way in, it is easy to sit back on a patch of unfenced grass and listen to whichever band is playing that evening. It is especially easy to listen during Lollapalooza.

Union Park - If your a hipster you will want to get familiar with Union Park, the usual site of the Pitchfork Musical festival and my personal area of expertise. It may be the easiest outdoor venue to sneak into, with low security and low fences. Scout first though, each year they most likely up the security.

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