Ariana Grande Encourages Sweetener/Thank U, Next Tour Attendees to Buy Clear Plastic Bags Beforehand

Security Increases for Ariana's Tour

Concert security has always been a subject of controversy. The procedure is different at every show. It really came to the forefront of attention after the Manchester shooting at Ariana Grande's concert last year. Ariana cancelled several shows and took months off to recover mentally after this. A few weeks after the incident, a huge benefit concert was held in Manchester to raise funds to take action against mass shootings and benefit mental health treatments for people who have the potential to become shooters. Concert security increased for a while after the shooting, but it eventually went back to normal. But, Ariana Grande posted on Instagram about her upcoming tour security being strict and encouraged fans to buy clear plastic bags to carry their essentials in to make security go as smooth as possible.

This security increase directly affects live concerts. More security will mean longer lines and possibly more frustration from fans. I believe that security does need to be tightened and this is the right move. I remember in 2017 I went to The 1975's outdoor show in Pittsburgh and I had a small bag so I got in the bag line. When I got to the actual checkpoint, the security guard laughed at me saying I "couldn't possibly hide anything in there," and let me go in without being checked. This concert was also the only concert I've been to that people brought lighters in. Ariana's post may seem insignificant at first, but it has a direct effect on the way concerts will be run. A concert can be viewed as an easy target for terrorism or shootings because of the large crowds and sometimes relaxed security. The clear bags should become a policy for concerts and Ariana releasing her own line of them will make them more popular among fans. Arians's push for more security will make people more aware of the need for it at future shows.