You really need to make sure of this one

Buy your tickets before you travel, don't forget to take them with you and make sure you keep them in a safe place. It's not wise to leave it to chance and aim to buy your tickets there, but if you choose to you'll need to check in advance and make sure that there will be tickets available, even then you can't be certain unless you book in advance - ask yourself - is it worth the risk?

Check the event cancellation policy before buying your tickets. If the event gets cancelled can you get your money back or will the ticket be validated for another date? validation for another date means another trip (flight costs, hotel costs, ground transport costs). Money back won't ease your disappointment, but may help you enjoy the rest of your short break.

Buy your tickets from a reputable place, whatever you do DON'T buy from ticket touts. Remember you are in a foreign country with a foreign language … the ticket you think says your artists name on it may read 'sucker' in the native language. You'll be hacked off if you get ripped off, and what's worse is that you'll only have yourself to blame!

Check that you are buying tickets for the area you want to be in… asking to see a floor plan or at least to know if they are reserved seating or general admission may save you disappointment later. Some venues abroad sell general admission tickets for the seated areas as well as the arena floor area.

Make sure that you know the currency exchange rate when you buy your ticket… don't pay over the odds because you're a guest of the country.

Check the terms and conditions on the tickets with regards to what items you can and can't take into the event with you. If it is written in the native language ask the box office where you buy the ticket or the concierge / front desk of the hotel to translate what it says. Don't turn up at the front doors with prohibited items… it could be a long trip back to the car or hotel to deposit them if the venue doesn't have a storage area.

Check out websites, does the artist have any info on their website? Does the venue have a website? If it's in a different language use a translation programme to get it translated (google does this) you may get valuable information about the venue etc.

Make sure you know what time the concert starts and finishes and what time the venue opens (should be on your ticket but not all of them do this so check with the venue)

Accommodation

Do your research before you book. All cities have different areas… some good, some bad. Check with the local tourist office for recommended areas and hotels.

Book your accommodation to fit with your trip not the event. Some stadiums and concert halls may be some way out of town, if you plan to stay a couple of days book a hotel in the city and make one trip to the venue … it'll be cheaper than making the journey into the city 3 or 4 times because you booked a hotel out by the venue.

Reconfirm your booking before travelling … mistakes are made and the last thing you want after a flight or long car ride is to find out your booking was mislaid or your room was double booked and you don't have a room.

Most hotels will want a copy of your passport for registration when you cheque in, they may ask you to pick it up later. Don't leave your passport; ask them to make a copy whilst you wait.

Always use the safety deposit box if one is available.

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