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Media pass for concerts, festivals and events: how to get one

A media pass for a concert or festival is issued by the promoter, the artist’s management or the festival press team – not by a press card issuer. You apply in advance with a commission or a clear coverage plan, examples of your work and your press card. A press card supports the request but never guarantees a pass.

Music and live events are where most people hope a press card will open doors. This guide shows how the process really works for reviewers and photographers, what UK festivals ask for, and how to build a track record that gets you on the list.

Apply for your press card Check the requirements

Media pass application for concerts: FJA press card with sample data

Who issues media passes for concerts?

Find the right contact and half the work is done.

Promoter or venue

For club and arena shows, the promoter’s or venue’s press office handles guest lists and press tickets.

Artist’s PR or management

Photo passes are often approved by the artist’s publicist, sometimes only for named outlets.

Festival press team

Festivals run their own accreditation with fixed deadlines and criteria, often months before the event.

What UK festivals ask for

Examples from major events, checked October 2026.

Event	Criteria	Notes
Glastonbury Festival	National papers, wire services and established music media	No passes for uncommissioned freelancers, influencers or students
Edinburgh Festival Fringe	Published reviews or arts coverage, outlet affiliation or a commission	Photographers need a professional publication history
London Fashion Week (events)	Commission from an established publication and work from the last 12 months	No student publications

Always check the organiser’s current media page. Criteria change from year to year.

How to request a media pass for a concert

A short, specific email works best.

Contact early – two to four weeks before a club show, months before a festival.

Name your outlet and attach the editor’s commission or explain where you will publish.

Say what you will deliver – review, gallery, interview, video – and when.

Add credentials: press card number, two recent reviews or galleries, audience figures.

After the show, send the press contact the link to your coverage. Reliability is the best argument for next time. Never resell or pass on press tickets, and never ask for plus-ones unless they are part of your coverage team.

Photo passes and the photo pit

For photographers the rules are stricter.

Typical conditions

Shooting limited to the first part of the set
No flash, limited positions
Approval of images or release forms for some artists
Usage limited to the commissioning outlet

Conditions vary; read the release form carefully before you sign.

Building access

Start with local venues and smaller acts, publish strong galleries, and work towards commissions from established music media. Photographer-specific advice: press pass for photographers and how to become a press photographer.

Other events: launches, premieres, conferences

The same principles apply.

Product launches, film premieres, exhibitions, award ceremonies and conferences all have press contacts who decide who is invited. Corporate events and trade shows are often more open to specialist bloggers and freelancers than music festivals. Register as press where possible rather than buying a ticket, and keep commercial interests separate from coverage. More: press conferences, trade fairs, sporting events.

What your press card does in this process

Supporting evidence – nothing more, nothing less.

It helps

Press contacts can check you quickly via QR code
It shows you take your journalistic role seriously
It helps at the venue door and media desk

It does not

Guarantee a media pass or free entry
Replace a commission for major events
Allow you into areas you have not been accredited for

Template: media pass request for a concert or festival

Music PRs receive many requests. A clear, short email stands out.

Subject: Media request – [artist / festival] – [date, venue] – [outlet]

Hello [name],

I am a [writer / photographer] for [outlet], where I cover [genre or beat]. I would like to review [artist] at [venue] on [date] [and photograph the first three songs from the pit, if possible].

The review will appear on [outlet] within [48 hours / one week]. Recent examples: [link 1], [link 2]. My FJA press card number is [number] and can be verified via its QR code.

I would be grateful for [one guest-list place / a photo pass]. Thank you for considering my request.

Best wishes,
[Name, mobile, outlet]

Find the right contact: for tours this is usually the artist’s PR agency or the promoter’s press office, for festivals the festival press team. Venue box offices rarely handle media requests.

After the event: delivering what you promised

What you do after the show decides whether you get the next pass.

Publish on time

Keep to the time frame you gave. If an editor delays publication, tell the PR so that they are not left wondering.

Send the link

Email the published piece or gallery to the press contact. A one-line thank-you is enough – PRs collect coverage for artists and promoters.

Respect photo terms

Photo passes often come with conditions on how images may be used. Read them before the show and stick to them afterwards, including for social media.

Building relationships with music PRs and promoters

Regular access comes from trust built over time.

Start with smaller venues and emerging artists – PRs are often glad of coverage and remember who supported their acts early.
Keep a simple list of contacts, the artists they represent and what you covered for them.
Be honest in reviews. PRs prefer fair criticism to coverage that readers do not trust.
Share your plans for the season, for example a series on local venues, so that PRs can suggest suitable shows.
Never resell, swap or pass on tickets or passes – it ends a relationship immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a media pass for a concert?

Contact the promoter, venue or artist’s press team well in advance with a commission or coverage plan, examples of your work and your press card number.

Can I get a press pass for concerts without working for a magazine?

Sometimes. Smaller venues and acts may accredit bloggers or independent reviewers with an audience; major festivals usually require established media.

Does a press card get me into concerts for free?

No. A press card supports your request; the promoter decides whether to give you a press ticket or pass.

How far in advance should I ask for a media pass?

For club shows two to four weeks; for festivals often several months, depending on the deadline.

Can photographers bring a camera with a normal ticket?

That depends on the venue’s terms. Professional cameras are often not allowed without a photo pass.

What should I do after the event?

Publish what you promised and send the press contact a link. It builds trust for future requests.

Can I bring a plus-one on a media pass?

Only if the press contact explicitly offers it. Media passes are for coverage, so ask for exactly what you need and do not assume that a guest place is included.

What if my media request is turned down?

Thank the PR and ask whether a later date or a different artist would suit them better. Capacity for media is often limited, and refusals are rarely personal.

Do I need a press card for a media pass?

Not necessarily. Many PRs decide on the basis of your outlet and your published work. A press card helps them confirm who you are, especially if they do not know you yet or you work freelance.

Sources and last review

Last reviewed: October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.