The concert that you’ve been waiting all year for is just around the corner, and you’re at the end of your rope trying to figure out how to get backstage passes. Never fear, with a bit of craft and luck there’s a variety of tricks that you can use to up your chances of getting in.

You could start by prodding the local media to see if they need someone to cover the show. Obviously, you’ll have to pass yourself off as a seasoned freelancer, but you might just get the chance to interview your heroes in person. If local media doesn’t work, set up an online fan forum and contact the band’s media people personally. It’s a long shot, but if you can prove that you have a decent following on your site, they might gladly take you up on free coverage.

You could also contact the venue itself and see if they need extra help setting up or breaking down. These jobs can be labor intensive, but they also provide you an opportunity to get up close and personal with members of the band during their downtime. Make friends with the right people, and you just might find yourself invited to the after party.

If neither of those options work, you could try more subversive measures such as forging your own pass, getting a look at the guest list and impersonating someone on it, or dressing up like a security guard and walking in like you know what you are doing. Best case scenario, no one questions your ploy and you get in; worse case, you get kicked out and miss the show entirely.

If you do manage to get in, don’t blow it by getting sloppy drunk or acting like an idiot. No one likes those annoying, star-struck fans that scream at the top of their lungs every time the band makes an appearance. No matter how much you idolize them, remember band members are people too. Keep that in mind when you do finally get your opportunity to get up close and personal.