Tips for Tailgating on Tour

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Prep Equipment

I've travelled before with a set of knives, usually just a 8" chef's knife and a small knife with a sharpening steel. Now, I'm pretty much of the belief that all you need is a good chef's knife, be it an 8" or 5". This is, of course, keeping in mind that you'd be making food there at the venue. As far as cutting goes, this is all you'd need. You can, despite airport security, travel with a knife (or knives) -- just make sure they're in the luggage you're CHECKING. Do NOT bring them with you in a carry-on. Lord only knows what you'd go through.

Poly cutting boards (plastic, not wood) are insanely cheap and can be bought at just about any grocery store. You're looking at maybe $10 for a good one. Smaller ones can be packed and travelled with; larger ones are better (they give you more cutting room, naturally) and are more suited to those travelling to local venues.

Hand sanitizer is great for not just your hands, but knives and other equipment you're using. That's completely your call; I prefer to have that or liquid soap. Cutting up chicken only to then run the knife under water and then cut steak? That's probably not the best idea.

Garbage bags are both inexpensive and necessary, and can be hung in a few spots. Really cheap ones do tend to split on you, which sucks -- get a small box of good ones and you're set. The handle-tie ones work pretty well, and most venues are cool with you leaving a full bag of garbage next to a garbage can, as long as trash isn't spilling out the top of it.

Bricks/rocks. If you've got a couple of small bricks and/or clean rocks, bring em. A good crosswind will send most of your lighter stuff flying across the lot. No one wants that.

Grilling Equipment

If you're living close to the venue (meaning "you're willing to drive to it from home"), a grill should be no problem. Those tiny black deals you see all over the place? They're roughly $19.99 - $25.99 base price. A small container of propane costs $5 or so. If you've already got a grill that's transportable, cool. One less thing to worry about.

Make a note to buy propane, and buy it early. Get two tanks if it's a multi-day concert (presuming you'll be cooking more). If you're bringing something big enough that requires your usual large propane tank, just make sure you've got enough in the tank to last.

Lots of folks find themselves tailgating out-of-town; the practice of travelling to shows and finding themselves without grilling equipment. You've got a couple of options here.

Buy yourself the base setup (listed above) and consider that you'll need utensils and propane. I would travel home with new grilling utensils. I would not travel home with a grill. It'd be a pain in the ass.

Make tailgating plans with someone who has a grill. This works out great when I've asked if folks would bring multiple grills (Gorge and Alpine come to mind) and I'm trying to cook more than one thing at a time.

Rent equipment. REI rents camping stoves at some of their stores, and there's usually also local stores that would rent equipment. I've never done it, so I can't really speak from experience on that one.

At the very least, you'll want tongs. Tongs and a grill spatula would definitely be better; add a brush for basting and you've got the Holy Trinity of grill utensils right there. Bring them with you, or buy them if you have to travel, or borrow them. I travel with tongs and a spatula. Yes, I get funny looks. I'm still prepared all the same.

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