Questions and answers
Questions and answers
Short, self-contained answers, from basic to practical. Answers expand when you click, but all of them are in the page text. Detailed step-by-step instructions are in the How-to articles section. Refund answers describe the rules for events in Russia; other countries have different rules.
A short answer is only useful if it's accurate. Where a lot depends on the organizer, we say so plainly.
Tickets and refunds
How much will I get back if I decide not to go?
Under Russian rules, it depends on timing: no later than 10 days before the event, 100% of the price; no later than 5 days, at least 50%; no later than 3 days, at least 30%. Less than 3 days out, the organizer may refuse a refund.
The concert was postponed. Do I have to go on the new date?
No. If the event is canceled, replaced or rescheduled, you may return the ticket for a full refund.
I got sick on the day of the concert. Is my money gone?
Not if the illness is documented: then 100% of the price is refunded, even on the day of the event. Documents are submitted before the event date or, if that's impossible, within two more weeks.
Can I give my named ticket to a friend?
A named ticket can be transferred to another person no later than 10 days before the event.
Why was my refund for a promo ticket denied?
Tickets sold through promotions and special programs may be non-refundable. Check whether this is stated in the seller's terms.
Sound, hearing and recordings
What sound level is acceptable at a concert?
The WHO global standard recommends that the average sound level not exceed 100 dB LAeq over 15 minutes. It's a benchmark for venues, not a guarantee that any given concert meets it.
Do I need earplugs if I rarely go to concerts?
For adults, exposure to 80 dB for up to 40 hours a week is considered safe. A single loud night can use up that allowance, so hearing protection helps even if you rarely go out.
How is FLAC different from MP3?
FLAC compresses audio losslessly: decoding gives you back the original recording. MP3 and AAC use lossy compression: some information is discarded, but the file is smaller.
Can I film a concert on my phone?
Filming rules are set by the organizer and the venue. Check the admission policy and the ticket terms; publishing the footage is a separate copyright question.
Related sections
- Handbook sections
Handbook map: tickets, safety and hearing, venues and sound, recordings and archives.
- How-to articles
How to buy a concert ticket without losing money, plus a list of upcoming articles.
- Reference
Terms and numbers: refund deadlines, decibels, recording formats, web archives.
Sources
- Fundamentals of the Legislation of the Russian Federation on Culture (Art. 52.1)
- WHO. Global Standard for Safe Listening Venues and Events (2022)
- Civil Code of the Russian Federation, Part Four
Information is current as of the preparation date. Ticket sale and refund rules, as well as venue policies, change over time. Before you buy, check the law in force and the organizer's terms.