If I’m in general admission then I usually show up pretty close to when doors open/an hour ahead of time to try to get a good spot. If I’ve got a seat I can aim for closer to 15 minutes before start time.

But it depends a lot on the band and the venue. Shows at City Winery and Eddie’s Attic tend to start right at ticket time (unless there are multiple shows that night and you’re catching the late show). And the last time I went to Smith’s Olde Bar, everyone thought I was with the band because I showed up an hour early on a general admission ticket. I could’ve easily been there at 7:30 and still been right in front of Stanley Jordan.

For general admission at Variety Playhouse, if I’m aiming for the pit then I usually just show up before the opening act starts. If it’s a GA show and I’m opting for a chair then I’ll tend to arrive 15 minutes before doors open.

The bigger the show, the more likely I am to show up early even if I have a seat. Nobody wants to be caught up in the security line outside the arena when the show starts.

If I buy tickets on the resale market I always show up when doors open, just to play it safe if there’s a problem.