Ariana Grande's Prague concert has new date, very tight security

People planning on seeing the Ariana Grande’s Sweetener World Tour at Prague’s O2 Arena should know two important things: the date has been moved up to September 4, and security will be extremely tight to enter the venue.

The security is the strictest so far for any concert in Prague, but more bands recently have been raising the bar due to global events involving large crowds.

In a social media statement before the tour started, Grande said, “Security is going to be very precise and smooth but for sure super strict.”

Most importantly, concertgoers will only be allowed in if all of their possessions are in a clear plastic bag. The bags must be no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches (30 x 15 x 30 cm), or A4 format. One-gallon (3.7 liter) freezer bags are also allowed. Each person can only have one bag.

The bags must be fully clear and smooth, not textured in a pattern or tinted. Backpacks, purses, clutches or wristlets are not allowed.

Everything in the bag must be visible. You cannot put a purse or similar object with items inside it in the clear bag, meaning no bag within a bag.

Also, no cameras or recording devices will be allowed. This includes small non-professional cameras with fixed lenses.

Smart phones with built-in cameras are permitted.

This policy is mandatory for admittance to the show, the organizers state.

Grande in her social media post said the bags were “super cheap and simple but having them ahead of time will for sure help things go as smooth as possible.”

The date of the show was changed for unspecified “personal reasons” of the artist. “Due personal reason some dates in Ariana Grande tour has been changed. Prague’s show, originally scheduled for September 8th 2019 will now happen ON SEPTEMBER 4th 2019, same venue O2 Arena, Prague,” concert promoter Live Nation said on Facebook.

Tickets with the original date remain valid, but people who want a refund for any reason need to act soon, as the deadline is August 31. Fans should contact info@livenation.cz to get back the full face value.

At the same time a show in Poland was canceled and one in Hamburg, Germany, was rescheduled.

The security is due in part to a May 2017 bombing at an Ariana Grande in Manchester, UK, that resulted in 23 deaths and 139 injuries.

Other bands including the Rolling Stones have moved to limit bag sizes, and a growing number of bands ranging from King Crimson to Tool are banning personal cameras at shows.