Show me your wrist!

I’m lucky to work at the MCG as event staff, and some of the things I do can be pretty random. Recently, during the AC/DC concert, I was in charge of wrapping wristbands on people who’d bought tickets to the general admission arena.

It sounds like an easy job, but it can get intense, especially when you’ve got a line of excited fans desperate to claim the best spot in the arena. They were all clustered outside the doors, buzzing with anticipation, and honestly, it was a bit overwhelming.

The moment the doors opened, a whole horde of people came rushing in, urging us to hurry up and get their wristbands on. And let me tell you: sweaty, anxious people do not make for great wristband-wrapping conditions.

One bloke insisted, “Hurry up, let me put it on!” and I had to firmly tell him no we weren’t allowed. Despite the irritation from some customers, we had to stay strict. There were limited wristbands, and we needed to keep track of any that got ripped or broken.

There’s actually a method to making sure the wristbands are secure. They can’t be too loose or too tight, so I’d slip my middle finger between the band and the wrist to get just the right amount of wiggle room. If someone lost their wristband, they’d lose access to something they’d spent a lot of money on, so it mattered.

People with very small wrists were the hardest—they often needed the band wrapped twice. Then came the very hairy wrists, which were a close second in difficulty; I had to be extra careful not to give them an accidental wax.

For the first twenty minutes, all I saw were wrists—hairy, tiny, large, tattooed—all being thrust into my hands. Once the initial rush died down, though, things became much nicer. People stopped rushing us and actually wanted to chat.

I found myself commenting on dainty wrists or asking about tattoo meanings. One guy had Brian Johnson tattooed on his shoulder—a true AC/DC devotee. It felt almost poetic, given this might be one of the band’s last tours, to see just how deeply fans feel connected to their music.

One girl had the number 777 tattooed on her arm. When I asked what it meant, she told me it was her angel number—symbolising luck, spiritual growth, heightened intuition, and divine guidance. I’d never heard of angel numbers before.

Another man had a beautifully drawn tiger wrapped around his arm. He told me he chose the tiger because it represents the strength and power he tries to carry into everyday life. A striking reminder to stay strong, no matter what life throws at you.

It was genuinely interesting hearing people talk about their tattoos and the stories behind them.

By the end of the day, I was happy to finally wash my hands. As much as I’d enjoyed the conversations, I was relieved my shift was over.

Still, it’s funny how in the most unlikely situations, you can learn something new.

Image sourced from ABC News