The Concert

"I always wanted to run to a helicopter during a guitar solo, just like in a music video!"

- Ellis

"Okay, we'll set off the pyrotechnics, but I'm telling you right now. I AM NOT GOING TO AIR GUITAR."

- Nick


 * For the actual in-game concert/stadium, see The Peach Pit Stadium.

The Concert is the fifth and last chapter of Dark Carnival. The Survivors must attract a helicopter by starting up the Midnight Riders concert at The Peach Pit stadium (a stadium in Whispering Oaks Amusement Park), which includes opening lights, the use of fireworks, and playing the sound system on full blast on a concert stage. The lights, fireworks and loud sound trigger a massive horde attack. The Concert is also a playable Survival Mode stage.

Survivor Walkthrough


Upon starting, grab a weapon of your choice as well as a First aid kit and heal up if needed. A bile bomb is guaranteed to spawn somewhere in the chapter if one is not being carried by a Survivor; either in a restroom to the right just as the team leaves the safe room, the kitchen nearby, in the left-most restroom up ahead, behind a tent next to the second set of restrooms or behind a mobile stall right before the stadium.

Like The Atrium and The Plantation, Tanks and/or Witches can spawn in the short path to the finale arena, though the chances are fairly slim. With sufficient speed, the team can prevent a horde from spawning. Typically the Director enjoys sending a small horde on the team which spawns near the second set of restrooms.

Once in the stadium, quickly activate the lights and clear out any idle Infected in the area. No Special Infected will spawn in Campaign mode.

The Director randomizes the various items found in the stadium:


 * Health Kits - four are found either at the raised platform on the stage, or in a first aid cabinet next to the sound mixers required to turn on the lights.
 * Weapons - A random tier 2 assault rifle, shotgun, scoped rifle and a Magnum can be found on the stage, or the space between the scaffolds. There are always several Guitars found on the stage. A Grenade Launcher is found in the low-level scaffolding, and a Sniper Rifle on the high-level one.
 * Throwables - scattered throughout the stage ground and low level bleachers are multiple Molotovs and Pipe Bombs. One molotov each can also be found on the scaffolding.
 * Ignitables - Five fireworks can be found in a container in front of the stage. There may also be three gas cans next to the fireworks or on the opposite side of the ground level stage entry.
 * Pain Pills: Spawns either on the scaffolds or speaker stacks at the ground level.
 * Adrenaline: Spawns either on the scaffolds or next to the tape mix.
 * Two Defibrillators, one each, can be found on the scaffolding.



Stage Method

 * In co-op play, three players should have either auto shotguns or assault-type rifles and the fourth player should take a hunting/sniper rifle. Shotgun and assault rifle players attack Infected at close range while the scoped rifle player deals with distant Infected.
 * The center of the stage has a raised platform which can be used to your advantage. The stage is also cluttered with equipment arranged in a way that creates distinct choke points for a team positioned appropriately and who has laid out boxes of fireworks and gas cans to augment their defenses.
 * When Infected or Tanks come at the front, turn on the fireworks along the front of the stage, as they will not attempt to avoid them and will be lit on fire.
 * If a team needs to make an emergency ammo run and the ammo stash is up on the front seats, find an adrenaline shot at the table and use it.
 * Keep an adrenaline shot in reserve for the final dash to the rescue helicopter.

The Platform Method

 * Facing the stage amidst the seating are two high-raised construction platforms made of scaffolding. The one with the Sniper Rifle spawn is one level higher than the one with the Grenade Launcher. Both platforms have a Molotov near their respective weapon spawns.
 * Use the taller scaffold as it provides a better lookout spot.
 * This method is extremely effective if the ammo spawn is near the platforms as players will not need to travel far and potentially be caught off guard during a horde attack.
 * Three players with shotguns/assault rifles should stay on the lower/middle level while an assault/scoped rifle player stays on the top. The player on the bottom will tank incoming Commons with the aid of players on the middle level. The top level player will deal with distant Infected and any Special Infected that spawn from a distance, constantly cycling through the Sniper Rifle spawn when they run out of ammo.
 * This provides more single targets for the Infected to hit; the Infected will usually swarm the lower level player (making the direction of fire extremely easy). AI Spitters tend to target the lower/medium level platform, reducing the effective area of their spit. The players on the lower/medium platform can also move quickly to help others above or below them.
 * When a Tank spawns, move off the platform and fight him on the seating area. When he dies, quickly heal up and grab ammo before the horde spawns.
 * If any players are killed, use the defibrillator spawn on the lower level to revive them.
 * The top level player should watch out for Infected who may climb the scaffolding. Special Infected don't tend to attack from such an angle, apart from a Tank.

The Sound Mixer Method

 * Way at the top of the seating area are two sound mixers. There is one on the right and one on the left. A third one is located immediately facing the stage and normally has supplies nearby.
 * Players set up a defensive perimeter at one of the first two sound mixers. It does not matter which one.
 * This position has the advantages of long sight lines (enabling many Infected to be engaged at long range) and maximum player mobility. L4d2_0979.jpg
 * Good snipers are valuable here because Infected take some time close to the position.
 * In co-op play, two players should have sniper rifles and the rest assault-type rifles. Shotguns may be considered but they lack the range. (As always, players should experiment with weapons and explore the options.)
 * Tanks should be easy since players have excellent mobility and can circle around them throughout the arena.
 * If a player has a Chainsaw, it is easy to carve a way to the helicopter when it arrives.
 * Note that The Mixer Method has two potentially serious drawbacks. Firstly, players are located a very long way away from the ammo resupply point (especially if it is down on the stage). Secondly, if the rescue helicopter arrives on the other side of the arena from their chosen defense location, players face a terribly long and dangerous trek to reach it.

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The Stage Method

 * In co-op play, three players should have either auto shotguns or assault-type rifles and the fourth player should take a hunting/sniper rifle. Shotgun and assault rifle players attack Infected at close range while the scoped rifle player deals with distant Infected.
 * The center of the stage has a raised platform which can be used to your advantage. The stage is also cluttered with equipment arranged in a way that creates distinct choke points for a team positioned appropriately and who has laid out boxes of fireworks and gas cans to augment their defenses.
 * When Infected or Tanks come at the front, turn on the fireworks along the front of the stage, as they will not attempt to avoid them and will be lit on fire.
 * If a team needs to make an emergency ammo run and the ammo stash is up on the front seats, find an adrenaline shot at the table and use it.
 * Keep an adrenaline shot in reserve for the final dash to the rescue helicopter.

The Platform Method

 * Facing the stage amidst the seating are two high-raised construction platforms made of scaffolding. The one with the Sniper Rifle spawn is one level higher than the one with the Grenade Launcher. Both platforms have a Molotov near their respective weapon spawns.
 * Use the taller scaffold as it provides a better lookout spot.
 * This method is extremely effective if the ammo spawn is near the platforms as players will not need to travel far and potentially be caught off guard during a horde attack.
 * Three players with shotguns/assault rifles should stay on the lower/middle level while an assault/scoped rifle player stays on the top. The player on the bottom will tank incoming Commons with the aid of players on the middle level. The top level player will deal with distant Infected and any Special Infected that spawn from a distance.
 * This provides more single targets for the Infected to hit; the Infected will usually swarm the lower level player (making the direction of fire extremely easy), and make Spitters have a tough choice of where they should spit as they will be unable to hit all players at once. The middle level players can jump down to save the lower level player or free the top level player if they are being constricted by a Smoker.
 * When a Tank spawns, move off the platform and fight him on the seating area. When he dies, quickly heal up and grab ammo before the horde spawns.
 * If any players are killed, use the defibrillator spawn on the lower level to revive them.
 * The top level player should watch out for Infected who may climb the scaffolding, including Special Infected.

The Sound Mixer Method

 * Way at the top of the seating area are two sound mixers. There is one on the right and one on the left. A third one is located immediately facing the stage and normally has supplies nearby.
 * Players set up a defensive perimeter at one of the first two sound mixers. It does not matter which one.
 * This position has the advantages of long sight lines (enabling many Infected to be engaged at long range) and maximum player mobility. L4d2_0979.jpg
 * Good snipers are valuable here because Infected take some time close to the position.
 * In co-op play, two players should have sniper rifles and the rest assault-type rifles. Shotguns may be considered but they lack the range. (As always, players should experiment with weapons and explore the options.)
 * Tanks should be easy since players have excellent mobility and can circle around them throughout the arena.
 * If a player has a Chainsaw, it is easy to carve a way to the helicopter when it arrives.
 * Note that The Mixer Method has two potentially serious drawbacks. Firstly, players are located a very long way away from the ammo resupply point (especially if it is down on the stage). Secondly, if the rescue helicopter arrives on the other side of the arena from their chosen defense location, players face a terribly long and dangerous trek to reach it.

The Doorway Method

 * Below the stairs is a closed doorway with a box of fireworks near it. The idea is to defend in this area with a semi-circle of fireworks and gas cans arrayed in front.
 * Infected will be coming in from three sides and will also drop down from above.L4d2_0966.jpg
 * Players lean against the walls in a box formation: two on the door and one each on the left or right walls.
 * This is close quarter combat, so close-ranged firearms and melee weapons are essential: a chainsaw is invaluable in this situation.
 * Firework boxes and gas cans must be arranged before starting the Finale.
 * Spitters are a huge risk because the team is in a confined space.
 * Once a Tank arrives, the team splits up to engage him.

The Seating Method
In co-op play, at least one person should have a Hunting or Sniper rifle to pick off Special Infected.
 * This method is very similar to The Mixer Method outlined above.
 * The team positions itself on the top level of the seating area near to the lighting controls.
 * They will have the high ground so as to shoot Infected coming up at them. L4d2_0596yfo.jpg
 * Since Infected can come from all sides, fire control must be switched rapidly.
 * Sometimes there is a medical cabinet behind this position.
 * Smokers,Chargers, or Jockeys can break up the group.
 * The team will have plenty of room and time to kill the Tank.
 * This position makes it easier to reach the helicopter since the run is generally down hill.
 * This is a more effective method if the ammo spawn is located between the two scaffolding platforms. If, however, the ammo stash is way down on the stage, this is a serious disadvantage.

The Jesus Plywood Method
This glitch was corrected in the June 17 update.

Note that players wishing to get the Guardin' Gnome achievement (and to enjoy the music!) should take a serious look at this strategy. It is only possible when playing a campaign with humans (since bots will not co-operate).
 * Players camp over those wooden panels on the far end of the stage and stay crouched.
 * In order to get on top of the plywood, each player in turn goes behind the forklift and jumps up on it twice. From there, a jump can be made across to the plywood.
 * Once there, each player stays crouched, flashlights off and watches out for Smokers.
 * A few Special Infected will spawn; no Common Infected will. The two Tanks will spawn, but they will either die quickly or spawn on the far end of the arena, so the team can safely take them down (especially if someone is equipped with a sniper rifle). Care is needed though because a well aimed concrete throw can hit all of the Survivors.
 * If a player falls off the panels, the Infected will spawn as usual. This means that when the rescue helicopter arrives, the team will face a horde of Infected so it is essential to prepare (adrenaline, pipe bombs and Boomer Bile are helpful here). As always, the team must stay together as Chargers, Jockeys and Smokers can intervene to split everyone up.
 * Sometimes the Tank will spawn on top of the roof on the building to the left of the plywood (assuming the team is facing the seats) and throw concrete at the team's position. As noted above, a lucky hit may derail this strategy so he must be taken out as soon as possible.

The Corner Stage Method

 * Note that the original version of this method depended on the fact that Infected did not spawn near this location. Unfortunately, Valve patched the spawning points right at this position, greatly reducing the efficacy of this method.
 * Before starting the concert, one player must have a pipe bomb or a bile bomb.
 * The defensive position is located in the upper right corner of the seating area near the doorway where the Infected come out. It features a small space large enough to accommodate one or two players formed by a railing and a metal box on each side.
 * A defensive perimeter is set up using boxes of fireworks and gas cans.
 * The best weapon combination are two Sniper Rifles or Hunting Rifles, any melee weapon and any automatic weapon. (As always, players should experiment and try out different weapon mixes.)
 * Ideally each player should have an adrenaline shot to speed their progress to the rescue helicopter.
 * Once the concert has started, the team forms up in the above area and defends from there. The railings and the long, open distances the Infected have to cover allow the team ample time to ply them with fire and thin their ranks.
 * When the first Tank spawns, the team divides and cones him with interlocking fire reforming thereafter to face the second wave of Infected.
 * It is important to note that if the rescue helicopter arrives at the opposite side of the arena to the team's chosen location, players face a dauntingly long trek to reach it.

The Stage-Platform Method
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 * This method involves setting up a defensive perimeter on the small raised platform in the center-rear of the stage that is protected by sound and performance equipment.
 * As always, each team member should have an adrenaline shot to facilitate the run to the rescue helicopter, and at least one player should save a pipe bomb or bile jar so as to provide a distraction during the dash for the helicopter.
 * Firework boxes and gas cans must be set up on the stage at the obvious choke points (e.g. to the left and right at the rear of the stage).
 * This is to be a short-range, close quarter fight so players are well advised to weight their weapon selections towards assault-type rifles (e.g. AK-47, Combat Rifle, Assault Rifle) with either Dual Pistols or a long reach melee weapon (e.g.Guitar, Katana etc.).
 * Players hold out in the stage during the first wave (denoted by the song Midnight Ride).
 * Once the first Tank spawns a good idea is to split up the team to cone him with interlocking fire and to see if he can be tempted to storm the stage - in which case one player can run forward and set off the stage-front fireworks. The Tank will jump through the flame and catch alight thereby inflicting additional damage upon himself.
 * Firework_Launch.jpg the first Tank is killed, all Survivors should restock on ammo and regroup on the stage platform, ready to face the second horde of Infected. Thereafter, once the second Tank goes down and the helicopter arrives, players inject their adrenaline shots and pop a carefully preserved Bile Bomb or Pipe Bomb and bug out. Alternatively, after defeating the first Tank, players can climb the scaffold platform containing the grenade launcher in the seating area, holding out against the second wave of Infected and dealing with the second Tank as per normal before applying the standard evacuation procedure of adrenaline shot and grenade distraction to reach the helicopter once it makes its appearance. (Please refer to the pointers elsewhere on this page related to a Tower Defense.)
 * This method is helpful if a player is trying to get the Guardin' Gnome Achievement. Gnome Chompski can be set down in perfect safety on the stage (or on the tower platform) ready to be snagged and carried off to the helicopter at the end.

Spitter
As the Spitter, you should hit the fireworks either when the round starts so the Survivors can't use them, or as the Survivors are collecting them to do some damage. You should also avoid the platforms to avoid being seen by any Survivors who look up, but also avoid being on the stage where the Survivors will do anything to get supplies. Another good strategy is to spit into the stage lighting so the Jockey can do damage with the aid of Spitter goo and fire damage, or spitting under the microphone so the Survivors can't start the stage lighting for another ten to twenty seconds, giving the other Infected more time to weaken them.

Charger
Unlike the Spitter, when playing as the Charger you should crouch on the platforms close to the ladder so when the Survivors are climbing, you can charge them down into the stands, dealing extra damage. Another strategy is to crouch behind the fireworks, charging the Survivors towards the stage, making them drop the fireworks. During the ensuing fight, one of the other Survivors may accidentally shoot the fireworks, removing one weapon from their arsenal.

Jockey
When playing as the Jockey, you should stay out of sight until the Survivors light the stage lighting, then leap onto them, leading them directly into Spitter goo and/or the Stage Lighting, dealing extra damage. Another good strategy is to hide until the Tank spawns, then lead a survivor directly to the Tank.

Boomer
The Boomer is quite ineffective during the concert due to the lack of hiding places. Like the Charger, slowly approach the Survivors and puke on them when they are not looking. Try to target the weakest Survivors so that the team is temporarily down on firepower to allow your teammates to get the upper hand.

Smoker
As the Smoker, when the Survivors are on stage, shoot your tongue through the Stage Lighting, dragging the Survivors through them to deal extra damage. You should also pull any Survivors off the scaffold platforms, incapacitating or killing them. When they get into the helicopter, try to pull them out to delay their departure and allow your teammates to deal further damage.

Hunter
A good strategy is to jump from the taller platform onto the Survivors, doing a good ten to sixteen damage instantly.

Tank
The Tank is probably the easiest to use in this campaign. Lead the Survivors onto the stage or onto the platforms. When on the platforms, they either have to fight you or jump. When they are on the stage, they usually will try to back up and end up running into a wall. Do not walk into narrow areas where Survivors can activate fireworks and set you on fire.

If you can, try to corral one of the Survivors into the blocked off corner (west if you're on-stage facing the seats). There's a forklift there that you can use to instantly incapacitate Survivors. If you can find a way to that corner inconspicuously, you can batter the forklift out into an open area for more fun.