Soundcheck

How many hours before showtime does one need to get into the venue in order to hear the PJ sound checks?
Raleigh, 8/18/1992 (Lollapalooza)
Sacramento, 7/16/1998
San Francisco, 7/18/2006
Oakland, 7/11/2011 (Eddie Vedder)
Vancouver, BC, 9/25/2011
Oakland, 10/26/2013
Sacramento, 7/16/1998
San Francisco, 7/18/2006
Oakland, 7/11/2011 (Eddie Vedder)
Vancouver, BC, 9/25/2011
Oakland, 10/26/2013
Post edited by Unknown User on
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...however, depending on the setup and other things, IF they do a soundcheck, it can be as early as 4pm and as late as 30 minutes before doors.
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/10
Hang outside the venue, you can hear it quietly through the walls. I could still hear Kings of Leon outside GM Place when I left early, as well as John Mayer.
Sacramento, 7/16/1998
San Francisco, 7/18/2006
Oakland, 7/11/2011 (Eddie Vedder)
Vancouver, BC, 9/25/2011
Oakland, 10/26/2013
Either they have access inside the venue (work inside, etc) or they can hear if from outside, like outdoor venues... or some venues you can hear thru the walls.
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/10
Only exceptions are the Garden in Boston and MSG in NY - I guess being on another level makes it impossible for the sound to travel down.
Which I was fortunate enough to watch their soundcheck there in 2008, and in 1998 they didn't soundcheck (in nyc that is for both answers).
In NYC, the arena floor is the 5th floor. But if you're at the bottom of the ramp, there's a slight chance you can hear it, especially if the trucks didn't plug the hole.
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/10
Probably is mostly. They're one of the only bands (or were) that does a true "lockdown" when they enter the building. Not even stagehands are usually allowed around once they're there.
Outdoor venues though are probably best. You can hear those pretty well.
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/10
Most bands aren't too tight about it, and while they don't let anyone watch, they don't stop staff from being around.
Out of about 300 shows, I'd say about 5 bands had real lockdowns, where no one but essential people were allowed around.
Pearl Jam
The Who
Marylin Manson
Madonna
...can't remember the fifth band. Maybe a few others that I don't remember.
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/10