Options
Final word on GA vs Seating - Mr Neil Young
I don't tend to start topics, and when I respond to anything, invariably it's about enjoying my company with friends, or how GA shits all over reserved seating, which as far as I'm concerned, PJ-wise, is just a whole bunch of mates hanging out, having a great time.
I have no permission to do so, and if Kat or Sea think it's not cool, go ahead and remove this, or move this to other bands, but I'm just going to lift a paragraph from Neil Young's new autobiography, Waging Heavy Peace. It's a brilliant read, this book. All over the place, it is. If you want a more easily digested account in chronological order, read Jimmy McDonagh's book. This, is just truth, according to Uncle Neil. From chapter 18.
I have heard it said about me that I have a rep for being difficult to work with. My decisions are made with the music in mind. For instance, I like to play to an audience that is into it. I dislike people sitting in the front rows talking on cell phones. Of course, these people are sitting in the most expensive seats, the ones they get through ticket scalpers and other services that somehow corner the market on the seats. Capitalism collides with music in this area. It was not like that when I started. The people in the front were music freaks, the real music fans, who knew every song, every lyric, every piece of information about the band that they could find. They were stoked to be there in front of the stage, and they were ready to rock. So these cell phones and rich folks who can afford the big bucks for prime seating distract me from what I am doing and make me feel like I am on display in a museum. It is not good for the music, which a lot of times feeds on the energy of the crowd. There is a thing called "festival seating" where the area in front of the stage is without chairs. People can stand there. Only a certain amount of people can get into that area, and it is not more expensive. It is general admittance. First come, first served, as far as proximity to the stage goes. Medium ago, I decided to sell festival-seating tickets at all my indoor shows so people who really wanted to see the band could get up close and watch, moving freely. There is a financial hit involved with that, because those are generally the expensive seats and they are all gone with this type of presentation. I had to really be firm about it. When we got festival seating, the feeling at all of the shows was much better. The band and I really enjoyed that change. Things like that enable me to continue and enjoy playing with a band. Recently I was planning a tour and it was just being announced. Venues were already booked. At the last minute I checked to make sure it was still festival seating. It wasn't. Feeling that I had already established that as the way I liked to play indoor shows, I insisted on it again. All the deals had to be redone at the last minute. It was a very complicated thing to do. I, having already been through this once, was amazed that no one had remembered the way I liked festival seating. If that gives me a rep for being difficult to work with, I earned it.
Truth. Make it happen, PJ, all other bands, musicians. No more of this seated front-of-stage claptrap.
I have no permission to do so, and if Kat or Sea think it's not cool, go ahead and remove this, or move this to other bands, but I'm just going to lift a paragraph from Neil Young's new autobiography, Waging Heavy Peace. It's a brilliant read, this book. All over the place, it is. If you want a more easily digested account in chronological order, read Jimmy McDonagh's book. This, is just truth, according to Uncle Neil. From chapter 18.
I have heard it said about me that I have a rep for being difficult to work with. My decisions are made with the music in mind. For instance, I like to play to an audience that is into it. I dislike people sitting in the front rows talking on cell phones. Of course, these people are sitting in the most expensive seats, the ones they get through ticket scalpers and other services that somehow corner the market on the seats. Capitalism collides with music in this area. It was not like that when I started. The people in the front were music freaks, the real music fans, who knew every song, every lyric, every piece of information about the band that they could find. They were stoked to be there in front of the stage, and they were ready to rock. So these cell phones and rich folks who can afford the big bucks for prime seating distract me from what I am doing and make me feel like I am on display in a museum. It is not good for the music, which a lot of times feeds on the energy of the crowd. There is a thing called "festival seating" where the area in front of the stage is without chairs. People can stand there. Only a certain amount of people can get into that area, and it is not more expensive. It is general admittance. First come, first served, as far as proximity to the stage goes. Medium ago, I decided to sell festival-seating tickets at all my indoor shows so people who really wanted to see the band could get up close and watch, moving freely. There is a financial hit involved with that, because those are generally the expensive seats and they are all gone with this type of presentation. I had to really be firm about it. When we got festival seating, the feeling at all of the shows was much better. The band and I really enjoyed that change. Things like that enable me to continue and enjoy playing with a band. Recently I was planning a tour and it was just being announced. Venues were already booked. At the last minute I checked to make sure it was still festival seating. It wasn't. Feeling that I had already established that as the way I liked to play indoor shows, I insisted on it again. All the deals had to be redone at the last minute. It was a very complicated thing to do. I, having already been through this once, was amazed that no one had remembered the way I liked festival seating. If that gives me a rep for being difficult to work with, I earned it.
Truth. Make it happen, PJ, all other bands, musicians. No more of this seated front-of-stage claptrap.
115 bucks for half a haircut by a novice? I want my money back!
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
(all due respect to Mr. Young)
PM me with any comments or suggestions for the app - or weigh in <a href="http://forums.pearljam.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=167611
">here</a>.
or
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pjstattracker">Join the discussion on facebook</a>
I hate getting in line early for PJ only to end up dealing with that group of PJ people who seem to think it is cool to get in line, then create a list of people and their location in line, then leave all fucking day, only to end up coming back hours later and expecting to get in line where they were earlier. That is so stupid. Assigned seats make it to where I don't have to deal with this annoying group of people. If you are one of these people who thinks that is okay, fuck you.
Sorry about that rant. I have dealt with that 3 times and it still annoys me. I like seats. I can still jump and enjoy the show with my spot that a seat gives me for the whole show.
I don't actually want to sit down at a show, and I can't imagine falling asleep, hahaha. I just hate being all smashed up in a sweaty group of people for hours. personal space, yo. Gimme my seat.
PM me with any comments or suggestions for the app - or weigh in <a href="http://forums.pearljam.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=167611
">here</a>.
or
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pjstattracker">Join the discussion on facebook</a>
What I DON'T like about General Admission is the belief in some folks that General Admission means Free For All or the Survival of The Fittest and if they can muscle or snake their way to the front... it is their right.
I can stand my ground (those days of youth in the low post helped me). But, I've seen it much too often.
The other thing... I'm 6'1". I'm not going to use my powers of invisibility or shrink to 5' 2" so you can see over me. If you walk up and are oblivious to the fact that the back of my shirt is in direct line between your 5' 3" frame and the stage... that's on you... not me. Seek out the spot behind the 5' 2" gal over there on the right.
...
That being said... Pearl Jam does what they can to fill the front with their fans. Yeah, the front may mean fans that are older and/or have been in the fan club for a while... but, thet does not make them of lesser value than you. All it means is they got there before you did. Sorry, but part of life is learning that things don't always turn out the way you'd like it to.
Anyway... i've got to bail... going to see the Wallflowers at a General Admission gig. See y'all there.
Hail, Hail!!!
sit at a metallica show....lol
PJ - Auckland 2009; Alpine Valley1&2 2011; Man1, Am'dam1&2, Berlin1&2, Stockholm, Oslo & Copenhagen 2012; LA, Oakland, Portland, Spokane, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle 2013; Auckland 2014
EV - Canberra, Newcastle & Sydney 1&2 2011
This is NOT OK!! I can't believe people think they can instate this rule on everyone who bought a ticket. The longer you wait the better spot you should have. Period.
6/25/08 MSG II New York, NY
9/02/2012 Made in America Philly, PA
10/21/13 Wells Fargo Center I GA Philly, PA
10/22/13 Wells Fargo Center II GA Philly, PA
So, here I am, two free tickets, GA tickets
In we went, half hour before showtime & found ourselves fifth row front & just off centre. After dozens of concerts through the years, this was the first time I was ever on the floor. We stood our ground, moved up when we could & rocked with Neil Young. They were on fire & loving every minute. What a night!!
Kind of a long story, sorry. But, I have to say, if that's the way he likes it & it works for him & keeps him playing that is incredible. He's 65 years old & played for over 2 hours straight. The whole show was 3 1/2 hrs. Amazing man, incredible talent!!
I do like a seat however as I hurt for two days.
And now, I must read this book!
I for one support reserved seating for Pearl Jam's USA/CDN indoor show's. And what 10club has been doing is a fantastic job distributing tickets to our show's. I believe Neil Young needs to talk to 10club management; if he's having a hard time with his "indoor" experiences.
This happens? Are you kidding me?!? :shock:
Yeah, GA all the way! :roll:
PJ - Auckland 2009; Alpine Valley1&2 2011; Man1, Am'dam1&2, Berlin1&2, Stockholm, Oslo & Copenhagen 2012; LA, Oakland, Portland, Spokane, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle 2013; Auckland 2014
EV - Canberra, Newcastle & Sydney 1&2 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f7jflvpadY
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
I have had my fair share of experience in lines, including PJ lines. (Ask Dimi, Kathi, Suzie May etc they will vouch for me on that one.)
I have only had to deal with 1 in 100 people who think that what you describe is appropriate behaviour.
People who would put their name on the list to only leave for hours on end, are the same people who would push to the front after they get to the venue late and sit drinking at the bar until 5 mins before the band comes on. Those people are not courteous or respectful people. Those people will spoil your night if you let them regardless.
I like the numbers, as sometime I like to find a quiet shady spot to sit and relax and my number is my "seat" in the line. I have seen lines work really well, as they are started with every single person in mind, from 1 to 400 who line up. I have seen lines work less well, usually as a mentality of all-for-himself(herself) arises at some point in the day. Though, even on those bad line moments, they invariably are calmed by logical and calm discussion and peace is restored. Remind people of common decency and they usually calm down.
Disclaimer: Joey, I am not attacking you personally. I am just using your quote as a springboard for my opinion.
~Edwin Powell Hubble
Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
As I wrote above, it is having the thought that "everyone" matters and reminding everyone of that notion.
In the line, people get tired and hot or cold and hungry and uncomfortable and peoples nerves are tested. People get anxious. It helps to have clear communication throughout the whole line, for the whole day, people sharing food, having laughs, talking, making new friends, caring for each and every person.
Sometimes people need to be reminded. That is simple to do.
~Edwin Powell Hubble
Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
I'm not saying every show has to be GA...but toss it in a few times fellas! GA is exciting, energetic and allows us a true sense of appreciation for our own fan-base. I may not have $500+ for a single ticket, but I have the day off...maybe that's just me. Pros and cons to both, but don't just deny us all the time. Loved it and would do it again in a heartbeat!!!
2007: Lolla 2009: Chicago (1&2) 2011: PJ20 Alpine (1&2) 2012: Missoula
2013: Wrigley, Dallas, OKC, Seattle
2014: Cincinnati, Tulsa, Lincoln, Detroit, Moline, St. Paul, Milwaukee, Denver
Charles
"The Who is my life. Pearl Jam is my retirement"
beers on me if we are at the same show next time...
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
my experience says that most of the times list works well cos especially in Europe we are the same fuckers at every show and we all know each others very well..but always there are assholes to rule things..but they are ALWAYS less than the good people that respect eachother...
p.s...im in good mood and ill not say anything for those frikkin Italians.. :wave:
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
I enjoyed the system of Verona the most - even though no one sat ofc and I were at a "worse" place.
And GA and the "front" doesn't equal great fans.
At Stockholm in the first row ( I was in the second or something) was a group of girls who talked up untill the show about alllllll the million of pearl jam shows they been to and how big fans they were. But as soon as the show started they just stood there taking pictures of Eddie or browsing through their pictures of Eddie and talking to eachother about the pictures of Eddie. And they just stood there with their backpacks on (rude GA behavoir to have backpacks on IMO) and eyes fixed on their cameras.
Only time they "cared" about the show was when PJ played something "rare" like All those yesterdays. Or when Eddie came over to our side - then they acted like they care to give the impression to him that they did.
And the funny thing was - just before the show started and their cameras was used nonstop - THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW SOME PEOPLE DON'T GET INTO THE SHOWS AND JUST TAKE PICS! What the fuck.
I actually really like queueing, hanging out with fellow fans, sharing stories, spending the day together...lots of bonding over music really. However, even if you don't want to line up for ages, 10C early entry wristbands make for everyone to have a pretty good spot still (sometimes even rail at the sides, otherwise 3rd, 4th, 5th row). You are free to choose whatever suits you best, and what is more important, you can freely choose your company.
Europe doesn't have seating for rock shows (except the normal seats in the arenas of course), and I'm glad it's that way. Especially with how 10c entrance was run, you had no-one jumping over you or trying to knock you out of their way, it was all calm and civilized, and most people looked out for each other in the pit as well.
I've seen Smashing Pumpkins and the Chili Peppers seated, both times because all floor tickets were gone, and I really disliked it. I understand that there may be shows that require seating (like Ed's solo gigs, or the tour Conor Oberst is doing next year), but for your general loud full band rock show, I really wouldn't want to be seated.
And I really need to read that Neil Young book...maybe when I'm going to Florida, I don't see any free time coming before that.
edited to add: Oh, and annoying talking girls with BACKPACKS at shows? that sounds like Italians as well
EDIT: Backpack should be banned 100% too.... fucking annoying.
+1
Still remember those girls... and I know they read this cause they visit the forum really often...
Hope they'll do us a "favour" and go seated next time.