GA at Pearl Jam shows?

fivehorizons95

I'm 17, only been a fan for a few years now, and I really want to be in the standing section for my first show. I'm hoping to score tickets for the fall tour (it'll likely be the west coast right?). What's GA like? I'm only 5'3", do you think I'd have trouble seeing the stage? Also, what time do people normally arrive to wait in line to be in the front?

Better Dan

Are you in North America? Most North American Pearl Jam shows are not GA. Unless something changes or there is a rare exception, any fall Canada/USA shows will not have a GA section. If you're in Europe there will be some folks on here you can help you out as I believe most, if not all, of PJ's European shows have GA.

InsideMan

Just being in the building for a Pearl Jam show is an amazing experience. Yeah, it is fun to be up front. I have been row 1, but I have also been row 20 in the 400 sections. Regardless, I have always had a great time.

Suziemay

What Better Dan said. However, they did do GA in Missoula last year, and are doing GA at Wrigley Field so I wonder if maybe they might start doing more of those going forward. Guess we'll find out!

I'm a bit taller than you, I generally like to be within the first 3 "rows" at GA shows (PJ included) otherwise someone's head is bound to be in my way Plus these days there are hoards of phones/cameras in the air recording so chances are one of those might be in your way.

63schoefflin

I went to my first PJ show when I was 20....I was all the way in the back of the lawn outside and at the time I didn't even want to be there because I thought they were a band that was good many many years ago.

If being in the way back of a lawn section with low expectations got me to end up making 13 shows since '08...that's all you need to know. I've seen them first row and I've seen them in the very last row of MSG and they were still absolutely spectacular.

I suggest saving the extra money if you don't score GA and saving it for beer....or "beverages" since you are only 17

Suziemay

Suziemay wrote:

What Better Dan said. However, they did do GA in Missoula last year, and are doing GA at Wrigley Field so I wonder if maybe they might start doing more of those going forward. Guess we'll find out!

I'm a bit taller than you, I generally like to be within the first 3 "rows" at GA shows (PJ included) otherwise someone's head is bound to be in my way Plus these days there are hoards of phones/cameras in the air recording so chances are one of those might be in your way.

Okay, I reread my post and feel like I should clarify. I don't mean that you can only have fun if you're within the first 3 rows, gawd no, I'd have to stop going to gigs I generally have fun regardless of where I am, including the very last row at MSG way up in the 400s. I wanted to answer your question about being able to see in GA. If you're concerned about being able to see the band, you might be better off with seats off to the side on the wings, I like those rather than being in the middle/back of the floor.

In any case, let's wait and see what's announced and you can come back and post when we know specific venues and all that. I'm so excited for you to see your first PJ show! Jealous actually, since I saw my first show before I was a fan and totally did not appreciate it as much as I should have. You, on the other hand, are going to have a BLAST!!!

Kathi

Suziemay wrote:

What Better Dan said. However, they did do GA in Missoula last year, and are doing GA at Wrigley Field so I wonder if maybe they might start doing more of those going forward. Guess we'll find out!

I'm a bit taller than you, I generally like to be within the first 3 "rows" at GA shows (PJ included) otherwise someone's head is bound to be in my way Plus these days there are hoards of phones/cameras in the air recording so chances are one of those might be in your way.

Yes, more GA! Though the idea of this all seated fall tour has almost become appealing to me, less sleeping on sidewalks and more pre-parties..guess I'm getting old.

I'd suggest heading for the left/right side of the rail if you're short and the center's already full...you'll still be able to have a good view, without any heads in your way. Enjoy your first show!

campbelltoe2000

Its awesome to be up front , but its not all its cracked up to be. Alpine for example sounds a little better on the lawn. Its not like they have some fancy stage theatrics . I have a hard time caring where I sit these days. I was at a PJ show in Memphis many years ago, had front row on the end with a meat head macho security guard staring me down. Needless to say I never got to fire that joint up .....
I guess the moral to my story is be thankful if you get tickets , and you Dont have to get them from the fan club to get good seats.

WhyNotSweden

fivehorizons95 wrote:

I'm 17, only been a fan for a few years now, and I really want to be in the standing section for my first show. I'm hoping to score tickets for the fall tour (it'll likely be the west coast right?). What's GA like? I'm only 5'3", do you think I'd have trouble seeing the stage? Also, what time do people normally arrive to wait in line to be in the front?

This is GA;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... 4PPaubBjw#

and I love it.....

dimitrispearljam

WhyNotSweden wrote:

fivehorizons95 wrote:

I'm 17, only been a fan for a few years now, and I really want to be in the standing section for my first show. I'm hoping to score tickets for the fall tour (it'll likely be the west coast right?). What's GA like? I'm only 5'3", do you think I'd have trouble seeing the stage? Also, what time do people normally arrive to wait in line to be in the front?

This is GA;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... 4PPaubBjw#

and I love it.....

5:20 to the end..is something makes my hair up..
there is no better shit than that felling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1c2ELoorQc

dimitrispearljam

WhyNotSweden wrote:

fivehorizons95 wrote:

I'm 17, only been a fan for a few years now, and I really want to be in the standing section for my first show. I'm hoping to score tickets for the fall tour (it'll likely be the west coast right?). What's GA like? I'm only 5'3", do you think I'd have trouble seeing the stage? Also, what time do people normally arrive to wait in line to be in the front?

This is GA;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... 4PPaubBjw#

and I love it.....

oh..that was fan too...hahahahahaha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1SKrVvFu6U

dasvidana

InsideMan wrote:

Just being in the building for a Pearl Jam show is an amazing experience.

+1

samjam

dasvidana wrote:

InsideMan wrote:

Just being in the building for a Pearl Jam show is an amazing experience.

+1

I agree with this. But, as someone who is 5'3" myself, I hear ya because I want to see!! Everyone has their own opinion on GA, you'll hear the pros and cons of seated vs GA debates frequently on here. Personally, I don't like GA for a multitude of reasons, but if that's what it is, that's what it is and I won't complain. It all depends on the people around you. I was about 2-3 people deep when I saw PJ at MIA and at times it was a bit hard to see because the person directly in front of me was taller than me. Then again, I've seen Glen Hansard from about 6-7 people deep, and found a good sight line to where I was able to see the whole thing without issue. Just be warned, at 5'3" be prepared to crane your neck!

As for when people arrive, it totally depends on the show. I have a feeling some real crazies will camp out overnight for the front row. For reference, I met up with a friend at MIA. He and his brother and friend arrived at 7 or 8 AM and got rail. My friend arrived at noon or 1 and we were able to place ourselves right next to/behind them. There was a crowd there already, but it was still early enough where we were able to stand near our friends without pushing or being a rude disturbance. That's another big thing- if there is no room, do NOT push! The one good thing about being 5'3", though, is that it is easier to make your way up in a polite fashion, as you probably won't disturb people's lines of sight! Just so long as there comfortably is room for another body and you're not an a-hole about it!

helplessdancer

fivehorizons95 wrote:

I'm 17, only been a fan for a few years now, and I really want to be in the standing section for my first show. I'm hoping to score tickets for the fall tour (it'll likely be the west coast right?). What's GA like? I'm only 5'3", do you think I'd have trouble seeing the stage? Also, what time do people normally arrive to wait in line to be in the front?

you are 5'3"
ga is not for you unless you line up 8hours early for a spot on the rail

Jeanwah

helplessdancer wrote:

fivehorizons95 wrote:

I'm 17, only been a fan for a few years now, and I really want to be in the standing section for my first show. I'm hoping to score tickets for the fall tour (it'll likely be the west coast right?). What's GA like? I'm only 5'3", do you think I'd have trouble seeing the stage? Also, what time do people normally arrive to wait in line to be in the front?

you are 5'3"
ga is not for you unless you line up 8hours early for a spot on the rail

Agreed. Not to mention, that there probably won't be GA at the Fall tour. As a fellow short person (5'2"), GA sucks without being on the rail...

helplessdancer

Jeanwah wrote:

helplessdancer wrote:

fivehorizons95 wrote:

I'm 17, only been a fan for a few years now, and I really want to be in the standing section for my first show. I'm hoping to score tickets for the fall tour (it'll likely be the west coast right?). What's GA like? I'm only 5'3", do you think I'd have trouble seeing the stage? Also, what time do people normally arrive to wait in line to be in the front?

you are 5'3"
ga is not for you unless you line up 8hours early for a spot on the rail

Agreed. Not to mention, that there probably won't be GA at the Fall tour. As a fellow short person (5'2"), GA sucks without being on the rail...

i have this weird strange feeling that if wrigley goes well with a 10c only pit that we might see more of that on the fall tour. not that i hope this happens...

dimitrispearljam

helplessdancer

dimitrispearljam wrote:

we get it already

dimitrispearljam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2E3uZ-Qe4M

helplessdancer

dimitrispearljam wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2E3uZ-Qe4M

i read berlin was scarey ga pit
just saying...

dimitrispearljam

helplessdancer wrote:

dimitrispearljam wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2E3uZ-Qe4M

i read berlin was scarey ga pit
just saying...

i was there..all smooth..much love..we take care each other,we rock the place out..