GRAND RAPIDS - Ticket Problem Thread

rhinomagic

maak wrote:

I was at both chicago shows and I noticed that a lot of the people in the 1st 4 rows were friends of the band because they had the vinyl stickers that the band gives out to relatives and whatnot. so if pearl jam was mad at the response in chicago some of it may have had to do with giving out those passes. this is just my thoughts on the subject but i will probably get thrown on the fire for pointing this out.

What exactly do those vinyl stickers and passes look like? I'm curious to know.

.

gettingright

I went to Van Andel last night and saw some pretty upset Fan Club Members about the seats. I am 269 and was in the 16th row, on the floor, stage left near the aisle. I understand that fan club members with senority being upset about the tickets, especially if the was the only show you went see. But, that was the first time I had ever been that close, and it was really something special. Normally, I'd be lucky to have row 16 on the side.

So, I am not going to piss on anyone for being upset, and call them whine-asses or anything. I just want to say, and maybe this will be a (very) small consolation, that last night was really special for me and a lot of other people who may not ever get those kind of seats again. That being said, the show was so amazing, and the Van Andel was so intimate that there was not a bad seat anywhere. Just to be apart of last should be enough.

For the Ten Club, I applaud the mixing up of tickets and propose that this practice continue in that the Fan Club numbers are rotated so that everyone can hopefully have first 10 rows at least once. This is not to say that seniority shouldn't play a role, however just because you have been in the Fan Club longer does not make you a bigger fan.

One last thing..........."all you need is love"

CJMST3K

yeah, the ONE consolation about this whole thing is that some members, albeit newer, have gotten to see something amazing.

i'm more for the pricipal of maintaining an agreement.

i think future ticket sales should maybe be done via postcard system like in previous tours. this would shake up the tc members enough for each show.

the band was the one who drafted the Terms & Conditions regarding the sale of tickets, and it was their idea about lower numbers getting closer tickets.

hopefully there will be an announcement

DieasGrey

What would you gusy do if PJ did it the dbest way and had an open floor? I thinkn floor seating is kinda silly.

CJMST3K

DieasGrey wrote:

What would you gusy do if PJ did it the dbest way and had an open floor? I thinkn floor seating is kinda silly.

because of all the deaths at that show, I dont know if they'll ever do a full arena GA floor (aside from smaller arenas). It WOULD be cool to do a front 1/3 GA floor. Relatively safe. Gives the band something to watch that is different from song to song, and would elviate some of the seating issues.

Red Mosqito

pghas wrote:

First I'd like to say that I'm glad you had a great time. As a longtime jamband fan as well as PJ fan, I know thes setlist doesn't make the show, but PJ is pretty damn consistent, and all 3 of these last shows look awesome at least on paper. The band is en fuego.

That said, its comments like yours that are exactly why people with higher numbers enjoy watching people with lower numbers not be in the front row. Your seats were still better than what, 80-85% of the people in the place? And you're saying that people around you and you were "royally screwed"? While I understand the fact that it is generally a seniority based system, and that's fine, stop acting like the simple act of sending a check for a measly $15 in annually so you'll get your Christmas single is somehow the equivalent of having "worked' or "paying your dues" in some way that should entitle you to be treated royally. It's a fan club. You joined. That means that every show you go to, you will be sitting in the best 15% of seats in the house. No other band does this. In fact I think it would be better if there were no seniority at all. NO OTHER BAND has a fanclub that hooks its members up like this, NONE, and the ones that do give out fanclub seats do NOT base anything off of seniority. I saw the Grateful Dead 35 times, and I mail ordered for most of those shows through the band. ONE TIME I wound up in the third row, and another in some great side seats, and the rest of the time I was upstairs, maybe even behind the stage. And I was happier than a pig in shit because just getting in the door was an accomplishment and all you needed to have fun.

The 10C should NOT be looked at as some pipeline to the front row for the bunch of people who sent their checks in every year. The way it should be looked at is "yeah, Im in the 10C so I got tickets, and - BONUS - they will definitely be great seats, and if Im really lucky I'll have the kind of experience that MOST consider once-in-a-lifetime and get up front." Having been up front for shows, I also find it ridiculous that people are so selfish they think they deserve to own that experience because of their seniority. EVERYONE should be so lucky as to sit up front once.

This whole thing is so reflective of our society as a whole - I won't get into it, but its so "America in 2006" its not even funny. No doubt, the band members love what happened last night. That is so "Pearl Jam"its not even funny.

BRAVO!! I really enjoyed your post as yours finally brought some logic and sensibility back to this whack thread, lol!! I especially agree with you on the part about everyone who is in the 10c should be lucky enough to get a front row PJ experience at least once in their life.

Honestly I don't know why everyone is in shock about this as the 10c were spreading the ticket love across the whole 10c contigent back in '03. With myself having a mid to late 10c number of 276xxx, i actually scored front row tix in Vegas of all places (and caught the tamborine too!) and there is no way I should of had those seats for that show (a highly traveled to 10c show). To me, this is the way it should be. The 10c members with senority should for the most part be garuanteed "great" seats (and by great I mean rows 1-5...not ALWAYS front row) with the club filtering in a few lucky higher members at every show throughout those rows.

With this method, you are taking care of both the long standing members and the newer/high numbered members can at least have the knowledge that with a little additional effort on their part the day of the show, they too might possibly be "in the mix". As for me, I've had my front row PJ experience and I definitely made the most of it...I rocked my ass off the entire time as I knew that I may never have that opportunity again. And to be honest if I don't ever get front row again I won't be disappointed because 1.) I don't need to always be up front to have a good time...I just need the people around me to be as in the show as i am and 2.) the tix that I've scored thru the 10c while they haven't always been "great" seats, they've always been better than what I was ever able to score thru TM.

Peace on ya,

J.

1vs5

i have a pretty low 10c number and I think it's great if the 10C did more of this.
What's the big deal? So you sit side stage for a few shows. Take the time to see how happy the folks in the front are. Might make u appreciate things more.

Long live 10c.
And people, stop being so freakin ANAL about policies and shit. you're starting to sound like my fucking government.

CJMST3K

1vs5 wrote:

i have a pretty low 10c number and I think it's great if the 10C did more of this.
What's the big deal? So you sit side stage for a few shows. Take the time to see how happy the folks in the front are. Might make u appreciate things more.

Long live 10c.
And people, stop being so freakin ANAL about policies and shit. you're starting to sound like my fucking government.

i appreciate your feelings.

what should be said to the people with 60xxx which this was their only show since the last tour?

i think PJ built up expectations with their policy, then let a lot of people down. at least tell people ahead of time that it is reverse-priority.

1vs5

I don;t know what to tell them. If this was their ONLY show (which i seem to have doubts if my number was 60xxx) then yes the 10C should of kept them up front.

But whatever...it's life. Sometimes shit aint fair.

Bearsfirehawk

gettingright wrote:

This is not to say that seniority shouldn't play a role, however just because you have been in the Fan Club longer does not make you a bigger fan.

Actually, IT DOES. See this is how it works. Back in the old days when everyone was bad mouthing PJ as dead, lost, sucky, ala Vital and No Code, Korn was the new hip band. PJ was dead to alotta peeps. Well us FANS were there for those alblums, love those alblums and have never stopped supporting PJ. So if you just joined or never joined and have been around since the beginning, then I am a bigger fan. Plain and simple.

Pegasus

Bearsfirehawk wrote:

Actually, IT DOES. See this is how it works. Back in the old days when everyone was bad mouthing PJ as dead, lost, sucky, ala Vital and No Code, Korn was the new hip band. PJ was dead to alotta peeps. Well us FANS were there for those alblums, love those alblums and have never stopped supporting PJ. So if you just joined or never joined and have been around since the beginning, then I am a bigger fan. Plain and simple.

no. it makes you're an older (as in longer) 10c member, NOT a bigger fan.
Not all fans (far from it) are 10c members anyway. That makes them less geeky, not less enthusiast.

And that reasoning anyway ignores the poor 15 year old kid who was barely born when they started, but might still be far more enthusiastic (and probably far more fun for the band to play to) than you who might just have kept up by habit and keep on critisising the new stuff.

I'm not saying you in particular btw, just any senior 10c fan in general.
you might really be PJ biggest most enthusiastic fan.
But I'm sure several older members are just keeping an habit, reveling being in a 'select' club, just happened to be 10c rather than the Rotary.

FoG

Bearsfirehawk wrote:

Actually, IT DOES. See this is how it works. Back in the old days when everyone was bad mouthing PJ as dead, lost, sucky, ala Vital and No Code, Korn was the new hip band. PJ was dead to alotta peeps. Well us FANS were there for those alblums, love those alblums and have never stopped supporting PJ. So if you just joined or never joined and have been around since the beginning, then I am a bigger fan. Plain and simple.

you're an asshat...i've bought every album PJ has ever released...i bought Ten a couple of weeks after it was released...i've got 20 bootlegs...i've been a loyal fan...but i'm not in the 10C...i didn't even know the 10c existed until 3 years ago...

your 10C# might equal your loyalty, but my lack of one doesn't equal mine. you and all the other wankers who list every show they've ever been to in their signature like its some big fucking deal.

but i digress, you're just better then me.

what a fucknut.

Teddyledbetter

First I'd like to thank the low number members that did get shafted for rocking out in the upper stands! It was so cool to look out and actually see people jamming and not just standing and talking during some of the No Code/Yield/Binaural/ Riot Act/ New songs. I believe this did in fact help the rest of the crowd as a whole. I myself have a "joined in 96" number and usually I am just looking at the backs of those who were a little to quicker to the post office than I was. I ended up with 3rd row dead in front of Mike last night. The best seats I've ever had. I'll have pictures and short vid clips up later.
We scored a Mike and Jeff Pick and my wife drank the last drops of wine out of Ed's bottle during Crazy Mary.(TJ took the bottle- I thought I was getting it back afterwards?) The set was amazing and it was the type of bonding moment my wife and I needed. Thanks for one of the greatest nights of my life. It made the 4 hour drive home a breeze!

DieasGrey

CJMST3K wrote:

because of all the deaths at that show, I dont know if they'll ever do a full arena GA floor (aside from smaller arenas). It WOULD be cool to do a front 1/3 GA floor. Relatively safe. Gives the band something to watch that is different from song to song, and would elviate some of the seating issues.

they did it before that happened too

CJMST3K

DieasGrey wrote:

they did it before that happened too

Correct. I just think that especially because of all the deaths at that show, I dont know if they'll ever do a full arena GA floor (aside from smaller arenas). We probably wont witness full GA floors again in big venues - unless broken up into sections.

btw - just got back from The Strokes show - THEY ROCK! SEE THEM!!!

Alessiana

CJMST3K wrote:

btw - just got back from The Strokes show - THEY ROCK! SEE THEM!!!

i hate you

just kidding!

IWillLiveForeve

CJMST3K wrote:

Correct. I just think that especially because of all the deaths at that show, I dont know if they'll ever do a full arena GA floor (aside from smaller arenas). We probably wont witness full GA floors again in big venues - unless broken up into sections.

btw - just got back from The Strokes show - THEY ROCK! SEE THEM!!!

Here's the deal. They are going to play the festivals over in Europe. They are GA, and huge. PJ has massive riders in their contract for safety, so they are watching for it. Truth be told, they could do GA for the US shows, but I guarantee you, it would not be as good. I look around at us FC members, particularly the ladies (not trying to be sexist), and, quite frankly, we have gotten too old for a pit.

Back in '96 in Seattle, my buddy and I were down in it for 6 songs (and we were in many before that), we looked at each other, said fuck it and had to pull back. It just gets too hot, too nuts, and in the end you miss half the music because you are just trying to survive. I am now 33. I get winded just jerking off. The pit would kill me.

gettingright

Bearsfirehawk wrote:

Actually, IT DOES. See this is how it works. Back in the old days when everyone was bad mouthing PJ as dead, lost, sucky, ala Vital and No Code, Korn was the new hip band. PJ was dead to alotta peeps. Well us FANS were there for those alblums, love those alblums and have never stopped supporting PJ. So if you just joined or never joined and have been around since the beginning, then I am a bigger fan. Plain and simple.

It is so great when people on here get so upset when they disagree with someone else. It is so the opposite of what a fan Pearl Jam should be, it isn't even funny...

First, I want to say that I respect your opinion and I think senority in the FC should play some type of role.....however.....

Your logic that time in the FC equals passion does not make sense, in fact many would agrue the exact opposite in that time equals complacency, which is the likely reason for the mixing up of FC seats at the GR show.

Not that I feel I need to explain myself to you but, the reason I didn't join the FC earlier was because all my friends thought I was insane and obsessive about Pearl Jam and in my teenage mind I figured if I could say, "Hey, its not like I joined the fan club," I could retain some sort of...dignity? (I can't think of exactly what I mean)... Believe me, I regret it now, but don't think because you were in the FC before me or anyone else that it somehow makes you some all-mighty fan.

The only difference between old and new FC members is a number. But, I said before that I think senority sould play a role, it just should not be the only factor for determining seating at a show.....everyone should have a chance to get into the first 10 rows.

I can honestly say that all I would ever want is to sit in the first 5 rows one time, after that I don't give a shit where I sit and I would happily give up my tickets to someone else who had never sat that close just so they could have the experience.

I love you and all Pearl Jam fans....remember we all share a special bond....let's all stop being so selfish and start caring about other people.

lauriehester

Teddyledbetter wrote:

First I'd like to thank the low number members that did get shafted for rocking out in the upper stands! It was so cool to look out and actually see people jamming and not just standing and talking during some of the No Code/Yield/Binaural/ Riot Act/ New songs. I believe this did in fact help the rest of the crowd as a whole. I myself have a "joined in 96" number and usually I am just looking at the backs of those who were a little to quicker to the post office than I was. I ended up with 3rd row dead in front of Mike last night. The best seats I've ever had. I'll have pictures and short vid clips up later.
We scored a Mike and Jeff Pick and my wife drank the last drops of wine out of Ed's bottle during Crazy Mary.(TJ took the bottle- I thought I was getting it back afterwards?) The set was amazing and it was the type of bonding moment my wife and I needed. Thanks for one of the greatest nights of my life. It made the 4 hour drive home a breeze!

Whatever happened, this show rocked. I agree with you that while whomever is on the floor will be enthusiastic, having the longtime fans on the sides just energized the entire place, and the synergy with the band was incredible that night. I was thrilled that people like you got to experience being up close; something which I have been fortunate enough to experience a lot, and which every fan should be able to experience at least once.

It was refreshing to be up on the side again; the view was perfect and there were cup holders! It made me realize what it was that has kept me coming back for more... 106 shows, and most of them before seniority was put in place. All of us low numbers have paid their dues and rocked out from whereever in the venue. And we fell in love with the band that way. It was no big deal to sit on the side, and with the setlist, it was definitely one of the best shows/performances/synergy I've seen.

I think it is good to shake things up. They are doing some GA shows (in SF) and I would love to see them do something like have the first show in a city be random seating, and the second show be seniority. I have a lot of friends with higher numbers and I would be happy to see them up front. But also don't be jealous of the senior fans; we've put a lot of time and investment in this band, often following them on tour, and they are rewarding that loyalty.

That being said, I vehemently object to changes in the system *after* the tickets have been sold. I plan my shows carefully to be with friends and to go to smaller, out of the way places where I have a chance to be front row. I spend hundreds of dollars to fly to these shows and pay for hotels, etc. I live near SF so I would go to those GA shows anyway, but what about the people who decided to fly in for these small venue shows, thinking they were buying seniority tickets, only to find out they've just spent hundreds of dollars for a GA show. I'm sure Grand Rapids was an accident, but in general, people with low numbers aren't elitist; they don't expect front row, they don't feel entitled. Whatever system the band wants to have is great, and if they want to mix it up more, they would. They evidently like the system they have.

All we ask is not to change the seating *after* the tickets are sold, plans made and plane tickets bought.

Let's hope they try this again in the future or a random system at some shows, so more of the higher numbers can get lucky. This is one great band which we all love.

whitepants

gettingright wrote:

I went to Van Andel last night and saw some pretty upset Fan Club Members about the seats. I am 269 and was in the 16th row, on the floor, stage left near the aisle. I understand that fan club members with senority being upset about the tickets, especially if the was the only show you went see. But, that was the first time I had ever been that close, and it was really something special. Normally, I'd be lucky to have row 16 on the side.

[bold]So, I am not going to piss on anyone for being upset, and call them whine-asses or anything. I just want to say, and maybe this will be a (very) small consolation, that last night was really special for me and a lot of other people who may not ever get those kind of seats again. That being said, the show was so amazing, and the Van Andel was so intimate that there was not a bad seat anywhere. Just to be apart of last should be enough.[/bold]

For the Ten Club, I applaud the mixing up of tickets and propose that this practice continue in that the Fan Club numbers are rotated so that everyone can hopefully have first 10 rows at least once. This is not to say that seniority shouldn't play a role, however just because you have been in the Fan Club longer does not make you a bigger fan.

One last thing..........."all you need is love"

and you are the reason why Pearl Jam did what they did Friday night. I'm very happy for folks like you. I'm 149xxx and I wouldn't have been too affected by the shuffle, but with that said, I think Eddie and the boys simply got tired of seeing the same damn faces year after year, concert after concert in the first few rows. They know that TC members in the 200x and 300x are just as hard core, why else are they in the TC.

Better to join the fan club later than never and that's all that PJ was trying to do - give you that once or few times opportunity to be just a little bit closer and have the usual suspects be in your seats for a change.

I wasn't at the GR show, but my friend was who is 89xxx and he was disappointed, but more just suprised and he was still able to enjoy the show.

PJ can and will assign tickets as they like and it's their right. I'm sure they enjoyed themselves even more by being energized by seeing the newer faces and their extreme pleasure Friday night.

It's all good!