Am I the Only One that Prefers Reserved to GA?

OnWis97

I observe, based on this forum and what I see at the shows (street prices), that the overwhelming preference among fans is GA. My toughs on GA is that I'd have to want to get there eight hours early and never pee for like four or five hours; otherwise you are in the back craning your neck. I definitely prefer reserved seats (and if I ever do draw GA will gladly trade).

On Sunday in St. Paul, I was in section 103, row 3. I was on the "stage side" of the section with one section between us and the stage. And the view was great; my second best seats ever. And I have a moderate number 230XXX.

In about 2003 at RHCP in Albany, I had a pair for floor seats...I asked a scalper how they draw vs. reserved and he say "floor gets way more". So I traded him straight up for his best pair of reserved (very good; halfway up section next to stage).

My view on the floor is that if you are not very close it's not all that great; and the other headaches make it not that worth it.

Then again, I am 40. Get off my lawn.

Just wanted to see if there were others.

CM189191

I prefer rez'd for a few reasons: I'm not waiting in line to get down front. GA seats sell out faster, so I'm more likely to set rez'd seats for the shows I want to go to. I can go get a beer or take a leak without having to worry about getting my spot back. You don't have to worry about seeing over people and my 10C# is high enough to where I may as well be standing in the back GA anyways. I got to sit on the visitor's bench at the United Center, that was cool. I brought my cousin who's a huge hockey fan - he was stoked to put his beer where the players put their Gatorade. Security had to yell at him to quit playing with the latch for the door onto the 'ice'.

facepollution

I'd take decent seats in an arena any day over GA - it's just easier to see, plus you can go out and get beers without having to fight your way back to your seat!

Empty Glass

Nope...now it's not all who get GA, but GA seems to be for the fans who think they are part of the band.

CantKeepmedown

I have zero interest in waiting in line for even 2 hours, let alone 10. I'd much rather be in a bar or tailgate with friends. I have a pretty good number, so my Res seats are usually pretty good. I've had the chance to see them in GA and been up close, but to me, it's not worth standing in line all day. Kudos to those who do, though. <:-P

CopperTom

I prefer reserved too!

BLACK35

I prefer reserved

maynardsux

I've been fortunate enough to get GA for a couple of PJ shows and wouldn't trade those experiences for anything! This go around, I won the GA lottery for Detroit and strolled in at 7:15 and was behind a person on the rail, no pushing, no shoving, just a sincere love for the music (I still can't get over how small that pit was btw).....I don't care if I get wine from Eddie or a fucking tambourine but how can you replace standing in front of Mike for 3 hrs having your face melted off? And seeing my sister with that same goofy smile in disbelief at her first PJ show in years made it all worth it to me..... I'm 45 and nothing comes close to seeing these guys live and that close....except maybe Tool back in '97

SVRDhand13

I'm 6'3" so I'll take GA anyday. But with the popularity of this band and the few shows they play, I;m just happy to be in the arena for the most part.

OnWis97

Ha! That's another thing. I am only 5'8".

Bentleyspop

I also prefer reserved
But as a long time 10club member its still hard to not be up front.

what dreams

OnWis97 said:

Then again, I am 40. Get off my lawn.

Dang, what is it with the "we're all old with one foot in the grave" bits that keep popping up on this board?!! I'm 45 and still feel as young as I did 24 years ago. Definitely not as dumb, but still young. My hips ache sometimes, I'm developing arthritis in the wrist, but geez -- I can still handle standing up to enjoy a concert after hanging all day in the pre-game. Maybe it's because I'm a teacher with a very active job, on my feet for 8 hours-plus every day, and I get as much exercise as I can in between. Thankfully I've maintained the stamina and hope I always remain active enough to move with ease.

In case you do want to venture in, the back of GA is not all neck craning. The distance/perspective allows you to hold your head level. It's the people at the front who need to hold their necks back the entire time, with how far depending on the height of the stage.

What I really hope for you is to enjoy the seats you want to enjoy. No big deal. Don't feel like you have to justify your choices by comparing yourself to other people who live a different life.

jervin007

I generally prefer reserved over GA. Fortunate to have GA for Worcester I last fall. Great time, but wouldn't want to do it each show.

2-feign-reluctance

Reserved. Perfect view. Only downside are jerkoffs behind you that can't contain themselves and knee the back of your head.

demetrios

I prefer reserved seats as well. I hope to GOD Pearl Jam's next tour in Canada / USA terminates GA completely. I don't mind if the first 10 rows are lottery seats, just bring that experience back.

PJForceofNature

I love having reserved seats! Our seats in Lincoln were the best I ever had, and I have never had such a great time at a PJ show!! \:D/

ldent42

How do you people get a perfect view from reserved seats? I am always watching from between peoples heads. and I'm stuck where they decided to put me. I prefer GA. Never waited in a GA line, never got anything like pics or wine or whatever and honestly have no interest in that stuff. I just find GA more comfortable.

jfconnorjr

I am coming over to the Res side of the coin.
GA is fun but getting tickets are hit or miss. Also, I have a pretty good number so if I get Res and want GA, I bet I can find someone to trade.

But lets keep this down as we want Res to be easier tickets to get.

iamica

I definitely prefer reserved to GA. I'm 5'6", so unless I'm in the front row, I'm not going to see jack if I'm in the pit. I did the pit once at Lollapalooza, and it was fun, but I wouldn't do it again. You get a much better view from the side stage seats.

iwasatpj20

I got one show in GA, and that was in Moline. I love being in reserved, gives my knees and back a break from standing up watching the show and reserved tickets are easier to get.

badbrains

Fuck GA and fuck waiting in line ALL day.

jerparker20

Reserved here. Mainly for reasons already mentioned above.

SVRDhand13

badbrains said:

Fuck GA and fuck waiting in line ALL day.

Both times I had GA last year I didn't wait long and still had an amazing view from center stage.

badbrains

SVRDhand13 said:

badbrains said:

Fuck GA and fuck waiting in line ALL day.

Both times I had GA last year I didn't wait long and still had an amazing view from center stage.

Well, fuck you to! ) I kid...

63schoefflin

Yeah I strolled into the Philly show last year about 15 minutes before kickoff and was about 20ft back. It was fine with me and cool, but reserved is just as good.

BinFrog

In 2013 I went to 5 shows and had GA for one and that was perfect for me.

Leezestarr313

maynardsux said:

I've been fortunate enough to get GA for a couple of PJ shows and wouldn't trade those experiences for anything! This go around, I won the GA lottery for Detroit and strolled in at 7:15 and was behind a person on the rail, no pushing, no shoving, just a sincere love for the music (I still can't get over how small that pit was btw).....I don't care if I get wine from Eddie or a fucking tambourine but how can you replace standing in front of Mike for 3 hrs having your face melted off? And seeing my sister with that same goofy smile in disbelief at her first PJ show in years made it all worth it to me..... I'm 45 and nothing comes close to seeing these guys live and that close....except maybe Tool back in '97

This. (we were in GA in Detroit too ) GA feels like you are seeing the band in a small club, but you still get the atmosphere of the larger venue. We never waited in line to get in for long, but still always had great spots. If you are not a rail hog, you should be fine.

nycrats

It's like going to a restaurant.. Sometimes you want pasta, sometimes you want steak, both are great. But I'm not getting to the restaurant at 6am to wait for said steak!

Suziemay

For almost any other band at an arena show, I prefer seats at the wings. For bands playing smaller venues (1,500-3,000), I like GA and don't mind being a few rows back.

For Pearl Jam, I prefer GA and want to be as close as possible, preferably on the rail. With GA, I feel like I'm part of the show because of the proximity to the band and because the band can see me and I know they are feeding off the energy of those they can see. With seats, I feel like I'm just an observer.

Edited to add that the proximity also allows me to really see the band and see how they interact with each other, the subtle smiles and nods to each other. It's amazing!

There's no right or wrong, to each his own.

Hank56

I have had ga and given ga away for really good seats. I like Ga better even a few rows back and off to the side. For me it's like watching a sport or playing that sport. I like both, I just get more from playing.

SVRDhand13

badbrains said:

SVRDhand13 said:

badbrains said:

Fuck GA and fuck waiting in line ALL day.

Both times I had GA last year I didn't wait long and still had an amazing view from center stage.

Well, fuck you to! ) I kid...

)

BinFrog said:

In 2013 I went to 5 shows and had GA for one and that was perfect for me.

I had GA 2 out of 5 and I could have gone for one more. Philly 2 I had floor seats right behind GA which were good, Philly 1 I was up top but on the side close to stage. Unfortunately, BK 2 I was far up top and not close to stage and the sound kinda blew.