Can people with GA tickets go in the main doors and race to the pit to get ahead of people in "the line" or is the line always let in first? (Specifically for MSG in my case).
You can try it but there will also be a line at the main doors (people want to get in early to get to the front of the merch lines) so you'll still have to get there early if this is your plan.
Also, you risk a justified ass-kicking if you do this.
Definitely not my plan! I'm more worried that other people could do it and essentially jump the GA line. Hopefully that is not the case and the GA line gets into the building before the masses.
I can't remember if the GA door opened earlier for the shows I've been to, but I think so.
Also, there was a dedicated "route" from the GA entrance door to the entrance to the pit itself with all other GA access points closed off. It's pretty easy to tell if someone is trying to wander in from a different place in the arena.
Can people with GA tickets go in the main doors and race to the pit to get ahead of people in "the line" or is the line always let in first? (Specifically for MSG in my case).
You can try it but there will also be a line at the main doors (people want to get in early to get to the front of the merch lines) so you'll still have to get there early if this is your plan.
Also, you risk a justified ass-kicking if you do this.
Can people with GA tickets go in the main doors and race to the pit to get ahead of people in "the line" or is the line always let in first? (Specifically for MSG in my case).
You can try it but there will also be a line at the main doors (people want to get in early to get to the front of the merch lines) so you'll still have to get there early if this is your plan.
Also, you risk a justified ass-kicking if you do this.
Definitely not my plan! I'm more worried that other people could do it and essentially jump the GA line. Hopefully that is not the case and the GA line gets into the building before the masses.
This happened a few times either during one of the 2013 tour legs or 2014 in the US. Doors all opened at the same time. There was no early entry for 10c members because the pit was all for 10c so if security did their jobs right, what you described should not happen. It did however happen at some venues. At other venues, those people were told to go to the GA entry doors. So, no 100% guarantees. I wouldn't recommend that as a strategy, but if some douche tries it, they could potentially luck out.
Having done GA a bunch of times going for the rail, you just have to roll with it. Things NEVER work out as planned. At the end of the day, we are all seeing a Pearl Jam show so it will be a good night. Perspective...
Waiting like 6 hour on a line so that you can be 20' closer to the stage, and not be able to take a leak or grab beers is lunacy.
Ya'll are nuts.
I'll find a spot somewhere in the back. I have a reliable source that tells me that it sounds exactly the same back there.
Yea, i'm going to enjoy the lead up to the show outside the venue and probably go in 30 min before the show and i'll be fine where i am, but to each their own ya know.
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Waiting like 6 hour on a line so that you can be 20' closer to the stage, and not be able to take a leak or grab beers is lunacy.
Ya'll are nuts.
I'll find a spot somewhere in the back. I have a reliable source that tells me that it sounds exactly the same back there.
Different strokes for different folks. Weed is my poison so I don't miss beer, and if those 20' are the difference between the rail and 20' behind the rail - it's a big difference.
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EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
Different strokes for different folks. Weed is my poison so I don't miss beer, and if those 20' are the difference between the rail and 20' behind the rail - it's a big difference.
In some respects, the differences are big and in other respects, they're negligible.
Some of those differences are positive and some are negative.
But yeah, Diff'rent Strokes to move the world and all...
I've done GA to a few shows. Denver, SD, LA. All three shows I walked in probably about 30-60 minutes before band started. I was about 3 "rows" back on Mikes side for one and about 6-10 rows back on the other two. Like others have said, the closer you get, the harder it is to come and go for barroom , beer breaks. I usually have to use the bathroom at some point and I don't like having to try and work my way back through a crowd. The more to the side of the stage you are willing to go, the closer you can get to the stage. I prefer Mikes side because he's such an entertainer and really interacts with the crowd up front. Good luck and have fun.
Never done GA as I'm short and don't have the time to wait in line for a good spot. But a friend is going to one of the shows GA this tour and wanted to a) Legitimately get in line early in the AM
b) After a couple hours, have someone come relieve him for the day that he either bought a ticket for or otherwise compensated
c) And then come back around an hour or so before the doors open to reclaim his spot in line.
I thought he might be in for an ass kicking, but on further reflection the people behind him wouldn't be any worse off than if he'd been there all day (assuming the line sitter isn't annoying!).
Is he going to be cool or are people going to block him from coming back somehow? Not sure how that would even be enforced, but anyway. Thoughts appreciated!
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These comments help as I had a similar question plus a few others that I would really appreciate some help. Have seen PJ 8 times but never been in GA (taking my 17 year old son to Lexington show) How much before the show do they open the doors? Assume 7:30 show time what time do the doors usually open? What time should I get there to line up? Sounds like 4 pm or so? Can you bring a chair or cooler while lined up outside? How difficult is it to leave before the show starts or during encores to grab a beverage or hit the restroom and get back to your spot? Would you advise against having a beer in hand in the GA area? Last one I swear, how long after the show does the band appear usually to try and get a pic or autograph of Eddie. (My son and I are staying overnight before driving back to St. Louis)
Thanks everyone in advance! Faithfull Matthew
Door time depends on the venue, but 90-120 minutes before the listed showtime is probably a good guess. Sometimes, the listed showtime might not be accurate. In Cincinnati, there was only one way into the show (other than "the line" which went in another entrance....this entrance was closed off once "the line" was all in)... but yeah, the band was aware of the situation outside and delayed their start by about 15-20 minutes so that people could get in safely.
With that said, you could still go in the main doors as they opened, quickly walk to the pit and still get a great view.
You can bring a chair, cooler, whatever while you wait. Keep two things in mind... there is no "holding area" at the venue, so use your ticket buddy to hold your place while you return them to your car. Your ticket buddy or line neighbor can also hold your spot while you take quick breaks to get food, bathroom, tickets, etc. Quick meaning 20-30 minutes... get that food carryout or "to go" and eat it in line.
If you have alcohol while in line -- This is up to the various laws in that city and will probably be frowned upon by local and venue authorities.
Say this: 11:30 AM -- Eat, bathroom Noon -- Get in line. 2:30 PM -- Break for bathroom, food...eat food when you get back to the line 4:30 PM -- Break to get tickets, bathroom 5:45 PM -- Break to return stuff to car.
When the will-call window opens, there's usually a big mob. If you wait to pick up your tickets: 1) The mob is gone and you can walk right on up 2) Your tickets are safe at will-call for a longer period of time
People are typically nice about returning to spots in the pit, but there may be the occasional guy who won't let you return...just be aware.
Beer in the GA area... I've never done this, but I'm sure there's always that risk of it being spilled.
Meeting the band... I've heard it can be 2 or 3:30 or such by the time Ed comes out...and he's almost always the last. Typically, you wait and wait and wait...security comes out and says "no photos, no autographs" or whatever they say and then you wait and wait and then they come out in whatever order.
As far as no photos, I think that means they can't/won't pose for one, but if you have your phone ready to go, maybe you could quickly take a pic as they walk by.
I was at this show...the "line" was terrible. We had GA and still were only halfway back.
I can't remember if the GA door opened earlier for the shows I've been to, but I think so.
Also, there was a dedicated "route" from the GA entrance door to the entrance to the pit itself with all other GA access points closed off. It's pretty easy to tell if someone is trying to wander in from a different place in the arena.
No early entry when the GA area is all 10C.
That second paragraph makes sense. Open the GA door and the main door at the same time, but until "the line" gets settled in place, there should only be one way into the pit. Once that main "line" is settled, other entries are opened.
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Also, there was a dedicated "route" from the GA entrance door to the entrance to the pit itself with all other GA access points closed off. It's pretty easy to tell if someone is trying to wander in from a different place in the arena.
Having done GA a bunch of times going for the rail, you just have to roll with it. Things NEVER work out as planned. At the end of the day, we are all seeing a Pearl Jam show so it will be a good night. Perspective...
Ya'll are nuts.
I'll find a spot somewhere in the back. I have a reliable source that tells me that it sounds exactly the same back there.
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
Some of those differences are positive and some are negative.
But yeah, Diff'rent Strokes to move the world and all...
a) Legitimately get in line early in the AM
b) After a couple hours, have someone come relieve him for the day that he either bought a ticket for or otherwise compensated
c) And then come back around an hour or so before the doors open to reclaim his spot in line.
I thought he might be in for an ass kicking, but on further reflection the people behind him wouldn't be any worse off than if he'd been there all day (assuming the line sitter isn't annoying!).
Is he going to be cool or are people going to block him from coming back somehow? Not sure how that would even be enforced, but anyway. Thoughts appreciated!
No early entry when the GA area is all 10C.
That second paragraph makes sense. Open the GA door and the main door at the same time, but until "the line" gets settled in place, there should only be one way into the pit. Once that main "line" is settled, other entries are opened.