My story dealing with several horrible entitled “railbirds” in GA at Wrigley 2

curmudgeoness

incidental immortality said:

OK.  Here are the shows:  Worcester 1 and 2  2013 (GA both nights), Hartford  2016 (Reserved), MSG 2016 (Reserved), Fenway 1 and 2 2016.  For those shows the two that stood out to me were Fenway 2 and Hartford.  I didn't see a major difference in energy from these shows versus the shows I'd attended before GA was introduced.

But I agree that energy is that weird thing. Once it starts to build its like a drug.  You can't wait for the next show just in hopes of having that experience again.  Why was Hartford 2016 so loud?  GA?  A Friday night?  Being between Boston and New York?  I don't think anyone can say for sure.

Hartford -- could be the weekend, could be the location. Hartford 2013 was the loudest show I've been to. The crowd drowned out Ed over and over again.  

RS65573

curmudgeoness said:

incidental immortality said:

OK.  Here are the shows:  Worcester 1 and 2  2013 (GA both nights), Hartford  2016 (Reserved), MSG 2016 (Reserved), Fenway 1 and 2 2016.  For those shows the two that stood out to me were Fenway 2 and Hartford.  I didn't see a major difference in energy from these shows versus the shows I'd attended before GA was introduced.

But I agree that energy is that weird thing. Once it starts to build its like a drug.  You can't wait for the next show just in hopes of having that experience again.  Why was Hartford 2016 so loud?  GA?  A Friday night?  Being between Boston and New York?  I don't think anyone can say for sure.

Hartford -- could be the weekend, could be the location. Hartford 2013 was the loudest show I've been to. The crowd drowned out Ed over and over again.  

Agreed. In my 85 shows, this is top 5 crowds.

PJ_Soul

HesCalledDyer said:

Bentleyspop said:

pjl44 said:

PJ1973 said:

This sense of entitlement seems like it is happening more and more all over - I was just reading a day or two ago about how some fans at Phish concerts are putting down tarps on the floor to block out their 'space' and holding it for friends still outside. I mean, WTF?

 I've always had a good time in GA (4 shows) but it just takes a few people who act like they own the place to ruin the experience for others.

I read about the tarps, too. Did that start at Red Rocks? I saw My Morning Jacket there a couple years ago - first and only time there. I was shocked to see people covering big parts of the benches with blankets to claim space. Some were even taping them down. Festivals are one thing, but arenas and amphitheaters with that?

I was under the impression  that the infamous  "running of the tarps" at Red Rocks was no longer allowed. Anyway here it is from a Widespread  Panic show a few years ago....

https://youtu.be/SgQ-IyK4RAs

Widespread Panic.  Never listened to them but it appears they're aptly named.

Right?! That is insane! That music on the video made me laugh.
I'm going to go listen to some Widespread Panic now, and see if that craziness has any justification, lol. (Edit: Actually not bad... at least a few library-worthy songs there)

Suziemay

JH6056 said:

What I did NOT know until the show was over was, once he got to GA, and let's be clear, it was a ton of people who like every GA show some had waited all day (maybe even all night the night before) to be on the rail, as this guy came in the audience parted like the Red Sea when they realized he was behind them, and they let him all the way up to the rail on Mike's side!  Then he got guitar picks, a tambourine, and just had the time of his life. 

mace1229

Suziemay said:

You didn't do anything wrong in my opinion. You saw an opportunity and grabbed it. In 2013 I was mad because people who weren't even in GA jumped over the barricades and ran in ahead of us during re-entry but really I was mostly mad at security more than anyone else for doing a bad job, I don't blame anyone for seizing an opportunity. They also let Stone's side in before Mike's side in 2013; I was Mike's side and lost my rail spot in 2013 after queuing up all day, but a nice man let me go in front of him because it didn't look like the spot on the rail was big enough for him so I got back on the rail, but a bit further to the side than I was initially. I felt really bad asking but I was also feeling very sorry for myself I was fully expecting him to say no and that would have been cool. It's a concert, hardly the end of the world if I ended up second row.

After clearing out GA, no one has the right to say "that was my spot", that's not how GA works. It sucks but that's just life. That's why I won't really invest a lot of time queuing up for outdoor concerts (and honestly I generally avoid outdoor concerts).

Wrigley 13 was my first and only GA experience (with PJ). Turned me off of it for a while for exactly what you said. Was so much more crowded after the delay, people were hopping the gates right in front of security and they didnt even care at that point. We were exhausted, it was after midnight and many of the people who jumped in were just annoying and over-excited for being in the pit, literally knockin gpeople down like it was a metal mosh pit.
But after this round I think I'd be up for it again if they keep it up.

potnik

DirtyFrankAndBeans said:

pjl44 said:

Team All Reserved Seating 2019

I’m with you!!  If I do ever go GA again we’re going to get there hour early and not mess with the madness!  The people were a lot cooler at our first spots too.  Although there were a few cool dudes scattered and D-bags son was actually cool somehow too (sorry bout ur pops man) shout out to them!  Plus the second lady that took my spot turned out to be cool too just not with her female neighbor

Have to say Seattle 1 was nice, not caring where I ended up in GA.  Arrived an hour before the show picked a spot my wife and I liked and enjoyed the folks around us.  

With that said, I am all for Reserved Seating.

JH6056

sudzilla said:

sissonp33 said:

I had amazing experiences in GA at Wrigley 2 and Montana, getting in line basically as the doors opened and not fighting for position. Surrounded by good, fun people both nights. Ironically, my worst experience of my three shows this year was night 2 in Seattle. We had drunk jerks behind us pushing the chairs into our legs and trying to carry a conversation through the whole show, people on either side that didn’t seem into it at all and 6 empty seats in front of us. The show was obviously still amazing, but, for us, it lacked the usual energy that comes from your neighbors. I have a good TC number so I almost always get seats, but after this year I might start reconsidering and do the back of the pit thing more often. 

back of the pit is where its at.  

Unless you're short... in which case, anything more than 2 rows back looks the same whether it's 3 rows back or 30 rows back in the pit or the very back of the pit.

Only when pit's aren't full do you still have a shot of seeing at the back of the pit if you're short.  But Seattle 2, the backs of the pit were as crowded as the fronts, so nope, would have been a total bummer for short l'il ole me.

I don't mind there being a pit, but as someone who always chooses reserved, once in awhile it would be nice ot have a shot (long shot that it is) at front couple of rows in the lottery.

mcgruff10

were the wrigley pits pretty crowded?

bbiggs

mcgruff10 said:

were the wrigley pits pretty crowded?

N2 seemed a lot more crowded than N1 to me. Could have been that I was a couple rows closer N2 though. But yes, they were crowded where I was. 

Chromebeard

Here is my take. I was lucky enough to land GA for both nights. First time ever having the opportunity. I've been a "nut job super fan" since day one but never post on here or anything. A friend and I got there early Saturday just to scope out where we were to line up and planned on walking around the vicinity until 8am and saw people were already lined up when we got there so we got in line. 60 people or so ahead of us. Not bad at all. Ended up 3rd row. Amazing show and experience. Monday morn same thing but a few people closer in line. Ended up 1.5 row dead center because everyone staggered so we could all see. I could reach out and touch rail. I was stoked. Waited damn near 30 years for that. Then of course the shitshow happened with the delay and ultimately ended up in the middle. My whole group i was with somehow ended pretty close to where we started. During conversations everyone offered for me to go closer since I stood in line so long to begin with and tried to get me back, which was awesome, but eventually it was just so packed and I wasn't gonna do that to people even though I was so disappointed. I didn't feel "entitled" in the sense of it was "my spot" but was just extremely disappointed to finally have that spot then all of the sudden I didn't. 

What Im most pissed off about is that they let us go on the field in the first place since all of us watching the radar all day knew that storm was coming. They didn't let us on the field immediately anyway and kept us in the concourse for 45 min for that reason. They should have just kept GA where we were until it passed. They could have easily let everyone else in and kept us where we were in a single file line since we were vastly in a restricted acces part of the concourse. It was still a great show, it just sucks I wasn't with my friends and was stuck behind a woman who Facebook lived 80% of the show with her arms and phone raised so I couldn't see Mike or Jeff at all and got glimpses of Ed. There has to be a better way of doing it for the people who stand in line for a collective 30 plus hrs. Idk.

Gern Blansten

Chromebeard said:

Here is my take. I was lucky enough to land GA for both nights. First time ever having the opportunity. I've been a "nut job super fan" since day one but never post on here or anything. A friend and I got there early Saturday just to scope out where we were to line up and planned on walking around the vicinity until 8am and saw people were already lined up when we got there so we got in line. 60 people or so ahead of us. Not bad at all. Ended up 3rd row. Amazing show and experience. Monday morn same thing but a few people closer in line. Ended up 1.5 row dead center because everyone staggered so we could all see. I could reach out and touch rail. I was stoked. Waited damn near 30 years for that. Then of course the shitshow happened with the delay and ultimately ended up in the middle. My whole group i was with somehow ended pretty close to where we started. During conversations everyone offered for me to go closer since I stood in line so long to begin with and tried to get me back, which was awesome, but eventually it was just so packed and I wasn't gonna do that to people even though I was so disappointed. I didn't feel "entitled" in the sense of it was "my spot" but was just extremely disappointed to finally have that spot then all of the sudden I didn't. 

What Im most pissed off about is that they let us go on the field in the first place since all of us watching the radar all day knew that storm was coming. They didn't let us on the field immediately anyway and kept us in the concourse for 45 min for that reason. They should have just kept GA where we were until it passed. They could have easily let everyone else in and kept us where we were in a single file line since we were vastly in a restricted acces part of the concourse. It was still a great show, it just sucks I wasn't with my friends and was stuck behind a woman who Facebook lived 80% of the show with her arms and phone raised so I couldn't see Mike or Jeff at all and got glimpses of Ed. There has to be a better way of doing it for the people who stand in line for a collective 30 plus hrs. Idk.

I wondered that as well....seems like a big liability issue where someone could get injured in the sprint

mace1229

bbiggs said:

mcgruff10 said:

were the wrigley pits pretty crowded?

N2 seemed a lot more crowded than N1 to me. Could have been that I was a couple rows closer N2 though. But yes, they were crowded where I was. 

Thought the same thing. Looked like lots more room night 1 and I was row 17 on the field both times, so I had a good view. Looked much more crowded night 2. My guess is during the mad dash there were lots who got to sneak in.

MD190661

Did GA for Seattle 2. I don't care where I am in GA as any place is better than 95% of the rest venue. I walked in around 6, no line and got a spot center and leaning on the back rail. Easy come and go from there and great sound. Got a bit crowded, but nothing like up front. I figured we were 20 rows back at the most. Sometimes it could be a bit hard to see if someone tall got in the way, but for the most part it was fine. Was surrounded by awesome fans having a great time and didn't deal with any (or hardly any) BS. 

vedderman72

Tully305 said:

Fuck that noise. You’re on the rail.  Refuse to move. Throw hands if necessary. We’ve all been fans for 25 years, nobody’s more special than the other

Agree 100% if someone wants to fight over a spot on the rail or any other spot for that matter bring it. 

Ledbetterman10

Horse2345 said:

Lol, i just laugh at how half you people would fair at a Metallica or Slayer GA show. If you want a guaranteed spot and noone to touch you  get a reserved seat. I was actually kind of disappointed how mellow the Seattle pit was.

I have GA tix for Metallica and have no interest in getting close. Just want a good view 

ForceofNature101

MD190661 said:

Did GA for Seattle 2. I don't care where I am in GA as any place is better than 95% of the rest venue. I walked in around 6, no line and got a spot center and leaning on the back rail. Easy come and go from there and great sound. Got a bit crowded, but nothing like up front. I figured we were 20 rows back at the most. Sometimes it could be a bit hard to see if someone tall got in the way, but for the most part it was fine. Was surrounded by awesome fans having a great time and didn't deal with any (or hardly any) BS. 

Yeah I remember in LA 2013 I got to the GA line about an hour before doors opened and I got maybe 4 or 5 rows back and everyone around us were super nice!  To me that is more pleasant than camping out and dealing with not only the big time commitment just standing in line not to mention dealing with the "rail" people - only to get 4 rows ahead of where I would have been anyways

PJ_Soul

vedderman72 said:

Tully305 said:

Fuck that noise. You’re on the rail.  Refuse to move. Throw hands if necessary. We’ve all been fans for 25 years, nobody’s more special than the other

Agree 100% if someone wants to fight over a spot on the rail or any other spot for that matter bring it. 

Yeah, I agree with that too. Spots can't be reserved in GA, but when you're in a spot, it's yours. It's amazing to me how often people will literally try to displace you - like use their bodies to move you so they can stand where you're standing. I will never budge when someone does that, if possible. But yeah, it's different in a crazy pit of course - in those you really just have to submit to the mob. That's fine with me. I'm just talking PJ pits here, and other mellow GA scenes.

wobbler_kitty

RE4790 said:

PB11041 said:

pjl44 said:

Team All Reserved Seating 2019

Same.  The GA thing is stupid. I don't get it.  I watched the rush ensue on video live from a phone the other night and thought man someone is going to get badly hurt in this nonsense to get a "rail".

 That video is glorious and everyone should hum yakety-sax to themselves while watching it

Ask and you shall receive:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z1zKWC-riXY

HesCalledDyer

^That's hilarious!

Chromebeard

Gern Blansten said:

Chromebeard said:

Here is my take. I was lucky enough to land GA for both nights. First time ever having the opportunity. I've been a "nut job super fan" since day one but never post on here or anything. A friend and I got there early Saturday just to scope out where we were to line up and planned on walking around the vicinity until 8am and saw people were already lined up when we got there so we got in line. 60 people or so ahead of us. Not bad at all. Ended up 3rd row. Amazing show and experience. Monday morn same thing but a few people closer in line. Ended up 1.5 row dead center because everyone staggered so we could all see. I could reach out and touch rail. I was stoked. Waited damn near 30 years for that. Then of course the shitshow happened with the delay and ultimately ended up in the middle. My whole group i was with somehow ended pretty close to where we started. During conversations everyone offered for me to go closer since I stood in line so long to begin with and tried to get me back, which was awesome, but eventually it was just so packed and I wasn't gonna do that to people even though I was so disappointed. I didn't feel "entitled" in the sense of it was "my spot" but was just extremely disappointed to finally have that spot then all of the sudden I didn't. 

What Im most pissed off about is that they let us go on the field in the first place since all of us watching the radar all day knew that storm was coming. They didn't let us on the field immediately anyway and kept us in the concourse for 45 min for that reason. They should have just kept GA where we were until it passed. They could have easily let everyone else in and kept us where we were in a single file line since we were vastly in a restricted acces part of the concourse. It was still a great show, it just sucks I wasn't with my friends and was stuck behind a woman who Facebook lived 80% of the show with her arms and phone raised so I couldn't see Mike or Jeff at all and got glimpses of Ed. There has to be a better way of doing it for the people who stand in line for a collective 30 plus hrs. Idk.

I wondered that as well....seems like a big liability issue where someone could get injured in the sprint