Toughest Tickets

brucejam28

With the craziness around MSG (especially since Stubhub is $500 at the minimum), I'm wondering what the toughest PJ tickets have been throughout the band's history.
Where does this MSG show rank? And what have been the toughest public shows to get into?

DoDaFoo

I feel like I've heard the Vic Theatre in 2007 (Vault #2) was pretty crazy.

Lerxst1992

I wanted to do a similar topic but for any concert


Radiohead
Roseland Ballroom
Kid A Tour

Similar fact pattern to PJ MSG2020. Radiohead was not touring but was booked for SNL and decided to do a couple of NA shows, one at the very small Roseland in NYC. There were more fans outside the venue than at the concert.

Roseland was located between 8th and Broadway. For those that don’t know Manhattan well, the distance between avenues is large. The line wrapped around 52nd all the way to Broadway, back around 53rd street all the way to 8th. The line circled an entire city block, three wide.

The weirdest thing is I almost got on this line, because it just looked like insiders. Pretty people dressed in very cool high priced fashion. But I figured I better walk to the front of the line just to make sure, and sure enough the place was packed inside.

 I also recall being crunched next to someone who was the spitting image of Sean Lennon. It just seems like there were celebrities everywhere. Everyone constantly pointing and yelling at everyone else “hey look who is over there” just before the show. Weird experience. Great show.

rlaidepeas

DoDaFoo said:

I feel like I've heard the Vic Theatre in 2007 (Vault #2) was pretty crazy.

True story - Living 5 hours away from Chicago, I debated on whether I even wanted to try to get Vic tickets knowing they would be almost impossible to get and would sell out within seconds.  So about a minute before onsale time, I waited and then I refreshed the page twice.  The second time I refreshed, I saw a "Buy Tickets" button so I clicked it and entered my information and that was it.  It said I purchased 2 tickets.  And I thought "Man, that was too easy but I'll take it".  Then I checked back on this forum to see if anyone else had it as easy as I did.  Nope!  It was chaos!  People complaining left and right.  But in my case, it was the easiest transaction I ever did.  I must have just timed it exactly right.  To this day, I don't understand it, but i'm glad it worked out.  It was an unforgettable show! 

bootlegger10

It took at least an hour to get tickets to the Vic but finally worked out and I think I was one of the last as it was sold out shortly after.

It is much easier now, but I would say it was a lot more fun in the F5 days.  It was like a scratching off a new lotto ticket every time you clicked refresh.  Is this the time the Buy button comes up?

MG79478

Easier now?!?! People have been stressing about tickets for over a week!

With F5, you were pretty much guaranteed tickets if you refreshed for an hour.  Those were the good old days.

Kevinman

MG79478 said:

Easier now?!?! People have been stressing about tickets for over a week!

With F5, you were pretty much guaranteed tickets if you refreshed for an hour.  Those were the good old days.

Guaranteed....I think not.

That being said...the Vic show was the hardest I tried for and never got.  Struck out on 10C sale and couldn’t afford tix on 2nd market.  I lived in Chicago at the time too.  Snuck into Lollapalooza to see them later that week though.

washedinblack91

bootlegger10 said:

It took at least an hour to get tickets to the Vic but finally worked out and I think I was one of the last as it was sold out shortly after.

It is much easier now, but I would say it was a lot more fun in the F5 days.  It was like a scratching off a new lotto ticket every time you clicked refresh.  Is this the time the Buy button comes up?

i agree. ever since the lotto i only won like twice out of like 7 attempts for both PJ and TOTD but with the F5 days i did much better. even when i didn't win it felt like MY loss, something i could control, not just put in for tickets and hope that the ticket fairy blessed me with a ticket. i don't like the lack of control. 

i remember trying for PJ20, literally took like 13 hours to secure tickets. ahhhh the good ol' days  

bootlegger10

The old F5 days were great too because if you weren't interested in the northeast shows it was simple to get tickets and be done with the process quickly. 

PJNB

You think MSG was hard wait till you try to get into the show on the 26th. There will be plenty of MSG GA trades for that show and no one is even going to consider the offers. 

badu2fan

MSG allows transfers outside of TM so scalping in full force NYC.

OceansJenny

rlaidepeas said:

DoDaFoo said:

I feel like I've heard the Vic Theatre in 2007 (Vault #2) was pretty crazy.

True story - Living 5 hours away from Chicago, I debated on whether I even wanted to try to get Vic tickets knowing they would be almost impossible to get and would sell out within seconds.  So about a minute before onsale time, I waited and then I refreshed the page twice.  The second time I refreshed, I saw a "Buy Tickets" button so I clicked it and entered my information and that was it.  It said I purchased 2 tickets.  And I thought "Man, that was too easy but I'll take it".  Then I checked back on this forum to see if anyone else had it as easy as I did.  Nope!  It was chaos!  People complaining left and right.  But in my case, it was the easiest transaction I ever did.  I must have just timed it exactly right.  To this day, I don't understand it, but i'm glad it worked out.  It was an unforgettable show! 

I had a relatively easy time getting tickets to the Vic as well! Just hit the page at the right time I guess. 

Oh man the venue streets were littered with people who DIDNT have tickets, desperately hoping someone would have an extra. I made someone’s day that day, since I did have an extra. He brought me right to the front of the pit too after Ed’s preshow (remember those?).

Good memories.

jjm33

Avocado tour mini show in the Ed Sullivan Theatre post Letterman. Though it may not count since it was a 10C drawing. That was a blast

CopperTom

Philly 05 was a tough one.

GetRight13

MSG 2020 has been the toughest for me so far....Philly 05 was probably the second toughest 

Paige

New York City Paramount 1994.

rlaidepeas

OceansJenny said:

rlaidepeas said:

DoDaFoo said:

I feel like I've heard the Vic Theatre in 2007 (Vault #2) was pretty crazy.

True story - Living 5 hours away from Chicago, I debated on whether I even wanted to try to get Vic tickets knowing they would be almost impossible to get and would sell out within seconds.  So about a minute before onsale time, I waited and then I refreshed the page twice.  The second time I refreshed, I saw a "Buy Tickets" button so I clicked it and entered my information and that was it.  It said I purchased 2 tickets.  And I thought "Man, that was too easy but I'll take it".  Then I checked back on this forum to see if anyone else had it as easy as I did.  Nope!  It was chaos!  People complaining left and right.  But in my case, it was the easiest transaction I ever did.  I must have just timed it exactly right.  To this day, I don't understand it, but i'm glad it worked out.  It was an unforgettable show! 

I had a relatively easy time getting tickets to the Vic as well! Just hit the page at the right time I guess. 

Oh man the venue streets were littered with people who DIDNT have tickets, desperately hoping someone would have an extra. I made someone’s day that day, since I did have an extra. He brought me right to the front of the pit too after Ed’s preshow (remember those?).

Good memories.

Oh I remember that line of people begging for tickets. People had signs offering $1000. One sign I recall even alluded to sexual favors. If you recall, it was scalding hot that day so my brother who I took, and I decided we would just find a bar to sit in the A/C near Belmont down the street from the venue. We reasoned showing up just before they took the stage would put us back from the stage but even that would still be insanely close and we were right. It was an awesome experience. Glad you got to enjoy it to and make someone happy by hooking them up with your extra wristband. 

Saltzy23

This MSG ticket had blazed new ground as far as i'm concerned in terms of tough tickets.

I'm not even sure just for PJ.  I think this is the single toughest concert ticket I have EVER seen.

This is the perfect storm.

NYC, 1 night only, MSG, only 2 NE shows in general, after announcing a new album and with like 50%-60% of the building going to 10C lotto winners that cannot sell their tickets.

That formula has amounted to a total of 314 tickets for sale on StubHub with an AVERAGE LISTING PRICE of $1,577.34 a piece.....before fees.

Ludicrous speed. 

nicknyr15

PJNB said:

You think MSG was hard wait till you try to get into the show on the 26th. There will be plenty of MSG GA trades for that show and no one is even going to consider the offers. 

Is this an Apollo confirmation?

PureandEasy

Borgata tickets in Atlantic City, I still leer at that building every time I see it.  From what I understand of the people who did go, it was a lot of corporate non fan big wigs.  And I believe that PJ realized the ticket fiasco that it turned into and that's why at the last minute they decided to do a Philly show BEFORE the Borgata shows.  And that Philly show was one of the best PJ shows I've ever been to.  I was up in suite, a long way away from the stage but the show and the set list were fantastic.  Nice memory, thanks for bringing it back to the surface.

PureandEasy

I just looked at the tour history and I would have swore that Philly show was before the Borgata shows.  I really thought it was, my friends from California came in and they were going to all three . . . and I really could have swore it was before.  Either way, I think PJ did it to appease all the Philly locals (AC is less than an hour away) who missed out on the Borgata tickets.  

OceansJenny

PureandEasy said:

Borgata tickets in Atlantic City, I still leer at that building every time I see it.  From what I understand of the people who did go, it was a lot of corporate non fan big wigs.  And I believe that PJ realized the ticket fiasco that it turned into and that's why at the last minute they decided to do a Philly show BEFORE the Borgata shows.  And that Philly show was one of the best PJ shows I've ever been to.  I was up in suite, a long way away from the stage but the show and the set list were fantastic.  Nice memory, thanks for bringing it back to the surface.

Ugh I forgot about the Borgata shows! What a fiasco. I remember everyone hating AC and the Borgata because of that. Love that you still leer at the building.

on2legs

PureandEasy said:

Borgata tickets in Atlantic City, I still leer at that building every time I see it.  From what I understand of the people who did go, it was a lot of corporate non fan big wigs.  And I believe that PJ realized the ticket fiasco that it turned into and that's why at the last minute they decided to do a Philly show BEFORE the Borgata shows.  And that Philly show was one of the best PJ shows I've ever been to.  I was up in suite, a long way away from the stage but the show and the set list were fantastic.  Nice memory, thanks for bringing it back to the surface.

Hmmm... the Borgata show I went to was jammed with real fans.  Ed even commented that he expected the show to be packed with casino high rollers and was really happy to see a bunch of real fans out there. 

mcgruff10

borgota 05 shows were the only shows I struck out on.  That was a tough ticket.  Was it the toughest ticket ?  That I don't know.  

100 Pacer

PJNB said:

You think MSG was hard wait till you try to get into the show on the 26th. There will be plenty of MSG GA trades for that show and no one is even going to consider the offers. 

Just put it out of your mind. It’s easier that way. 😜

PureandEasy

on2legs said:

PureandEasy said:

Borgata tickets in Atlantic City, I still leer at that building every time I see it.  From what I understand of the people who did go, it was a lot of corporate non fan big wigs.  And I believe that PJ realized the ticket fiasco that it turned into and that's why at the last minute they decided to do a Philly show BEFORE the Borgata shows.  And that Philly show was one of the best PJ shows I've ever been to.  I was up in suite, a long way away from the stage but the show and the set list were fantastic.  Nice memory, thanks for bringing it back to the surface.

Hmmm... the Borgata show I went to was jammed with real fans.  Ed even commented that he expected the show to be packed with casino high rollers and was really happy to see a bunch of real fans out there. 

I can only tell you what I heard from the 4 people I know that were there for both shows.  

mookeywrench

Benaroya hall....hands down.
I remember standing in line at tower records (RIP). tickets went on sale, i took about two breaths and the kiosk person announced they sold out.

I went to ebay and found a single ticket for $250. I remember being too ashamed to admit to anyone how much i just spent to go to a rock show.

PureandEasy

OceansJenny said:

PureandEasy said:

Borgata tickets in Atlantic City, I still leer at that building every time I see it.  From what I understand of the people who did go, it was a lot of corporate non fan big wigs.  And I believe that PJ realized the ticket fiasco that it turned into and that's why at the last minute they decided to do a Philly show BEFORE the Borgata shows.  And that Philly show was one of the best PJ shows I've ever been to.  I was up in suite, a long way away from the stage but the show and the set list were fantastic.  Nice memory, thanks for bringing it back to the surface.

Ugh I forgot about the Borgata shows! What a fiasco. I remember everyone hating AC and the Borgata because of that. Love that you still leer at the building.

Haha, I do and you know what's funny, you can spot the Borgata from miles outside AC (rte. 30), and that's when it starts . . . as you're approaching AC . . . f'ing Borgata.  The only good thing that came out of those shows was GONE.  I love that song.  But it still grates on me to this day.    

LC

Great thread. The 2004-2010 stretch was crazy. Everyone is correct though....no better feeling than when ‘Buy Tickets’ magically appeared after refreshing your screen for an hour...or two. 
Boston 2010 was not easy with only one show that year.

i love hearing those Vic stories.

on2legs

PureandEasy said:

on2legs said:

PureandEasy said:

Borgata tickets in Atlantic City, I still leer at that building every time I see it.  From what I understand of the people who did go, it was a lot of corporate non fan big wigs.  And I believe that PJ realized the ticket fiasco that it turned into and that's why at the last minute they decided to do a Philly show BEFORE the Borgata shows.  And that Philly show was one of the best PJ shows I've ever been to.  I was up in suite, a long way away from the stage but the show and the set list were fantastic.  Nice memory, thanks for bringing it back to the surface.

Hmmm... the Borgata show I went to was jammed with real fans.  Ed even commented that he expected the show to be packed with casino high rollers and was really happy to see a bunch of real fans out there. 

I can only tell you what I heard from the 4 people I know that were there for both shows.  

Don't take my word for it... or your friends.  Hear it from Ed directly   

Scrub to 1:22:00 for the real scoop! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUWk3tHN3xc

But if I were you I would watch the whole show... its killer. 

OceansJenny

on2legs said:

PureandEasy said:

on2legs said:

PureandEasy said:

Borgata tickets in Atlantic City, I still leer at that building every time I see it.  From what I understand of the people who did go, it was a lot of corporate non fan big wigs.  And I believe that PJ realized the ticket fiasco that it turned into and that's why at the last minute they decided to do a Philly show BEFORE the Borgata shows.  And that Philly show was one of the best PJ shows I've ever been to.  I was up in suite, a long way away from the stage but the show and the set list were fantastic.  Nice memory, thanks for bringing it back to the surface.

Hmmm... the Borgata show I went to was jammed with real fans.  Ed even commented that he expected the show to be packed with casino high rollers and was really happy to see a bunch of real fans out there. 

I can only tell you what I heard from the 4 people I know that were there for both shows.  

Don't take my word for it... or your friends.  Hear it from Ed directly   

Scrub to 1:22:00 for the real scoop! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUWk3tHN3xc

But if I were you I would watch the whole show... its killer. 

Don’t go making me wistful for mid-2000s PJ!