GA/ PIT advice

PJattheGorge

Show up when you feel like you need to.  If you want the rail, show up 48 hours early.  If you want close, show up during the Opener.  If you don't care, show up when you want.  If you really want to, you will never be farther back than about 10 people, and usually closer.   The people in GA are nice, and will let you move around fairly freely, unless you get too pushy.  Just don't plan on going in, and then getting back, unless you have a group of people looking out for you.  And don't be a dick.  The people are nice, but aren't stupid.  If you act like a douche, you will get treated like a douche.  Be courteous and friendly, and most of the pit is courteous and friendly.

lastexitlondon

By ruined i meant  that  if someone different other than those 50 wants a shot  at rail they now  have to do 48 where before the morning of the show was enough. They have pushed eachothers boundaries  more and more. Now just a load of smelly tired people at the rail  who have slept out 2 days straight.  Thats all.

nycrats

It didn’t help matters showing the wrigley camper in the movie...

jtr101

My favorite was 2018 Wrigley N2  after the Rain Storm when everyone rushed back in and some guy was pushing his way to the front screaming at the security guard to prove with pictures on his phone that he was on the rail before the rain started  

It made for great conversation with the 20 people around him ...haha....

ponytd

jtr101 said:

My favorite was 2018 Wrigley N2  after the Rain Storm when everyone rushed back in and some guy was pushing his way to the front screaming at the security guard to prove with pictures on his phone that he was on the rail before the rain started  

It made for great conversation with the 20 people around him ...haha....

That sounds like Bonaroo in 16. We stood in line pretty much all day for the rail in line, but that wasn't bad cause we still got to see almost all the bands(on the main stage anyways). We were about 10 people back and then they made everyone evacuate due to thunderstorms coming through during the Macklemore set right before PJ. The security guards did take our pictures and numbered our hands with a marker so we could get back up in line. When they did let everyone back in, it was utter chaos, but the security guards there did a fantastic job of sorting it all out. There were people yelling "I've been here all day in line" and then they'd reply "Nope, you sure haven't, but that guy/girl was, so move so they can get up here". They got about 30 of us or so back lined up, but when the opened the gates to go into the pit, those people started trying to push past everyone else, but almost all of us still got up there in the front and me and my buddy ended up on the rail in front of Stone.

For Memphis in 14, I lined up about an hour before doors opened and ended up about 5 people back in the middle. I wish I had GA for Nashville, but I ended up with pretty great seats on the floor. I've done GA about 6-7 times,  so I've had my fun in GA, it's time for others to enjoy it. If you want rail, good luck and get there the night before/really early morning. If you want to be close, like 5-6 people back, get there a couple hours before doors open, otherwise show up when doors open and you'll still have great seats. Remember, no matter when you get in there, you're still closer than like 98% of the people in the venue and just enjoy the show

CL286295

I'm not a rail rider, because it's just too much work and I really don't care that much about being that close.  The back of the pit is more my jam.  You are still really close, plenty of room to do your thing, you can get beers and hit the bathroom without hassle, and you don't have to waste your entire day sitting in a line.  I'm not knocking those folks who do that, but it's just not for me. Team back of the pit here.

Matts3221

lastexitlondon said:

By ruined i meant  that  if someone different other than those 50 wants a shot  at rail they now  have to do 48 where before the morning of the show was enough. They have pushed eachothers boundaries  more and more. Now just a load of smelly tired people at the rail  who have slept out 2 days straight.  Thats all.

Lol I agree with this , I mean do what you want. If I was in line for 48 hours unshowered , I feel by time I was at the rail , I would have lost 50% of my excitement by just wanting to go home at that point.

Again each their own if you want to show up 48 hours early go for it , I find it just a bit crazy.

Gern Blansten

herogroundzero said:

The Aussies will be front row again. The Boss knows how to run a GA pit. PJ does not.

lol....I forgot about those guys

Gern Blansten

ddeschler said:

Like I always say: “If you want Ed’s wine, you gotta do the time (in line).”   I’m sorry, just being an idiot for laughs.  I’ll be hanging back in GA in StL.  We’re really all too old for pushing and shoving.  I shun human contact from strangers. Need the freedom to go get another beer at the start of evenflow/betterman/jeremy/daughter/alive.  Still get back for that tag/solo!

that's what I do....still the best seat in the house for me.  I can move around as needed, get a beer, etc.  Love it.

Except at Wrigley...that was awful

Gern Blansten

Willis1872 said:

I've only been in GA once and never really felt desperate to get rail. But I'm curious as to how it works. I get people wait in line for hours, but what happens when you get inside? Say for instance I camp out and end up at the rail on Mike's side, what happens if I need a piss or want to go for water or something? Is it a free for all, or if I say to the person next to me I'm going to the bathroom or for a drink will they hold my place or would I be stuck in the same spot for the next 5 hours till the show ends?

I've never done rail but my thought would be don't go there if you plan on leaving the rail for any reason.  You will spend way too much time getting out and back in to be worth it.  You'll miss way too much of the concert fucking with it.  Just piss your pants is what I'm saying.

mace1229

they make pocket catheters for this very reason.

TinaE

Gern Blansten said: Willis1872 said:   Just piss your pants is what I'm saying.

...now I have head-cinema...

jimjam1982

I'm usually beer and be in the back guy for other bands but I have 2 GA shows in 2020 and been considering getting near the front just once for a shot at a setlist..

It seemed like few wanted GA for the Europe shows and reserved was way harder to get. Is getting to the front easier in Europe since 10C will have early access? If anyone has done Europe and NA GA.

If it's easier there then thats great and I can do my usual beer thing in the US and not queue up in Oakland and risk being shanked.

Gary Carter

I had GA for MSG N2 16.  Met up with my buddy at some bar 15 minutes before show time, he was running late. We pounded 3 yagerbombs and showed up to msg 5 minutes before showtime, found a nice spot in the back and had a great time. I'm 5'6" and saw the stage just fine. If you want rail, show up at least 24-30 hours showtime. I saw the rail riders from night 1 walking out msg and going right back to where the line for ga starts. 

jonbond1779

I gotta say - it used to be that the pit was a friendly place. You move around...go up front for a bit and jump around, then maybe hang back a few songs.  Now it's become insanely territorial and I hate it. Full of entitled fans who wont budge, stand their ground and get super arsey if you want to go forward for a song or 2.  I kinda get it if you've been queuing for 2 days to get up front (which personally I think is a bit much) but I've found the pit not a great experience the last few shows...just my opinion.

MG79478

I refuse to believe that people wait outside for 48 before a show to be 3 feet closer.

wsimon74

jonbond1779 said:

I gotta say - it used to be that the pit was a friendly place. You move around...go up front for a bit and jump around, then maybe hang back a few songs.  Now it's become insanely territorial and I hate it. Full of entitled fans who wont budge, stand their ground and get super arsey if you want to go forward for a song or 2.  I kinda get it if you've been queuing for 2 days to get up front (which personally I think is a bit much) but I've found the pit not a great experience the last few shows...just my opinion.

agree with this 100%. The pit at Seattle 2 Homeshow was awful. Drunk people pushing and shoving left and right, just to move up a couple of feet. this is to say nothing of the guy who did nothing but yell at the top of his lungs "Chris Cornell" the entire freaking show.   assuming these were the stubhub people and not the actual 10c fans. expect more from us. 

Clapper

If you have to draw numbers for your pit position for General Admission, in my mind that means it is now a reserved seat and fails to be GA at all.  I'd rather see the band got back to reserved floors with rows 1,2,9,10 randomly selected for all shows but that is just my preference.   

Clapper

wsimon74 said:

 expect more from us. 

I wish more than anything that this was a real. thing.  Sadly, you need not look at more than a few ticket posts to see where we are at as a fan base. Its a sad state of affairs. 

iOnlyownMymind

I've never been on the rail, but certainly do not get why anyone would camp out on a concrete sidewalk.  What is the advantage?  You are noticed by the band members, maybe have a better chance at a pick, a glass of wine, maybe a setlist (just a photocopy of the one Ed writes?). Is there anything else that separates the first row from a few rows back? To me none of those things sound worth spending over a day in line for.