Finally got GA tix. Tips for getting on the rail?

McGanahan

Hi all. 

I checked a few pages but didn't see a thread similar to this. Forgive me if I've put it in the wrong place.

I have been trying for many years, but never seem to get GA tix. I FINALLY did this time around, and I'd like to try my damnedest to be front row on the rail.

For those that have successfully accomplished this, can you provide any tips? I'm sure every city/show is different, but I'm wondering:

- How early should I show up at the arena? I'm an early riser, so I have no problem getting there at 6 or 7 in the morning or whatever.
- If I DO show up super early and am the only crazy person there...is there typically signage in terms of WHERE around the arena to line up?
- Is it possible/reasonable of me to join whatever line exists by myself, but for my partner to join me later on, after work? Is there a protocol for this?
- Should I bring donuts to ingratiate myself to my line-mates?
- How does one, um...PEE...when standing in a day-long line such as this?
- Is there anything else I should know, in terms of protocol, ettiquette, dos and don'ts, etc?

This may be my only shot to get front row for a PJ show, and I'd like to give myself as good a chance as possible. Any help from my kind fellow forum members would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much in advance!

Force Of Nature

McGanahan said:

- How early should I show up at the arena? I'm an early riser, so I have no problem getting there at 6 or 7 in the morning or whatever.
- If I DO show up super early and am the only crazy person there...is there typically signage in terms of WHERE around the arena to line up?
- Is it possible/reasonable of me to join whatever line exists by myself, but for my partner to join me later on, after work? Is there a protocol for this?
- Should I bring donuts to ingratiate myself to my line-mates?
- How does one, um...PEE...when standing in a day-long line such as this?
- Is there anything else I should know, in terms of protocol, ettiquette, dos and don'ts, etc?

My guess is:
- people will be there the night before
- you wouldnt be the first
- i would guess frowned upon
- always a winner
- i think others would hold your place for this type of thing
- do: enjoy yourself

JojoRice

Force Of Nature said:

McGanahan said:

- How early should I show up at the arena? I'm an early riser, so I have no problem getting there at 6 or 7 in the morning or whatever.
- If I DO show up super early and am the only crazy person there...is there typically signage in terms of WHERE around the arena to line up?
- Is it possible/reasonable of me to join whatever line exists by myself, but for my partner to join me later on, after work? Is there a protocol for this?
- Should I bring donuts to ingratiate myself to my line-mates?
- How does one, um...PEE...when standing in a day-long line such as this?
- Is there anything else I should know, in terms of protocol, ettiquette, dos and don'ts, etc?

My guess is:
- people will be there the night before
- you wouldnt be the first
- i would guess frowned upon
- always a winner
- i think others would hold your place for this type of thing
- do: enjoy yourself

spot on

lastexitlondon

Night before 100%

lastexitlondon

Also people joining later is a no no

pjl44

I get stressed out just reading these threads but can't help myself 

lastexitlondon

It's the best thing you will EVER do. Don't think just do it.

McGanahan

Thank y'all kindly for the responses so far.

Another thing that occurs to me -- particularly if I line up the night before -- is what do I do with whatever chair/tent/sleeping bag I have with me? Just...be prepared to abandon/trash it?

May seem like a silly question, but these kinds of practical concerns plague my ADHD brain. 

JojoRice

McGanahan said:

Thank y'all kindly for the responses so far.

Another thing that occurs to me -- particularly if I line up the night before -- is what do I do with whatever chair/tent/sleeping bag I have with me? Just...be prepared to abandon/trash it?

May seem like a silly question, but these kinds of practical concerns plague my ADHD brain. 

Take it back to your car in the morning.  Line buddies around you will watch your spot.  

lastexitlondon

Yeah store it in a hotel room of a friend or car  or give it to a homeless person 

SVRDhand13

The one time I ever interacted with Eddie was when I got GA but did not wait to be in the front.  I was about 15 people off the stage, and then about halfway through the show we moved toward the very back since my wife was tired.  I was not a happy camper (lol) until Eddie went into the crowd and crossed at the back of GA.  Got to give him a pat on his chest.  I'm writing this to say... rail isn't everything.  

2-feign-reluctance

Make friends with Dimitris and his entourage. 

McGanahan

Thank you all again for these tips so far. 

I appreciate each of you for taking the time to respond, and there's been some helpful info. 

Thanks!

spankyMP

I've been in GA twice, well three times, but Randall's Island was all GA, so I don't really count that

I didn't line up either time. First time, I probably got to doors 30 minutes after they let the line in, got some food, beer, and a t-shirt and made my way to the pit. Was second off the rail in front of Stone. That pit was half empty, so even in front of Ed was probably only 20-30 people deep.

Next time, it was probably closer to 7pm. I got a couple of beers, walked toward the pit, and was about 10-15 deep in front of Mike.

The pit is a bell curve. Swollen at the center and easier to get up close on the sides.

Force Of Nature

I've never really queued that early but in the UK with 10C early entry I've always been pretty damn close.  As it starts people move around, particularly the heavier songs.
I remember once being on the rail next to someone who had a sign and at the encore Ed popped down and took it back stage.  Then came back and handed it back to her next to me and had written on the sign something like 'thanks for all the support, with love and trust, EV' and then played SOLAT for them (I think)

F Me In The Brain

Where is The Goat GA thread?
Get a black marker, write #9, after 🐐, on your arm
  Show up 30 mins before they are opening the doors to GA and demand go to the 9th spot, right after the goat.
Say "the Italian guy said I could"
   

I would say that being halfway back in GA is pretty awesome, and to enjoy whatever you do.  If you go the night before, embrace it.  If you go the morning of, embrace it.  If you enter GA an hour before we the show, enjoy that too.  Hope you have a great time and make some awesome memories!!

Loujoe

If you need rail. Put your time in. If you're first in line no one can argue or cut you It's completely worth it! Get lastexit a Jeff pick. Report back here.

marumaruko

A little (humorous) hint for people wanting to be at the rail in Berlin. Call the cops 4x the day/night before and warn them of wild campers (illegal in Germany) in front of the venue, then just be early on the day of the show and you'll be first. 

lastexitlondon

Loujoe said:

If you need rail. Put your time in. If you're first in line no one can argue or cut you It's completely worth it! Get lastexit a Jeff pick. Report back here.

I back this whole heartedly 

Lifted

My advice would be to not waste your time trying to get on the rail. It's really not worth it. You'll have a better view and sound from the back of the pit, and you'll also be much more comfortable. Even short people can get a good view from the back of the pit, assuming it's not oversold. I wouldnt go to the rail even if I could get escorted to it without waiting.

I got front row for a pearl jam show before they started doing the ga pit, and although it was pretty cool, and much better than being smashed up front on a ga rail...even then, I think I would've had a better overall experience 10-15 rows further back.

I dont understand the infatuation people have with being as close as possible. I certainly don't like nosebleeds, and avoid them at all cost...to the point I wouldn't even go to an arena show if all I could pull were nosebleeds....but the best seats/spots in the house are never the closest.

Loujoe

It's kind of like your own personal concert. You get a better chance at picks, setlists...
Gimme gimme gimme

SHZA

Lifted said:

My advice would be to not waste your time trying to get on the rail. It's really not worth it. You'll have a better view and sound from the back of the pit, and you'll also be much more comfortable. Even short people can get a good view from the back of the pit, assuming it's not oversold. I wouldnt go to the rail even if I could get escorted to it without waiting.

I got front row for a pearl jam show before they started doing the ga pit, and although it was pretty cool, and much better than being smashed up front on a ga rail...even then, I think I would've had a better overall experience 10-15 rows further back.

I dont understand the infatuation people have with being as close as possible. I certainly don't like nosebleeds, and avoid them at all cost...to the point I wouldn't even go to an arena show if all I could pull were nosebleeds....but the best seats/spots in the house are never the closest.

You reached your conclusion about the best seating location after having been in the front row. It's worth doing at least once to have the experience and to decide whether it's worth doing again. Opinions vary 

mace1229

Been GA a couple times, but never tried for rail.
I would have a similar list of questions as the OP had. One not asked or addressed that would be near the top for me, how would I know if there's a pre-line somewhere?
I've heard stories of people not knowing there was a pre-line for shows that don't allow lines, and it wasn't pretty. 
If I didn't know any better and I saw a sign that said no lines, I wouldn't think to go look for one. And if you do know to look, where do you start? Is it obvious?

JR225955

I had GA in Costa Rica. Got there when doors opened and hurried to the front. Was about eight people back. X played. Then PJ came out and the press was extreme. I lasted maybe half a dozen songs. Had to push my way backward to escape. It was extreme. High temps. High humidity. Lots of bodies. I didn’t die. 10 of 10. High recommend. 

BF25394

I've never tried doing this for Pearl Jam, because it entails lining up the night before, but I've done it for Wilco dozens of times. In the early days, it just meant being there when doors opened. In later years, it means getting there early in the afternoon. There's nothing better than having nothing in between you and the band, and I imagine it would be incredible to experience Pearl Jam like this. I just can't do the overnight thing.

People really aren't allowed to have their Plus-One join them in line later? I've never seen a line that operated that way for other bands (but, again, none of those involved lining up overnight). In my experience, it is understood that a person can hold a spot for another person.