Current process is fine. I just think it is a little odd and/or selfish to do rail 15 times on a tour. 3-4 times is fine, but let other people have those spots without having to waste a day of their life competing every time.
It sounds like the rest of us would get a low energy performance from the band if they didn’t see those same people front and center every show.
I have no issues with people hustling/f5ing/finding trades to get into GA as many times as they want. That’s totally fine. I would just like to see a random number draw to mix up the very front. I see a lot of people sharing how much better the rail or being right up front is so why not spread the wealth out for everyone if it’s that great?
I said in a previous post what a lottery can turn into. Every show I go to there is someone in the GA line who has never done it before. During tours there’s posts on fb to the effect of: “won GA, it’s been a dream to be on the rail what do I have to do”. Literally in this thread 15 posts up Amantria said they want to do it someday.
If they implement a lottery, you most likely will never know what this feels like. You won tickets to your home town show, spouse is ready to watch the kids, it’s over a weekend, you want the rail that one time in your life? Sorry. There’s a lottery, hope you win and your number is lower than 40. And let’s be serious here, for the rail you don’t need to camp overnight. As I said previously there is usually less than 10 people who go to EVERY show. Get there before them or even after and you’re still going to have an insane spot and everyone here will think you’re part of the rail mafia cause no one but them is allowed to be that close.
I like that the rail is full of people who want it bad enough to figure this out. People have kids, jobs, and responsibilities like everyone else. I have a medical condition that requires me to take medication every day. Having any of these things shouldn’t preclude you from being able to be somewhere else for 12-48 hours depending on where on the rail you’re aiming for. It seems like what is happening is a vocal minority want to be on the rail but don’t want to inconvenience themselves to do it, so you want to blow the whole thing up and make it random just so the people who can aren’t able to anymore.
If it’s really only 10 people then why are we continuing a process that benefits just those 10 people to the detriment of the other 1,000 people in GA?
I have no issues with people hustling/f5ing/finding trades to get into GA as many times as they want. That’s totally fine. I would just like to see a random number draw to mix up the very front. I see a lot of people sharing how much better the rail or being right up front is so why not spread the wealth out for everyone if it’s that great?
I said in a previous post what a lottery can turn into. Every show I go to there is someone in the GA line who has never done it before. During tours there’s posts on fb to the effect of: “won GA, it’s been a dream to be on the rail what do I have to do”. Literally in this thread 15 posts up Amantria said they want to do it someday.
If they implement a lottery, you most likely will never know what this feels like. You won tickets to your home town show, spouse is ready to watch the kids, it’s over a weekend, you want the rail that one time in your life? Sorry. There’s a lottery, hope you win and your number is lower than 40. And let’s be serious here, for the rail you don’t need to camp overnight. As I said previously there is usually less than 10 people who go to EVERY show. Get there before them or even after and you’re still going to have an insane spot and everyone here will think you’re part of the rail mafia cause no one but them is allowed to be that close.
I like that the rail is full of people who want it bad enough to figure this out. People have kids, jobs, and responsibilities like everyone else. I have a medical condition that requires me to take medication every day. Having any of these things shouldn’t preclude you from being able to be somewhere else for 12-48 hours depending on where on the rail you’re aiming for. It seems like what is happening is a vocal minority want to be on the rail but don’t want to inconvenience themselves to do it, so you want to blow the whole thing up and make it random just so the people who can aren’t able to anymore.
If it’s really only 10 people then why are we continuing a process that benefits just those 10 people to the detriment of the other 1,000 people in GA?
Benefits? The other 1000 can’t figure out where the line is?
Of course they can. I’m just saying there should be a random number draw and then everyone can show up to that line an hour before doors open.
Why? So “everyone can get their chance”? This isn’t kindergarten.
Let’s turn the front row back into seats and charge $1000. Than only a select few could sit there. Same thing just a different form of what is currently happening
Holy shit this thread got weird. I can't believe this is a group of grown adults lol
I hear ya' - it's crazy! I just popped in here to get some fresh air away from A Moving Train and a few of the demented haters that reside there 24/7. Only to find that they are HERE too!!!
Current process is fine. I just think it is a little odd and/or selfish to do rail 15 times on a tour. 3-4 times is fine, but let other people have those spots without having to waste a day of their life competing every time.
It sounds like the rest of us would get a low energy performance from the band if they didn’t see those same people front and center every show.
The band simply cannot hit their stride without seeing Clint Bobski, Bulk Vanderhuge, Turd Ferguson, Joey Joe Joe Shabbadoo, Bob Boxbody, Chet Chetterfield, Drake Tungsten, and Bob Johnson RIGHT up there.
PJ - 09/23/98: West Palm Beach II, 08/12/00: Tampa, 04/12/03: Orlando, 04/13/03: Tampa, 06/12/08: Tampa, 06/27/08: Hartford, 09/22/09: Seattle II, 04/11/16: Tampa, 05/01 &05/02/16: MSG I & II, 09/18/21: Sea Hear Now, 10/01& 10/02/21: Ohana Encore I & II, 05/06 & 05/07/22: Los Angeles I & II, 09/11/22: MSG, 09/16/22: Nashville, 09/02/23: St. Paul II, 09/07/23: Chicago II, 09/18& 09/19/23: Austin I & II, 05/16& 05/18/24: Las Vegas I & II, 08/29& 08/31/24: Wrigley Field I & II, 09/03& 09/04/24: MSG I & II, 09/27& 09/29/24: Ohana Festival I & II
EV - 08/04 & 08/05/08: (Eddie solo, w/Liam Finn) NYC I & II, 11/27 & 11/28/12: (Eddie solo, w/Glen Hansard) Orlando I & II, 02/09 & 02/10/22: (Eddie & the Earthlings) Chicago I & II, 09/30/23: (Eddie & the Earthlings) Ohana Festival
Song Wishlist: Oceans, Brother, Alone, Let Me Sleep, full W.M.A., Hold On, Bugs/all of Vitalogy, Gremmie Out Of Control (BAM!), Mankind, Around The Bend (full band), Whale Song (DOUBLE BAM!), The Long Road, Don't Gimme No Lip, Pilate, Push Me Pull Me, All Those Yesterdays, Rival, Parting Ways, Ghost, Bu$hleaguer, WWS, Parachutes, Army Reserve, low octave Driftin', Strangest Tribe, Other Side, Undone, Fatal, Hitchhiker, Education, Black Red Yellow, Of the Earth, Love Reign O'er Me, Gonna See My Friend, Amongst the Waves, Santa Cruz, Infallible, Yellow Moon, Alright, Comes Then Goes, Got to Give, and the Mamasan Trilogy.
Wanted Posters: WPB '98, Tampa/WPB '00, Tampa '03, EV Batmobile '08 ISO: any picks, or setlists from any of my shows!
Have people started writing numbers on their hands yet?
I have #21 on my wrist for State Farm
PJ - 09/23/98: West Palm Beach II, 08/12/00: Tampa, 04/12/03: Orlando, 04/13/03: Tampa, 06/12/08: Tampa, 06/27/08: Hartford, 09/22/09: Seattle II, 04/11/16: Tampa, 05/01 &05/02/16: MSG I & II, 09/18/21: Sea Hear Now, 10/01& 10/02/21: Ohana Encore I & II, 05/06 & 05/07/22: Los Angeles I & II, 09/11/22: MSG, 09/16/22: Nashville, 09/02/23: St. Paul II, 09/07/23: Chicago II, 09/18& 09/19/23: Austin I & II, 05/16& 05/18/24: Las Vegas I & II, 08/29& 08/31/24: Wrigley Field I & II, 09/03& 09/04/24: MSG I & II, 09/27& 09/29/24: Ohana Festival I & II
EV - 08/04 & 08/05/08: (Eddie solo, w/Liam Finn) NYC I & II, 11/27 & 11/28/12: (Eddie solo, w/Glen Hansard) Orlando I & II, 02/09 & 02/10/22: (Eddie & the Earthlings) Chicago I & II, 09/30/23: (Eddie & the Earthlings) Ohana Festival
Song Wishlist: Oceans, Brother, Alone, Let Me Sleep, full W.M.A., Hold On, Bugs/all of Vitalogy, Gremmie Out Of Control (BAM!), Mankind, Around The Bend (full band), Whale Song (DOUBLE BAM!), The Long Road, Don't Gimme No Lip, Pilate, Push Me Pull Me, All Those Yesterdays, Rival, Parting Ways, Ghost, Bu$hleaguer, WWS, Parachutes, Army Reserve, low octave Driftin', Strangest Tribe, Other Side, Undone, Fatal, Hitchhiker, Education, Black Red Yellow, Of the Earth, Love Reign O'er Me, Gonna See My Friend, Amongst the Waves, Santa Cruz, Infallible, Yellow Moon, Alright, Comes Then Goes, Got to Give, and the Mamasan Trilogy.
Wanted Posters: WPB '98, Tampa/WPB '00, Tampa '03, EV Batmobile '08 ISO: any picks, or setlists from any of my shows!
Have people started writing numbers on their hands yet?
Only 5,551,432 people in front of me at the moment.
Saaaaaaara, Saaaaaaaraaaaaa/storms are brewin' in your eyes
PJ - 09/23/98: West Palm Beach II, 08/12/00: Tampa, 04/12/03: Orlando, 04/13/03: Tampa, 06/12/08: Tampa, 06/27/08: Hartford, 09/22/09: Seattle II, 04/11/16: Tampa, 05/01 &05/02/16: MSG I & II, 09/18/21: Sea Hear Now, 10/01& 10/02/21: Ohana Encore I & II, 05/06 & 05/07/22: Los Angeles I & II, 09/11/22: MSG, 09/16/22: Nashville, 09/02/23: St. Paul II, 09/07/23: Chicago II, 09/18& 09/19/23: Austin I & II, 05/16& 05/18/24: Las Vegas I & II, 08/29& 08/31/24: Wrigley Field I & II, 09/03& 09/04/24: MSG I & II, 09/27& 09/29/24: Ohana Festival I & II
EV - 08/04 & 08/05/08: (Eddie solo, w/Liam Finn) NYC I & II, 11/27 & 11/28/12: (Eddie solo, w/Glen Hansard) Orlando I & II, 02/09 & 02/10/22: (Eddie & the Earthlings) Chicago I & II, 09/30/23: (Eddie & the Earthlings) Ohana Festival
Song Wishlist: Oceans, Brother, Alone, Let Me Sleep, full W.M.A., Hold On, Bugs/all of Vitalogy, Gremmie Out Of Control (BAM!), Mankind, Around The Bend (full band), Whale Song (DOUBLE BAM!), The Long Road, Don't Gimme No Lip, Pilate, Push Me Pull Me, All Those Yesterdays, Rival, Parting Ways, Ghost, Bu$hleaguer, WWS, Parachutes, Army Reserve, low octave Driftin', Strangest Tribe, Other Side, Undone, Fatal, Hitchhiker, Education, Black Red Yellow, Of the Earth, Love Reign O'er Me, Gonna See My Friend, Amongst the Waves, Santa Cruz, Infallible, Yellow Moon, Alright, Comes Then Goes, Got to Give, and the Mamasan Trilogy.
Wanted Posters: WPB '98, Tampa/WPB '00, Tampa '03, EV Batmobile '08 ISO: any picks, or setlists from any of my shows!
Finally getting around to chiming in here. I thought it would be helpful to share my experience over the past few years. As background, I'm not someone who's able to attend a ton of shows. I have limited time and money because of my work responsibilities, I have young kids at home, etc. So I'm typically a 2-4 show per tour type guy. Last year was the exception- I attended 7, which was by far the most I've ever attended in a year (previously the most I'd attended was 4).
I only recently started lining up early/camping out after previously having seen many shows- 20 to be exact. I'd always wanted to see the band up close, but never had the opportunity. So when the opportunity finally arose--at SHN in '21--I decided to take advantage. SHN was easy for me since I happen to live a half hour away. And I also gained a newfound appreciation for live music in general during the pandemic, which was the thing I missed most during the pandemic. I had no idea how much it would hurt if one of the things I loved most--live music--was taken away. I realized I had previously taken it for granted, and told myself I was never going to make that mistake again. So I decided this was an opportunity that I was not going to pass up.
I didn't camp out for SHN, but I lined up early: sometime between 7-8 a.m. I didn't get rail, but I ended up in the row behind the rail, directly between Ed and Mike. When the band came on, I was blown away. It felt surreal- like I was seeing the band for the very first time. It was incredible seeing Ed screaming into the mic and Mike shredding solos all night long from only a few feet away. I honestly felt like I was in a trance. And the energy up there was indescribable- it was like nothing I'd ever experienced at a live show before. Everyone up there was belting out every word of every song at the top of their lungs, including the new songs from Gigaton which were being debuted for the first time, and no one was chatting it up with their neighbors the whole show, sitting on their phones texting their friends, etc. It felt like everyone up there was just there for the music, plain and simple. It made for a much more intense, transcendental experience than I was used to.
Seeing the band up close like that completely changed the whole experience for me- it felt like I was seeing an entirely different show. For those of you who haven't done it, the best way I can describe it is regardless of whether you're at a festival, an arena with 20,000 people behind you, or a ballpark with 40,000 people behind you, it still feels like you're seeing PJ in a small club. A friend of mine who does a lot of rail shows (PJ and many other bands) explained it best: "When you're in the stands, you're watching the show. When you're in the pit/on the rail, you're part of the show." So after SHN, I decided I was going to try to see PJ (and other bands) up close whenever possible. A few weeks later, I did the same thing at Ohana Encore. I lined up early in the morning and again didn't get rail, but was in the row behind the rail. And I had another amazing experience.
So from that point forward, I figured I wouldn't be one of the people who camped out, but would instead show up early in the morning to try to get close (even if not rail). But leading up to the St. Paul shows in '23, I decided that I had to try camping out for rail at least once, if nothing else just to check it off my bucket list. I was honestly somewhat reluctant to do so since it seemed like a lot of additional effort to put in to be one foot closer to the stage. And I was concerned that the campout would be really long, grueling, and boring. So what I decided was I would campout for N1, and then just show up early in the a.m. for N2. But what I was definitely not expecting was just how much fun I would have at the campout. Surprisingly, I was not bored for a minute and the time flew by. I spent the whole time meeting and getting to know amazing people from all walks of life from all over the world, many of whom I'm now proud to call my good friends, including @Chrrie and her partner. And for those of you who don't know @Chrrie and her partner, they are two of the kindest, most wonderful members of the PJ community, and constantly go out of their way to help others. Here's just one of the many examples of their generosity from my personal experience: earlier this year, I had to back out of what was supposed to have been my last show of the tour (Baltimore) at the last minute due to family issues. I was very upset to miss the show, especially since I had GA, and it was a real bummer of a way to end my tour. But then magically a few days later, while I was deep in the throes of post-tour depression, @Chrrie was able to get her hands on an extra GA for Fenway N2 and very generously offered it to me. I was then able to make a last-minute trip to Boston and end my tour on a high note. These are the kind of people that @Chrrie and her partner are- and they would do this for anyone. We need more people like them in the community.
After camping out, I was able to get a great spot on the rail right between Ed and Mike, and had an incredible show. It felt even more intimate and surreal in an arena setting, as compared to the festivals that I'd previously lined up early for. And I found that being on the rail made a big difference for me in terms of my sightline as compared to being in the second row because I'm not very tall. Even though I had originally planned on just camping out for St. Paul N1, I had so much fun and made so many new friends that I decided to do it again for N2. And I had an even better time camping out for N2 than for N1. From that point on I was "hooked" and never looked back. I haven't done GA/rail for every show I've been to since then, but I have for the vast majority. For me, it's just as much about getting to hang out with old friends and meet new friends at the campouts as it is about the actual shows. It's the community that keeps me coming back.
In terms of how I've been able to get GA to so many shows, the answer is simple: time and luck. I've spent A LOT of time refreshing F2F and scouring the forum and FB for people with extras over the past few years. I historically have not had very good luck in the 10c lottery. In 2023, all of my GAs (both St. Paul shows and Chicago N2) were through F2F. I'm sure those of you who've followed the F2F threads have a sense of how much time I've spent on F2F (the answer is TOO MUCH lol). This year, I went to 7 shows, and did GA/rail for 6 (both Vancouvers, MSG N2, both Phillys, and Fenway N2). I got one pair of GAs through the lottery (Philly N2- the only time I've ever gotten GA through the lottery), and the rest through a combination of F2F, trades, and people with extras. It took A LOT of time and effort; it honestly felt like a second job at times. But in the end, the time and effort paid off: I had an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime run. Now this year I'm back to my normal run of a couple of shows (probably just Pittsburgh at this point unless they add more shows later in the year).
In terms of the GA "lists," people saving spots, cutting in line, etc., I personally haven't witnessed any of that at the shows I've been to. The only instance I can think of is shortly before doors at St. Paul N2, a couple attempted to sneakily cut the line by way of a not so subtle "chat and cut" (any Curb fans here?), but they were promptly sent on their way. Otherwise, everyone else I've encountered on the GA lines has been well-behaved and has put in the time. People take short breaks from the line to use the bathroom, shower, and grab food, but I haven't seen anyone abuse it and step away for hours on end.
Finally, I want to address the statement by Chrissy Hynde that started this thread. I personally prefer the current system because I'm willing to put in the time and effort to get rail at least a couple of times per tour. I also think that the fairest system is simply first-come, first-served: the people who put in the most time and effort should be rewarded with the best spots. However, I understand where Chrissy is coming from and I think she has a legitimate point. The biggest issue I have with what Chrissy said is that she announced the change in the midst of an ongoing tour, when people had already spent substantial money purchasing tickets and making travel plans. I think it's important that whatever the GA policy is (for PJ or any other band), it be clearly communicated to fans in advance so that expectations are set and there are no unexpected surprises.
A potential alternative to the current first-come, first-served system would be handing out randomly numbered wristbands to everyone in GA (sequentially numbered 1-500 or whatever) at some point earlier in the day prior to the show, and then lining everyone up in number order at doors. I think this is a good idea in theory, but not necessarily in practice. The reason I say this is because this is the system that another band that I've followed for even longer than PJ (DMB) uses, and in my opinion, it has not worked very well. What has happened is people with lower numbers have been saving rail space for their friends with higher numbers, which has led to disputes. Also, the randomly assigned wristband system has resulted in a greater number of people who aren't there just for the music--and are instead there primarily to socialize--ending up on the rail, which has brought down the energy of the rail/pit. I think the rail/pit sets the energy for the rest of the crowd/arena. I didn't even realize until recently (while I was sitting in uppers at MSG N1) just how much time I spend watching the pit while I'm in seats. Usually I'm watching the pit go up and down, but sometimes I'm watching the pit stand still as a statue- it all depends on the crowd. And the energy of the band reflects the energy of the rail/pit- good or bad. When the energy of the rail/pit is good--think Philly N1--the band feeds off that energy and takes it to the next level, and the rest of the crowd follows along. But when the energy of the rail/pit is not good, it negatively affects the energy of the band and the rest of the crowd. There have even been some shows (fortunately a minority) where Ed has even commented on the lack of energy and tried to perk the crowd up. So I have some concerns that moving to a randomly assigned wristband system could have a similar effect to DMB--resulting in more people on the rail chatting it up with their neighbors and sitting on their phones the whole time--thereby negatively affecting the overall energy of the shows.
Like I've said, I think there are legitimate arguments in favor of both systems. There is no "right" answer here, and each system has its advantages and disadvantages. But on balance, I think the better system is the current first-come, first-served system. I think generally, when the people on the rail have invested so much time and effort to be there, they bring more energy than someone who just waltzes in at doors, which in turn energizes the band and the rest of the crowd. I suspect this is why Ed has generally spoken positively about the people who do this show after show (e.g., Ed thanking the rail-riders in Philly for their efforts and telling them he doesn't know how they do it), and why the band has maintained the current system. I also like that under the current system, everyone has an equal chance of being on the rail, as long as they are willing to put in the time to do it.
And for those of you who haven't done the whole camp out/rail thing before, I strongly encourage you to try it once. That was my plan too, before I got "converted" lol. And who knows, maybe you will too. But I can promise you this: you certainly won't regret doing it once as a bucket list item, and you will have an amazing experience. And if you want to do it, I would be more than happy to try to help you make it happen. And I would also be happy to share my tips/suggestions with you, including what camping gear to buy, food and other essentials to bring, etc. And yes, surprisingly, it is possible to get a decent night's sleep on a city sidewalk- believe it or not, I've managed to do it. Some nights, I've probably gotten more sleep on the sidewalk than I get at home (thanks to my two young kids lol).
Anyway, I hope you all find my experience/this information helpful. Good luck in the lottery everyone! I hope you all get the shows you are hoping for. And hope to see you out there on the road!
Finally getting around to chiming in here. I thought it would be helpful to share my experience over the past few years. As background, I'm not someone who's able to attend a ton of shows. I have limited time and money because of my work responsibilities, I have young kids at home, etc. So I'm typically a 2-4 show per tour type guy. Last year was the exception- I attended 7, which was by far the most I've ever attended in a year (previously the most I'd attended was 4).
I only recently started lining up early/camping out after previously having seen many shows- 20 to be exact. I'd always wanted to see the band up close, but never had the opportunity. So when the opportunity finally arose--at SHN in '21--I decided to take advantage. SHN was easy for me since I happen to live a half hour away. And I also gained a newfound appreciation for live music in general during the pandemic, which was the thing I missed most during the pandemic. I had no idea how much it would hurt if one of the things I loved most--live music--was taken away. I realized I had previously taken it for granted, and told myself I was never going to make that mistake again. So I decided this was an opportunity that I was not going to pass up.
I didn't camp out for SHN, but I lined up early: sometime between 7-8 a.m. I didn't get rail, but I ended up in the row behind the rail, directly between Ed and Mike. When the band came on, I was blown away. It felt surreal- like I was seeing the band for the very first time. It was incredible seeing Ed screaming into the mic and Mike shredding solos all night long from only a few feet away. I honestly felt like I was in a trance. And the energy up there was indescribable- it was like nothing I'd ever experienced at a live show before. Everyone up there was belting out every word of every song at the top of their lungs, including the new songs from Gigaton which were being debuted for the first time, and no one was chatting it up with their neighbors the whole show, sitting on their phones texting their friends, etc. It felt like everyone up there was just there for the music, plain and simple. It made for a much more intense, transcendental experience than I was used to.
Seeing the band up close like that completely changed the whole experience for me- it felt like I was seeing an entirely different show. For those of you who haven't done it, the best way I can describe it is regardless of whether you're at a festival, an arena with 20,000 people behind you, or a ballpark with 40,000 people behind you, it still feels like you're seeing PJ in a small club. A friend of mine who does a lot of rail shows (PJ and many other bands) explained it best: "When you're in the stands, you're watching the show. When you're in the pit/on the rail, you're part of the show." So after SHN, I decided I was going to try to see PJ (and other bands) up close whenever possible. A few weeks later, I did the same thing at Ohana Encore. I lined up early in the morning and again didn't get rail, but was in the row behind the rail. And I had another amazing experience.
So from that point forward, I figured I wouldn't be one of the people who camped out, but would instead show up early in the morning to try to get close (even if not rail). But leading up to the St. Paul shows in '23, I decided that I had to try camping out for rail at least once, if nothing else just to check it off my bucket list. I was honestly somewhat reluctant to do so since it seemed like a lot of additional effort to put in to be one foot closer to the stage. And I was concerned that the campout would be really long, grueling, and boring. So what I decided was I would campout for N1, and then just show up early in the a.m. for N2. But what I was definitely not expecting was just how much fun I would have at the campout. Surprisingly, I was not bored for a minute and the time flew by. I spent the whole time meeting and getting to know amazing people from all walks of life from all over the world, many of whom I'm now proud to call my good friends, including @Chrrie and her partner. And for those of you who don't know @Chrrie and her partner, they are two of the kindest, most wonderful members of the PJ community, and constantly go out of their way to help others. Here's just one of the many examples of their generosity from my personal experience: earlier this year, I had to back out of what was supposed to have been my last show of the tour (Baltimore) at the last minute due to family issues. I was very upset to miss the show, especially since I had GA, and it was a real bummer of a way to end my tour. But then magically a few days later, while I was deep in the throes of post-tour depression, @Chrrie was able to get her hands on an extra GA for Fenway N2 and very generously offered it to me. I was then able to make a last-minute trip to Boston and end my tour on a high note. These are the kind of people that @Chrrie and her partner are- and they would do this for anyone. We need more people like them in the community.
After camping out, I was able to get a great spot on the rail right between Ed and Mike, and had an incredible show. It felt even more intimate and surreal in an arena setting, as compared to the festivals that I'd previously lined up early for. And I found that being on the rail made a big difference for me in terms of my sightline as compared to being in the second row because I'm not very tall. Even though I had originally planned on just camping out for St. Paul N1, I had so much fun and made so many new friends that I decided to do it again for N2. And I had an even better time camping out for N2 than for N1. From that point on I was "hooked" and never looked back. I haven't done GA/rail for every show I've been to since then, but I have for the vast majority. For me, it's just as much about getting to hang out with old friends and meet new friends at the campouts as it is about the actual shows. It's the community that keeps me coming back.
In terms of how I've been able to get GA to so many shows, the answer is simple: time and luck. I've spent A LOT of time refreshing F2F and scouring the forum and FB for people with extras over the past few years. I historically have not had very good luck in the 10c lottery. In 2023, all of my GAs (both St. Paul shows and Chicago N2) were through F2F. I'm sure those of you who've followed the F2F threads have a sense of how much time I've spent on F2F (the answer is TOO MUCH lol). This year, I went to 7 shows, and did GA/rail for 6 (both Vancouvers, MSG N2, both Phillys, and Fenway N2). I got one pair of GAs through the lottery (Philly N2- the only time I've ever gotten GA through the lottery), and the rest through a combination of F2F, trades, and people with extras. It took A LOT of time and effort; it honestly felt like a second job at times. But in the end, the time and effort paid off: I had an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime run. Now this year I'm back to my normal run of a couple of shows (probably just Pittsburgh at this point unless they add more shows later in the year).
In terms of the GA "lists," people saving spots, cutting in line, etc., I personally haven't witnessed any of that at the shows I've been to. The only instance I can think of is shortly before doors at St. Paul N2, a couple attempted to sneakily cut the line by way of a not so subtle "chat and cut" (any Curb fans here?), but they were promptly sent on their way. Otherwise, everyone else I've encountered on the GA lines has been well-behaved and has put in the time. People take short breaks from the line to use the bathroom, shower, and grab food, but I haven't seen anyone abuse it and step away for hours on end.
Finally, I want to address the statement by Chrissy Hynde that started this thread. I personally prefer the current system because I'm willing to put in the time and effort to get rail at least a couple of times per tour. I also think that the fairest system is simply first-come, first-served: the people who put in the most time and effort should be rewarded with the best spots. However, I understand where Chrissy is coming from and I think she has a legitimate point. The biggest issue I have with what Chrissy said is that she announced the change in the midst of an ongoing tour, when people had already spent substantial money purchasing tickets and making travel plans. I think it's important that whatever the GA policy is (for PJ or any other band), it be clearly communicated to fans in advance so that expectations are set and there are no unexpected surprises.
A potential alternative to the current first-come, first-served system would be handing out randomly numbered wristbands to everyone in GA (sequentially numbered 1-500 or whatever) at some point earlier in the day prior to the show, and then lining everyone up in number order at doors. I think this is a good idea in theory, but not necessarily in practice. The reason I say this is because this is the system that another band that I've followed for even longer than PJ (DMB) uses, and in my opinion, it has not worked very well. What has happened is people with lower numbers have been saving rail space for their friends with higher numbers, which has led to disputes. Also, the randomly assigned wristband system has resulted in a greater number of people who aren't there just for the music--and are instead there primarily to socialize--ending up on the rail, which has brought down the energy of the rail/pit. I think the rail/pit sets the energy for the rest of the crowd/arena. I didn't even realize until recently (while I was sitting in uppers at MSG N1) just how much time I spend watching the pit while I'm in seats. Usually I'm watching the pit go up and down, but sometimes I'm watching the pit stand still as a statue- it all depends on the crowd. And the energy of the band reflects the energy of the rail/pit- good or bad. When the energy of the rail/pit is good--think Philly N1--the band feeds off that energy and takes it to the next level, and the rest of the crowd follows along. But when the energy of the rail/pit is not good, it negatively affects the energy of the band and the rest of the crowd. There have even been some shows (fortunately a minority) where Ed has even commented on the lack of energy and tried to perk the crowd up. So I have some concerns that moving to a randomly assigned wristband system could have a similar effect to DMB--resulting in more people on the rail chatting it up with their neighbors and sitting on their phones the whole time--thereby negatively affecting the overall energy of the shows.
Like I've said, I think there are legitimate arguments in favor of both systems. There is no "right" answer here, and each system has its advantages and disadvantages. But on balance, I think the better system is the current first-come, first-served system. I think generally, when the people on the rail have invested so much time and effort to be there, they bring more energy than someone who just waltzes in at doors, which in turn energizes the band and the rest of the crowd. I suspect this is why Ed has generally spoken positively about the people who do this show after show (e.g., Ed thanking the rail-riders in Philly for their efforts and telling them he doesn't know how they do it), and why the band has maintained the current system. I also like that under the current system, everyone has an equal chance of being on the rail, as long as they are willing to put in the time to do it.
And for those of you who haven't done the whole camp out/rail thing before, I strongly encourage you to try it once. That was my plan too, before I got "converted" lol. And who knows, maybe you will too. But I can promise you this: you certainly won't regret doing it once as a bucket list item, and you will have an amazing experience. And if you want to do it, I would be more than happy to try to help you make it happen. And I would also be happy to share my tips/suggestions with you, including what camping gear to buy, food and other essentials to bring, etc. And yes, surprisingly, it is possible to get a decent night's sleep on a city sidewalk- believe it or not, I've managed to do it. Some nights, I've probably gotten more sleep on the sidewalk than I get at home (thanks to my two young kids lol).
Anyway, I hope you all find my experience/this information helpful. Good luck in the lottery everyone! I hope you all get the shows you are hoping for. And hope to see you out there on the road!
Absolutely this. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
21-09-1996 Toronto * 2-08-1998 Barrie * 5-10-2000 Toronto * 28-6-2003 Toronto * 6-10-2004 Ashville * 11-9-2005 Kitchener * 12-9-2005 London * 13-9-2005 Hamilton * 15-09-2005 Montreal * 19-09-2005 Toronto * 9-5-2006 Toronto * 10-5-2006 Toronto * 28-6-2008 Mansfield * 9-8-2008 Ed Montreal * 12-8-2008 Ed Toronto * 21-8-2009 Toronto * 9-7-2011 Ed Santa Barbara * 11-7-2011 Ed Oakland * 7-9-2011 Montreal * 11-9-2011 Toronto * 12-9-2011 Toronto * 14-9-2011 Ottawa * 16-07-13 London * 19-07-13 Wrigley * 11-10-13 Pittsburgh * 12-10-13 Buffalo * 21-10-13 Philly 1 * 22-10-13 Philly 2 * 04-12-13 Vancouver * 06-12-13 Seattle * ALL EUROPE 2014 (I am a lucky girl!!) * Cincy 01-10-14 * STL 03-10-14 * Detroit 16-10-14 * Moline 17-10-14 * NYC/Global Citizen 26-09-15 * Sao Paulo 14-11-15 * Brasilia 17-11-15 * Belo Horizonte 20-11-15 * Rio 22-11-14 * Fort Lauderdale 8-4-16 * Miami 9-4-16 * Quebec 5-5-16 * Ottawa 8-5-16 * Toronto 10-5-16 & 12-5-16 * Telluride 9-7-16 * headed for WRIGLEY!!!
Finally getting around to chiming in here. I thought it would be helpful to share my experience over the past few years. As background, I'm not someone who's able to attend a ton of shows. I have limited time and money because of my work responsibilities, I have young kids at home, etc. So I'm typically a 2-4 show per tour type guy. Last year was the exception- I attended 7, which was by far the most I've ever attended in a year (previously the most I'd attended was 4).
I only recently started lining up early/camping out after previously having seen many shows- 20 to be exact. I'd always wanted to see the band up close, but never had the opportunity. So when the opportunity finally arose--at SHN in '21--I decided to take advantage. SHN was easy for me since I happen to live a half hour away. And I also gained a newfound appreciation for live music in general during the pandemic, which was the thing I missed most during the pandemic. I had no idea how much it would hurt if one of the things I loved most--live music--was taken away. I realized I had previously taken it for granted, and told myself I was never going to make that mistake again. So I decided this was an opportunity that I was not going to pass up.
I didn't camp out for SHN, but I lined up early: sometime between 7-8 a.m. I didn't get rail, but I ended up in the row behind the rail, directly between Ed and Mike. When the band came on, I was blown away. It felt surreal- like I was seeing the band for the very first time. It was incredible seeing Ed screaming into the mic and Mike shredding solos all night long from only a few feet away. I honestly felt like I was in a trance. And the energy up there was indescribable- it was like nothing I'd ever experienced at a live show before. Everyone up there was belting out every word of every song at the top of their lungs, including the new songs from Gigaton which were being debuted for the first time, and no one was chatting it up with their neighbors the whole show, sitting on their phones texting their friends, etc. It felt like everyone up there was just there for the music, plain and simple. It made for a much more intense, transcendental experience than I was used to.
Seeing the band up close like that completely changed the whole experience for me- it felt like I was seeing an entirely different show. For those of you who haven't done it, the best way I can describe it is regardless of whether you're at a festival, an arena with 20,000 people behind you, or a ballpark with 40,000 people behind you, it still feels like you're seeing PJ in a small club. A friend of mine who does a lot of rail shows (PJ and many other bands) explained it best: "When you're in the stands, you're watching the show. When you're in the pit/on the rail, you're part of the show." So after SHN, I decided I was going to try to see PJ (and other bands) up close whenever possible. A few weeks later, I did the same thing at Ohana Encore. I lined up early in the morning and again didn't get rail, but was in the row behind the rail. And I had another amazing experience.
So from that point forward, I figured I wouldn't be one of the people who camped out, but would instead show up early in the morning to try to get close (even if not rail). But leading up to the St. Paul shows in '23, I decided that I had to try camping out for rail at least once, if nothing else just to check it off my bucket list. I was honestly somewhat reluctant to do so since it seemed like a lot of additional effort to put in to be one foot closer to the stage. And I was concerned that the campout would be really long, grueling, and boring. So what I decided was I would campout for N1, and then just show up early in the a.m. for N2. But what I was definitely not expecting was just how much fun I would have at the campout. Surprisingly, I was not bored for a minute and the time flew by. I spent the whole time meeting and getting to know amazing people from all walks of life from all over the world, many of whom I'm now proud to call my good friends, including @Chrrie and her partner. And for those of you who don't know @Chrrie and her partner, they are two of the kindest, most wonderful members of the PJ community, and constantly go out of their way to help others. Here's just one of the many examples of their generosity from my personal experience: earlier this year, I had to back out of what was supposed to have been my last show of the tour (Baltimore) at the last minute due to family issues. I was very upset to miss the show, especially since I had GA, and it was a real bummer of a way to end my tour. But then magically a few days later, while I was deep in the throes of post-tour depression, @Chrrie was able to get her hands on an extra GA for Fenway N2 and very generously offered it to me. I was then able to make a last-minute trip to Boston and end my tour on a high note. These are the kind of people that @Chrrie and her partner are- and they would do this for anyone. We need more people like them in the community.
After camping out, I was able to get a great spot on the rail right between Ed and Mike, and had an incredible show. It felt even more intimate and surreal in an arena setting, as compared to the festivals that I'd previously lined up early for. And I found that being on the rail made a big difference for me in terms of my sightline as compared to being in the second row because I'm not very tall. Even though I had originally planned on just camping out for St. Paul N1, I had so much fun and made so many new friends that I decided to do it again for N2. And I had an even better time camping out for N2 than for N1. From that point on I was "hooked" and never looked back. I haven't done GA/rail for every show I've been to since then, but I have for the vast majority. For me, it's just as much about getting to hang out with old friends and meet new friends at the campouts as it is about the actual shows. It's the community that keeps me coming back.
In terms of how I've been able to get GA to so many shows, the answer is simple: time and luck. I've spent A LOT of time refreshing F2F and scouring the forum and FB for people with extras over the past few years. I historically have not had very good luck in the 10c lottery. In 2023, all of my GAs (both St. Paul shows and Chicago N2) were through F2F. I'm sure those of you who've followed the F2F threads have a sense of how much time I've spent on F2F (the answer is TOO MUCH lol). This year, I went to 7 shows, and did GA/rail for 6 (both Vancouvers, MSG N2, both Phillys, and Fenway N2). I got one pair of GAs through the lottery (Philly N2- the only time I've ever gotten GA through the lottery), and the rest through a combination of F2F, trades, and people with extras. It took A LOT of time and effort; it honestly felt like a second job at times. But in the end, the time and effort paid off: I had an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime run. Now this year I'm back to my normal run of a couple of shows (probably just Pittsburgh at this point unless they add more shows later in the year).
In terms of the GA "lists," people saving spots, cutting in line, etc., I personally haven't witnessed any of that at the shows I've been to. The only instance I can think of is shortly before doors at St. Paul N2, a couple attempted to sneakily cut the line by way of a not so subtle "chat and cut" (any Curb fans here?), but they were promptly sent on their way. Otherwise, everyone else I've encountered on the GA lines has been well-behaved and has put in the time. People take short breaks from the line to use the bathroom, shower, and grab food, but I haven't seen anyone abuse it and step away for hours on end.
Finally, I want to address the statement by Chrissy Hynde that started this thread. I personally prefer the current system because I'm willing to put in the time and effort to get rail at least a couple of times per tour. I also think that the fairest system is simply first-come, first-served: the people who put in the most time and effort should be rewarded with the best spots. However, I understand where Chrissy is coming from and I think she has a legitimate point. The biggest issue I have with what Chrissy said is that she announced the change in the midst of an ongoing tour, when people had already spent substantial money purchasing tickets and making travel plans. I think it's important that whatever the GA policy is (for PJ or any other band), it be clearly communicated to fans in advance so that expectations are set and there are no unexpected surprises.
A potential alternative to the current first-come, first-served system would be handing out randomly numbered wristbands to everyone in GA (sequentially numbered 1-500 or whatever) at some point earlier in the day prior to the show, and then lining everyone up in number order at doors. I think this is a good idea in theory, but not necessarily in practice. The reason I say this is because this is the system that another band that I've followed for even longer than PJ (DMB) uses, and in my opinion, it has not worked very well. What has happened is people with lower numbers have been saving rail space for their friends with higher numbers, which has led to disputes. Also, the randomly assigned wristband system has resulted in a greater number of people who aren't there just for the music--and are instead there primarily to socialize--ending up on the rail, which has brought down the energy of the rail/pit. I think the rail/pit sets the energy for the rest of the crowd/arena. I didn't even realize until recently (while I was sitting in uppers at MSG N1) just how much time I spend watching the pit while I'm in seats. Usually I'm watching the pit go up and down, but sometimes I'm watching the pit stand still as a statue- it all depends on the crowd. And the energy of the band reflects the energy of the rail/pit- good or bad. When the energy of the rail/pit is good--think Philly N1--the band feeds off that energy and takes it to the next level, and the rest of the crowd follows along. But when the energy of the rail/pit is not good, it negatively affects the energy of the band and the rest of the crowd. There have even been some shows (fortunately a minority) where Ed has even commented on the lack of energy and tried to perk the crowd up. So I have some concerns that moving to a randomly assigned wristband system could have a similar effect to DMB--resulting in more people on the rail chatting it up with their neighbors and sitting on their phones the whole time--thereby negatively affecting the overall energy of the shows.
Like I've said, I think there are legitimate arguments in favor of both systems. There is no "right" answer here, and each system has its advantages and disadvantages. But on balance, I think the better system is the current first-come, first-served system. I think generally, when the people on the rail have invested so much time and effort to be there, they bring more energy than someone who just waltzes in at doors, which in turn energizes the band and the rest of the crowd. I suspect this is why Ed has generally spoken positively about the people who do this show after show (e.g., Ed thanking the rail-riders in Philly for their efforts and telling them he doesn't know how they do it), and why the band has maintained the current system. I also like that under the current system, everyone has an equal chance of being on the rail, as long as they are willing to put in the time to do it.
And for those of you who haven't done the whole camp out/rail thing before, I strongly encourage you to try it once. That was my plan too, before I got "converted" lol. And who knows, maybe you will too. But I can promise you this: you certainly won't regret doing it once as a bucket list item, and you will have an amazing experience. And if you want to do it, I would be more than happy to try to help you make it happen. And I would also be happy to share my tips/suggestions with you, including what camping gear to buy, food and other essentials to bring, etc. And yes, surprisingly, it is possible to get a decent night's sleep on a city sidewalk- believe it or not, I've managed to do it. Some nights, I've probably gotten more sleep on the sidewalk than I get at home (thanks to my two young kids lol).
Anyway, I hope you all find my experience/this information helpful. Good luck in the lottery everyone! I hope you all get the shows you are hoping for. And hope to see you out there on the road!
I've been in GA multiple times but never closer than maybe row 6 or so. I get what you are saying....I would love to get up close sometime but I'm just not willing to spend the time nor push/shove.
Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018) The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)
1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago 2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy 2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE) 2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston 2020: Oakland, Oakland:2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana 2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville 2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana; 2025: Pitt1, Pitt2
Finally getting around to chiming in here. I thought it would be helpful to share my experience over the past few years. As background, I'm not someone who's able to attend a ton of shows. I have limited time and money because of my work responsibilities, I have young kids at home, etc. So I'm typically a 2-4 show per tour type guy. Last year was the exception- I attended 7, which was by far the most I've ever attended in a year (previously the most I'd attended was 4).
I only recently started lining up early/camping out after previously having seen many shows- 20 to be exact. I'd always wanted to see the band up close, but never had the opportunity. So when the opportunity finally arose--at SHN in '21--I decided to take advantage. SHN was easy for me since I happen to live a half hour away. And I also gained a newfound appreciation for live music in general during the pandemic, which was the thing I missed most during the pandemic. I had no idea how much it would hurt if one of the things I loved most--live music--was taken away. I realized I had previously taken it for granted, and told myself I was never going to make that mistake again. So I decided this was an opportunity that I was not going to pass up.
I didn't camp out for SHN, but I lined up early: sometime between 7-8 a.m. I didn't get rail, but I ended up in the row behind the rail, directly between Ed and Mike. When the band came on, I was blown away. It felt surreal- like I was seeing the band for the very first time. It was incredible seeing Ed screaming into the mic and Mike shredding solos all night long from only a few feet away. I honestly felt like I was in a trance. And the energy up there was indescribable- it was like nothing I'd ever experienced at a live show before. Everyone up there was belting out every word of every song at the top of their lungs, including the new songs from Gigaton which were being debuted for the first time, and no one was chatting it up with their neighbors the whole show, sitting on their phones texting their friends, etc. It felt like everyone up there was just there for the music, plain and simple. It made for a much more intense, transcendental experience than I was used to.
Seeing the band up close like that completely changed the whole experience for me- it felt like I was seeing an entirely different show. For those of you who haven't done it, the best way I can describe it is regardless of whether you're at a festival, an arena with 20,000 people behind you, or a ballpark with 40,000 people behind you, it still feels like you're seeing PJ in a small club. A friend of mine who does a lot of rail shows (PJ and many other bands) explained it best: "When you're in the stands, you're watching the show. When you're in the pit/on the rail, you're part of the show." So after SHN, I decided I was going to try to see PJ (and other bands) up close whenever possible. A few weeks later, I did the same thing at Ohana Encore. I lined up early in the morning and again didn't get rail, but was in the row behind the rail. And I had another amazing experience.
So from that point forward, I figured I wouldn't be one of the people who camped out, but would instead show up early in the morning to try to get close (even if not rail). But leading up to the St. Paul shows in '23, I decided that I had to try camping out for rail at least once, if nothing else just to check it off my bucket list. I was honestly somewhat reluctant to do so since it seemed like a lot of additional effort to put in to be one foot closer to the stage. And I was concerned that the campout would be really long, grueling, and boring. So what I decided was I would campout for N1, and then just show up early in the a.m. for N2. But what I was definitely not expecting was just how much fun I would have at the campout. Surprisingly, I was not bored for a minute and the time flew by. I spent the whole time meeting and getting to know amazing people from all walks of life from all over the world, many of whom I'm now proud to call my good friends, including @Chrrie and her partner. And for those of you who don't know @Chrrie and her partner, they are two of the kindest, most wonderful members of the PJ community, and constantly go out of their way to help others. Here's just one of the many examples of their generosity from my personal experience: earlier this year, I had to back out of what was supposed to have been my last show of the tour (Baltimore) at the last minute due to family issues. I was very upset to miss the show, especially since I had GA, and it was a real bummer of a way to end my tour. But then magically a few days later, while I was deep in the throes of post-tour depression, @Chrrie was able to get her hands on an extra GA for Fenway N2 and very generously offered it to me. I was then able to make a last-minute trip to Boston and end my tour on a high note. These are the kind of people that @Chrrie and her partner are- and they would do this for anyone. We need more people like them in the community.
After camping out, I was able to get a great spot on the rail right between Ed and Mike, and had an incredible show. It felt even more intimate and surreal in an arena setting, as compared to the festivals that I'd previously lined up early for. And I found that being on the rail made a big difference for me in terms of my sightline as compared to being in the second row because I'm not very tall. Even though I had originally planned on just camping out for St. Paul N1, I had so much fun and made so many new friends that I decided to do it again for N2. And I had an even better time camping out for N2 than for N1. From that point on I was "hooked" and never looked back. I haven't done GA/rail for every show I've been to since then, but I have for the vast majority. For me, it's just as much about getting to hang out with old friends and meet new friends at the campouts as it is about the actual shows. It's the community that keeps me coming back.
In terms of how I've been able to get GA to so many shows, the answer is simple: time and luck. I've spent A LOT of time refreshing F2F and scouring the forum and FB for people with extras over the past few years. I historically have not had very good luck in the 10c lottery. In 2023, all of my GAs (both St. Paul shows and Chicago N2) were through F2F. I'm sure those of you who've followed the F2F threads have a sense of how much time I've spent on F2F (the answer is TOO MUCH lol). This year, I went to 7 shows, and did GA/rail for 6 (both Vancouvers, MSG N2, both Phillys, and Fenway N2). I got one pair of GAs through the lottery (Philly N2- the only time I've ever gotten GA through the lottery), and the rest through a combination of F2F, trades, and people with extras. It took A LOT of time and effort; it honestly felt like a second job at times. But in the end, the time and effort paid off: I had an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime run. Now this year I'm back to my normal run of a couple of shows (probably just Pittsburgh at this point unless they add more shows later in the year).
In terms of the GA "lists," people saving spots, cutting in line, etc., I personally haven't witnessed any of that at the shows I've been to. The only instance I can think of is shortly before doors at St. Paul N2, a couple attempted to sneakily cut the line by way of a not so subtle "chat and cut" (any Curb fans here?), but they were promptly sent on their way. Otherwise, everyone else I've encountered on the GA lines has been well-behaved and has put in the time. People take short breaks from the line to use the bathroom, shower, and grab food, but I haven't seen anyone abuse it and step away for hours on end.
Finally, I want to address the statement by Chrissy Hynde that started this thread. I personally prefer the current system because I'm willing to put in the time and effort to get rail at least a couple of times per tour. I also think that the fairest system is simply first-come, first-served: the people who put in the most time and effort should be rewarded with the best spots. However, I understand where Chrissy is coming from and I think she has a legitimate point. The biggest issue I have with what Chrissy said is that she announced the change in the midst of an ongoing tour, when people had already spent substantial money purchasing tickets and making travel plans. I think it's important that whatever the GA policy is (for PJ or any other band), it be clearly communicated to fans in advance so that expectations are set and there are no unexpected surprises.
A potential alternative to the current first-come, first-served system would be handing out randomly numbered wristbands to everyone in GA (sequentially numbered 1-500 or whatever) at some point earlier in the day prior to the show, and then lining everyone up in number order at doors. I think this is a good idea in theory, but not necessarily in practice. The reason I say this is because this is the system that another band that I've followed for even longer than PJ (DMB) uses, and in my opinion, it has not worked very well. What has happened is people with lower numbers have been saving rail space for their friends with higher numbers, which has led to disputes. Also, the randomly assigned wristband system has resulted in a greater number of people who aren't there just for the music--and are instead there primarily to socialize--ending up on the rail, which has brought down the energy of the rail/pit. I think the rail/pit sets the energy for the rest of the crowd/arena. I didn't even realize until recently (while I was sitting in uppers at MSG N1) just how much time I spend watching the pit while I'm in seats. Usually I'm watching the pit go up and down, but sometimes I'm watching the pit stand still as a statue- it all depends on the crowd. And the energy of the band reflects the energy of the rail/pit- good or bad. When the energy of the rail/pit is good--think Philly N1--the band feeds off that energy and takes it to the next level, and the rest of the crowd follows along. But when the energy of the rail/pit is not good, it negatively affects the energy of the band and the rest of the crowd. There have even been some shows (fortunately a minority) where Ed has even commented on the lack of energy and tried to perk the crowd up. So I have some concerns that moving to a randomly assigned wristband system could have a similar effect to DMB--resulting in more people on the rail chatting it up with their neighbors and sitting on their phones the whole time--thereby negatively affecting the overall energy of the shows.
Like I've said, I think there are legitimate arguments in favor of both systems. There is no "right" answer here, and each system has its advantages and disadvantages. But on balance, I think the better system is the current first-come, first-served system. I think generally, when the people on the rail have invested so much time and effort to be there, they bring more energy than someone who just waltzes in at doors, which in turn energizes the band and the rest of the crowd. I suspect this is why Ed has generally spoken positively about the people who do this show after show (e.g., Ed thanking the rail-riders in Philly for their efforts and telling them he doesn't know how they do it), and why the band has maintained the current system. I also like that under the current system, everyone has an equal chance of being on the rail, as long as they are willing to put in the time to do it.
And for those of you who haven't done the whole camp out/rail thing before, I strongly encourage you to try it once. That was my plan too, before I got "converted" lol. And who knows, maybe you will too. But I can promise you this: you certainly won't regret doing it once as a bucket list item, and you will have an amazing experience. And if you want to do it, I would be more than happy to try to help you make it happen. And I would also be happy to share my tips/suggestions with you, including what camping gear to buy, food and other essentials to bring, etc. And yes, surprisingly, it is possible to get a decent night's sleep on a city sidewalk- believe it or not, I've managed to do it. Some nights, I've probably gotten more sleep on the sidewalk than I get at home (thanks to my two young kids lol).
Anyway, I hope you all find my experience/this information helpful. Good luck in the lottery everyone! I hope you all get the shows you are hoping for. And hope to see you out there on the road!
Agree with a lot of the sentiment here... being close at least for one show is something I keep telling myself not to chase again, but with GA being an option I'm willing to entertain the waiting in cities I don't feel compelled to be a tourist. Met some good people this way and know a few familiar faces, but know they're a fun batch to see the band up close.
There will be bad actors in the bunch, it's luck of the draw who you're surrounded by like any GA concert space, but if you show up early and make friends with those around you (and trust me, there's more than a few with the same nervous/excited energy), it's a great experience.
Sometimes it can be physically demanding, but sometimes you just have to put in the work to chase that experience. And if you're less ambitious, you can still get a great GA experience showing up when doors open (got 2nd behind rail on Stone's side in Chicago '23, 5 people deep at MSG '16, etc).
I do not do GA anymore. But give me better seats! The rail people will do what they do. I am ok with it as long as they do not exclude fans to be there. No saving spots. The idea of a rail gang, which happens with some bands, is not cool. In fact I would hope that folks would want to share that experience with new people.
There is spot saving. People taking extended breaks at their hotel to wash up, have a bite, and sometimes take care of work! Every single show. I know because they let me do it at REDACTED (and it was much appreciated).
It's all self-governed.
And yes, they do let the occasional friend in who DIDN'T put in the time, but only when doors are about to open. No one speaks up about it in line, because the hardcores are at virtually EVERY show.
A few guys (names withheld) help keep a list (not every time, only when needed). When rules are enforced by a venue (like Vegas), they make sure everyone is on the same page as to when/if they have to disperse, that they'll line up in the same order they were in before said line is moved (or dissolved).
There's also PJ crew who are friendly with them, considering the amount of time spent together. I mean, I get it.
I'm not entirely against it, I just think everyone should be upfront about it at this point. Like "yeah, we do this. Like it, or don't. Join us, and put in the early arrival time, watch our spot & we'll watch yours."
Why try & pretend it's not a thing anymore? We all see it every show. Meanwhile, 10C & the band turn a blind eye to it. And why not, really? They're still getting paid
Name names then, I’m at a lot of shows so I’d like to know who you’re calling out if this is happening where the “hardcores” let friends into the line who weren’t there.
Yes hardcores leave to go to the bathroom, get food, or take a shower. People who didn’t camp do the same thing. If we’re to the point where it’s unfair if people are only there for 46 of the 48 hours then alright, complain to the 10c.
Transparency comes from within. And I am most definitely not within, lol. I've made peace with it, but we should all be honest about it at this point. As far as 10c is concerned, again... memberships have been paid, and tickets sold. They won't do anything unless there's a big fight, or if someone gets caught selling their spot ala "The Line Guys" in NYC.
Business as usual.
This is such a cop out. I don’t know who you are yet you seem to be aware of the comings and goings of me and my friends in the GA line. I invite anyone who wants to experience how insanely incredible it is to be on the rail to line up with me and I will make sure you have everything you need to make the line experience enjoyable.
I care a lot about this. It’s the thing I look forward to the absolute most out of anything and it’s not JUST becsuse of the 2.5 hour show it’s because of the people I met doing it who are legitimately great people: “the people who are always up front”, “rail mafia”, “entitled” and other things we’ve been called.
I don’t want the system to change which is why I sometimes comment on posts like this here or on fb. I’ve seen a lottery destroy the experience for the other band I love. I’m sorry if I’m entitled because I use 90% of my vacation to do this, it’s THAT important to me and the other people who you always see.
People talk about how we “take care of each other” but in reference to shenanigans. What it means to me is when someone offers you food, to use the bathroom at the $200/night hotel they got across the street, or a mattress when yours pops a leak, or a ride to the next show for nothing, or all the people not on the rail they change places with so they can experience it for a song or two.
It’s just really frustrating to have this reputation for being an asshole or gaming the system because we’re always referred to as a collective rather than calling out bad eggs, and it puts what the majority of us love at risk when false narratives or incomplete pictures are reported to the 10c or the PJ community as the blanket way things are. So no I’m not going to “be up front about it” and acquiesce that your perception is also my experience because it’s not.
So what is so different about rail versus being five people back? You don’t need 50 guitar pics, or five tambourines. All of the talk about camaraderie can be experienced at a bar without sleeping outside. So why the need to keep being rail over and over?
So is it about the eye contact with Ed? A wave or two? A perceived friendship with the band? Feeling like a better fan?
58,000 people went to see Pearl Jam in Melbourne. 57,900 of them weren’t on the rail. They show up and are excited to see the band when sitting 150 yards away looking at screens. Don’t need to wait in a parking lot for 48 hours to enjoy a show.
The difference between having no one in front of you and having anyone in front of you is a major difference. Would I wait out overnight for it? No. But no one holding up their screen in front of you, no one blocking your line of sight, having the barricade to lean on and use as leverage-- these are all major pluses.
I do not do GA anymore. But give me better seats! The rail people will do what they do. I am ok with it as long as they do not exclude fans to be there. No saving spots. The idea of a rail gang, which happens with some bands, is not cool. In fact I would hope that folks would want to share that experience with new people.
There is spot saving. People taking extended breaks at their hotel to wash up, have a bite, and sometimes take care of work! Every single show. I know because they let me do it at REDACTED (and it was much appreciated).
It's all self-governed.
And yes, they do let the occasional friend in who DIDN'T put in the time, but only when doors are about to open. No one speaks up about it in line, because the hardcores are at virtually EVERY show.
A few guys (names withheld) help keep a list (not every time, only when needed). When rules are enforced by a venue (like Vegas), they make sure everyone is on the same page as to when/if they have to disperse, that they'll line up in the same order they were in before said line is moved (or dissolved).
There's also PJ crew who are friendly with them, considering the amount of time spent together. I mean, I get it.
I'm not entirely against it, I just think everyone should be upfront about it at this point. Like "yeah, we do this. Like it, or don't. Join us, and put in the early arrival time, watch our spot & we'll watch yours."
Why try & pretend it's not a thing anymore? We all see it every show. Meanwhile, 10C & the band turn a blind eye to it. And why not, really? They're still getting paid
Name names then, I’m at a lot of shows so I’d like to know who you’re calling out if this is happening where the “hardcores” let friends into the line who weren’t there.
Yes hardcores leave to go to the bathroom, get food, or take a shower. People who didn’t camp do the same thing. If we’re to the point where it’s unfair if people are only there for 46 of the 48 hours then alright, complain to the 10c.
Transparency comes from within. And I am most definitely not within, lol. I've made peace with it, but we should all be honest about it at this point. As far as 10c is concerned, again... memberships have been paid, and tickets sold. They won't do anything unless there's a big fight, or if someone gets caught selling their spot ala "The Line Guys" in NYC.
Business as usual.
This is such a cop out. I don’t know who you are yet you seem to be aware of the comings and goings of me and my friends in the GA line. I invite anyone who wants to experience how insanely incredible it is to be on the rail to line up with me and I will make sure you have everything you need to make the line experience enjoyable.
I care a lot about this. It’s the thing I look forward to the absolute most out of anything and it’s not JUST becsuse of the 2.5 hour show it’s because of the people I met doing it who are legitimately great people: “the people who are always up front”, “rail mafia”, “entitled” and other things we’ve been called.
I don’t want the system to change which is why I sometimes comment on posts like this here or on fb. I’ve seen a lottery destroy the experience for the other band I love. I’m sorry if I’m entitled because I use 90% of my vacation to do this, it’s THAT important to me and the other people who you always see.
People talk about how we “take care of each other” but in reference to shenanigans. What it means to me is when someone offers you food, to use the bathroom at the $200/night hotel they got across the street, or a mattress when yours pops a leak, or a ride to the next show for nothing, or all the people not on the rail they change places with so they can experience it for a song or two.
It’s just really frustrating to have this reputation for being an asshole or gaming the system because we’re always referred to as a collective rather than calling out bad eggs, and it puts what the majority of us love at risk when false narratives or incomplete pictures are reported to the 10c or the PJ community as the blanket way things are. So no I’m not going to “be up front about it” and acquiesce that your perception is also my experience because it’s not.
So what is so different about rail versus being five people back? You don’t need 50 guitar pics, or five tambourines. All of the talk about camaraderie can be experienced at a bar without sleeping outside. So why the need to keep being rail over and over?
So is it about the eye contact with Ed? A wave or two? A perceived friendship with the band? Feeling like a better fan?
58,000 people went to see Pearl Jam in Melbourne. 57,900 of them weren’t on the rail. They show up and are excited to see the band when sitting 150 yards away looking at screens. Don’t need to wait in a parking lot for 48 hours to enjoy a show.
The difference between having no one in front of you and having anyone in front of you is a major difference. Would I wait out overnight for it? No. But no one holding up their screen in front of you, no one blocking your line of sight, having the barricade to lean on and use as leverage-- these are all major pluses.
For sure. But we are talking about people going to 10+ shows, not 2-3 shows. Not illegal, just strange to me to spend that much time sitting on a sidewalk. I'm not a big social person though, so perhaps if I was chatty cathy the whole time it would be more fun on the sidewalk.
What if they’re driving 10 hours after getting off work from a state where Pearl Jam never plays on the day of a show. Is their full day of work followed by a ten hour car ride less dedicated than sitting in a camping chair while taking bathroom and food breaks?
Obviously you should just quit your job. Or uproot your family's life, kids' school and friendships be damned, and move to another state. Problem solved.
I guess the flipside of not allowing people to line up is that people buy their way to the front, then you have some really bad crowd interaction from the front of the stage, that also seems like a terrible idea from the bands perspective. I’m not sure there is a perfect system, and I think any system can be gamed. It’s pretty easy to find 10 club GA Because they forced you to buy two at a time. This is a reason that many tickets are being offloaded to people who didn’t have to win a lottery, but can still get to the front of the line. I purchased a ticket from someone and got 10 club GA without ever winning the lottery, it’s really not very hard.
I've been row 2 behind GA and the simple solution if you have row one you get a bracelet for the rear rail. I admit there is a Lord of the Flies aspect to GA and a sense of entitlement in the pitt, but bracelets on the stage rail could be policed by security in front of the rail. Diffuicult but doable. I don't get bands complaining about seeing the same faces in front over and over again, as a result of selling $1000 tickets for $185, subsidized by all the other fans. But it's their show.
I get the excitement of being on the rail, I had Dave from Soul Asylum stick the mic in front of my face to sing because he knew I was not a huge fan, as I was there to see the co headliner. A fun experience, but I've also been blown away by other shows sections away from stage and on the rail as well.
I do not do GA anymore. But give me better seats! The rail people will do what they do. I am ok with it as long as they do not exclude fans to be there. No saving spots. The idea of a rail gang, which happens with some bands, is not cool. In fact I would hope that folks would want to share that experience with new people.
I unfortunately learned long ago that there are several crews of people who help each other skip the line. Regulars you may see posting here and on FB. Lost a lot of respect for some people through the years.
I ended up behind some of these people in Philly in the pit. It was my first pit experience and I did it even go in with pit tickets. Someone gifted them to us while at our seats, so I was just thrilled to be there . But yeah, listening to these self appointed royalty all night, bitching about other members of the “royalty” One walked right in front of me and was oh hey don’t worry I’m not staying, just saying hi to some friends. Then stayed there all night. These people are really, really big fans of themselves.
Comments
(it was fun before getting closed)
-EV 8/14/93
Song Wishlist: Oceans, Brother, Alone, Let Me Sleep, full W.M.A., Hold On, Bugs/all of Vitalogy, Gremmie Out Of Control (BAM!), Mankind, Around The Bend (full band), Whale Song (DOUBLE BAM!), The Long Road, Don't Gimme No Lip, Pilate, Push Me Pull Me, All Those Yesterdays, Rival, Parting Ways, Ghost, Bu$hleaguer, WWS, Parachutes, Army Reserve, low octave Driftin', Strangest Tribe, Other Side, Undone, Fatal, Hitchhiker, Education, Black Red Yellow, Of the Earth, Love Reign O'er Me, Gonna See My Friend, Amongst the Waves, Santa Cruz, Infallible, Yellow Moon, Alright, Comes Then Goes, Got to Give, and the Mamasan Trilogy.
ISO Hollywood & Nashville 2 tickets. PM me to coordinate a drop!
Song Wishlist: Oceans, Brother, Alone, Let Me Sleep, full W.M.A., Hold On, Bugs/all of Vitalogy, Gremmie Out Of Control (BAM!), Mankind, Around The Bend (full band), Whale Song (DOUBLE BAM!), The Long Road, Don't Gimme No Lip, Pilate, Push Me Pull Me, All Those Yesterdays, Rival, Parting Ways, Ghost, Bu$hleaguer, WWS, Parachutes, Army Reserve, low octave Driftin', Strangest Tribe, Other Side, Undone, Fatal, Hitchhiker, Education, Black Red Yellow, Of the Earth, Love Reign O'er Me, Gonna See My Friend, Amongst the Waves, Santa Cruz, Infallible, Yellow Moon, Alright, Comes Then Goes, Got to Give, and the Mamasan Trilogy.
Now that'd be a tour...from Milan to Minsk
Who is wrong and who’s right
Song Wishlist: Oceans, Brother, Alone, Let Me Sleep, full W.M.A., Hold On, Bugs/all of Vitalogy, Gremmie Out Of Control (BAM!), Mankind, Around The Bend (full band), Whale Song (DOUBLE BAM!), The Long Road, Don't Gimme No Lip, Pilate, Push Me Pull Me, All Those Yesterdays, Rival, Parting Ways, Ghost, Bu$hleaguer, WWS, Parachutes, Army Reserve, low octave Driftin', Strangest Tribe, Other Side, Undone, Fatal, Hitchhiker, Education, Black Red Yellow, Of the Earth, Love Reign O'er Me, Gonna See My Friend, Amongst the Waves, Santa Cruz, Infallible, Yellow Moon, Alright, Comes Then Goes, Got to Give, and the Mamasan Trilogy.
I only recently started lining up early/camping out after previously having seen many shows- 20 to be exact. I'd always wanted to see the band up close, but never had the opportunity. So when the opportunity finally arose--at SHN in '21--I decided to take advantage. SHN was easy for me since I happen to live a half hour away. And I also gained a newfound appreciation for live music in general during the pandemic, which was the thing I missed most during the pandemic. I had no idea how much it would hurt if one of the things I loved most--live music--was taken away. I realized I had previously taken it for granted, and told myself I was never going to make that mistake again. So I decided this was an opportunity that I was not going to pass up.
I didn't camp out for SHN, but I lined up early: sometime between 7-8 a.m. I didn't get rail, but I ended up in the row behind the rail, directly between Ed and Mike. When the band came on, I was blown away. It felt surreal- like I was seeing the band for the very first time. It was incredible seeing Ed screaming into the mic and Mike shredding solos all night long from only a few feet away. I honestly felt like I was in a trance. And the energy up there was indescribable- it was like nothing I'd ever experienced at a live show before. Everyone up there was belting out every word of every song at the top of their lungs, including the new songs from Gigaton which were being debuted for the first time, and no one was chatting it up with their neighbors the whole show, sitting on their phones texting their friends, etc. It felt like everyone up there was just there for the music, plain and simple. It made for a much more intense, transcendental experience than I was used to.
Seeing the band up close like that completely changed the whole experience for me- it felt like I was seeing an entirely different show. For those of you who haven't done it, the best way I can describe it is regardless of whether you're at a festival, an arena with 20,000 people behind you, or a ballpark with 40,000 people behind you, it still feels like you're seeing PJ in a small club. A friend of mine who does a lot of rail shows (PJ and many other bands) explained it best: "When you're in the stands, you're watching the show. When you're in the pit/on the rail, you're part of the show." So after SHN, I decided I was going to try to see PJ (and other bands) up close whenever possible. A few weeks later, I did the same thing at Ohana Encore. I lined up early in the morning and again didn't get rail, but was in the row behind the rail. And I had another amazing experience.
So from that point forward, I figured I wouldn't be one of the people who camped out, but would instead show up early in the morning to try to get close (even if not rail). But leading up to the St. Paul shows in '23, I decided that I had to try camping out for rail at least once, if nothing else just to check it off my bucket list. I was honestly somewhat reluctant to do so since it seemed like a lot of additional effort to put in to be one foot closer to the stage. And I was concerned that the campout would be really long, grueling, and boring. So what I decided was I would campout for N1, and then just show up early in the a.m. for N2. But what I was definitely not expecting was just how much fun I would have at the campout. Surprisingly, I was not bored for a minute and the time flew by. I spent the whole time meeting and getting to know amazing people from all walks of life from all over the world, many of whom I'm now proud to call my good friends, including @Chrrie and her partner. And for those of you who don't know @Chrrie and her partner, they are two of the kindest, most wonderful members of the PJ community, and constantly go out of their way to help others. Here's just one of the many examples of their generosity from my personal experience: earlier this year, I had to back out of what was supposed to have been my last show of the tour (Baltimore) at the last minute due to family issues. I was very upset to miss the show, especially since I had GA, and it was a real bummer of a way to end my tour. But then magically a few days later, while I was deep in the throes of post-tour depression, @Chrrie was able to get her hands on an extra GA for Fenway N2 and very generously offered it to me. I was then able to make a last-minute trip to Boston and end my tour on a high note. These are the kind of people that @Chrrie and her partner are- and they would do this for anyone. We need more people like them in the community.
After camping out, I was able to get a great spot on the rail right between Ed and Mike, and had an incredible show. It felt even more intimate and surreal in an arena setting, as compared to the festivals that I'd previously lined up early for. And I found that being on the rail made a big difference for me in terms of my sightline as compared to being in the second row because I'm not very tall. Even though I had originally planned on just camping out for St. Paul N1, I had so much fun and made so many new friends that I decided to do it again for N2. And I had an even better time camping out for N2 than for N1. From that point on I was "hooked" and never looked back. I haven't done GA/rail for every show I've been to since then, but I have for the vast majority. For me, it's just as much about getting to hang out with old friends and meet new friends at the campouts as it is about the actual shows. It's the community that keeps me coming back.
In terms of how I've been able to get GA to so many shows, the answer is simple: time and luck. I've spent A LOT of time refreshing F2F and scouring the forum and FB for people with extras over the past few years. I historically have not had very good luck in the 10c lottery. In 2023, all of my GAs (both St. Paul shows and Chicago N2) were through F2F. I'm sure those of you who've followed the F2F threads have a sense of how much time I've spent on F2F (the answer is TOO MUCH lol). This year, I went to 7 shows, and did GA/rail for 6 (both Vancouvers, MSG N2, both Phillys, and Fenway N2). I got one pair of GAs through the lottery (Philly N2- the only time I've ever gotten GA through the lottery), and the rest through a combination of F2F, trades, and people with extras. It took A LOT of time and effort; it honestly felt like a second job at times. But in the end, the time and effort paid off: I had an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime run. Now this year I'm back to my normal run of a couple of shows (probably just Pittsburgh at this point unless they add more shows later in the year).
In terms of the GA "lists," people saving spots, cutting in line, etc., I personally haven't witnessed any of that at the shows I've been to. The only instance I can think of is shortly before doors at St. Paul N2, a couple attempted to sneakily cut the line by way of a not so subtle "chat and cut" (any Curb fans here?), but they were promptly sent on their way. Otherwise, everyone else I've encountered on the GA lines has been well-behaved and has put in the time. People take short breaks from the line to use the bathroom, shower, and grab food, but I haven't seen anyone abuse it and step away for hours on end.
Finally, I want to address the statement by Chrissy Hynde that started this thread. I personally prefer the current system because I'm willing to put in the time and effort to get rail at least a couple of times per tour. I also think that the fairest system is simply first-come, first-served: the people who put in the most time and effort should be rewarded with the best spots. However, I understand where Chrissy is coming from and I think she has a legitimate point. The biggest issue I have with what Chrissy said is that she announced the change in the midst of an ongoing tour, when people had already spent substantial money purchasing tickets and making travel plans. I think it's important that whatever the GA policy is (for PJ or any other band), it be clearly communicated to fans in advance so that expectations are set and there are no unexpected surprises.
A potential alternative to the current first-come, first-served system would be handing out randomly numbered wristbands to everyone in GA (sequentially numbered 1-500 or whatever) at some point earlier in the day prior to the show, and then lining everyone up in number order at doors. I think this is a good idea in theory, but not necessarily in practice. The reason I say this is because this is the system that another band that I've followed for even longer than PJ (DMB) uses, and in my opinion, it has not worked very well. What has happened is people with lower numbers have been saving rail space for their friends with higher numbers, which has led to disputes. Also, the randomly assigned wristband system has resulted in a greater number of people who aren't there just for the music--and are instead there primarily to socialize--ending up on the rail, which has brought down the energy of the rail/pit. I think the rail/pit sets the energy for the rest of the crowd/arena. I didn't even realize until recently (while I was sitting in uppers at MSG N1) just how much time I spend watching the pit while I'm in seats. Usually I'm watching the pit go up and down, but sometimes I'm watching the pit stand still as a statue- it all depends on the crowd. And the energy of the band reflects the energy of the rail/pit- good or bad. When the energy of the rail/pit is good--think Philly N1--the band feeds off that energy and takes it to the next level, and the rest of the crowd follows along. But when the energy of the rail/pit is not good, it negatively affects the energy of the band and the rest of the crowd. There have even been some shows (fortunately a minority) where Ed has even commented on the lack of energy and tried to perk the crowd up. So I have some concerns that moving to a randomly assigned wristband system could have a similar effect to DMB--resulting in more people on the rail chatting it up with their neighbors and sitting on their phones the whole time--thereby negatively affecting the overall energy of the shows.
Like I've said, I think there are legitimate arguments in favor of both systems. There is no "right" answer here, and each system has its advantages and disadvantages. But on balance, I think the better system is the current first-come, first-served system. I think generally, when the people on the rail have invested so much time and effort to be there, they bring more energy than someone who just waltzes in at doors, which in turn energizes the band and the rest of the crowd. I suspect this is why Ed has generally spoken positively about the people who do this show after show (e.g., Ed thanking the rail-riders in Philly for their efforts and telling them he doesn't know how they do it), and why the band has maintained the current system. I also like that under the current system, everyone has an equal chance of being on the rail, as long as they are willing to put in the time to do it.
And for those of you who haven't done the whole camp out/rail thing before, I strongly encourage you to try it once. That was my plan too, before I got "converted" lol. And who knows, maybe you will too. But I can promise you this: you certainly won't regret doing it once as a bucket list item, and you will have an amazing experience. And if you want to do it, I would be more than happy to try to help you make it happen. And I would also be happy to share my tips/suggestions with you, including what camping gear to buy, food and other essentials to bring, etc. And yes, surprisingly, it is possible to get a decent night's sleep on a city sidewalk- believe it or not, I've managed to do it. Some nights, I've probably gotten more sleep on the sidewalk than I get at home (thanks to my two young kids lol).
Anyway, I hope you all find my experience/this information helpful. Good luck in the lottery everyone! I hope you all get the shows you are hoping for. And hope to see you out there on the road!
astoria 06
albany 06
hartford 06
reading 06
barcelona 06
paris 06
wembley 07
dusseldorf 07
nijmegen 07
this song is meant to be called i got shit,itshould be called i got shit tickets-hartford 06 -
The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)
1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
2020: Oakland, Oakland: 2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana; 2025: Pitt1, Pitt2
signed,
Joejoejoe
10C# 72xxx
There will be bad actors in the bunch, it's luck of the draw who you're surrounded by like any GA concert space, but if you show up early and make friends with those around you (and trust me, there's more than a few with the same nervous/excited energy), it's a great experience.
Sometimes it can be physically demanding, but sometimes you just have to put in the work to chase that experience. And if you're less ambitious, you can still get a great GA experience showing up when doors open (got 2nd behind rail on Stone's side in Chicago '23, 5 people deep at MSG '16, etc).
I've been row 2 behind GA and the simple solution if you have row one you get a bracelet for the rear rail. I admit there is a Lord of the Flies aspect to GA and a sense of entitlement in the pitt, but bracelets on the stage rail could be policed by security in front of the rail. Diffuicult but doable. I don't get bands complaining about seeing the same faces in front over and over again, as a result of selling $1000 tickets for $185, subsidized by all the other fans. But it's their show.
I get the excitement of being on the rail, I had Dave from Soul Asylum stick the mic in front of my face to sing because he knew I was not a huge fan, as I was there to see the co headliner. A fun experience, but I've also been blown away by other shows sections away from stage and on the rail as well.