Explanation of Ten Club tickets vs. regular tickets

Michelle10 · May 2011

Iim sure this has been explained many times, but 'm not really familiar with how the tickets are dispursed for ten club members. From what I understand 10 club are able to get a certain amount of tickets and when they're gone, they're gone. But I also thought that they aim to get the better seats of the house type thing. When I went to Boston's show I had decent seats they weren't amazing but they weren't terrible. But when I saw them in Montreal I didn't have ten club tickets at that show, I just called and got 12 rows back from the stage (sort of the side of the stage) they were amazing seats! But I had friends at the same show who had nose bleed seats all the way back of the bell centre and they had 10 club tickets. Shouldn't they have got the better seats? Im just thinking maybe it's better to not get them through 10 club and just call in like everyone else? Again I don't understand the whole process of ticket sales I just know I want (like everyone else) the best seat possible closest to the stage. Thoughts please...

Wilds · May 2011

Ten Club always tries for the best seats they can get, but that doesn't mean they are the best in the house.

I think the % of tickets the generally get is around 10%.

So in a 20,000 seat arena they would have 2000 tickets, or 1000 pairs.

Yes when the first 1000 Ten Club members claim those 1000 pairs they are out and the Ten Club does not have anymore.

Now why don't they get the best seats?

Well it depends on what the venue says. For example it is very common for many venues to issue season tickets to individuals. That means that "you" for example could have season tickets to every show at the Santa Barbara Bowl.

Those seats are usually good seats and expensive, but they are guaranteed to those fans, and thus not a part of the Ten Club allocation.

If those fans decide not to go then those seats can be released.

Also the venue and Ticketmaster, and the band usually hold some of the best seats in the house for the last minute for VIP types who get them. Those tickets are released before showtime and become available to the lucky few.

Sometimes Pearl Jam gets more than 10% of the venue tickets, but through negotiation the 'extra' seats might not be that good.

So if you have a higher ten club number then you might get stuck with Ten Club seats that are not that good.

As a whole Ten Club seats kick ass. But of course the worst ones are not always great. And sometimes through luck or otherwise Ticketmaster seats can be amazing.

There is no strict rule to it all though.

FrankieG · May 2011

if there are an odd number of seats in a row. the last seat that doesnt have a pair goes to ticketmaster. So there is a chance to pull a single front row.

Also, "best seats in the house" is used loosely. Not everyone thinks of the seats the same. everyone has their own opinions and our opinions might differ from those of 10c and Ticketmaster/LiveNation

mike-mcfuckin-cready · May 2011

yea def agree, and as long as youre not trying to get tickets to a new york/boston/philly show its really pretty painless to get a hold of tickets rather than the horror that can be ticketmaster etc.

or you can tour and do the euro shows which have general admission with early entrance for 10c tickets so you can get whatever spot as close to the front as you want/can get! its great

Michelle10 · May 2011

Okay cool beans that makes a lot more sense to me now, ty

I was just asking because I wasn't sure if I should try to get 10C tickets for the montreal show (if there is a show) or just try to call in like before. I don't want floor because Im too short I would prefer side stage seats type thing.

keeponrockin · May 2011

If your number is high, you might be side-stage anyways...

However, the best seats I had were for Albany, 2nd row on the side of the stage, pulled from TM.

nevmiles · May 2011

Yeah, this happened to me for the '05 Ottawa show. i was in the 100 level, but about 3 or 4 sections down from the stage (so looking down towards the other end of the arena). I had some friends who decided to go to the show THE DAY OF THE CONCERT, and got tickets in the 100-level, in the section right beside the stage. Made no sense to me.

But I see getting 10C tickets as a (pretty good) GUARANTEE that your tickets are secured for the show, rather than fighting traffic on the ticket webpage when tickets go on sale and risk being stuck in the nose-bleeds for sure.

Cob · May 2011

nevmiles wrote:

Yeah, this happened to me for the '05 Ottawa show. i was in the 100 level, but about 3 or 4 sections down from the stage (so looking down towards the other end of the arena). I had some friends who decided to go to the show THE DAY OF THE CONCERT, and got tickets in the 100-level, in the section right beside the stage. Made no sense to me.

But I see getting 10C tickets as a (pretty good) GUARANTEE that your tickets are secured for the show, rather than fighting traffic on the ticket webpage when tickets go on sale and risk being stuck in the nose-bleeds for sure.

It's actually pretty common to be able to buy tickets out in front of any Pearl Jam show the day of the show, with a few exceptions on the east coast. When I went to Seattle in 2009 there were TONS of tickets out front for well below face value, I had already purchased tickets (very good seats) through Ticketmaster as I wasn't 100% sure I would be able to make Seattle, so I passed on getting 10 Club tix.

KL40564 · May 2011

As the others said, it is an interesting crap shoot of sorts. In 98, I got second row center with my ten club seats... it was amazing.

Yet, ten years later (with ten years of seniority under my belt) we got horrible seats far away.

So, think of it like this. It isn't necessarily better seats... but you get access to onsale before the general public (scalpers) do.

PureandEasy · May 2011

I’ve been in fan club for over 10 years. My seats have got better every tour. However, it does depend on the venue. Sometimes you may get the 200 level, but be right next to the stage, which are AWESOME seats. Other times, you may be 20 rows back on the floor.

I personally have never had BAD 10club seats.

As someone else said, it all depends on which seats you prefer.

and the best part is definitely getting tickets BEFORE the general public.

acutejam · May 2011

Though I've been a fan since early 90s, I didn't sign up for 10C until 2007, so my number is up in the 400,000s. I've gotten 10C tickets a number of times since then, nothing too spectacular except at the Gibson Amphitheater, like 14 rows back (but that's a 6000 seat venue). Mostly well back from that, back of the stadium in San Diego, 200s at Noblesville.

But one thing I can't stress enough -- you get to sit with 10C fans! You get to sit with fans that ARE THERE FOR THE MUSIC. Sure a few are swapped out, but for the most part, I've had WAY more fun sitting in 10C nosebleeds than dealing with bozos up close.

DEReam13 · May 2011

acutejam wrote:

But one thing I can't stress enough -- you get to sit with 10C fans! You get to sit with fans that ARE THERE FOR THE MUSIC. Sure a few are swapped out, but for the most part, I've had WAY more fun sitting in 10C nosebleeds than dealing with bozos up close.

This is an outstanding point. I agree whole-heartily. We stand, jump and dance through the shows. No need to be near the talkers, complainers and sitters.

DewieCox · May 2011

KL40564 wrote:

As the others said, it is an interesting crap shoot of sorts. In 98, I got second row center with my ten club seats... it was amazing.

Yet, ten years later (with ten years of seniority under my belt) we got horrible seats far away.

So, think of it like this. It isn't necessarily better seats... but you get access to onsale before the general public (scalpers) do.

Sounds like your membership lapsed and you lost seniority.

When was the last show with seniority that 10c didn't get 99% of the closer seats? I can't remember anything other than tiny club shows that didn't have seniority.

Get_Right · May 2011

As others have said, the quality of your 10c seats depends on your number and the venue.
But these days, for the most part, it is very difficult to get any quality seats from TM.
Some people get very lucky when they are in the right place at the right time and additional tickets are released.
Tickets are released for two reasons: 1) sometimes its done on purpose to thwart scalpers and 2) the venue, the promoters, the band and TM all hold tickets back for promotional purposes (dont even get me started on that issue). If they dont end up distributing (or selling) those tickets, they get released. Since these tickets are reserved for sponsors, clients and service providers, they are usually good seats. Its also why it is very difficult to score great seats through TM for high demand shows.

And +1 about sitting with 10c members as long as you like a sing a long.

Its much more fun.

PillowPants · May 2011

ancient chinese secret

josevolution · May 2011

Calling Redmosquito22 this threads needs your input

:P People are talking %%'s

titchinello · May 2011

ahh i'm glad in europe its general admission, that way its free for all. fair enough theres a lot of pushing and shoving, but in my opionion much better than being stuck in a chair.

megatron · May 2011

DEReam13 wrote:

acutejam wrote:

But one thing I can't stress enough -- you get to sit with 10C fans! You get to sit with fans that ARE THERE FOR THE MUSIC. Sure a few are swapped out, but for the most part, I've had WAY more fun sitting in 10C nosebleeds than dealing with bozos up close.

This is an outstanding point. I agree whole-heartily. We stand, jump and dance through the shows. No need to be near the talkers, complainers and sitters.

i got 10club tix for the spectrum. last row next to a bunch of awful people complaining about them not "rocking enough"
not complaining..just saying

small_my_table · May 2011

DEReam13 wrote:

acutejam wrote:

But one thing I can't stress enough -- you get to sit with 10C fans! You get to sit with fans that ARE THERE FOR THE MUSIC. Sure a few are swapped out, but for the most part, I've had WAY more fun sitting in 10C nosebleeds than dealing with bozos up close.

This is an outstanding point. I agree whole-heartily. We stand, jump and dance through the shows. No need to be near the talkers, complainers and sitters.

I totally agree, I was at both Chicago shows in '09, one with Ten Club seats and the other with Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster was section 121, TC gave me 306 (i.e. the very top, at the very back), but during night one in the nosebleeds I had a way better time around people who were really into it. Night two I was behind a girl who texted her friend about meeting Ne-yo for most of the show, and got dirty looks for singing along to Present Tense. Ten Club is definitely a better experience.

nevmiles · May 2011

acutejam wrote:

But one thing I can't stress enough -- you get to sit with 10C fans! You get to sit with fans that ARE THERE FOR THE MUSIC.

In Toronto in '09, there was a couple beside me who never showed any emotion throughout the whole show. Then they left early.

But the tall drunk guy in front of me was into it for sure. Blocked the view of my stage at times, but was REALLY into "Off He Goes", gesturing almost every line (and I will always remember the way he literally rubbed his eyes during the "and then I rub my eyes" line :roll: )

mca47 · May 2011

I'm 280- (not good).
I've had much better seats with TM then with 10c.

Shows at large venues, and I'm at the back floor, or way up on the side somewhere. In small venues, I've had balcony seats.
The best 10c tix I got were during the '03 tour in Champaign, IL. We got pressbox tickets. Wasn't especially close, but we basically got an entire box to ourselves!

Basically, if you don't have an awesome number, the odds of good seats are pretty low, IMO.

usamamasan1 · May 2011

death to fan club seniority. I have been going to shows for 20 years now but my number sucks.

PillowPants · May 2011

usamamasan1 wrote:

death to fan club seniority. I have been going to shows for 20 years now but my number sucks.

pretty sure it's not our fault that you suck at organization

Nickrand · May 2011

titchinello wrote:

ahh i'm glad in europe its general admission, that way its free for all. fair enough theres a lot of pushing and shoving, but in my opionion much better than being stuck in a chair.

I like both experiences. In the USA, it's nice not to have to spend the day waiting to get in. More relaxing and easier to enjoy the music. At general admission shows, there's more camaraderie with fellow fan club members and the experience of being up front is special and addicting.

RedMosquito22 · May 2011

josevolution wrote:

Calling Redmosquito22 this threads needs your input :P People are talking %%'s

Just to clear this up. According to an email I received from the 10 club when asking this question before the MSG2 show in 2010, they get anywhere from 12% to 20% of the tickets for pre-sales depending depending on the venue.

There ya go josevolution. hahahahahahaha

RedMosquito22 · May 2011

titchinello wrote:

ahh i'm glad in europe its general admission, that way its free for all. fair enough theres a lot of pushing and shoving, but in my opionion much better than being stuck in a chair.

I've never been stuck in a chair.

RedMosquito22 · May 2011

megatron wrote:

DEReam13 wrote:

acutejam wrote:

But one thing I can't stress enough -- you get to sit with 10C fans! You get to sit with fans that ARE THERE FOR THE MUSIC. Sure a few are swapped out, but for the most part, I've had WAY more fun sitting in 10C nosebleeds than dealing with bozos up close.

This is an outstanding point. I agree whole-heartily. We stand, jump and dance through the shows. No need to be near the talkers, complainers and sitters.

i got 10club tix for the spectrum. last row next to a bunch of awful people complaining about them not "rocking enough"
not complaining..just saying

That's because it wasn't a real Philly crowd.

Lost In Ohio · May 2011

Wilds wrote:

Ten Club always tries for the best seats they can get, but that doesn't mean they are the best in the house.

I think the % of tickets the generally get is around 10%.

So in a 20,000 seat arena they would have 2000 tickets, or 1000 pairs.

Yes when the first 1000 Ten Club members claim those 1000 pairs they are out and the Ten Club does not have anymore.

Now why don't they get the best seats?

Well it depends on what the venue says. For example it is very common for many venues to issue season tickets to individuals. That means that "you" for example could have season tickets to every show at the Santa Barbara Bowl.

Those seats are usually good seats and expensive, but they are guaranteed to those fans, and thus not a part of the Ten Club allocation.

If those fans decide not to go then those seats can be released.

Also the venue and Ticketmaster, and the band usually hold some of the best seats in the house for the last minute for VIP types who get them. Those tickets are released before showtime and become available to the lucky few.

Sometimes Pearl Jam gets more than 10% of the venue tickets, but through negotiation the 'extra' seats might not be that good.

So if you have a higher ten club number then you might get stuck with Ten Club seats that are not that good.

As a whole Ten Club seats kick ass. But of course the worst ones are not always great. And sometimes through luck or otherwise Ticketmaster seats can be amazing.

There is no strict rule to it all though.

In addition....

Rows 1, 2, 9 and 10 are reserved for random allocation. These go to 10 club members at total random. It's RUMORED that a few of these seats are saved for VIPs, but no one knows for sure.

You can win row 1 and row 9 at two straight shows, or you can go zero for thirty... it's totally random.

In addition to that... It's believed that if the band is playing in YOUR hometown, then you get a little bit of a boost towards the front of the stage.

After being in 10 Club for seven years, I got 16th row, practically dead center...in my hometown. I can guarantee you that in any other city, i'd be further back, assuming a lottery loss.

Plus, day and city have something to do with it as well. I'm sure Buffalo on a Tuesday is a lot easier than a major city like LA, Chicago, NYC, or Boston on a Saturday night. People travel in fucking mass numbers to these shows like crazy.

RedMosquito22 · May 2011

KL40564 wrote:

As the others said, it is an interesting crap shoot of sorts. In 98, I got second row center with my ten club seats... it was amazing.

Yet, ten years later (with ten years of seniority under my belt) we got horrible seats far away.

So, think of it like this. It isn't necessarily better seats... but you get access to onsale before the general public (scalpers) do.

That's because in 1998 it wasn't seniority based. They were blocks of tickets and if you showed up early you got better seats.

Lost In Ohio · May 2011

RedMosquito22 wrote:

KL40564 wrote:

As the others said, it is an interesting crap shoot of sorts. In 98, I got second row center with my ten club seats... it was amazing.

Yet, ten years later (with ten years of seniority under my belt) we got horrible seats far away.

So, think of it like this. It isn't necessarily better seats... but you get access to onsale before the general public (scalpers) do.

That's because in 1998 it wasn't seniority based. They were blocks of tickets and if you showed up early you got better seats.

Even in 2003, they had a system where it was seniority based with better seats in that block if you sent your order in quicker. Either that OR the other way around...first people in got into the better blocks, but people within those blocks were sorted by seniority.

I think it was the first way, but i'm not sure.

jamburger · May 2011

Lost In Ohio wrote:

Even in 2003, they had a system where it was seniority based with better seats in that block if you sent your order in quicker. Either that OR the other way around...first people in got into the better blocks, but people within those blocks were sorted by seniority.

I think it was the first way, but i'm not sure.

Semi-seniority based. Day of show you lined up within a block of 10 club numbers (example: BLOCK 1= member #000001-100000, BLOCK 2= member #100001-200000, etc.). Each block got a stack of tickets and they distributed off the top.

So, member #092145 who got to the venue at noon and got on the BLOCK 1 line, got better seats than member #000002 who got to the venue and on line at 5:00PM.

These tickets were better seats than anyone in BLOCK 2 or BLOCK 3.

The only two shows in 2003 that were 100% seniority based were the MSG shows. There was no place to line up outside the Garden and tickets were distributed out of a local hotel conference area. Tickets were pre-enveloped like they are today. The same row of people who sat behind me on the floor during night one, sat behind me on the side of the stage on night two.

Explanation of Ten Club tickets vs. regular tickets

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