Dear Pearl Jam, let's re-think this whole GA thing..

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Comments

  • locked
    locked Boston Posts: 4,048
    edited December 2013
    I personally hate the GA system.

    It (for the most part) rewards survival of the fittest / tallest.

    And it's another stab , push back of folks who have seniority.

    And I almost wince at admitting I have seniority. We seem to be the new "smokers " everybody hates us, band bends backwards to make sure we have limited ticket benefits lately.

    We've already got the lottery for rows 1-2 ; 9&10.

    Now we have another "Lottery" just to get "any" ticket.

    That's fine, I get the bands desire for "fairness" but I think a permanent GA relegates anyone under 6 feet (and not wanting to "camp out" the entire pre-show) to the side loge.

    I know, I know "wah, wah, wah"....

    Just stating my opinion.

    I saw people getting pulled out (for medical emergency) in GA every PJ SHOW I attended.

    For a band that really really cares about it's fans safety (there is no band more focused)
    I just shake my head at the latest US GA MODE.

    I do have a compromise / suggestion though.

    If PJ wants to keep GA but make it safer. I suggest they adopt the Springsteen / U2 type catwalk , segregated pits.

    That eliminates any PUSH towards the front and really let's the band members and the GA fans (at any depth) a chance at face to face interaction. Right now it's a accident waiting to happen ..
    Just my opinion!



    .
    Post edited by locked on
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  • Thirty Bills Unpaid
    Thirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    QuestionAuthority wrote:
    Now that the tour is over and I have read many things about GA and experienced it myself ~ let's call it the experiment of 2013 and go back to rows of seats.

    No. Bad idea. Really bad idea.

    Okay?
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • DewieCox
    DewieCox Posts: 11,432
    Is safety really a concern or just a bs reason that those against GA can toss in?

    A few people rushing forward isn't anything that's gonna cause any issue other than annoyance. It's when you get 10s of thousands doing it that's an issue and even with the douche baggery reported, it seems like a tiny percentage of a few thousand taking part in any push.

    I'm fairly familiar with the history of rock and I can't think of an instance where an arena pit caused any widespread injuries and there are alot of crowds(and the music to go with it) rowdier than your typical PJ crowd. You see problems with huge outdoor crowds and huge lapses in security. I'm confident that PJ took steps to make sure that all their bases were covered before they decided to make the switch to GA.

    If people are getting pulled out of a PJ pit b/c of medical emergency, I gotta believe it's more about them not being prepared(skipping eating and drinking to keep their prime spot), than an effect of GA.
  • Gold 26
    Gold 26 Posts: 676
    I was away from these boards for a few years due to lack of funds, and missed the start of all this and haven't reLly looked into it so have no idea what 'GA' or 'the list' is or means. Sounds like that's a good thing. I guess I'll see it if they implement it here in Britain next time.
    All my favourite singers have stolen all of my best lines.
  • jrnyc
    jrnyc Posts: 537
    The list cartel needs to be broken. It is very clear there were traveling bands of PJ fans who dominated the front of the pit night after night. How about people who have jobs and kids who would like to up front but can't because they have adult responsibilities? They should have a shot at being up front without having to be on a sidewalk all day.

    Springsteen system puts the list cartel out of business and gives all fans a shot at rail, not just the lunatics who spend their whole day on the sidewalk.
  • DewieCox
    DewieCox Posts: 11,432
    jrnyc wrote:
    The list cartel needs to be broken. It is very clear there were traveling bands of PJ fans who dominated the front of the pit night after night. How about people who have jobs and kids who would like to up front but can't because they have adult responsibilities? They should have a shot at being up front without having to be on a sidewalk all day.

    Springsteen system puts the list cartel out of business and gives all fans a shot at rail, not just the lunatics who spend their whole day on the sidewalk.

    The list is bs, but I can't really argue with people that are actually willing to spend the time to get at the head of the line.

    Doesn't seem like this discussion is really about the douchers that "organize" the list and number wrists, and is more about GA in general, but yeah, the listers need to go.
  • mookeywrench
    mookeywrench Posts: 6,085
    any links to the Springsteen 'list system'?
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,861
    edited December 2013
    Dear Pearl Jam,

    Let's not.


    Best times of my life are in GA at a Pearl Jam show. Seats in front of the stage are so fuckin' boring by comparison. I find the lost irrelevant - what people do with their own time outside of the show has no impact in the pit. And the few whoncollapse in GA are simply dumbasses who let themselves get dehydrated and they basically swoon or fai. because of their own poor planning. It's not that big a deal. GA ROCKS! :D
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • jrnyc
    jrnyc Posts: 537
    DewieCox wrote:
    jrnyc wrote:
    The list cartel needs to be broken. It is very clear there were traveling bands of PJ fans who dominated the front of the pit night after night. How about people who have jobs and kids who would like to up front but can't because they have adult responsibilities? They should have a shot at being up front without having to be on a sidewalk all day.

    Springsteen system puts the list cartel out of business and gives all fans a shot at rail, not just the lunatics who spend their whole day on the sidewalk.

    The list is bs, but I can't really argue with people that are actually willing to spend the time to get at the head of the line.

    Doesn't seem like this discussion is really about the douchers that "organize" the list and number wrists, and is more about GA in general, but yeah, the listers need to go.

    yeah, I agree with you about people legitimately spending time in line to get in front deserve it and it being a good system, I think it is debatable and a good argument could be made for either side. There are many die-hard fans who can't wait in the line all day, would be nice if those people had a shot at the front too though.
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,861
    edited December 2013
    jrnyc wrote:
    The list cartel needs to be broken. It is very clear there were traveling bands of PJ fans who dominated the front of the pit night after night. How about people who have jobs and kids who would like to up front but can't because they have adult responsibilities? They should have a shot at being up front without having to be on a sidewalk all day.

    Springsteen system puts the list cartel out of business and gives all fans a shot at rail, not just the lunatics who spend their whole day on the sidewalk.
    You really do have a shot of being up front. If you don't wait in line all day you just stand directly behind the people leaning on the rail. There really isn't a difference, except that you actually have more room to rock out because there isn't an unyielding wall restricting your movements. But yeah, the Bruce system would be great just to get the same jerks who are on the rail all the time off the rail because everyone is bored of them.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • ForceofNature101
    ForceofNature101 Posts: 1,295
    edited December 2013
    locked wrote:
    I personally hate the GA system.

    It (for the most part) rewards survival of the fittest / tallest.

    .
    I can attest to the contrary

    For LA1 I got in the GA line about an hour before the gates opened and I got 5-6 rows back from the stage. I don't know that survival of the fittest really fits waiting an hour and choosing a decent spot in GA. If there is someone tall you can just move out of the way, which I did to a successful effect

    It is waaayy more fair to have GA than to have a seniority based system up in front. Simple having a lottery in a couple of rows is in no way fairer than a "anyone has a chance if they are in the fan club" approach like the current GA system, which is why I like the current system
    Post edited by ForceofNature101 on
  • jrnyc
    jrnyc Posts: 537
    PJ_Soul wrote:
    jrnyc wrote:
    The list cartel needs to be broken. It is very clear there were traveling bands of PJ fans who dominated the front of the pit night after night. How about people who have jobs and kids who would like to up front but can't because they have adult responsibilities? They should have a shot at being up front without having to be on a sidewalk all day.

    Springsteen system puts the list cartel out of business and gives all fans a shot at rail, not just the lunatics who spend their whole day on the sidewalk.
    You really do have a shot of being up front. If you don't wait in line all day you just stand directly behind the people leaning on the rail. There really isn't a difference, except that you actually have more room to rock put because there isn't an unyielding wall restricting your movements.
    Then why are people lining up at 3am on the cold sidewalk to be on the rail?
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,861
    jrnyc wrote:
    PJ_Soul wrote:
    jrnyc wrote:
    The list cartel needs to be broken. It is very clear there were traveling bands of PJ fans who dominated the front of the pit night after night. How about people who have jobs and kids who would like to up front but can't because they have adult responsibilities? They should have a shot at being up front without having to be on a sidewalk all day.

    Springsteen system puts the list cartel out of business and gives all fans a shot at rail, not just the lunatics who spend their whole day on the sidewalk.
    You really do have a shot of being up front. If you don't wait in line all day you just stand directly behind the people leaning on the rail. There really isn't a difference, except that you actually have more room to rock put because there isn't an unyielding wall restricting your movements.
    Then why are people lining up at 3am on the cold sidewalk to be on the rail?
    Because they are psychotic?
    I honestly don't know. It makes little sense to do that just to literally get 3 feet closer, but that's what they do.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mookeywrench
    mookeywrench Posts: 6,085
    PJ_Soul wrote:
    I honestly don't know. It makes little sense to do that just to literally get 9 inches closer, but that's what they do.

    Fixed
  • pdalowsky
    pdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 15,253
    Lets keep the GA thing forever!!!!
  • Last-12-Exit
    Last-12-Exit Charleston, SC Posts: 8,661
    There's absolutely nothing wrong with the GA system other than the douche bags that want to start a list. I got in line in charlotte at 5ish and was 5 heads back in the center from the rail. There was plenty of room to move around. People were considerate and polite. There's always, let me repeat that, always going to be an asshole or two in the crowd.

    Don't change a things ed. This is America. If you don't like GA, find a seat or go get a ticket to the next Lillith Fair event.
  • ForceofNature101
    ForceofNature101 Posts: 1,295
    pdalowsky wrote:
    Lets keep the GA thing forever!!!!
    I am so down with that, GA is a really cool experience.

    Not to mention it isn't like it is the only thing available - you still have TC reserved seats based on seniority if that floats your boat. It is a win-win as far as I am concerned



    The only issue are the idiots with the "list" in GA, trying to impose and reinforce arbitrary rules that not everyone agrees on or even knows about (let alone that fact that it isn't an official policy)
  • dimitrispearljam
    dimitrispearljam Posts: 139,725
    pdalowsky wrote:
    Lets keep the GA thing forever!!!!
    word
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  • mookeywrench
    mookeywrench Posts: 6,085
    Last-12-Exit wrote:
    Don't change a things ed. This is America. If you don't like GA, find a seat or go get a ticket to the next Lillith Fair event.

    Lilith Fair won't work, here's the 1998 festival:

    lilith%20fair%20crowd-thumb-500x269-10655.png
  • IamTom
    IamTom Posts: 1,138
    QuestionAuthority wrote:
    Last-12-Exit wrote:
    I couldnt disagree more. if you dont want to stand in he GA, get a reserve seat. Yes, the "list" in the GA line sucks. What the hell do u expect when standing at a rock concert?


    I have been to many GA shows of other artists and sorry, this was in no way like any other GA show I have been to.. other shows you acutally could move your arms, perhaps even extend them! You stood with a space around you.. not packed in and not with the guy behind you pressed into you from behind, the right side and left side. It is not safe.

    Plus to watch a neighbor who you do not even know have to constantly be looking behind her shoulder because she was afraid the jerks were going to try to surge again is not fun.. and it is not "benefiting personally". This girl was not enjoying herself because she nearly did go down once or twice.

    Which shows did you go GA at?

    I ask because I went to Phx thru Oak and besides Prague last year were the most comfortable GAs I've been in. Berlin and Manchester1 last year were pretty bad.

    Mins you at Man1 some guy was trying to ram his way through...and he was soon over the heads and over the rail. By his design I know not.
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