GA rookie help

Gremmie03
Gremmie03 Posts: 507
in The Porch
To the experienced.
Doing my first GA concert in FLL and was looking for some tips.
Arrival time, should I take things to wait in line, etc?
Thx
Demented and sad, but social
Wrigley Earthcam/Hartford 2013
«13

Comments

  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    Take food, water, fortitude, something to sit on, healthy dose of tolerance for assholes, appreciation for those who aren't, and maybe a change of underwear.

    Sharpie too?

    (sorry to say that when it comes to GA experience, I'm woefully unlike Hendrix)

    Good luck to you!

  • Zod
    Zod Posts: 11,072
    I've only done it for one show (Vancouver 2013). By the time we got to the lineup at 2pm the GA lineup was already too long to get rail. We took off had a few beers and came back for doors at 6:30. I ended about having about 5 rows of people in front of me (and I was just to the right of dead centre). It was a great spot. From my experience it's not worth waiting a long time unless you really want rail. If you really want rail you probably have to camp out for a day....
  • WhatYouTaughtMe
    WhatYouTaughtMe Posts: 4,957
    Zod said:

    I've only done it for one show (Vancouver 2013). By the time we got to the lineup at 2pm the GA lineup was already too long to get rail. We took off had a few beers and came back for doors at 6:30. I ended about having about 5 rows of people in front of me (and I was just to the right of dead centre). It was a great spot. From my experience it's not worth waiting a long time unless you really want rail. If you really want rail you probably have to camp out for a day....

    This.

    Unless you absolutely need the rail, don't waste a day in line. Maybe do the wishlist party, hang out and enjoy yourself.
  • joseph33
    joseph33 Washington DC Posts: 1,344
    Its not worth wasting the day for rail. Go get some merch,go to the preparty and mingle with fellow fans.
  • josevolution
    josevolution Posts: 32,919
    Yeah if you want the coveted rail camp out the night before otherwise like most say enjoy the preparty meet some fans and stroll in at opening of gates ...
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • Gremmie03
    Gremmie03 Posts: 507
    Thanks for the responses. 5 rows is cool w me. Looks like the merch and mingle is the way to go.
    Demented and sad, but social
    Wrigley Earthcam/Hartford 2013
  • pearldavidson
    pearldavidson Posts: 1,953
    Show up a half hour before the show and enjoy the back of the GA pit. You will have a lot of personal space and you won't lose your spot when you need drinks, food...etc. You will still have an awesome view, too.
  • Wma31394
    Wma31394 Posts: 3,045
    Just look for the blonde ga nazi that was in LA a few years back. She will make sure you're assigned your proper spot in line.
    "Going where the water tastes like wine!"
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 43,145
    Wma31394 said:

    Just look for the blonde ga nazi that was in LA a few years back. She will make sure you're assigned your proper spot in line.

    I'm looking forward to meeting people like this...
  • gotthebottle
    gotthebottle San Diego Posts: 4,043
    pearldavidson said:

    Show up a half hour before the show and enjoy the back of the GA pit. You will have a lot of personal space and you won't lose your spot when you need drinks, food...etc. You will still have an awesome view, too.

    That's what I always do...and will do for my shows
  • jamburger
    jamburger Posts: 1,775
    Wma31394 said:

    Just look for the blonde ga nazi that was in LA a few years back. She will make sure you're assigned your proper spot in line.

    Was that who Ed calls out after Corduroy? (LA I)
  • pearldavidson
    pearldavidson Posts: 1,953
    gotthebottle said:

    pearldavidson said:

    Show up a half hour before the show and enjoy the back of the GA pit. You will have a lot of personal space and you won't lose your spot when you need drinks, food...etc. You will still have an awesome view, too.

    That's what I always do...and will do for my shows
    I'd like to try the rail once, but it would be a one and done for me and I would probably never go out of my way to do it. Back of the GA pit is where I dwell.
  • Wma31394
    Wma31394 Posts: 3,045
    jamburger said:

    Wma31394 said:

    Just look for the blonde ga nazi that was in LA a few years back. She will make sure you're assigned your proper spot in line.

    Was that who Ed calls out after Corduroy? (LA I)
    Not sure I wasn"t actually there..from what I read in the forums it was a riot!
    "Going where the water tastes like wine!"
  • CH156378
    CH156378 Posts: 1,539
    Bring in lots of marijuana joints and share with those around you. Get really drunk and yell free bird at every song break.
  • Red Lukin
    Red Lukin Canada Posts: 2,994
    I love being rail but it's not really worth it from my experience.

    I have 3 strategies and usually go for #1, then #2.

    1) enter the venue 20 before Pearl Jam hits the stage, get a beer or 2 then find a spot at the back of the floor.

    2) arrive an hour before gates open and typically I am about 3-5 rows back from the stage. Rows depend if you are behind Ed, Mike, stone etc.

    3) Line up as early as possible and get rail.

    Problem with #3 is there is no guarantee you'll get a prime rail spot. Being 3 rows in front of Ed as way better than rail in front of stone. More energy and better sight lines.

    Going into the venue right before Pearl Jam hits the stage is great because I'm energized and depending on the venue the back of the floor has a lot of room to rock out, and the sound and sight is amazing as well.

    I'm not saying I'll never try for rail but it's not worth it for me to line up for 12 hours to see Pearl Jam exhausted, hungry and thirsty.
  • faithful2you
    faithful2you Madison, WI Posts: 779
    It all depends on the situation and where you want to be. It's worth camping out if you ask me. I went to Milwaukee at 7pm the night before only to find out they weren't allowing people to camp out. Got a hotel room a block away and got up at 4am to get in line. There was about 10 people in front of me in line and probably 20 more that got there right after I did. Worked out perfect. My wife got there about 10am....I went back to the hotel, showered and changed clothes. As far as going to pre-parties and waiting in the merch line instead of waiting in line is pretty much the same thing.....we meet a lot of great people in line, had a great time. We were able to go to the merch because people we were in line with were cool as f and held our spots and vice versa. Being able to see a show from the rail it was worth it. I'd do it again
    Like a word misplaced...nothing said...what a waste
  • Gremmie03
    Gremmie03 Posts: 507
    Can you have a cooler in line?
    Demented and sad, but social
    Wrigley Earthcam/Hartford 2013
  • faithful2you
    faithful2you Madison, WI Posts: 779
    Gremmie03 said:

    Can you have a cooler in line?

    People did in Milwaukee.
    Like a word misplaced...nothing said...what a waste
  • gotthebottle
    gotthebottle San Diego Posts: 4,043
    Gremmie03 said:

    Can you have a cooler in line?

    Who's gonna stop you? Geez...it's just a line outside a building..
  • Peyton18
    Peyton18 Posts: 216
    You can bring a cooler while in the line. I've done it a few times! Just have to take it back to the car or whatever before you go into the arena

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