Observations from the Vic Balcony

eveddertoo · August 2007

OK, I ended up with VIP tickets and wristbands because I had to resort to the Chicago way of obtaining tickets (in respect for the VIP that got me the VIP tix, I cannot elaborate further on the HOW). I'm member 7#### and tried everything else first.

The VIP's were forced up into the balcony which ended up being the most beautiful blessing. It wasn't hot up there and here goes.........it wasn't crowded either.

That's right 10C 'ers get your hate on.......the balcony which is very generous, especially if you go all the way up to last rows, was NOT FULL. I'd say they were a good number of seats left and when Ed came on for solo, there were a lot of empty seats, it appeared to me to be 60% full. When the show really got going, it was still very far from full, that's my perspective anyway. Jam productions, our local Chicago concert goliath, I'm sure had a stronghold on the Balcony and released to whomever they usually give VIP's out to.

I was in 4th row Balc, dead center aisle. The very best part was none of the VIP creapies knew any of the songs and couldn't yell lyrics in my ear. I danced and sang and could see and hear everything. Most people sat down for most of the show! Yikes.

mhterrapin · August 2007

ya I knew someone on the balcony too and they said there were lots of empty seats, kind of a bummer for everyone waiting outside hoping to get in. I heard the view was excellent up their though!

beachdweller · August 2007

eveddertooo wrote:

OK, I ended up with VIP tickets and wristbands because I had to resort to the Chicago way of obtaining tickets (in respect for the VIP that got me the VIP tix, I cannot elaborate further on the HOW). I'm member 7#### and tried everything else first.

The VIP's were forced up into the balcony which ended up being the most beautiful blessing. It wasn't hot up there and here goes.........it wasn't crowded either.

That's right 10C 'ers get your hate on.......the balcony which is very generous, especially if you go all the way up to last rows, was NOT FULL. I'd say they were a good number of seats left and when Ed came on for solo, there were a lot of empty seats, it appeared to me to be 60% full. When the show really got going, it was still very far from full, that's my perspective anyway. Jam productions, our local Chicago concert goliath, I'm sure had a stronghold on the Balcony and released to whomever they usually give VIP's out to.

I was in 4th row Balc, dead center aisle. The very best part was none of the VIP creapies knew any of the songs and couldn't yell lyrics in my ear. I danced and sang and could see and hear everything. Most people sat down for most of the show! Yikes.

glad you enjoyed yourself, but I wouldn't have traded my spot on the floor, no not up front, about half way to the back against the second rail center, for anything. the energy shared between everyone down there was spectacular, we all belted out the songs lyrics together, loud and proud, no prude's to be found. After that day in line, 10 hrs plus, we had to hang together down below, our experience down there was singularly unique.

ledbetteroregon · August 2007

yeah the floor was intense and i'm sure the balcony was a great view. I noticed when looking up at the balcony that there were so many empty seats. I figured that they would fill up but i was surprised they didn't.

indifferentman · August 2007

Yep, that's the fuckin rub. I can't hate on ya for using connections through Jam Productions, I would've too if I knew anybody! Goes to show you how frustrating this was for us standing outside. One of the security guards was honest enough to say the balcony isn't full, but they won't let you in cuz it's VIP. Pretty retarded. On the other hand though, there was easily 200 people milling around after the show started hoping to get let in. I don't know if they would've "Opened the flood gates" and let us all in, or how they would decide who got to go in. None the less, leaving potentionally 100 + seats open when the people that have CULT LIKE adoration for the band stand outside is bull shit.

Was there even any additonal "perks" to VIP like free booze or food? I could understand us being exlcuded if the "special people" got free shit, but if it was just a seat, that pisses me off! Also, did you have the option of going to the floor if you were VIP?

It's spilt milk now, but I'm curious.

vein · August 2007

i'm thinking due to fire safety regulations, there's only so many people allowed in the building. the floor was pretty packed, so i don't feel too bad. in fact, i don't feel bad at all, it was a great night.

brain of c · August 2007

vein wrote:

i'm thinking due to fire safety regulations, there's only so many people allowed in the building. the floor was pretty packed, so i don't feel too bad. in fact, i don't feel bad at all, it was a great night.

no way.

free tickets were given to people who did not show up.

Milestone · August 2007

ledbetteroregon wrote:

yeah the floor was intense and i'm sure the balcony was a great view. I noticed when looking up at the balcony that there were so many empty seats. I figured that they would fill up but i was surprised they didn't.

Why is everyone so shocked? Hasn't anyone considered that some people that had balcony seats probably headed for the floor? It's not as if those empty seats represent people that decided to stay home and watch Cosby Show re-runs.

ajedigecko · August 2007

no shit.......that is the first thing i thougt of as well.

BigRedEd97 · August 2007

brain of c wrote:

no way.

free tickets were given to people who did not show up.

I think the venue was at maximum capacity. For those who do not live in Chicago, the City takes maximum occupancy very seriously ever since the E2 disaster 4-5 years ago. No exceptions. Although security was checking wrist bands tightly to make sure only 10c members were downstairs and VIPs were upstairs, a few got through the cracks. I was in the balcony for the show and I saw a bunch of people with the orange wristbands.

I would not be surprised if a few people had tickets and could not make it - remember family members and industry people were in attendance. The boxes where the Cubs players and the bands' spouses were sitting were also packed so it is possible people with tickets to the balcony were in the boxes. I have a hard time believing that there were tickets unaccounted for.

Dog Loyal · August 2007

eveddertooo wrote:

OK, I ended up with VIP tickets and wristbands because I had to resort to the Chicago way of obtaining tickets (in respect for the VIP that got me the VIP tix, I cannot elaborate further on the HOW). I'm member 7#### and tried everything else first.

Hey, are you the lady I met Friday on the red line commuter train, coming back an inning early from the Cubs game to make it to Lolla? You had pics of Ed at the Cubs game on your camera?

Let me know, I can send you to the weblinks and stuff we talked about.

bostonlou · August 2007

first thing i did was check where the exits were

i like 30 minutes from where The Station nightclub shit happened and it's really the first thing I do in public places... especially over crowded ones

tschav · August 2007

the people that weren't in the balcony seats were literally standing on my feet on the floor. luckily I'm 6'4", so i couldn't complain about the view, but damn that floor was tightly packed with manfunk

my2hands · August 2007

doesnt sound like my kind of party up there...

chuck nevitt · August 2007

BigRedEd97 wrote:

I think the venue was at maximum capacity. For those who do not live in Chicago, the City takes maximum occupancy very seriously ever since the E2 disaster 4-5 years ago. No exceptions. Although security was checking wrist bands tightly to make sure only 10c members were downstairs and VIPs were upstairs, a few got through the cracks. I was in the balcony for the show and I saw a bunch of people with the orange wristbands.

I would not be surprised if a few people had tickets and could not make it - remember family members and industry people were in attendance. The boxes where the Cubs players and the bands' spouses were sitting were also packed so it is possible people with tickets to the balcony were in the boxes. I have a hard time believing that there were tickets unaccounted for.

i wasnt at the show to discuss the capacity...but the city took capacity seriously for about 3 weeks...during that time period you couldnt get into a bar and not see a cop or a line...now it is free reign again...remember the superbowl???...every place was over capacity.

JLukin · August 2007

I believe that we would have all been let in at some point if it wasn't for 2 or 3 dickheads waiting outside. The security guards were letting a few people in every 15 minutes or so about half way thru the set. That all stopped when a couple drunkies started mouthing off to the security guards. Which made no sense. It was complete BS. We were told from about 2 hours before the show and on 'there are no tickets, no one is going to get in' and then the same people turn around and start handing out physical tickets not wristbands to some of the lucky sad bastards standing in the alley trying to hear the show. I was the guy calling out all the song titles in the alley for those who could not make them out. It sounded great from the alley I can't imagine how it was inside. All I have to say is F the VIP section. We watched as countless 'VIP' people showed up an hour or more after PJ had started. We also watched as they left early. It was painful. There was no reason for them not to let all of us stragglers in as people were leaving. I would have still paid my way in even just to see a few songs. So much for a 10C members only show..

Observations from the Vic Balcony

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