MERGED-->Seats Behind the Stage Questions/Discussion

[gibson981]

stage setup/tickets in houston

trying to get tickets to go to my first u2 show in houston. i hate to ask a dumb question, but if I get tickets behind the stage how good/bad will the view be. Some of the pix I see on this forum show a large screen and lighting that would completely block the stage. Looking on ebay and the ticket brokers you have to spend 300+ to get in front or to the side of the stage. can't pull that! any other suggestions for getting tix alittle cheaper? As long as there isn't an obstruction, i've got no problem being behind the band. I may just get tickets behind the stage ahead of time, then see if I can get GA tickets released the day of the show. can't wait for the show, and would hate to miss it just because i'm waiting for that perfect deal...
chris

 

[Theedge070]

Here's the thing about those seats-

I found this tour was nothing like Elevation, in which Bono ran around to the back dozens of times. At my show, at least, he only went back there one time, and didn't even GLANCE at the crowd.

As for the lights, they appear on COBL, Sometimes, Streets, (where you won't be able to see the band at all), and a few other songs. They're not there for the whole show, but when they are, they'll slightly obstruct your view. It's nothing too major.

The sound will also suck from back there. You won't get the explosion from Edge, Adam, and Larry.

And I'm not sure, but is there a big screen back there, too? I know there are ones on the sides, but did anybody sit there for a show?

 

[Jamila]

My experience being behind the stage at the 10 May concert in Chicago was slightly different.

It was OK - Bono actually did interact quite a lot with those of us behind him in the seats and there were screens set up for us to watch the rest of the concert so that we really really didn't miss a thing.

For me, I enjoyed being behind the band for once and seeing the energy of the crowd from U2's perspective - it was amazing.

But I wouldn't want to see every U2 concert that way, though.

 

[kbkellyusa]

"Behind The Stage" Experts - Advice Requested For Chicago Show

Hey Everyone,

I have a small dilemma. I currently have floor tickets for Chicago (9/21). The problem is that my buddy can't get off work early so we're probably gonna be way back on the floor (unless we get real lucky and get into the ellipse which from what I'm reading on the Toronto shows won't happen because it will be filled up by the time we arrive).

I have an opportunity to trade my floor tickets for seats directly behind the stage in Section 118, Row 10. I am told these are actually front row behind the stage because they need to remove several rows for the stage setup.

I've looked at pictures from the United Center shows in May and the view from back there looks like it would be incredible. The seats are perfectly elevated to see the entire stage. It looks like Bono would be like 5-10 feet away when walks by on the ramp.

What do you all think?

Where would you rather be given the fact that we can't wait in line for a good floor spot?

Those of you who have sat directly behind the stage in the past, Is it worth sitting there? Did you feel sort of left out of the show because you are looking from behind?

Or should I just keep the floors and hope for the best?

Remember this is Chicago, and floor tickets aren't the coveted gold that they seem to be in other cities (going by ebay/broker prices) so an even trade doesn't seem so bad.

ALSO VERY IMPORTANT: How is the sound quality back there?

Thanks in advance to those who take the time to respond.

 

[MrBrau1]

Keep the floor seats.

Stand by the soundbooth.

Enjoy a good view and the best sound in the arena.

Be able to dance w/o bumping into people.

Easy beer and bathroom trips.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

if you trade GA's for behind the stage seats straight up, you're nuts... even if they are front row.

GA for good seats on the side of the stage? that's a fair deal... but GA's for behind the stage straight up? you're getting ripped... you can get much more for that.

also, like brau said... standing by the soundbooth is a pretty kick ass place to be if you can't get close to the rail and/or inside hte ellipse.

 

[WildHoneyAlways]

The sound was terrible behind the stage at the UC.

 

[kbkellyusa]

Thank you all for your quick responses and thoughts!

What was I thinking?

It looks as if I will be and on the floor!


Thanks again!!

 

[ouizy]

Yeah a straight up trade is absolutely crazy.

Here's an idea - tell your friend that it means a hell of a lot to you that you HAVE THE BEST TICKETS IN THE HOUSE for that concert and that his ass better be on time, or you are bringing someone (me) else!

Just a thought.

 

[U2FanPeter]

if your stsnding by the soundboard, wear stiletto heels.

it really helps with the getting a better view.

 

[Blue Room]

Well, I would have said take the rear stage tickets.

I dont care for the view from the back of the floor and I'm fairly tall 6' 2". You miss out on alot of the in stage lighting effects being that low and that far back. The rear stage tickets are not bad tickets. You are not going to get any closer to the main stage unless you are in the ellipse. The only drawback about those seat is the band has their backs to you for most of the show. I think the rear stage lowers are the mid level price at the UC though, so financially you would be coming out ahead by trading.

Its all about personal preference though. If you were guaranteed in the ellipse, then it would be a no brainer.

 

[U2bpbear24]

well if you're on the floor i will see you there!!

 

[cleazer]

Well, I would have said take the rear stage tickets.

I dont care for the view from the back of the floor and I'm fairly tall 6' 2". You miss out on alot of the in stage lighting effects being that low and that far back. The rear stage tickets are not bad tickets. You are not going to get any closer to the main stage unless you are in the ellipse. The only drawback about those seat is the band has their backs to you for most of the show. I think the rear stage lowers are the mid level price at the UC though, so financially you would be coming out ahead by trading.

Its all about personal preference though. If you were guaranteed in the ellipse, then it would be a no brainer.

I'm with Blue Room on this one. Take the behind the stage seats. I was sitting directly behind the stage for 2 of the Chicago shows, and I enjoyed it immensely. The sound was fine (for front row at least), and it was fun seeing the songtitles and lyrics on Bono's prompter. I was able to see the band behind the stage, which was a real blast, and it was cool seeing how everything worked too.

I'd definitely rather be in the front row behind the stage than way in the back on the floor.

That said, if this is the only show you're going to, perhaps being in front of the stage would be better, so you can enjoy all the graphics and lighting too.

 

[cleazer]

Re: "Behind The Stage" Experts - Advice Requested For Chicago Show

I have an opportunity to trade my floor tickets for seats directly behind the stage in Section 118, Row 10.

I just noticed this. I'm looking at my May 12 ticket right now (yeah, I know, sometimes I have a hard time throwing stuff like that out), and my seat was in Section 118, Row 12. And that was the front row!

So either they added in two extra rows for the fall shows, or there's something odd going on here.

 

[U2FanPeter]

How many shows must you attend to become an expert?

 

[brianh20]

I'm also with the behind the stage crowd. I have a problem with GA anything and even though I'm 6'0 I can see myself being in back of a few people who are taller. I like the option of a seat, the less claustrophobic feeling. And I do like being in back of the stage. The sound's usually great and you're closer than 3/4 of the arena.

 

[BonosBaby12]

I had backstage tickets to the May 10th show and once again to the 21st show. Personally I thought the sound was great back there. Im sitting in the first balcony too but the view was pretty incredible. Wish though I was able to get GA tickets would love to experience it from the floor.

 

[kbkellyusa]

Thanks to all who had more to say regarding the Floor vs. Behind The Stage issue.

While I have decided to be on the floor for the 21st show, I'm still intrigued about the behind the stage experience. I am considering sitting there for the Tuesday show if I'm able to find a sweet deal you know where.

To Cleazer: I was mistaken on my initial post when I said row 10. It was definitely for Row 12. Thanks for pointing that out.

Thanks again to everyone for your input. I plan to report back with my comments comparing both viewpoints should I decide to sit behind the stage Tuesday. It's a good thing we have 2 shows in this town!

To everyone catching a Chi-Town show this coming week....HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[Fansincebeginning]

I was behind the stage, Sec 117 Row 13 for CHI II (May 10) and the only thing that beat it ( so far) was GA for Chi IV at the tip of the ellipse (May 12). Good luck on your choice and may the force be with you.

 

[bigdomer]

I am taking the behind the stage option myself for the 21st. Picked up row 16, sect 118. I am looking forward to watching Larry drum!

 

[kbkellyusa]

Well, luck was with me today. I looked online for tickets behind the stage and nothing at all came up for me. I figured I was screwed. I decided to call Ticketmaster anyway and ask them to check availabilty in Sec 117. The agent said that there were 2 showing available.....in Row 12 (front row of section)!

All I can say is wow!!! What an experience. The only way anyone could have been closer was to have been in the first several rows in the Ellip....um, Bomb Shelter (I read somewhere on this site that the word ellipse sounded too faggy).

Anyway, the sound was very good back there, and we were acknowledged many times by all members of the band. It was amazing to see some of the behind the scenes stuff that goes on backstage. The curtains of lights weren't as annoying as I thought they might be. As far as seats go, the only thing I felt that could have been better was section 121 or 113 (row 5 or above) the lower rows have some serious sightline problems due to the height of the stage. There's no way the people in the lower rows could see the whole stage.

Well, tomorrow will be floor tickets for me. It looks like we will arrive by about 5:30 which is earlier than I thought we'd get there. Maybe we'll get a decent spot on the floor....or maybe the ellipse.....oops.....bomb shelter. Or maybe I'll take some of the posters advice and hang out in the back by the soundboard, though I can't imagine any views comparable to what I had tonight. If anyone has an opportunity to sit behind the stage, I say try it.

I'll be back tomorrow with some thoughts on the floor experience. I have my hopes pretty high. Thanks again to all who responded to my original post!

Kevin

 

[cleazer]

All I can say is wow!!! What an experience.

I'm glad you gave it a shot. It's totally awesome to see things from directly behind the stage. Did you see the guys walk out in bathrobes after Bad?

 

[kbkellyusa]

Yes, their entrance/exit was right below where we were sitting (as you know) so we saw them being escorted out with their robes on.

Ticketmaster.com has section 118 row 13 (2nd row) available this morning for tonight's show. Just do a search for tickets in the $95 range and choose 100 level. They are there. If anyone wants to try behind the stage, you have a good opportunity. I would call TM on the phone and speak directly to an agent. Ask about sec. 117, and maybe they will have a pair of row 12's as they did for me. I'm still amazed I got those seats on the day of the show.

 

[Zooropa1310]

I had behind stage seats at San Jose... They weren't bad. The only thing was you didn't get the full affect of the light screen. You get real close to the band though. I could have spit on Larry from where I was (But who would want to do that...) As for sound quality, this was my first U2 concert. So I would have nothing to compare it to... I noticed something though. At times, the sound seemed very trebly and too loud. Am I just not used to concerts? By sticking some tissue in my ear, it cut down the treble attack (I felt old...) Is this how it always is?

 

[kyleschaffer]

I am in a similar dilemma.

I have balcony seats that I can swap for behind the stage loge seats.

I think from a pure $$ this is a good deal for me. The balcony seats are good though- full view from the side, towards the back, 1st row. Basically as good a balcony seat as there is.

If I were going to multiple shows, I would definitely like to sit behind the stage once, to see all the behind-the-scenese stuff y'all are talking about here. But it looks like I"m only going to see one show, and it seems like I really should see the full frontal / head on / lights / tv screen / etc experience.


Somebody push me one way or the other, I"m on the fence!

 

[norsehorse23]

i sat in the same exact section as you... and yeah, you are really really close to the band. but the sound will not be good, and it will be really loud since the speakers are right above you. plus it does get a little annoying staring at the backs of the band. bono came around a few times, but that was it. hey, i got some good pictures, but i would say at least get to experience the show from the front where you can actually see all the lights on the curtains. too bad, i just got ga's at msg, and i could tell you what the difference is, but alas it's two weeks after your show.

 

[norsehorse23]

i was at the may 7th chicago show. it so happened that my sister just happened to be graduating from a nearby school, and u2 just happened to be playing the UC the night before. just a coincidence.

 

[kbkellyusa]

kyleschaffer:

Here is my thought on your dilemma...

As much as I enjoyed the behind the stage experience last night, if I were only going to one show, I would prefer that it be in front of the stage rather than behind it. I already had the floors for tonight when I made the decision to sit behind the stage last night.

Also regarding your existing front row balcony tickets, I think it would be worth the extra cost to upgrade. You really can't beat the views from the lower level. You didn't say which level or section your seats are in. If you have front row in the 300 level, I'd say definitely upgrade. If you have front row in the 200 level it's a little bit tougher decision, but after last night, I would still upgrade. Remember, how often does U2 come into town? You have to go with the better seats as long as the price to upgrade isn't a big deal to you.

 

[kbkellyusa]

Wed 9/21 U2 Show

In my previous posts, I mentioned I would post about my experience on the floor for the 2nd U2 show on Wednesday night. I had had a blast on Tuesday with the front row behind the stage seats.

I figured that would be as close as I would get to the stage since we wouldn't be able to get to the United Center until about 6:30-7:00. When we arrived, the GA line was shorter than I remembered it being for the Elevation tour. This was probably due to having 2 separate lines for the Fan Club and the regular G.A. crowd. We were in the regular G.A. line. I knew how the "get into the ellipse" system worked from reading this site so I was hopeful that one of our tickets would admit us to the Ellipse. As luck would have it, my friend's ticket was scanned and we got in!!!

What an amazing show! It made the previous night's experience (which was awesome) pale in comparison. It's amazing how magnetic Bono's stage presence is. And watching Edge play, wow! What an awesome experience!

The sound was great right in front of the stage. It was much clearer than the sound behind the stage which I still feel was very good. There was plenty of room to move. From the backstage seats on Tuesday, things looks rather tight in the ellipse to me so I wonder if they allowed fewer people inside on Wed night.

I can't believe there are threads on this board that question whether to skip the chance of getting inside the ellipse. Anyone who would rather be at the back of the floor over the ellipse is nuts!

I hope those of you who were at the Chicago shows had a great time. I can't imagine anyone had a better time than I did. Well, except one really. While waiting in line, we saw this elderly lady (70-80 something?) with a shirt that read "Oldest U2 Fan". How awesome was that? After we got inside the ellipse, my friend looked over and she got inside too! I'm sure she was seeing the show with her grandkids...what a cool Grandma. She was way up front about 3 people deep from the front of the stage. What a time she must have had!!!

Thanks for reading about my experiences at the shows. I hope that all of you going to the upcoming shows this leg have a great time!

 

[chrisjnyc]

GA tickets are worth gold... you should be able to trade for better seats.

My advice would be to keep the GA's and dig your way to the front!