we can go halfsies
WHY bring back a lottery system?!
- Thread starter quadcaster
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they probably WANT some of the alleged die-hard fans to stop stalking them.
it's a pretty safe bet that most of those who buy GA tickets are, at the very least, fans... just because some of them are not as dangerously obsessive as others doesn't make them any less of fans.
I hope they clarify it before the first show this time. As of now it appears they are thinking of the lottery although it doesn't specify if it's for Europe and the US or just the US.
Exclusive: U2 Readies '360' Global Tour
As usual the so called journalist who wrote the article doesn't know that the "random upgrade program" was first seen on Vertigo, not Elevation.
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U2Fanatic4ever
Blue Crack Addict
yes they are doing the lottery it's just not clear whether its for both Europe and US or just the US.
ladywithspinninghead
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
Aww,
I could see how that would mess him up because I was humming the tune the moment I read what you wrote on your sign. Nice of him to apologize though!
And yes, I concur with all the other posters pleading with U2 to release the info PRIOR to the start date - everyone in San Diego was up in arms, trying to figure out the system. I was too sick to sleep out overnight for that first show, unlike hoardes of others, so needless to say, I was pleased it was a lottery.
I'm uncomfortable with some of the "diehard fan" insinuations and the implication that you need to prove your fan status by queuing overnight for a load of gigs or whatever. I find this especially distasteful when you consider that some people physically can't handle such extreme queuing. As a post early in the thread said, getting a good spot to see your favourite band shouldn't be a physical endurance contest. For the record, I actually had to be treated for heatstroke by paramedics before Vertigo Brisbane due to the queuing conditions. I was just lucky that one of the paramedics was a very tall, intimidating Canadian guy who forced the venue staff to retain my place in line and I got into the inner zone.
Honestly, I'm getting the impression that some people just want this and want that, and how dare the lottery get in the way of their sense of entitlement. I don't mean to imply I think the following about anybody in this thread (in fact, I'd say this has been one of our better, calmer lottery threads), but I see some so-called die-hards and think "OK, you want a lot from the band and the fan community, but what have you given?"
4U2Play
Refugee
Geez, that's pretty diehard
I fully agree with this post. The lottery system is needed to prevent the same group of people being up front EVERY night. I know which group you are talking about, I ran into them during the elevation tour and they were downright rude and demented. On nights when there was another show the next day in the same place, they left the shows before the 1st encore so they could be first in line again, and they had made it onto U2's security "watch list". The band at one point even mentioned that they were tired of seeing the same 40 people up front every night. They get a bit more inspired by fresh faces.
good point. many so called diehards think they are so inspired by the general message in U2's lyrics of peace and love and giving, but they never actually practice any of these beliefs. It's more like "yea peace and love for everyone as long as I get what I want first.
tryan101
Refugee
co-signed. of the 7 or 8 GA shows I did on that tour I saw the very same thing.
4U2Play
Refugee
Haha, someone should do a paper about this. How come these huge U2 fans are some of the worst people you could ever meet? Bit of a disconnect there, I think, but maybe not?
jerryseinfeld
Babyface
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I think the tour can bring out the best and worst in people. some of these so-called 'line nazis' did a very good job of trying to redeem themselves last tour. i appreciate that. after a while everybody grows up - even if its only a little. it's best not to take it all too seriously and go with the flow. U2 know what they are doing. hardcore fans will always be on the front rail if they stick with either of the systems from the previous 2 tours. if they don't want them there, they won't be there.
coolian2
Blue Crack Supplier
is it wrong i'd been thinking that?we can go halfsies
the thing i dont like about the lottery is that it's about more than just luck. some people know how to work the system and get 3, 4, or 5 of their friends in if they can shmooze the right people on the way in. either have a set system with the same rules at every show for every person, or don't have a lottery at all.
if they are going to do a lottery again this year, i'd be thrilled if they followed the springsteen model. there is no way to cheat that system, people dont have to wait outside all day, and it guarantees different people in front every time, unlike u2's system where the same people still somehow got up front every show.
if they are going to do a lottery again this year, i'd be thrilled if they followed the springsteen model. there is no way to cheat that system, people dont have to wait outside all day, and it guarantees different people in front every time, unlike u2's system where the same people still somehow got up front every show.
U2Fanatic4ever
Blue Crack Addict
yes, yes and yes! Couldn't agree more. The inconsistency on the the rules to getting into the ellipse was so abused. Probably worked for the first few shows if that and then it went downhill from there.
The Springsteen option (mentioned it in this thread) would be ideal and truly random thus achieving what the intention of the lottery system was actually for. i.e. getting fresh faces in front on a more regular basis.. IMO
U2Fanatic4ever
Blue Crack Addict
You show up like an hour or two before the show, get a wristband with a number, then line up. Like 15 mintues before the doors open, they draw a random number, that person becomes number 1 in line. So if you were 165th and they draw the number 165, then you are first to go in, 166 is second, 167 is third and the rest follow in order.
There is no incentive to wait in line all day, and it guarantees different people up front every time, unless someone is amazingly lucky of course.
that sounds good to me, very straightforward and fair
kittykat416
The Fly
I haven't read through this entire thread, so forgive me if this is a repeat of what's already been said:
It was pretty clear during Vertigo that the "random" system wasn't random at all, and in fact favoured people coming close to show time to get into the ellipse; near the beginning of the line, very few people got scanned in, but close to show time, just about every other person gets scanned in. Yet, somehow, despite seeing this trend over and over, the diehard fans who camped out show after show didn't seem to get the message that THERE IS NO NEED TO CAMP OUT ALL DAY . Now, before you all pounce on me, I'll admit that I was in the same boat - I stood in line all day for each of the GA shows I went to, only because I couldn't bear the thought of risking waiting until the last minute to show up, and failing to get into the ellipse. I mean, I figured that at worst, I'd be on the outer rail, which was perfectly good place to be, so it made camping out all day worthwhile. But really, the system was meant to discourage camping out all day, but we were just too blind to see it....
Now, the Bruce Springsteen method, that WOULD discourage camping out all day. It's the same method used by Ticketmaster retail outlets on first day of sales, and is quite effective in that regard. But it would frustrate many die-hard U2 fans, because it would take away any element of control they have over getting close to the stage....
It was pretty clear during Vertigo that the "random" system wasn't random at all, and in fact favoured people coming close to show time to get into the ellipse; near the beginning of the line, very few people got scanned in, but close to show time, just about every other person gets scanned in. Yet, somehow, despite seeing this trend over and over, the diehard fans who camped out show after show didn't seem to get the message that THERE IS NO NEED TO CAMP OUT ALL DAY . Now, before you all pounce on me, I'll admit that I was in the same boat - I stood in line all day for each of the GA shows I went to, only because I couldn't bear the thought of risking waiting until the last minute to show up, and failing to get into the ellipse. I mean, I figured that at worst, I'd be on the outer rail, which was perfectly good place to be, so it made camping out all day worthwhile. But really, the system was meant to discourage camping out all day, but we were just too blind to see it....
Now, the Bruce Springsteen method, that WOULD discourage camping out all day. It's the same method used by Ticketmaster retail outlets on first day of sales, and is quite effective in that regard. But it would frustrate many die-hard U2 fans, because it would take away any element of control they have over getting close to the stage....
corianderstem
Blue Crack Distributor
I can't really agree with that. You could waltz in an hour before the show and get into the Ellipse - great! Or you could waltz in an hour before the show and not get in, and now you're stuck in the middle of the pack (or the back of the floor, which isn't a bad place to be either).
But if you were near the front of the line and didn't scan in, you're still pretty much guaranteed a top notch spot.
So I can certainly understand the desire to still wait in line despite the lottery.
gareth brown
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
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yeah didn't these people showing up every night protest or something when U2 tried to get them replaced??
that's right, they actually had protested when U2 tried to get them out of the front after seeing thier faces every night, not to mention they were stinky and ragged by showtime
gareth brown
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
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haha thought so. I don't have U2byU2 to hand so can't check it, but if the band are getting tired of seeing you every night, surely that's big enough a hint to just let other people have a shot at it for once 
coolian2
Blue Crack Supplier
indra
ONE love, blood, life
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I keep hoping for a mud wrestling contest to determine who gets the prime GA spots. 
Cin
Blue Crack Addict
I keep hoping for a mud wrestling contest to determine who gets the prime GA spots.
Oh I am so down for that. I'll keep mah hair short, I think that will give me an advantage.
U2Fanatic4ever
Blue Crack Addict
That sounds pretty fair to me.
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