GA Experiences So Far- Good, Bad, Ugly?

[mama cass]

this is probably a really stupid question, but for those who were inside the heart/ellipse over the past two tours...how much bigger is that area on this tour compared to the previous two?

from the youtube clips i have seen, it doesn't look all that much bigger because of the shape of stage the band is on and it does not look all that great if you are in front of adam/edge because the angle looks bad for seeing the other side.

maybe i'm wrong, but i'm very curious.

-dan

i was on the rail between Adam and Bono, and i couldn't see the Edge at all, and could only see the top of Larry's head, but i'm a shortie... but that didn't matter to me - i just loved the whole buzz and intensity of being there in the thick of things...

the inner circle definitely felt smaller and more intimate than the front section between the B-stages last tour... not sure about volume, but this new set-up really brings the band closer to the audience

i can't really compare the Heart as that was in an arena which is just vastly different not to mention so much smaller than the stadium setting...

 

[anjarw]

IMO it's irresponsible from organisers to pack so many people into that circle. It was too full and there was a lot of aggression, people trying to get in or out and got stuck halfways, a lot of bad words and arguments. Not nice.

i agree and I talked to someone from security about that, because I was wondering if they really let in more people than last tour. they don't really. they count exactly how many people they let in and then close the area. the reason it's so full and cramped with people inside is that, people are meant to be standing at the side and more towards the back of the stage as well, but nobody wants to stand there, so everyone is trying to get to the front and that's why there's no room.

 

[Liesje]

The shows I have been to in the US (granted they've mostly been arena) are pretty strict about how many people the fire marshall allows in each area. I've been in GA lines a lot that were delayed because "the fire marshall is not finished yet". When I went to the stadium show in Hawaii it was the same way, I was in the first section, 2nd row off one of the catwalks, and there was barely anyone behind me, tons and tons of room (and some people on the rail of the second section were crying b/c they were stuck back there with so much room left up front).

 

[xtrmx]

Bring some chairs or your feet will die, like mine did today

 

[Val]

My friends have been calling me from different cities on this tour, and repeat the same message that the crowds are aggressive. The say that about 45 minutes or so before the doors are to open, people on the lines get antsy and there are waves of shoves that just propel people forward, shuffling the line up.

They said it is so packed in the circle that they have actually twice given up their good spots because of the pushing. TheFly2U said at times it's scary.

On a more upbeat note, last night was their 80th show, and Dallas posed for a pic with them.

 

[pepokiss]

can't they just sell special "front pit/inner circle" tickets?? other bands do this...

because those would become the douchebag seats

those would be the high priced, broker dream tickets


it's better this way, it's more democratic... all you gotta do is run

 

[bufftibbs]

Ugh...not sure whether to be nervous or excited about GA in Dublin on Friday. Either way, I'll be SEEING U2 in DUBLIN, so I'm just going to be happy to be there. It wouldn't hurt if I were directly in front of Bono the whole night though!

 

[mama cass]

because those would become the douchebag seats

those would be the high priced, broker dream tickets


it's better this way, it's more democratic... all you gotta do is run

it wasn't more democratic at Paris I though because of the fuck-ups at gate-opening but yeah i did run and i was one of the lucky ones, and it worked well for me...

they wouldn't necessarily be over-priced - on Vertigo tour they sold "gold" tix for the front of pit in Belgium which were only slightly more expensive than the other GA tix... and other bands like Depeche Mode did this recently at the Stade de France, again, not vastly overpriced either

 

[Leetah]

the inner circle definitely felt smaller and more intimate than the front section between the B-stages last tour... not sure about volume, but this new set-up really brings the band closer to the audience

I don't agree. The stage is incredibly big & high, very impressing, but they're actually quite far from the audience all the time IMO.
I was in the front row, but for the first time ever I had to move several rows back, because I couldn't see a thing. ( and I'm quite tall)
The visuals and vibe are amazing, but I think this tour, you enjoy it more when you're in the back against the catwalk.
I queued from early morning to get a good spot, I got it, but it wasn't so good after all, next time I'd rather stand in the back of the FOS.

 

[Axver]

Paris II was easily the worst GA experience I've ever had. Just too packed and uncomfortable in the inner zone.

Amsterdam II, on the other hand, was one of the more pleasant. Where I was located in the inner zone, I had plenty of room, even if I had bad sight lines. Great time. At Amsterdam I, I showed up late and just hung around the mixing desk area, which was also a good time and something I'll consider in future, since I don't think GA should be an endurance contest and queuing for the whole day is just utterly boring bullshit.

 

[Guinness Stout]

Axver, how were the views from the mixing desk? Did it seem too far away?

 

[Morgoth321]

Bring some chairs or your feet will die, like mine did today

Ticketmaster sent out an email stating that you're not allowed to bring furniture with you (and that's the exact word that they used):

"Strict security checks are in operation. The following items will not be permitted: Umbrellas, Banners Or Flags Larger than A4, Laser Pointers, Glowsticks, Flashlights, Inflatable balls or Balloons, Weapons, Fireworks, Glass or Cans, Alcohol, Furniture, Studs & Spikes, Shooting Sticks, Cameras With More Than 1¹¹ Lens, Video Cameras & Audio Recording Devices."

So, I guess I'll not be able to bring my guns, bombs, tridents and filing cabinets then Seriously though, although you are allowed to bring certain cameras, surely they function equally well as 'video cameras and audio recording devices'? Mine certainly does...

 

[Axver]

Axver, how were the views from the mixing desk? Did it seem too far away?

I'm not really the person to ask, since I'm legally blind. I have enough vision to see the big screens from the mixing desk, but no hope of seeing the band on stage even if there were nobody in front of me.

Given that limitation, I found it a good spot. Enough room to dance and have fun, good sound, and I didn't feel too far from the band amongst people who didn't care like I did when I was similarly far away at the first Melbourne show last tour.

 

[NicolasBE]

My GA experience for Amsterdam I.
Showed up around 3:30 (thinking we would be rather up front ). There were already many, many, many people queuing. From posts at this forum I learned that it would maybe more interesting to shoot for a place right outside the catwalk. At 6:00 they let us in. Man ! that was a kick I hadn't experienced before, running like hell up a stairs, down a stairs, across the pitch ! We had spots on row 3-4 outside the center of the catwalk. At the vertigo tour we had spaces at the Edge's b-stage. I remember that the main stage was a bit far away from that. But at the 360° tour, with our center catwalk places, I had a very clear view of the main stage. (I' m tall though)
It was a very good experience. There was some pushing when Snow Patrol started as people who were seated in front of the catwalk stood up to take their places. But after that (at least were I was) people where very respectful and friendly for each other. I'm from Belgium and liked the crowd better than I did in Brussels in 2005.

I was reading this forum and setlist bashing, the talk about worn out songs the weeks/months before the concert and I must say that U2 knows best wat to play ! The setlist is nice with the new songs and the classics. Sunday Bloody Sunday sounded remarkably fresh. And what about to tell for the sound-layers in the Unforgettable fire ! The Edge at the piano and the cool guitar effect, amazing, just amazing.

Highlight was when Bono was literally in front of us singing Magnificent. That was an unreal sight ! Another unexpected highlight was Get on your boots. The bridges were rotating. The stopped in front of us. And The Edge and Adam closed in on the bridges during the Let me in the sound part. That was just beautiful !

I'm going to Wembley II as well. No GA experience then. Just nosebleed seats

 

[Guinness Stout]

I'm not really the person to ask, since I'm legally blind. I have enough vision to see the big screens from the mixing desk, but no hope of seeing the band on stage even if there were nobody in front of me.

Given that limitation, I found it a good spot. Enough room to dance and have fun, good sound, and I didn't feel too far from the band amongst people who didn't care like I did when I was similarly far away at the first Melbourne show last tour.

thanks- from the pictures, the mixing table looks to be more towards the middle for croke

 

[Super_Fan]

GA experience for the tour. First show after I left the area at 6:30 someone started the line in Barcelona. I came back when I heard people were lining up at 11:30 p.m. rushed over got my number I was inbetween 1-100 . They split the lines up for Barcelona 1. First 40 were on the right hand side. I was in the first row on the left hand side. I was first at the gate ready for the running of the bulls. Security did stop me since I was at the wrong gate I ignored them since I was told I had to go to the opposite side to enter at Gate 88. Ran thru they rip my ticket. I jumped down the steps made up some ground sprint, ran through the turnstyle entering the Claw made the u turn was the 3rd one to enter got a spot in front of the stage alittle bit off center. Night 2 Barcelona number 11 in line got a gate first one at my gate after splitting the line. Delayed alittle bit this time, sprained my ankle jumping down the first set of stairs. Made some cuts to avoid security to stop me running down the field. Felt like I was playing football. 11th to enter the Claw and got the same spot as opening night. In Dublin and watching Croke Park from this computer across the street.

 

[U2Girl1978]

Ticketmaster sent out an email stating that you're not allowed to bring furniture with you (and that's the exact word that they used):

"Strict security checks are in operation. The following items will not be permitted: Umbrellas, Banners Or Flags Larger than A4, Laser Pointers, Glowsticks, Flashlights, Inflatable balls or Balloons, Weapons, Fireworks, Glass or Cans, Alcohol, Furniture, Studs & Spikes, Shooting Sticks, Cameras With More Than 1¹¹ Lens, Video Cameras & Audio Recording Devices."

So, I guess I'll not be able to bring my guns, bombs, tridents and filing cabinets then Seriously though, although you are allowed to bring certain cameras, surely they function equally well as 'video cameras and audio recording devices'? Mine certainly does...

Ahhh crap. Why are they infringing on my rights to bring fireworks to the shows? WTF??

 

[MikeyJB]

No banners bigger than A4?? What that fuck would be the point in holding something up smaller than A4, theres no way the band'd see it!

 

[ramblin rose]

Forget the banner thing. I was having a bedroom set delivered to a friend who's in GA, and it's taken me the last 3 hours coordinate a new delivery. Why did they wait until the week before the show to announce the no furniture rule. That's bullshit!!

 

[Galeongirl]

Ticketmaster sent out an email stating that you're not allowed to bring furniture with you (and that's the exact word that they used):

"Strict security checks are in operation. The following items will not be permitted: Umbrellas, Banners Or Flags Larger than A4, Laser Pointers, Glowsticks, Flashlights, Inflatable balls or Balloons, Weapons, Fireworks, Glass or Cans, Alcohol, Furniture, Studs & Spikes, Shooting Sticks, Cameras With More Than 1¹¹ Lens, Video Cameras & Audio Recording Devices."

So, I guess I'll not be able to bring my guns, bombs, tridents and filing cabinets then Seriously though, although you are allowed to bring certain cameras, surely they function equally well as 'video cameras and audio recording devices'? Mine certainly does...

Wow. That is disturbing.
Well I'm sure as hell taking my inflatable airbeds to Dublin. People did that in Amsterdam and it was bloody brilliant!
Do there even exist flags smaller than A4?

My phone has a camera that can shoot videos and I can record audio with. So now I can't take my phone? Geez Ticketmaster guys, what era do you live in!

 

[U2forBoys]

'No audio recording devices'?! So that would mean that taking my iPhone with the new voice recorder on it would be illegal? I mean, the quality of my homemade 'bootlegs' with that app is so goddamn awful, it must have been the reason why no-one bothered so far!

BTW Galeongirl: The rubber boats people were using yesterday were for sale at the Perry Sport for 15 euros. But I bet you will be able to find them even cheaper somewhere this week. Had a good rest? I'm feeling numb at work!

 

[RedRocksU2]

Forget the banner thing. I was having a bedroom set delivered to a friend who's in GA, and it's taken me the last 3 hours coordinate a new delivery. Why did they wait until the week before the show to announce the no furniture rule. That's bullshit!!

 

[Galeongirl]

'No audio recording devices'?! So that would mean that taking my iPhone with the new voice recorder on it would be illegal? I mean, the quality of my homemade 'bootlegs' with that app is so goddamn awful, it must have been the reason why no-one bothered so far!

BTW Galeongirl: The rubber boats people were using yesterday were for sale at the Perry Sport for 15 euros. But I bet you will be able to find them even cheaper somewhere this week. Had a good rest? I'm feeling numb at work!

I think about every phone these days has an audio recording device.

Ha that's way too much for me. I got two inflatable air beds at Bart Smit for 2,50 each.
I woke up around 11 ish.. got up around noon to check interference and have breakfast... ended up getting a shower at 4 . Still groggy tho, just got some groceries, think I was on time. It's starting to get dark out, probably some thunderstorm or so.

You have to WORK today? Wow, what time did you start?

 

[mama cass]

I don't agree. The stage is incredibly big & high, very impressing, but they're actually quite far from the audience all the time IMO.
I was in the front row, but for the first time ever I had to move several rows back, because I couldn't see a thing. ( and I'm quite tall)
The visuals and vibe are amazing, but I think this tour, you enjoy it more when you're in the back against the catwalk.
I queued from early morning to get a good spot, I got it, but it wasn't so good after all, next time I'd rather stand in the back of the FOS.

sorry, i didn't phrase that very well... what i meant was, i think overall, in the inner circle, people are closer to the band, even when at the outer rail, compared with the Vertigo tour - i was by the B-stages last tour (but still in the partitioned-off front section), and couldn't see a thing on the main stage, but i think this time, with this set-up, the view is pretty good even from the outer rail

 

[RedRocksU2]

So the outer rail sounds better for this stage configuration....?

 

[Liesje]

I'm looking for ANY excuse not to have to sleep on concrete or get up at the asscrack of dawn.

 

[RedRocksU2]

Yeah, same here.
I may just wait til later and get to the back of the GA area and enjoy the whole view of the stage.

 

[mama cass]

So the outer rail sounds better for this stage configuration....?

i can't say for sure as i only did front rail inner circle this time... but going by what i've been reading it sounds like a good spot view-wise...

i would've aimed for middle front rail, middle catwalk inside inner circle (although i'm hearing it was pretty tightly packed at the back of the inner circle), or middle outside catwalk, but those spots were the first ones to fill, even though the rest of the pit were near-empty when i went running in there... was still able to pick my spot though, but it did fill up ever so quickly! within seconds!

 

[Lila64]

I'm looking for ANY excuse not to have to sleep on concrete or get up at the asscrack of dawn.

 

[AtomicBono]

Forget the banner thing. I was having a bedroom set delivered to a friend who's in GA, and it's taken me the last 3 hours coordinate a new delivery. Why did they wait until the week before the show to announce the no furniture rule. That's bullshit!!

yeah fuck that, if I can't sit on a couch while I watch U2 with a nice coffee table to set my drinks on in front of me then I'm not going. What am I supposed to do, stand the whole time? Hell nah. Who wants my ticket?