July 5, 2011 - Soldier Field - Chicago, IL

[U2BROTHR]

I'm in Chicago right now. I believe people came to the stadium. There were people running a list. Because fans are not allowed to line up until 6am, people added their names to the list and were told to return tomorrow (July 5th). Numbers were written on hands and people left in good faith.

Ok....so some people have issues about people starting a list so early. As Romi said, someone is gonna start it at some time.

Some people have issues with the fact that they showed up early to wait only to be told they are not allowed to wait the day before the show.

I just want cool head to prevail tomorrow. Numbered folks are gonna show up along with non-numbered folks. I don't wanna see things get ugly. That isn't what U2 is all about and our fans should have this as priority number one.

I chose Chicago as one of my shows because they made a damn DVD bout all yall, so I figured it would be a great place to see the band. Please don't make the Mirrorball Man 2.0 go back to Toronto with ill thoughts. Everyone I've met so far in Chicago has been absolutely LOVELY.

(My room wasn't supposed to be ready until 3pm so I sat in the lobby after having a wonderful breakfast with Hope and Stacey. I fell asleep in the lobby with my laptop open and I have a U2 sticker on the outiside case. The woman behind the desk saw the sticker and asked if I'm here for the U2 show. I begin to tell her my travels, the fans, Bono stories....and would you look at that...... a room is all of a sudden available for me at 1pm. Sweet room too at the Travelodge.)

Anywhoo.....Don't let the Bastards grind you down. Let's keep the epicness of Nashville going!

 

[ToddJ]

South tunnel

Thanks! I found them around noon and I am number 101...

 

[kitkat234]

In chicago able to see top of claw.glad we have seats for show though.was the gopher dude (sorry forgot your user name) by grant park around 1:30?

 

[ToddJ]

I have a dumb question about the numbering system....if you get a number, you still have to wait all day in line right? If so, are people pretty good about saving your spot if you have to go get some food or go to the bathroom and stuff like that?

 

[bono_212]

I just want to say one last thing about this and then I'm done, ok, because I want to be sure my feelings are clear and that I'm not trying to make trouble.

I have no problem with a list. A list is a good thing, a list is necessary.

What I have a problem with is a list that is started days prior to the event which allows people to leave and come back later. That doesn't seem to really be in the spirit of the point of a GA line-up.

We cool? Good, because I don't want to fight, and I don't want to give anyone a bad impression of Chicago or its fans. I just really really want to get in the line, be in the line, and have everything transition smoothly into being in the show and seeing the band I love for the last time in who knows how long.

Now, all that being said, we seem to have a new clusterfuck on our hands? Is this going to go down similarly to Cleveland on the Vertigo tour and we're just going to line-up across the street and then move over once the venue opens up? Is U2's security going to handle things ok or are we all doomed?



One last question: I've never had trouble before leaving at around 4:30/5:00 to stow my stuff back in my car and come back to the line and be ready to go once the line starts getting crazy. Am I maybe tempting fate this time around attempting to do so, the way the atmosphere already is beginning to sound with stadium security, and the way things went last year?

 

[bono_212]

I have a dumb question about the numbering system....if you get a number, you still have to wait all day in line right? If so, are people pretty good about saving your spot if you have to go get some food or go to the bathroom and stuff like that?

You definitely have to stay in line, BUT, if you gauge the people around you and the atmosphere's pretty good, I've never seen any issue in going to the bathroom/getting food.

Again, that's in my experience, and mine isn't quite as advanced as some others in this thread.

 

[U2BROTHR]

Hey Chicago - Celtic Crossings tonight at 7pm - 751 N Clark St. Join us for a U2 fan pissup - a few Jamesons and Guinnesses - #U2360CHI

 

[DRay9911]

I just want to say one last thing about this and then I'm done, ok, because I want to be sure my feelings are clear and that I'm not trying to make trouble.

I have no problem with a list. A list is a good thing, a list is necessary.

What I have a problem with is a list that is started days prior to the event which allows people to leave and come back later. That doesn't seem to really be in the spirit of the point of a GA line-up.

agreed. but as has been said, someone is going to start it early eventually. just gotta play the game like everyone else. for the anaheim shows, word started to filter out that a list had been started wednesday, two days before the first show. i was still at home, not flying out until the following day.

We cool? Good, because I don't want to fight, and I don't want to give anyone a bad impression of Chicago or its fans. I just really really want to get in the line, be in the line, and have everything transition smoothly into being in the show and seeing the band I love for the last time in who knows how long.

Now, all that being said, we seem to have a new clusterfuck on our hands? Is this going to go down similarly to Cleveland on the Vertigo tour and we're just going to line-up across the street and then move over once the venue opens up? Is U2's security going to handle things ok or are we all doomed?

what has happened previously is people will line up at the closest spot that is on public property, like a sidewalk. if it's public property, the police can't/won't do anything unless it gets out of hand. once the stadium lot opens, u2/stadium security will walk the line in to the GA line-up section. in chicago's case, it will be on the south end of the stadium. this has actually gone very smoothly this leg of the tour

One last question: I've never had trouble before leaving at around 4:30/5:00 to stow my stuff back in my car and come back to the line and be ready to go once the line starts getting crazy. Am I maybe tempting fate this time around attempting to do so, the way the atmosphere already is beginning to sound with stadium security, and the way things went last year?

security for the most part has been good about letting people know when to put their junk away. usually it's around 3 because gates open around 5 (after soundcheck has finished). things usually start to tense up around 4 because the line will condense and people will start getting antsy.

i had GA tickets for both shows in 09 but didn't line up. these are two GA videos i took on the 13th:

YouTube - ‪U2 - 360 Tour - Chicago - Soldier Field - 2009.0913 - GA line (part 1)‬‏

YouTube - ‪U2 - 360 Tour - Chicago - Soldier Field - 2009.0913 - GA line (part 2)‬‏

i can't say how much worse it was the day before. but you can see everyone bunched up under the bridge.

i think you guys will be fine and i'm really bummed i'm not in chicago right now.

Spoiler

unless, security really messes up and then you're all on your own...ANARCHY!!!

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

I had tickets to this show. I went ahead and went to Chicago last year anyways, after the cancellations of that leg due to Bono's back.. So I couldn't do it again this year and sold my tickets to tomorrow's show. As much as I would love to be there tomorrow night I am kinda glad I am not with all this crap going on... Good luck everyone and have a awesome show tomorrow nite!

 

[corianderstem]

I just wish the fans could come to some agreement that the line shouldn't start until the day before at the earliest. It just causes so much stress, confusion and hassle with the venue that just isn't necessary.

Makes me long for the days of the ellipse lottery. I greatly await the return of arena shows, lottery or not! At least the lines are shorter because there are only 20,000 people with tickets and not 70,000.

 

[bono_212]

Hey, if someone wants to line up two days in advance, more power to 'em, but they need to stay in the line, that's just my opinion.

I didn't realize we go in at 5 on this tour, I guess I was an hour off.

Hopefully then everything I've got together in my two bags and the chairs should be ok. I've got board games and snacks people! We're going to have fun tomorrow, dammit.

 

[corianderstem]

Once you're in line with your number, you're golden. That's the end of the uncertainty. Put your stuff away by x o'clock. We'll cram you all together at x o'clock. We'll let you in at x o'clock, and then RUN AS IF YOU ARE ON FIRE.

Then you can sit, relax and wish you'd thought to go to the bathroom 15 times before you got to your spot.

 

[ToddJ]

Do they issue a wristband when it gets closer to 5 o'clock?

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

Once you're in line with your number, you're golden. That's the end of the uncertainty. Put your stuff away by x o'clock. We'll cram you all together at x o'clock. We'll let you in at x o'clock, and then RUN AS IF YOU ARE ON FIRE.

Then you can sit, relax and wish you'd thought to go to the bathroom 15 times before you got to your spot.

^this!

 

[bono_212]

Once you're in line with your number, you're golden. That's the end of the uncertainty. Put your stuff away by x o'clock. We'll cram you all together at x o'clock. We'll let you in at x o'clock, and then RUN AS IF YOU ARE ON FIRE.

Then you can sit, relax and wish you'd thought to go to the bathroom 15 times before you got to your spot.

I wish I still had a sig

 

[ryancoke71]

Hey, if someone wants to line up two days in advance, more power to 'em, but they need to stay in the line, that's just my opinion.

I share this opinion! However, I do respect whatever those that start the line do.

 

[mwiewel]

U2 not staying in Chicago

My family and I are staying at the Park Hyatt, and the folks here say that while the band normally stays here, they are not this time. Apparently they are flying in tomorrow (7/5) and flying out again right after the show.

A little bummed, but looking forward to seeing them tomorrow night.

 

[mrnathan15]

Anyone going to see the fireworks or anything tonight? sucks not being 21

 

[DRay9911]

Do they issue a wristband when it gets closer to 5 o'clock?

that varies by city. security will try and let you know, but even then they don't know.

seattle it was around 115p
anaheim1 it was around 235p
anaheim2 it was around 1240p

because i'm a nerd, i have facebook pictures with timestamps

for some reason, i don't have one for denver though

 

[bono_212]

They gave out wristbands that early? That's pretty awesome, no? It seems like it would be.

Or am I not remembering correctly and they did the exact same thing in Arlington?

 

[DRay9911]

damn. i was on the floor in arlington and i don't remember. i even waited in line because there was nothing else to do.

i don't even remember what the wristband looked like. i may have it around here somewhere.

how sad that i've forgotten these things.

 

[bono_212]

Did you even forget the wonderful time we spent together in line .

I feel you on forgetting though, I feel like I remember the stuff, like how the line went down and what not, but then when I try to call it up in detail, I really can't.

 

[DRay9911]

are you kidding about spending time together in line? because you could say that we were right next to each other and i'd probably believe you.

i do have the 6-minute walk in through the tunnels of cowboys stadium on youtube.

 

[GopherMacPhisto]

Well, I.ve made it to Chicago and am sitting on the Blue Line waiting out a delay. Staying at the HI hostel on Congress, so respond if you want to meet up

 

[bono_212]

are you kidding about spending time together in line? because you could say that we were right next to each other and i'd probably believe you.

i do have the 6-minute walk in through the tunnels of cowboys stadium on youtube.

Not at all, you, Zuropa_Fit and I hung out a bit throughout the day, especially when we went over to the merch store for a little while.

Me and Z_F: http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l40/castofthousands_2006/Dallas Show/IMG_1173.jpg

 

[ToddJ]

Well, I.ve made it to Chicago and am sitting on the Blue Line waiting out a delay. Staying at the HI hostel on Congress, so respond if you want to meet up

I'm staying at the same place

 

[ToddJ]

that varies by city. security will try and let you know, but even then they don't know.

seattle it was around 115p
anaheim1 it was around 235p
anaheim2 it was around 1240p

because i'm a nerd, i have facebook pictures with timestamps

for some reason, i don't have one for denver though

If they give you a wristband that early can you leave and come back?

 

[Elevation79]

Anyone going to see the fireworks or anything tonight? sucks not being 21

I'm watching them from the lawn at Adler. Text me if you want to meet up. 620 515 5264

 

[trojanchick99]

If they give you a wristband that early can you leave and come back?

The writstband is for floor access. You still need to stay in line after you get banded. However, you can leave to go to the bathroom, get food, put stuff away and that usually isn't an issue.

Heck in Seattle and Anaheim, I left to take a shower and eat but because we were a group there was no issue.

The only drama was Anaheim when they wristbanded early and DRay9911 had to sprint back from the hotel. Of course he probably doesn't remember.

 

[DRay9911]

Not at all, you, Zuropa_Fit and I hung out a bit throughout the day, especially when we went over to the merch store for a little while.

Me and Z_F: http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l40/castofthousands_2006/Dallas Show/IMG_1173.jpg

okay. i remember you now. did you do something media-related? and for some reason, TCU is popping up in my brain. i apologize, i'm old and feeble and don't remember many things these days

If they give you a wristband that early can you leave and come back?

once you get in line, get established and get to know the people around you, you will be able to leave and get food, find a restroom, maybe even go take a shower/change depending on where your hotel is.

you definitely want to be back before wristbands are handed out, because it may be a pain in the ass to get one afterwards. if you do get the wristband early, you can split, but i would say to get back by 330-4.