So I have had just a few GA experiences in my 20+ years of fandom. I have some extra time so I guess I will go for the longest post I've ever made on interference haha!
The first one was Elevation Oakland 2001. I went with a casual U2 fan friend of mine because at the time I did not know anyone that liked U2, and only a few people from Interference that I knew were going. I didnt know anything about the GA line stuff, we sauntered in to the line around 4pm, were pretty far deep in the line but there actually werent that many people there surprisingly. Someone was managing the numbers on the hands thing I believe, but we must have came too late and didnt make it into the heart. We were right outside of the heart on the rail a bit to the right, which was totally fine by me. I was just so excited that U2 was actually going to be that close to me! Last U2 show I saw before this as GA was in 1987. Everyone was really respectful. I remember the guy next to me looking at me and going "Are you Sicy from Interference?"
... that was an odd thing to be recognized, as this was really the first time I went to any sort of large gathering that involved other people from interference. All in all it was a good experience, a bit of pushing but nothing too major. Only complaint I had were constant arms up in front of me during the whole show. I realize that's what you do at U2 shows but maybe its not necessary to have your arms up the entire show, I would like to actually be able to see the band. I took a ton of pics from that show but this one was my favorite, with an old school cheapo 35 mm film camera.
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The second show was Elevation Vegas 2001 just a couple days later, and I flew to Vegas really excited because a lot of people from interference were going and I had only met a few people from here at the Oakland show. I remember getting to the line around 9am I think with LarryMullen's POPAngel and HelloAngel and a few others. There were a couple gals (*Ally* and I cant recall who else) that were running the line and making sure everyone had a number on their hand. I cant remember what number I was, but it was way before 300 (the cut off # to get into the heart). We hung out in the line, we left for a bit for food, etc but we mostly spent the whole day there in the line. It was fun. We met people, we hung out, we had MacPhisto, fake Bono, and the news show up
A bit of the GA line
My friend worked for a screen printing company so I had him custom make a U2 smilie shirt for me.
Once it was finally time to go in, there were definately line jumpers. I remember a bunch of girls that showed up that none of us saw all day, and somehow they were able to get in near the front of the line, so there were some words exchanged I remember, but we did make it into the heart and it was amazing for me to be that close. About 2 or 3 deep from Adam's side. It was great! The heart was very roomy, there was no shoving, pushing or anything like that. Very good experience. We were easily able to leave and go to the bathroom, etc and get back into our spots.
Love arenas...
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Next up was San Jose Vertigo 2005 when they returned that spring. This was by far one of the best GA experiences I've had. We showed up around 9 or 10am and the venue security was handing out the wristbands. We got our wristbands and then left to walk around, grab lunch, etc. It was SO organized and everyone was totally cool about not having to sit in the line all day. We came back in the afternoon, sat in our spots for a while, chatted with others, then got word that the band would be coming in the back soon. I really really really wanted to meet the band. Being a fan for SO long and never meeting them I just really wanted to get a pic or something. So we stood in the back of the venue and waited. And waited. For hours.. like 3 hours. They finally arrived and drove in. Bono rolled down his window and pointed to his watch meaning they were late, but they would come out for a minute.
We waited, and waited longer... it got late and someone was saying they were starting to line up and that we'd better get back into our spots or we'd be SOL. *sigh* So we left to get back in line because I did not want to lose my place. Well guess what, yes they came out like 10 minutes after we left the line, so there was my chance to meet them, gone. Oh well.
My bf's ticket scanned so he switched his with mine so I could go into the ellipse with April (LMPA) as he was not nearly as big of a fan as we were! It was VERY orderly, no pushing, no running, we got into the ellipse on Edge's side, very front rail. We were SO EXCITED!!! The show started and the ellipse was literally half empty. It was the craziest thing. We had plenty of room to dance and enjoy the show. Sean Penn was even in there to the left of me.
The night was great. Again, a really good experience. My favorite pic I took from this show:
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And finally, Vertigo Oakland, 2005. I actually cant rememember what time exactly we showed up for this show. I want to say early afternoon, maybe 10 am or 11 am. Met up with Diemen and ReggieTheDogg. I am completely at a blank on if they were doing wristbands for this show or just simply lining up. (my past days of partying have screwed up my memory obviously LOL). In any case, we hung out in the line pretty much the whole time. I think one of us may have gone to get food, but for the most part we hung out, chatted with other fans, waited AGAIN for U2 to arrive, but they never did. I dont know if they went in another way or we just completely missed them, but yeah story of my life. In any case, the line was orderly, going in was pretty calm and my ticket ended up scanning so that was exciting. I think either Diemen or Reggie's ticket scanned too but in any case we all made it in there. I decided to go for the back of the ellipse since I had already seen the show from the front and thought I'd just hang out in the back and have a different experience. I am glad I did because Bono came out from under the ellipse like just a couple of feet from me!
This ellipse seemed to be more packed than San Jose, but there was still no pushing, shoving or anything like that.
All of my experiences have been great and I am grateful for every one that I've had. I do not go to an over abundance of shows, only because I really cant afford it, but I am thankful for the shows that I went to and I am really looking forward to this tour. I am just terrified of the whole stadium thing. I think GA is going to be WAY different for a stadium. Last time I did GA in a stadium was in 1987 so I dont remember much about it only that there was a LOT of pushing and shoving and my friend and I ended up having to move back from our close spot because we simply were not enjoying ourselves. Hopefully this tour it will not be bad and since its so many years later, I am hoping they've mastered or at least improved the whole GA thing and how its run.
I plan on going with 3 friends but I hope we dont get seperated..has anyone been in this situation??
or 
THe best experience
any tips would be appreciated.
meeting edge 
