How the lottery worked for me tonight.

[quasi1970]

So, we arrived at the Sports Arena and got into the GA line. At the time, it was one single line. Then, at about 4 Pmish, they split the line into two. One was the "U2.com" GA line and the other was the regular GA line. The way they could tell if you had U2.com pre-sale tickets was that it said "W-FAN" at the top right hand of the ticket (before the perforation). The other tickets simply said "ADULT". The two lines were side by side split by yellow caution tape.

Then, they started letting both lines in at about 6:35. The U2.com line ended up going much quicker because it was shorter. Anyways, we got to the door and the guards patted us down. Then we proceeded to get our tickets scanned and were given a yellow wrist band.

We then went to a SECOND scanner that scanned for the EGG lottery. There was a laptop screen that read "PROCEDE TO FLOOR" if you didn't get into the EGG. Unbelievably, my friend got selected for the egg and the whole screen lit up with the Vertigo Tour logo and red/black slashes! "Congratulations!" the man said. He asked my friend if he had somebody with him (me of course) and after a couple of high-fives, we were escorted to another table about 20 feet away where we were given a second checkerboarded wrist band. Then, it was down to the floor and into the egg! Unbelievable! 2nd row in front of Edge. Oh, they allowed digital cameras so I was able to snap about 150 photos. Everybody was taking pictures.

So, that's how it worked. I've been a member of Propaganda since 1996 and I did somehow get my GA tickets in the very first pre-sale no problem (not sure why it worked so easily for me). Whatever the case, it was an awesome evening and I'm looking forward to Wednesday! (seats behind the stage this time but the view looked decent for the most part).

 

[Zoovation]

Great story, thanks for that!

 

[Neilz]

I think the procedure is crap!

For starters... What if I'm with 2 people, and I'm selected for the 'egg'? I have to leave one friend alone outside the egg!!

Then the W-FAN on the tickets... Rich fuckers who buy tickets from scalpers (who again bought them at U2.com with their subscriptions) will have priority access to the 'egg' where as I (as a longtime fan) who spent hours and hours in line for tickets have to settle with a lottery?

That's fucked up!

What ever happened to the first come, first serve thing! It worked great last tour... And I really hope that this will be the procedure in Europe!

 

[quasi1970]

Well, I'm not a rich fucker and have been a fan since 1987 and Propaganda member since 96. I had already resigned to not getting into the egg and would be happy somewhere along the outer egg (which I would get placement at since I got there early). I put the egg completely out of my mind and didn't even consider it because I didn't want to be dissapointed when I didn't get picked (because I have the worst luck with lotteries). Whatever the case, I'm taking it!

 

[Neilz]

Well, I'm not a rich fucker and have been a fan since 1987 and Propaganda member since 96. I had already resigned to not getting into the egg and would be happy somewhere along the outer egg (which I would get placement at since I got there early). I put the egg completely out of my mind and didn't even consider it because I didn't want to be dissapointed when I didn't get picked (because I have the worst luck with lotteries). Whatever the case, I'm taking it!

Why putting the egg completely out of your mind?

The normal procedure in Holland (and Europe) for áll GA shows is first come, first serve... Just get there early and your in the front row... Simple as that...

So why putting it out of your head? If you'de come very early you'de have a good chance on getting in the egg.. Trust me!

 

[Axver]

Then the W-FAN on the tickets... Rich fuckers who buy tickets from scalpers (who again bought them at U2.com with their subscriptions) will have priority access to the 'egg' where as I (as a longtime fan) who spent hours and hours in line for tickets have to settle with a l

How do they have priority? The way I read it, the two lines were let in at the same time and it doesn't make a whole lot of difference.

Seems we're going to have to do the queuing-all-day thing ... bleh.

 

[Neilz]

How do they have priority? The way I read it, the two lines were let in at the same time and it doesn't make a whole lot of difference.

Seems we're going to have to do the queuing-all-day thing ... bleh.

There are more normal tickets then U2.com tickets of course... There is a good chance that the lottery line is loaded at one point, where the U2.com line has many spots in the egg left...

That's my point!

I don't have a U2.com ticket, but háve waited for many hours in line and have gone through a lot of trouble even getting a ticket... So why should 'U2.com scalper ticket' holders have another GA line then me?

First come first serve... the good old GA method!!

 

[quasi1970]

Why putting the egg completely out of your mind?

The normal procedure in Holland (and Europe) for áll GA shows is first come, first serve... Just get there early and your in the front row... Simple as that...

So why putting it out of your head? If you'de come very early you'de have a good chance on getting in the egg.. Trust me!

Putting the egg out of my mind taking into account what the circumstances were...the lottery was in place and there was nothing I could do about it so. If the lottery was not the policy then it would be much different obviously. Why are you telling me that I should've been first in line to win a lottery. Doesn't make sense. I don't think you understood my post. Good luck in Holland regardless.

 

[Neilz]

Putting the egg out of my mind taking into account what the circumstances were...the lottery was in place and there was nothing I could do about it so. If the lottery was not the policy then it would be much different obviously. Why are you telling me that I should've been first in line to win a lottery. Doesn't make sense. I don't think you understood my post. Good luck in Holland regardless.

I did understand your post.. I thought you refered to bad experiences on past tours, and therefor skipped the GA thing this time arround...

 

[H]

How can they use that procedure in Europe where there will be %50,000+ people attending??

What a load of shit.

 

[Neilz]

How can they use that procedure in Europe where there will be %50,000+ people attending??

What a load of shit.

You're from Newcastle right? In England the normal GA procedure is also first come, first serve right? Ever had any problem's with that? I Think it's the best thing...

 

[lisa2004]

I really think it will be first come first serve for the UK gigs - esp as we did not have a presale like the US gigs did!!!!
I am off to Manchester and want to be along the other side of the Oval not IN the Oval! - I shall be there queuing all day!

Lisa

 

[Lo-Fi]

I don't think this lottery will happen in the UK either, it's too big in Europe, far too many people, it would be chaos to do that. Not just that, I'm going with 3 other people, and you can only take in one other person at a time? that sucks, it should be first come first serve.

 

[doctorwho]

I'm still not convinced of this policy. Many shows did not have a presale. So how will the policy work then? Also, as U2 know - all too well by now - the first presale was disastrous! Most U2.com members did NOT get GA tickets then - some didn't get tickets at all! Therefore, it seems this policy is rewarding scalpers and those who could afford to pay the scalper prices. I don't like it. Maybe the method used on the Elevation tour wasn't perfect, but it worked. People lined up, an informal numbering system was used and that was that. Maybe some of the same people were there night after night. Hey, if they can afford to go to every show, what should the band care?

 

[lisa2004]

Agreed - I am going with 2 friends and the though of one of our tickets going off to get into the Oval is worrying us - we don't want to be split up!

I cannot wait for the UK Leg!

Lisa

 

[Aardvark747]

I cannot wait for the UK Leg!

Lisa

DITTO!

 

[Artuse904]

Oh no, what do I do? I'm a kid so my parents said I needed to get a chaperone to do GA. Luckily, I knew two U2 obsessed fans that are married so they agreed to take me. I want to get inside the egg and so would they. If you're only allowed to bring one other person, does that mean you have to leave someone behind? Couldn't I beg them for mercy!?!?!

 

[jn99]

I am a fan club member. I used by password and could only get two of the pricy tix for 5/26, which I sold at face value. I ended up getting one GA ticket for 5/24 Boston, but it was not with the password, even though I am a fanclub member. What happens to me?

 

[jesseu2]

did any of the presale GA'ers (people with 'FAN' on their tickets) get denied entrance to the egg last night?

i got 3 GA with 'FAN' on them for the first seattle show to which my folks are coming and i hope we all get in!

this is a mess, really

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

I am a fan club member. I used by password and could only get two of the pricy tix for 5/26, which I sold at face value. I ended up getting one GA ticket for 5/24 Boston, but it was not with the password, even though I am a fanclub member. What happens to me?

Same here, my only GA was in the general sale, and I'm a U2.com and Prop member. I have no idea what happens. I don't have any membership card either.

Oh well, that's life

 

[sallycinnamon78]

Quit yer beeyatchin' and be glad you're going at all.

Thanks to quasi for the info.

 

[ZOOTB]

I'm still not convinced of this policy. Many shows did not have a presale.

Excellent point. I have GA's for May 28th in Boston. There was no presale for this date. Can't be 2 lines for this. I'm guessing the randomness of this doesn't matter if you have FAN on the ticket or not. Anyone that didn't have FAN get beeped for access?

 

[buckman]

Can you people read?

EVERY GA ticket has an equal chance of getting "beeped."

 

[bobfrombob]

Can you people read?

EVERY GA ticket has an equal chance of getting "beeped."

Do we know this for sure? It sounds like the system they are using would allow them to set a quota - for example, allow elipse entry to a certain number of presale tickets. I'd be interested to know how many FAN versus non-FAN ticket holders got in....

 

[GretzkyU2Yanks]

Can you people read?

EVERY GA ticket has an equal chance of getting "beeped."

serious.y, its ridiculous how these threads take off. If you dont have a u2.com ticket you can still get in the egg, its RANDOM. and you can still get there early for 1st come, 1st serve. If you're at the front of the general sale line, it doesnt matter how short the u2.com line is, they go in at the SAME time, and have EQUAL random chance of getting in the heart.

as for Europe, Im sure IF they do this, they will allow groups of four in, since that was the limit. In the US, the limit was 2 GA tix, thats why its one friend. And if it means getting split up, DONT go inside the egg.

 

[GretzkyU2Yanks]

Do we know this for sure? It sounds like the system they are using would allow them to set a quota - for example, allow elipse entry to a certain number of presale tickets. I'd be interested to know how many FAN versus non-FAN ticket holders got in....

Yes we know this for sure, the person that started this thread didnt get into the egg with his ticket. Not all u2.com tickets get into the egg. the thread starter said his friends ticket beeped, inferring that his didnt beep.

 

[bobfrombob]

Yes we know this for sure, the person that started this thread didnt get into the egg with his ticket. Not all u2.com tickets get into the egg. the thread starter said his friends ticket beeped, inferring that his didnt beep.

I understand that not all u2 tickets get beeped but that still doesn't necessarily mean you don't have a better chance. Say they sell 250 u2 GAs and 100 of them get the beep. That would be better odds than 100 of the 1600 non-u2 GAs getting in. I have no idea if this is the case but like I said, I'd like to know the elipse make up of FAN and non-FAN ticket holders.

 

[SoCalMusicLover]

I'm curious to hear from someone who was at the front of the line, but did Not get into the ellipse. Were you able to get a good spot at the tip, and was the view from that location well worth the extra effort of waiting in line all day, given that you did not make it inside the oval?

 

[quasi1970]

Excellent point. I have GA's for May 28th in Boston. There was no presale for this date. Can't be 2 lines for this. I'm guessing the randomness of this doesn't matter if you have FAN on the ticket or not. Anyone that didn't have FAN get beeped for access?

You don't have to have W-FAN to get into the Elipse. Everybody has an equal chance of getting into the egg. My friend's ticket beeped for the elipse and he took me in. As I was right behind him in line, they didn't bother scanning my ticket for the elipse as there was no point. But, it could've "won" as well.

The only advantage of being in the U2.com line that I saw was this: it was shorter and people got into the venue quicker than the longer NON-U2.com line. Therefore, if you were in the U2.com line and didn't get selected, you had a better chance of getting a good spot outside of the elipse.

 

[Artuse904]

You don't have to have W-FAN to get into the Elipse. Everybody has an equal chance of getting into the egg. My friend's ticket beeped for the elipse and he took me in. As I was right behind him in line, they didn't bother scanning my ticket for the elipse as there was no point. But, it could've "won" as well.

The only advantage of being in the U2.com line that I saw was this: it was shorter and people got into the venue quicker than the longer NON-U2.com line. Therefore, if you were in the U2.com line and didn't get selected, you had a better chance of getting a good spot outside of the elipse.

any idea if they let ANYONE take 2 other people in? If no then I won't be able to get in the egg.