My GA experience. The list is tainted.

[U2Girl1978]

I think it's very rude to call the original poster things like "asshole" or "troll" just because he was stating his opinion and that he doesn't agree with and doesn't approve of what he saw at U2 shows. I just think he might be overdoing it a little right now. This is getting ugly and it's a shame the whole debate is overshadowing the glorious end of U2's tour.

This whole thing is ridiculous. I'm done.

 

[WILATW]

‪simpsons - Stampy‬‏ - YouTube

 

[GibsonGirl]

Bottom line is, if the line is started, you should STAY in line, with the exception of bathroom and food breaks. If you can't? Then it's too damn early to start the line. This days before thing and checking in, and the drama that inevitably ensues is complete BS.

This. I know that the Toronto line was handled well earlier this month (or, at least, everyone SAYS it was), but I have to admit... I did feel more than a little bit bitter when I logged on here the night before the show, only to discover that a list had ALREADY been started much earlier in the day. I live two hours outside of TO by train and do not have a car, so it's not exactly easy for me to change travel/boarding arrangements on such short notice. I did what I'd already planned on doing: got the first train in the morning and made it to the venue before 8:30am. I ended up being #407 in line, which seemed a bit bizarre to me, considering that I was in the 100s when I showed up at 7:30am for the 2009 show.

The irritating thing here, too, was that I was part of the second line (the one that had no shelter, and that started around #350 or so). Before I was told to move to this line, I checked out the first one...and it suuuure didn't look like there were 350 people there. I was a little confused as to why security was splitting the line up (esp. when the first line looked a bit sparse in sections), but I kept my mouth shut and went back to the second line and sweltered in the sun. I briefly met Mark before I left, who was so nice. I was a bit stressed out by the separate line thing, and he said some calming words. Mark, if you're reading, thanks for that.

In the end, even though I couldn't get a rail spot and was completely drained because of that, I had a great time at the show. It was my third U2 gig, and my favourite by far. And that's all that matters. The initial few hours in the GA line were irritating, however. All I could think was, damn, if I'd known the list was going up a WHOLE DAY BEFORE, I could have made some travel rearrangements and gotten myself on that list, shown up at 4:30 or whenever "roll call" was, and been within the first 200 people there, like I was last time when the diehards were generally showing up at the stadium around 6/7am. And then I thought, THAT'S FUCKING RIDICULOUS. Why would I even consider that? Why should ANYONE have to change their concert travel plans over a list of names?

I think the list system is certainly useful on the day of the show, but I see no reason why people should start lists hours and hours and hours beforehand. I don't even buy the whole "but security won't let us camp out!" thing. It's just completely unnecessary. As much as I love being up close and on the rail, I think I'm going to show up later next time. Getting that rail spot is not worth the stress, especially when your chances of getting it are shot by the people who start the lists way too far in advance.

 

[one4u2]

This. I know that the Toronto line was handled well earlier this month (or, at least, everyone SAYS it was), but I have to admit... I did feel more than a little bit bitter when I logged on here the night before the show, only to discover that a list had ALREADY been started much earlier in the day. I live two hours outside of TO by train and do not have a car, so it's not exactly easy for me to change travel/boarding arrangements on such short notice. I did what I'd already planned on doing: got the first train in the morning and made it to the venue before 8:30am. I ended up being #407 in line, which seemed a bit bizarre to me, considering that I was in the 100s when I showed up at 7:30am for the 2009 show.

The irritating thing here, too, was that I was part of the second line (the one that had no shelter, and that started around #350 or so). Before I was told to move to this line, I checked out the first one...and it suuuure didn't look like there were 350 people there. I was a little confused as to why security was splitting the line up (esp. when the first line looked a bit sparse in sections), but I kept my mouth shut and went back to the second line and sweltered in the sun. I briefly met Mark before I left, who was so nice. I was a bit stressed out by the separate line thing, and he said some calming words. Mark, if you're reading, thanks for that.

In the end, even though I couldn't get a rail spot and was completely drained because of that, I had a great time at the show. It was my third U2 gig, and my favourite by far. And that's all that matters. The initial few hours in the GA line were irritating, however. All I could think was, damn, if I'd known the list was going up a WHOLE DAY BEFORE, I could have made some travel rearrangements and gotten myself on that list, shown up at 4:30 or whenever "roll call" was, and been within the first 200 people there, like I was last time when the diehards were generally showing up at the stadium around 6/7am. And then I thought, THAT'S FUCKING RIDICULOUS. Why would I even consider that? Why should ANYONE have to change their concert travel plans over a list of names?

I think the list system is certainly useful on the day of the show, but I see no reason why people should start lists hours and hours and hours beforehand. I don't even buy the whole "but security won't let us camp out!" thing. It's just completely unnecessary. As much as I love being up close and on the rail, I think I'm going to show up later next time. Getting that rail spot is not worth the stress, especially when your chances of getting it are shot by the people who start the lists way too far in advance.

They start the list days ahead on purpose..So no one but themselves are actually able to get there and put names on "their" list..They benefit no one but themselves that is quite obvious..

 

[peggy2ten]

Please, God, Springsteen system. Thanks.

Never mind - I did go back and see this. Would be a great system, but then either the U2 or Event staff would have to get more involved. I loved GA as the tickets are so reasonable and I can go to more shows, but waiting all day in the freezing rain or broiling sun just isn't worth it.

Maybe you've already talked about this, but I haven't gotten through the whole thread yet. Can you elaborate on the Springsteen system? I've never done GA at a Springsteen show, but I remember in the 90s, I went to the venue around midnight and they had a lottery for the order in which you could buy tickets - pre internet days. And, about 10 years ago, I managed to buy a seat near the front. Tickets were much like RZ today, except once you picked up the ticket, you had to immediately go into the venue - so you couldn't resell.

Perhaps a GA lottery would work. Everyone with a GA ticket shows up at a reasonable designated time - let's say 3pm. Everyone picks a number out of a hat - and then line up according to those numbers. Everyone gets a fair chance of being the first in line. I did GA for 2 shows in 2009 and found the inner circle to by way too crowded for me.

BTW, I did RZ for most of my shows and the waiting line kept starting earlier and earlier for the rail spots closest to the front. Someone actually started numbering at NJ, and that held up fairly well.

 

[bulltproof]

Springsteen GA system

1. On the day of the show, sequentially numbered wristbands will be distributed beginning 4 Hours priorto doors. This will take place at the gate designated for GA entrance (T.B.D. by venue).Wristbands will be distributed until 1 Hour prior to doors. **(No more lottery/floor wristbands will be distributed until after doors are open)**

2. One wristband per patron, and the patron must be in possession of their GA ticket.

3. After the patron's ticket has been verified as a GA ticket. A wristband will be issued and affixed to the patron’s wrist.

4. Wrist-banded patrons may leave the premises but must return 1 hour before doors.

5. A starting number will be randomly picked 45 minutes prior to doors. A patron will draw the starting number. This number will be announced and displayed at the gate.
6. The patron wearing the wristband that matches the starting number will be first in line

7. All other patrons with GA tickets and a wristband should begin lining-up sequentially behind that patron. The line will then be escorted into the area in front of the stage approximately 10 minutes before the rest of the patrons are allowed to enter the venue.

8. Anyone who receives a numbered wristband prior to doors has a chance to be first in line to enter the Front Area, but a wristband does not guarantee a place in the Front Area.

9. A wristband and a GA ticket are required to enter the Front GA Area.

10. The purpose of the random number distribution is to insure that all GA patrons have the same chance of being first in line, eliminating the need to camp out. This policy also helps to insure customer safety and provides for an effective means of crowd control.

ALL WRISTBANDS WILL BE ISSUED AT THE DESIGNATED GA ENTRANCE GATE

 

[yolland]

We've received a lot of complaints about this thread and since it seems most members with a strong opinion on the topic have already posted to voice it, the mods have decided it's time to let this one go and move on.