GA "Line" Shenanigans Part 2: You Just Made The List!

[Galeongirl]

Hope it'll last until they go in. And that these so called line defenders learn to actually respect the stadium staff and honour their decisions instead of the other way around.

 

[trojanchick99]

I am so happy that security stuck to their policy. I may need to go visit the brave people who stood up for themselves when they get back in line.

 

[Popmartijn]

Soo... I understand the following happened in Cleveland.
The first 'new' people started to arrive from about 3:30 AM onwards, at the gate for GA/wristbanding. This grew to about 20-30 people around 5:30 when the line leaders from the check-in line came over and informed them about that one. Result: some chaos and drama. In the end, the two lines were zipped together (#1 from check in, #1 from new, #2 check in, #2 new, etc.).
So, why was the line with 'new' people only approached around 5:30, when it had grown so much and not when there were only 2 or 3 people? Turns out those line leaders (or whoever it were who were doing that shift) had fallen asleep in their car. Well, you snooze, you lose.

Anyway, around 8:00 AM everybody got wristbanded (in the new order) and were told to come back at 14:00. Time for everyone to catch some sleep.

 

[westendgirl]

Don't want to burst any bubbles, but once U2 security talked to the venue they had no other choice but to respect the well organized fan line. Everything in Cleveland this morning ran smoothly for the 1,000 or so that were there. A few people disrupted a well organized fan system. To shit on other fans. Good for them if they got what they wanted. It's a beautiful day and we're going to have an extraordinary time tonight

 

[gareth brown]

Turns out those line leaders (or whoever it were who were doing that shift) had fallen asleep in their car. Well, you snooze, you lose.

Hahaha

 

[daygloeyes2]

I agree, westendgirl. It's about the music. Not being 20 people back from where you thought you would be in line. Enjoy the show. I know I will be.

 

[domo-kun]

Haha, Marty , classic.

 

[BWU2Buffs]

Wait... last post 9 hours ago? What happened at the end? It's like a DVD that gets stuck with 12 minutes to go in the movie....

 

[Galeongirl]

Yea what ended up happening? Now my popcorn's gone cold!

 

[Popmartijn]

What more do you want to know? As said, the two lines got merged, then everyone got wristbanded by the venue and told to come back later. So, in the afternoon everyone lined up by wristband number and got escorted into the venue.
There really isn't more to tell.

 

[trojanchick99]

They WHINED hard about it which was entertaining, but yeah after the wristbanding they were fine.

 

[BWU2Buffs]

What more do you want to know? As said, the two lines got merged, then everyone got wristbanded by the venue and told to come back later. So, in the afternoon everyone lined up by wristband number and got escorted into the venue.
There really isn't more to tell.

So the venue eventually agreed to honor the fan lines, (upon the recommendation of U2 security?) and then merged two fan lines putting on wristbands and all was good?

Thus... fan lines will apparently be honored at all stops based on U2 security saying so?

Based on the comments, I was under the impression venue had their own ideas for this stop.

Is it my imagination, but at one point didn't the band seek something else because during an indoor tour they kept seeing the same faces in the circle / heart pit?

 

[Popmartijn]

So the venue eventually agreed to honor the fan lines, (upon the recommendation of U2 security?) and then merged two fan lines putting on wristbands and all was good?

I believe the two lines merged before venue security took over. Mind you, I wasn't there in Cleveland, but so I heard from friends who were. But yeah, when venue security starts wristbanding and there is an organized line being presented, they're going to follow that line. Unless you're Gillette Stadium security, then you try everything you can to fuck things up for everyone (including yourself).

Thus... fan lines will apparently be honored at all stops based on U2 security saying so?

Never say always, etc. But if there's an organized fan line before venue security takes over, then they usually honour that fan line. Makes the job a bit easier for them.

Based on the comments, I was under the impression venue had their own ideas for this stop.

And up to a degree they had. The venue wristbanded people at 8:00 and said to come back later (14:00 or so). And there was no overnight camping allowed. But everything that happens from early morning until 8:00 is in a way fair game. The venue can't control everything.

Is it my imagination, but at one point didn't the band seek something else because during an indoor tour they kept seeing the same faces in the circle / heart pit?

You might refer to the random scanning on the indoor legs of the Vertigo Tour. Might be that was an idea by the band. But outdoor it has always been first come, first serve. And with a large stadium, the rail is so big the chance always seeing the same faces is fairly minimal.

 

[BWU2Buffs]

Thanks PopMartinijn.... I wonder how folks would feel if I started the GA line for Kansas City online tomorrow

Meh, at my age it is just as easy to roll in later and stand toward the back on the floor and not fight it.

 

[The_acrobat]

Meh, at my age it is just as easy to roll in later and stand toward the back on the floor and not fight it.

So I'm not very old (35), but I agree! I've been going to U2 shows since 1997. I've waited in line all day in freezing rain (Pittsburgh 2005 was a cold, nasty, shitty day), as well as sweltering heat, to get a spot on the front row rail. I didn't do that last night at Cleveland. We got there about an hour before One Republic started, and ended up in a spot about 20 feet back from the b-stage... probably the worst spot I've ever had for a GA concert. A fairly new thing that annoys me, that has been on the rise since the introduction of smartphones, is that everyone is constantly taking videos. It's one thing to try to see the show over a sea of moving heads (and I'm 6'2"), but then you have all these hands holding their phones up.

During the encore break, I had to hit one of the port-a-jon's in the back of the floor... it couldn't wait! Afterwards, I realized there was no way in hell I was going to fight my way back to where my friends were. So for the encore I just hung out in the back of the floor... and LOVED IT! There was room to spread out, I was able to buy a ($4.50) bottle of water, and I found a good leaning spot on the fence that surrounded one of the lighting towers. My visibility was better, because I was far enough back, and I wasn't crowding in or trying to position my line of vision so that I could see between all the hands and heads. I enjoyed the encore a lot more from the back! It was a whole different scene back there, and everyone was happier!

I have come to the decision that I unless I am willing to put in the effort to get a really good spot (not likely at this point), I am probably just going to go for a seat next time. A friend of mine was up in the expensive seats, and I spotted him, and all I could think was "you lucky son of a bitch!"

EDIT: After reading this, all I can say is this is basically my declaration that I am no longer a young man. Meh...

 

[daygloeyes2]

Curious to see what Europe brings in terms of queuing.

Shows were amazing. Line fuckery did not hamper my enjoyment of my two shows. And it was fun to travel to see U2!

 

[daygloeyes2]

I had to make it very clear to a known list keeper that if he or his friends followed through on an implied threat to target me last night, I'd be involving the Cleveland PD. Also had to reiterate that for future shows in the fall. And he threw a fat joke in because he's incapable of coming up with decent insults. Given his own physical appearance, the irony of that is mind-blowing.

In conclusion, being snarky on and offline about GA lines means you deserve to be threatened at U2 shows. Got it.

 

[DeVaul]

I had to make it very clear to a known list keeper that if he or his friends followed through on an implied threat to target me last night, I'd be involving the Cleveland PD. Also had to reiterate that for future shows in the fall. And he threw a fat joke in because he's incapable of coming up with decent insults. Given his own physical appearance, the irony of that is mind-blowing.

In conclusion, being snarky on and offline about GA lines means you deserve to be threatened at U2 shows. Got it.

Big bad B-rad?

 

[daygloeyes2]

Big bad B-rad?

Yes. And since he wants to make fat jokes, emphasis on big.

 

[Hewson]

I had to make it very clear to a known list keeper that if he or his friends followed through on an implied threat to target me last night, I'd be involving the Cleveland PD. Also had to reiterate that for future shows in the fall. And he threw a fat joke in because he's incapable of coming up with decent insults. Given his own physical appearance, the irony of that is mind-blowing.

In conclusion, being snarky on and offline about GA lines means you deserve to be threatened at U2 shows. Got it.

You have got to be kidding.
Dude is a piece of shit.

 

[coolian2]

I love how many of these dozy cunts love to cite "fake news"

I mean....fuck...right?

 

[coolian2]

WE DON'T HAVE 20 SPACES AT THE FRONT BLOCKED FAKE NEWS
Oh there's 20 spots blocked at the front for our dear loving line kings and queens

Hmm. Fuck you, you fucking adult child fucktard.

 

[alibee]

.....implied threat to target me last night.........

In conclusion, being snarky on and offline about GA lines means you deserve to be threatened at U2 shows. Got it.

Seriously? What a loser. Sometimes I forget the discussion on these threads is about grown adults. Good to see you're rising above the a$$holery.
Rock ON.

 

[Babydoll]

I had to make it very clear to a known list keeper that if he or his friends followed through on an implied threat to target me last night, I'd be involving the Cleveland PD. Also had to reiterate that for future shows in the fall. And he threw a fat joke in because he's incapable of coming up with decent insults. Given his own physical appearance, the irony of that is mind-blowing.

In conclusion, being snarky on and offline about GA lines means you deserve to be threatened at U2 shows. Got it.

Classy. The best way to argue with a woman is to make digs about her physical appearance. Typical Trump supporter logic.

I hope you told him off.

I showed this to Leif, he says 'what an incredibly stupid WANKER!'

 

[Mr.Sarajevo 09]

Yes. And since he wants to make fat jokes, emphasis on big.

So he must love donuts right?

 

[cleazer]

Safe to assume the London line will start in the next day or two?

 

[Axver]

Safe to assume the London line will start in the next day or two?

I started it last night in Zagreb. I'm travelling across Europe by train so if you can find me you can get your name on the list. I plan to arrive at Twickers at 7pm and anybody who is already on the rail ahead of people on my queue will be manhandled out of the way.

 

[Hewson]

anybody who is already on the rail ahead of people on my queue will be manhandled out of the way.

That's Vikscious man.

 

[Popmartijn]

Safe to assume the London line will start in the next day or two?

Maybe not. It could be that the English have a bit of common sense and not start it until Friday (and then have a proper line).

 

[gvox]

I have to say..that reading through the description Martijn posted, and Michelle's post on Facebook, it really does seem to lend some weight to utilizing *some sort of system. I've seen many make the point: why doesn't everyone just show up at 8 am on the day of as per the venue's instructions? We basically know the answer here: because noone will.

The 20-30 who decided to show up and ignore the fan run line...they didn't show up at 8 am did they? They showed up at 3:30 am. I can only imagine there were a few strategies here, one of them being they hoped there would be very very minimal venue security to chase them away and tell them to come back as per venue's posted instructions. Looks like they gambled correctly.

So next show, someone else shows up 2:30 am. Then 1:30 am. Then midnight. People start showing at at 9pm onwards the day before.

And this is where security tells them: you can't line up overnight. So they go away. Some come back when the security guy told them to.

Others don't. They get smart and think..bet we can come earlier than that.

And they show up at...3:30 am.

Look...for me...I don't really give a shit. Anywhere in the top 200 or so is fine by me. But the reality is...people aren't really fair in general. Everyone always tries to compete. On both sides of this argument.