Naya's advice was very good, the voice of experience obviously! Be prepared for the long day on the sidewalk- at least take a blanket to sit on, but don't take anything you would mind losing in case you don't get to go back to your car. In DC, we couldn't park at the venue, and the first day I payed $4 and parked in a scuzzy lot about a half mile away and the walk back was not cool, long, hot, and in a scary part of town! The next day I discovered a lot right next to the MCI Center, but it cost $30 a day! I payed it, because my car was right there, I could see it, I could go back and forth and get crap and put it back, plus we were allowed to leave it there until the show was over, some lots wanted you gone by 7 PM! Naya is right, do not take a big bag inside! This will ruin your fun in GA as you will always have to worry about it, and it will be awkward to keep it in position once the crowd starts rocking. I found that out the hard way at my first GA show. Find out where the nearest 'pit stop' area is, and because everyone has to go, and wants a break, I have never in 4 shows had a problem with people saving your place and you save theirs in return. Some people were even nice enough to move all our stuff when the line was moved up by security while we went to eat!
Cameras- Don't take an expensive one. If it's too good, it will be taken away, if it's not, you'll still have to worry about it. I heard people got good shots with disposables and I got my best shots using a Kodak MAX disposable. They are about $8. If you lose it, it's no big loss like your real camera would be. It has an auto flash but I tried to cover it with my finger because I heard the band doesn't like the flashes going off in their eyes. Everyone has been blinded by a flash at some point, but think about how many times every night for all those years that U2 has been touring- all those repeated bright flashes might combine to damage the retinas of their eyes. They also don't like laser pointers being aimed at their faces, and I have seen Bono cover his eyes with his arm when he saw some.
TO DISCOTEQUE: The 'young pup' thing:
This is a GOOD point. I personally think U2, being old themselves, should offer senior citizen priviledges to us older fans so we won't have to stand all day LMAO for sure!
It's true, once you sit and/or stand in that line for 12 hours, then stand on the GA floor for an hour waiting for the opening act, then through the opening act, I have to admit there isn't a whole lot left of my sorry old ass by the time U2 takes the stage. I know they are old too but they can rest all day! Of course, once I saw our boys I was feeling no pain and it was all worth it! Here's something to consider- if you get the heart, you will be given a wristband which will allow you to come and go as you please, and there is also more room, less pushing, and a place to sit down while waiting for the show. Though the view from the outside of the heart is excellent, you will likely be stuck there from the time you are let in around 6:30 and if you leave you will take a big risk of losing your spot, so don't! Use the bathroom before you go in and don't buy a drink! There will be no place to sit down, so you will suffer, but seeing U2 will make it worth it. There is also more pushing and fighting for position outside the heart and you have to be prepared to hold your ground against drunks, rude people and excited people. If you don't want to deal with all that, go for the heart. Disco, since you like Edge so much I would recommend inside the heart, near the main stage to Edge's side. You will have to be there at the crack of dawn to have a chance for this, good luck.
I don't understand why on earth the venues don't just let you show up, be assigned a number and let you go away until it's time to line up to be let in. Not only would it be easier on the fans, it would keep the stuff off the sidewalk and make it easier for everyone. It sure would be great!
