i wish i'd seen almost every show on the tour so i could be so high and mighty.
Top of the morning to ye!
i wish i'd seen almost every show on the tour so i could be so high and mighty.
Jesus fucking christ. (Some of) you people are fucking insane.
I really have a BIG problem with you posting pictures of people here.
Do you have any idea how long he lined up for those shows? Were you at all of them?? I know him personally, and he can run like a bat out of hell. He didn't start this line drama bullshit.
by hook or by crook, i agree with the original post. you think band management aren't noticing this? they'll be cracking down big time next tour.
The chief reason the list started is because venues were not allowing an overnight lineup.
Did everyone see the show?
OK. I'll post in here, but without reading Tony's comments or original post, as I have him blocked and my day has probably been less stressful because of that.
I had no problems with the way the list was run in terms of the plus-1; I also had no problems the way it was run in 2009, where that was not allowed. I had no problems and enjoyed being able to leave the line for several hours at a time to be a tourist and spend time with friends in 2011. It allowed me to be showered and have all my energy for the show. I did not complain when there were four daily check-ins in Montreal or every other hour in 2009, 2005, and 2001.
I don't disagree with the concept of the list because since 2001 it's the only thing I've ever known. But if the rules change I will follow the rules, whatever they may be.
The point being is you follow the rules of whoever is running the list. That's how you become a decent person and make friends. Some of my very best friends I met through U2.
I'm confused why Tony would go after me, since I had no role in running either of the two lines, but I think it's better he goes after me because with strangers I have a pretty tough skin, and think it's better he leave everyone else alone.
And now, to bring it back in, my experience in Pittsburgh was very pleasant. No one tried to cut to the very front of the line, there was very little bickering, the weather was great, food was nearby, I had my friends with me. I got to put on a birthday party for one of them. It was fantastic.
No sorry the queue for Melbourne is also in my backyard!
So to summarise your gripes:
- unofficial fan line systems are not official line systems according to stadiums in the USA
- the line check-in time was enforced inconsistently
- fans following the unofficial line got vexed at fans following the stadium policies in Chicago
- someone / some people used a +1 system (inconsistently) in Pittsburgh
- someone / some people saved spots on the rail for mates (probably everywhere)
- the list is wrong but you want to be on the list
Here is the sad reality of this thing too, its an american thing, as stated this stuff didnt really happen in other places. I also found the GA crowds in the US to be exceptionally rude and intolerable.
You need to start a commune in montana or somewhere.
"roll call"??! What the fuck is that? Jesus....
As Jim Richards once said to his fans, "you're a pack of arseholes"
But correct me if I'm wrong, aren't those of you who use this "list" cutting in line anyway? If your name is on the list two days in advance, and then you rock up at 4pm and go straight to the start of the line, that is cutting, ahead of hundreds of people who had no idea about the list, that is cutting, no? I'd rather Dude cut than get pushed back 100 people.
Does anything resembling this kind of obsessive bullshit happen at Australian U2 gigs?
I wouldn't know, because I've only ever rocked up well after gates have opened and thus only managed to be -OMFG!- six feet from Bono, instead of two. So I have no first hand experience of what nuttiness is going on (or not) at Australian U2 gigs. I know people start arriving pretty early, some the night before (which on it's own seems completely mad). But is it that many? And does all of this shit happen? IF it hasn't been 'imported' yet, can you all please not ever follow a tour to Australia? Thanks.
cobl04 said:But correct me if I'm wrong, aren't those of you who use this "list" cutting in line anyway? If your name is on the list two days in advance, and then you rock up at 4pm and go straight to the start of the line, that is cutting, ahead of hundreds of people
basic point for the op: If you don't agree with the line, don't be a fucking hypocrit. You complain about the line and bitch and moan about the people in it, yet you still wanted to be on that list. So what is it that you want? You still were in that list system, you were part of the system you yourself despise. What's the fucking point?
One person got so messed around by one or people at one or two shows they had to vent their fury. And I'm sure other fans got a bit fcked over too. But ... The vast, vast majority of U2 fans respect the self-appointed, unofficial system of the idiots who will line up early to get their Bono-spot. The vast majority of lines afaik were happy, relaxed affairs. This angry hornet has got a disproportionately powerful sting.
Like it or loathe it, many U2 fans are desperate enough for Bono-proximity that they will line up to try to guarantee that. Personally, I think they're all daft. Far better to spend time in the pub, and then lie in, and then be a few further rows back at the show. But these mad fans are still gonna do it, and wisely leave me to my hangover.
You're not going to prevent unofficial lining up in North America. And this is only a North America problem, as queues are anticipated and facilitated elsewhere in the world, where people have lined up for much longer than two days.
Btw bulltproof, you criticised the change in line check-in time in Pittsburgh from 7:00 am to 5:00 am. Then you criticised Lou for challenging this change. Toast isn't normally buttered on both sides. But I'm reluctant to give credibility to your post by picking it apart.
PhilsFan said:This is all incredibly fascinating.
I'll just say that there are a lot of people here who don't understand that many fans only get to see one show on a tour, if that.
One person? Hey, I was number 5. I didn't get "messed around". About 30 people got better treatment over many others. This wasn't about ME. It was about the "fans".
Bono spot. I don't want a "Bono spot". I have a short friend with me, and she can't see the stage from inner circle. We did outer in CHI and in PITT.
Line change I criticized the line change time based on these merits:
Lou wanted it at 7am. We told 150 people 7am.
U2Dave wanted 5am.
Lou yelled at Dave.
Many didn't want to let those that come at 7 back in the line. That was a selfish statement I didn't understand.
Galeongirl said:Nope, only in America they line up days in advcance with this numbering system where you sign up and just come back the day of the show.
The pictures fall under public domain. They were gathering in a public place. How do you think news cameras get the right?