Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
I can't find on the website what they do for the what stage pit. Can you remind me how the line works (the rotation policy). If I want to be in the pit for Bruce, what would you recommend?
The pits empty after each performer on What Stage. Seperate lines form for each upcoming performer. If you want the pit for Springsteen get in line early.
Post by twilightsociety on May 8, 2009 3:06:52 GMT -5
You don't have to be there that early. In both 2007 and 2008, I showed up at the line about 30-45 minutes before showtime. I was able to get on the front barricade for Pearl Jam (okay, for PJ I was on the middle barricade), Christ Rock/Metallica, The Police, and Widespread Panic (both years). I was also in the 3rd row center front for Tool, but couldn't make the barricade. Don't get there super early, but get there early enough (30-45) to make friends with a smile and know the dynamics of crowd positioning and organizational psychology.
Post by Christopher Shawn on May 8, 2009 11:25:00 GMT -5
Its fairly easy to get up front. I was right up front for Metallica and The Police. Just use good timing and you'll be fine. Last year there was a bit of confusion because no one was sure if they were going to empty the pit between Chris Rock and Metallica. There shouldnt be that kind of problem with Bruce though.
Thanks for the responses, I have one clarifying question:
Where does the line form? For Pearl Jam, I got up to the front outside of the pit from the far left side (which is always the easiest way to get up front from the what stage) but I couldn't find the pit line-- is it on the right by the vendors?
Post by twilightsociety on May 8, 2009 13:02:46 GMT -5
To answer 2 different questions:
The pit area holds far more than 400 people. I would estimate each side of the pit (there's a security barricade down the middle) holds about 1500.
Also, the lines form (rather haphazardly) along the fences (on both sides of the stage) separating the public from backstage. For the left side of the stage, it's right near the Porta-a-Potties.
im doing the same thing but for Phish latenight. we'll be coming from Ani to the Beasties but plan on jumping right in line for the pit right when we get there so we can insure ourselves a spot. do you guys think this'll work?
"Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man's original virtue. It is through disobedience and rebellion that progress has been made." Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Soul of Man Under Socialism
"You're either on the bus or off the bus." Ken Kesey
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
If you want the pit for Bruce, I'd recommend getting in line either during or after Wilco. I'm doing pit for Wilco, going to grab some dinner from one of the vendors on the side, then hop back in line for the pit for Bruce. I've been in the pit twice. Wilco in '07 there was a short line. Pearl Jam last year was a clusterfuck.
Post by mahimahi1414 on May 8, 2009 17:00:08 GMT -5
I've never been to Bonnaroo but I know for his other shows you get a wristband with a number before a certain time period (usually 5) and then a number is called when they stop giving the wristbands out and that person is number one in the pit line. So if you're number is 800 and the number 700 is called you'll get a really good spot.
I'd assume they'll do it the way the other people have described it for Roo though. I'm probably going to try to get in line right after the Decemberists. Or leave the Decemberists a song or two early to get a good spot.
Don't get there super early, but get there early enough (30-45) to make friends with a smile and know the dynamics of crowd positioning and organizational psychology.
What does this mean? Is that just a fancy way to say you cut?
Don't expect too much courtesy in the pit line, especially for the Phish shows. A bunch of people will show up right before showtime who are "getting in front," no matter what.
Yeah I expect that Bruce's fans will be a bit more polite and orderly than the Phish fans.
I would suggest that you can check the lines periodically during the day and get in line when you think it's getting close to limit. That'll get you in the pit, for real close to the stage you will have to get in line early.
Oh man. Anyone who cuts at Wilco will get cut at Wilco. Okay, not really. Well, maybe with my eye daggers.
I don't have any shows in between Bon Iver and Wilco, so I was thinking of getting in the pit for Wilco. But I wanted to get pretty close for Springsteen, so I don't know if I should risk getting pit, than getting out and having to get a spot on the field.
And yea, if I was in line awhile, and saw someone cut in way ahead, I'd be pretty pissed.
Post by Ultimate Jesus on May 8, 2009 23:48:19 GMT -5
...Sorry, this is my first roo, so I really have no idea what you guys are talking about (all I can imagine is a line for a mosh pit...and somehow I don't think that's right). Pit? Line for said pit? Could someone explain this concept to me?
...Sorry, this is my first roo, so I really have no idea what you guys are talking about (all I can imagine is a line for a mosh pit...and somehow I don't think that's right). Pit? Line for said pit? Could someone explain this concept to me?
Immediately in front of the WHAT stage, there are two fenced in holding areas unofficially known as "the pit(s)", that are divided by a security corridor. You're right, they are not mosh pits per say...rather they are just the absolute closest anyone with a GA ticket can get to the stage for any given show. They are filled up and emptied before and after each act to keep people from camping the very best spots all weekend long.
"We're no longer called Sonic Death Monkey. We're on the verge of becoming Kathleen Turner Overdrive, but just for tonight, we are Barry Jive and his Uptown Five. "
...Sorry, this is my first roo, so I really have no idea what you guys are talking about (all I can imagine is a line for a mosh pit...and somehow I don't think that's right). Pit? Line for said pit? Could someone explain this concept to me?
Immediately in front of the WHAT stage, there are two fenced in holding areas unofficially known as "the pit(s)", that are divided by a security corridor. You're right, they are not mosh pits per say...rather they are just the absolute closest anyone with a GA ticket can get to the stage for any given show. They are filled up and emptied before and after each act to keep people from camping the very best spots all weekend long.
Also to discourage the crowd surge towards the stage that has caused deaths at festival shows. (Guns N' Roses @ Donnington and Pearl Jam @ Roskilde stand out as two examples.)
Is the pit available to anyone or only VIP ticket holders? Do the VIP'ers get any special up front viewing for any shows and is the What stage the only one with a sectioned off pit?
anyone. no not really, VIP gets a "special viewing area" but it's just some bleachers off to the side. and yes the What stage is the only one with a sectioned off pit
"Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man's original virtue. It is through disobedience and rebellion that progress has been made." Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Soul of Man Under Socialism
"You're either on the bus or off the bus." Ken Kesey
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
Yeah I expect that Bruce's fans will be a bit more polite and orderly than the Phish fans.
.
I think this is pretty far from the truth. I've only seen Phish 5 times, but the phans are the most polite people you will ever meet. I don't expect the lot kids to attend Bonnaroo because of the price of the ticket, and they are usually the rude ones.
A Thieve's Parade 2/24 Conspirator 2/26 Kevin Smith 3/11 Keller 3/17 Papadosio 3/18 JJ Grey 3/25 Bela Fleck/Edgar Meyer 3/26 Toubab Krewe 3/27 O'Death 4/11 Budos Band 4/22 EOTO 4/28 Summer Camp 5/6-29 All Good
Post by themeyersman on May 10, 2009 19:59:00 GMT -5
I am a bruce fan and I will be anything but polite in the pit line. I sprinted to the stage for pearl jam last year when the gates opened, waited in line for 8 hours in the heat, just so a bunch of people could come over to the pit area at the last minute and nearly trample everyone.
If you want to be in the pit for springsteen my advice is...get there when the gates open and run like hell, befriend your neighbors in line and take care of each other (watch someone's spot when they use the bathroom...etc.) Unfortunately right before showtime is when things can get dicey and there really isn't much you can do.
There really should be some sort of wristband policy or something to keep people safe.
Yeah, I've been rereading my posts and it may seem like I'm down on Phish Phans. I'm really not, but any cool scene like their's always attracts some *ssholes.
I used to like going to Dead shows but in the later years the scene degenerated because so many losers started hanging around. It was getting so bad toward the end that they threatened to quit touring if their fans didn't quit causing so many problems. My last show there were gate crashers that started a riot. I got a good lung full of pepper gas that night.
It's always a small group that can ruin things for everyone. Sorry if I have offended any Phish Pholks.
