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Post by modestmouse147 on May 14, 2009 15:13:22 GMT -5
Hey, again, this year is going to be my first year at Roo and I'm just trying to get a few things planned. What I'm interested in knowing is how early do you have to show up to a show to get a halfway decent spot (I'm talking within the first 25% of the people, I don't really care about being at the very front). The shows I'm most concerned about are obviously Phish, Nine Inch Nails, and Bruce Springsteen.
I've been reading around and I've seen it been mentioned a few times that each stage gets cleared after every band until 30 minutes before the next band? Should you still show up an hour or so early just to be sure?
For example, what would the view be like if you stayed until the end of Byrne on Friday before going to Phish? Your thoughts and comments are all appreciated!
Post by concertjunkie on May 14, 2009 15:47:11 GMT -5
Only the main stage has a pit area and is cleared after each performance. If you want to be in the pit for a show there I would suggest getting in line before whomever is playing before the artist you want to see is finished. I got in the pit last year for Metallica and Pearl Jam with ease.
I've been reading around and I've seen it been mentioned a few times that each stage gets cleared after every band until 30 minutes before the next band? Should you still show up an hour or so early just to be sure?
Nope....you read wrong. Only the biggest, main stage (called the "What Stage) gets the front (Pit) cleared out when acts end. This allows people to get a chance to wait and see the artist they want. Someone else should be able to give you more info on this as I haven't gotten front row of What stage.
The other stages (Which being second biggest and the three tents) don't get cleared. You can stay under a tent and wait for the band you want to see to start. Of course two of the acts you want to get close for are probably going to be the hardest and Nine Inch Nails will be tough unless you get their like an hour early.
For example, what would the view be like if you stayed until the end of Byrne on Friday before going to Phish? Your thoughts and comments are all appreciated!
Probably be pretty full. I'm sure plenty of people will already be waiting.
Post by autumnsredtears on May 14, 2009 15:50:44 GMT -5
You're talking headliners, to be in the first 1/4 of the crowd, you'll probably need to be there a minimum of 2 hours early.... probably more like 4 or 5...
The whole crowd area doesn't get cleared, only the pit section. The only stage with a pit section is the what stage, and it get's cleared after every show, but you could still get a good spot without being in pit, because i assume that it's an even longer wait, from what i understand people wait in line 5 or more hours to get pit for headliners.
Now, if you want upfront for any tent acts, show up an hour early and you should have a great spot
You're talking headliners, to be in the first 1/4 of the crowd, you'll probably need to be there a minimum of 2 hours early.... probably more like 4 or 5...
I guess that makes sense.. So how early do you think I'd have to be to be in the front 50%? I really want to see Byrne and missing most of his show is going to kill me, but I also want a decent spot to see Phish.
Tents are not really hard to get a good spot. Just show up 15-30 minutes before the act you want to see starts and you should be able to find a pretty good spot. My advice for getting a good spot in the tents is to look for openings in the side of the tent and you should be able to find a good spot, dont come in from the back of the tent because you wont go anywhere and there will be tons of people sitting that you have to navigate through.
Which Stage is tougher, you have to show up atleast an hour before the act you want to see starts to get a decent spot, more if its really big act or late night act.
What Stage is the easiest to get a good spot if you want by getting in the line for the pits, but really for me there isnt really a bad seat at What Stage because there are huge screens and the sound is really good.
You're talking headliners, to be in the first 1/4 of the crowd, you'll probably need to be there a minimum of 2 hours early.... probably more like 4 or 5...
I guess that makes sense.. So how early do you think I'd have to be to be in the front 50%? I really want to see Byrne and missing most of his show is going to kill me, but I also want a decent spot to see Phish.
I think if you leave about halfway through Byrne you will be in the front 50% of Phish easy.
Where does the line form for the pit? I want to see beasties but need to be in the pit for phish. So would I get a good view of beasties or a good view of the screens for their set if I was sitting in the pit line?
Where does the line form for the pit? I want to see beasties but need to be in the pit for phish. So would I get a good view of beasties or a good view of the screens for their set if I was sitting in the pit line?
Its off to the side of the stage, you can see the screen but you cant actually see on the stage during the show.
As for waiting in line for Phish, if the lines for Jack Johnson and Pearl Jam were major clusterfucks I cant even begin to imagine what Phish will be like.
Which Stage is tougher, you have to show up atleast an hour before the act you want to see starts to get a decent spot, more if its really big act or late night act.
If I show up to an act half an hour early, will sound be a problem? Will I be able to see? I plan on going from Grizzly Bear in a tent to TVOTR on the which and there's only a half hour break.
Which Stage is tougher, you have to show up atleast an hour before the act you want to see starts to get a decent spot, more if its really big act or late night act.
If I show up to an act half an hour early, will sound be a problem? Will I be able to see? I plan on going from Grizzly Bear in a tent to TVOTR on the which and there's only a half hour break.
Not completely sure but I think you should be fine. Sound should be pretty good not really sure about what kind of view you will have as all the shows ive seen at Which Stage I was pretty close.
yeah last year there were people waiting for PJ and JJ SEVERAL hours in advance. I wouldn't suggest even trying for the pit for Phish unless they are the only show you care about. I've found it actually really really easy to get pretty close at any show. Most Rooers are relaxed and want personal space over proximity to the stage. I was the LAST person let into the PJ pit last year but my two friends who got denied had no problem getting right onto the barricade between the pit and the rest of the crowd. they were really almost as close as I was.
Also, if you are in line for the pit, introduce yourself to the person in front and behind you. there is really nothing blocking the line off (unless they've fixed that this year) and there were tons of people trying to sneak into the line. I was far enough back in line that I was basically just in the main crowd and you really have to make sure you work together to keep jerks out of the line. Last year this ASSHOLE hippy tried to ignore me when I called him out for jumping into the line, but I took care of him...
Where does the line form for the pit? I want to see beasties but need to be in the pit for phish. So would I get a good view of beasties or a good view of the screens for their set if I was sitting in the pit line?
if i were you i would go to the what stage at 1-2...you can see the beasties while waiting in the line to get into the pit for phish. Last year for Pearl Jam, I got there at 2 and was able to enjoy the jack show without a problem. Be prepared, however, because getting into the pit for a main act is no easy challenge. My friend and I literally had to fight people off. Make sure you bring lots of water because you WILL get dehydrated being that close to so many people combined with the wonderful humidity of tennessee.
For example, what would the view be like if you stayed until the end of Byrne on Friday before going to Phish? Your thoughts and comments are all appreciated!
If you wanted to find a nice, neighbor-friendly open spot, you would likely be in the back half if you got there at that point. The sound is still great, Phish's light show would still be impressive, but you would be relying on the screens if you really wanted to watch the boys play their instruments, see their faces etc. You would be able to find a spot where you could see the stage, but it would be far away.
You would probably be able to get closer at an odder angle without being a jerk along the far (stage right) side of the stage. Of course it really depends on your willingness/ability to push into the crowd. Everyone probably has a slightly different definition of what an "available" spot is and your definition probably depends on how long you have been camping out there.
You would probably be able to get closer at an odder angle without being a jerk along the far (stage right) side of the stage. Of course it really depends on your willingness/ability to push into the crowd. Everyone probably has a slightly different definition of what an "available" spot is and your definition probably depends on how long you have been camping out there.
For the main stage, follow this man's advice. Most people don't go to the east side (left side, looking at the stage) either because it's a long walk from everything else or they don't realize how much room is over there. You can both get up much closer outside of the pit without being crowded and have a shorter line to get in the pit.
Last year at some shows it was hard to walk through the west part without stepping on someone, while the east was pretty sparse and had people spread out and literally throwing frisbees in the extra room. The extra walk is certainly worth it... just don't spread it around too much, I don't want to be crowded over there this year.
I waited for Pearl Jam for about 8 hours last year. Ended up being about 15 or 20 rows back in the pit. Then, with the luck of a failed crowd surf that took out about 20 people, I was able to slip to the 2nd row.
I waited for Pearl Jam for about 8 hours last year. Ended up being about 15 or 20 rows back in the pit. Then, with the luck of a failed crowd surf that took out about 20 people, I was able to slip to the 2nd row.
Was it legit that you were that far back? I mean were there 20 rows of folks in front of you for 8 hrs in the Pit line,or did folks just not honor the existing line?
And how wide were the rows? My experience with the Pit at Bruce shows is that the rows are about 30 people wide.And some folks strategically head for either Clarence's side (left) or Roy/Suzy on the right because they are less crowded than center,which is Bruce's main mike set up.
The rows are very wide bossfan, I cant say exactly how many people per row but its alot. Just show up around 9-10 am at the What Stage gates make friends with the people you will be waiting with and run like hell once they open up the gates and I can pretty much guarantee you will be front row, its really not hard at all if you really want it.
and 89 I cant believe you were that far back after waiting 8 hours. The line for the pit was relativley short until before Jack Johnson started and then the line got pretty big. If you waited 8 hours you would have atleast had to be in the first couple of rows easy.
Post by killerwhales on May 16, 2009 12:30:56 GMT -5
When I went in 07, I never did the pit, but I was able to get really good spots for Wilco and The Police on the main stage. Both shows, we just got there as the band before was finishing up, and then were able to get up to right behind the pit, which is pretty damn good for the main stage
Post by herecomeseverybody on May 16, 2009 14:13:23 GMT -5
So it wouldn't be too hard to get up close to the rail behind the pit for Phish showing up after Grizzly Bear (6:15), right? Thankfully Al Green and the Beasties are my preferred shows for those hours anyway, but I was thinking the pit is going to be really jampacked and generally kinda claustrophobic, and I'd be willing to forgo the pit for more dancing room. Is the difference between the pit and the front of the area behind the pit large, as far as crowdedness and general distance go?
You're talking headliners, to be in the first 1/4 of the crowd, you'll probably need to be there a minimum of 2 hours early.... probably more like 4 or 5...
I guess that makes sense.. So how early do you think I'd have to be to be in the front 50%? I really want to see Byrne and missing most of his show is going to kill me, but I also want a decent spot to see Phish.
Catch all of Byrne and don't get a good spot for phish, and then wait til sunday and get a good spot for phish!!! because they are playing 2 shows!!!!!!! that's what i'm doing because of the placement of david byrne.
After Jack Johnson ended last year, I decided I wanted to be in the pit for Pearl Jam. I simply walked up the side, waited maybe 45 minutes and before I knew it I was in the pit and only about 20 rows back. Mind you, that line to get into the pit was nuts -- it was soooo tight that no one could even find room to lift up their arms. People were getting trampled, and it was the first time I ever experienced the sensation of moving forward without lifting my legs -- the crowd actually carried me forward it was so tight. People were crying and complaining, but I thought it was hilarious. We all got in.
Raconteurs pit was even easier -- maybe a 20 minute wait, and I got to about the tenth row against the center rail.
Conclusion: getting into the pit for headliners isn't as difficult as people make it out to be. No need to wait for hours and hours.
EDIT: Getting into the pit for WHAT STAGE acts isn't as difficult as people make it out to be. Which Stage can be a lot trickier -- I waited for three hours to get up close at the Lips in '07, and dedicated my whole day on Sunday of 07 to get within the first five rows for the Stripes.
Post by sandmantend13 on May 16, 2009 20:34:38 GMT -5
Alright to add to this question, I have the VIP tickets and I know there are benches (I think) at the main stages. My question is for whoever has seen them or been in there. How is it? Is the stage pretty close or not really, or is it even a good seat? just wondering. Then if I wanted a VIP spot on the bleachers do I need to get there early also or can I just walk over and get a spot? if that makes sense, lastly how do people get to see the show from the side? jw Thanks to whoever helps
There are bleachers at the Which Stage (the smallest of the two main stages) and they're pretty far back...you can't really see the stage that well. I don't remember them being super packed last year, but if they are they'll just let a few people up as people exit. There are no bleachers at the What Stage, but there is a viewing mound that is off to the left of the stage (left as you're facing the stage). Again, you can't see the stage too well but there are large video screens at that stage.
