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What'd everybody think of the barricade system at the What Stage? Personally, I loved it. I didn't find out about it until Sunday, after I read the guide, but I got to be right up front for Wilco.
Does anyone know/think it will be back next year?
Also, if anyone used it for the headliners, was it easy to get up there/was it full?
Last Edit: Dec 8, 2007 23:52:16 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
You just went up to either the far left or far right side of the What Stage and went in. They clear it out after every show, but you can just go back in.
I thought it was awesome. We were standing in there for most shows that we saw on that stage. Right up front for Ziggy, The Police, Tool, etc... Not too many people must have known about it, but it was great!
Post by mulcherry0420 on Dec 9, 2007 1:31:08 GMT -5
i sure didnt
I think during ratdog some of my friends found out about it. but im not too sure. It def would have been awesome bc some of the closer part was shaded then.
Finding out about this was the highlight of my 07 Bonnaroo. We were crammed in about halfway back during Ben Harper and I was kinda bummed and we thought the people up front were VIP. But right after Ben, we looked up and one of our friends whom we had lost earlier was screaming at us from the front to go to the far left and we could get up front, and sure enough we did! But there was an extra security frisk before you could go in and you couldnt carry anything.
We were right in front for Tool, The Police, and Bob Weir. I know for a fact that at the start of both Tool and The Police, the front pit was not full and I could not understand it. All those people crammed behind the barricade and all they had to do was walk around! I hope and pray they do it next year, as well.
Wow. I thought they would've been packed for the headliners. The only way I found out about it was when I had some downtime Sunday and scanning the guide. It was a small paragraph in the back.
And I couldn't agree more. I really hope they bring it back
I know that during the Tool show, they would not allow backpacks or cameras into the front pit..... Hence, no front pit for me....I do know the show right before The Roots, we had no problem with backpacks in the pit.... Maynard?
I really like the idea, but I always have a backpack (maybe it's the girl scout in me) so I didn't make it up there last year...I like to be able to sit on a blanket before I go to a show!
I enjoyed it for very different reasons-- the edge of the barricade actually was at the top of a small dip and bowl in the ground, which made being up against the barricade actually a pretty cool alternative. We were there for the Police and it actually put our view above most of the heads in front of us thanks to the slight elevation and distance.
Same for me on the barrier. I didnt know you could go in there either and on Sunday we were waiting for JBT and one of our friends said come on lets go up front. I was like, no we cant and she was like oh yes we can. We rolled right in there and there was hardly a crowd. It was larger behind the barrier.
I guess people just didnt realize that you could go in there. I thouhgt is was all VIP too.
Post by trippindaisy on Dec 10, 2007 11:11:35 GMT -5
dmbfanintn said:
Same for me on the barrier. I didnt know you could go in there either and on Sunday we were waiting for JBT and one of our friends said come on lets go up front. I was like, no we cant and she was like oh yes we can. We rolled right in there and there was hardly a crowd. It was larger behind the barrier.
I guess people just didnt realize that you could go in there. I thouhgt is was all VIP too.
I also thought it was for VIP only so I didn't even try. I was squeezed in the with the people behind the 2nd barrier trying to dance at JBT...... I found out later I could have just walked up there......
Post by cheeky resurrection on Dec 10, 2007 11:23:48 GMT -5
sparklybecca said:
i dunno why, but i never even attempt to get up that close at the what stage...but i guess its cool for those of you who do!!
Yeah, Becca, I'm the same way. I really don't know why either.... But depending on the line up this year, that may change ;D (god I hope the headliners don't suck....)
I'd have to agree that finding out about this from the program wasn't easy. I didn't actually read it in there. I just fell on some dumb luck figuring it out, and wound up getting up close for Wilco on Sunday.
Same for me on the barrier. I didnt know you could go in there either and on Sunday we were waiting for JBT and one of our friends said come on lets go up front. I was like, no we cant and she was like oh yes we can. We rolled right in there and there was hardly a crowd. It was larger behind the barrier.
I guess people just didnt realize that you could go in there. I thouhgt is was all VIP too.
I was up there too for JBT and man was that an awesome(AND HOT!!!) show..
Same for me on the barrier. I didnt know you could go in there either and on Sunday we were waiting for JBT and one of our friends said come on lets go up front. I was like, no we cant and she was like oh yes we can. We rolled right in there and there was hardly a crowd. It was larger behind the barrier.
I guess people just didnt realize that you could go in there. I thouhgt is was all VIP too.
I was up there too for JBT and man was that an awesome(AND HOT!!!) show..
Yeah, we were up in the barricade for John Butler Trio, too. It was so awesome! We weren't sure if we were allowed right up there, because we thought the security guy at the barricade was checking for VIP. Too bad we didn't know about it until Sunday
Post by augustwest on Dec 10, 2007 14:31:22 GMT -5
i was right behind the barricade for ratdog, and was all bitter because I thought the barricade was a new vip thing, but now that I know, I hope they do it again, i never have anything with me that doesn't fit in a pocket.
i never bothered with it. my gf is way into "being upfront" but i just want to find a cool place to chill and enjoy the show.
it's too bad the only vip seating is the bleachers (which are usually overrun with non-vip's). they kind of suck.
See - I always wanna be up front but Boz likes to hang at the back 9this actually caused me to not get to see Tom Petty in 2006 because I wanted to go up front and he did not so we just skipped it
Post by kaleidoscope kristen on Dec 11, 2007 1:27:51 GMT -5
Gosh, I wish we would have known about the barricade!
But all was well, because the sound and display systems were pretty nice at Roo, so even if you're a distance away you can still hear and see things well.
Post by mulcherry0420 on Dec 11, 2007 1:38:36 GMT -5
I'm a sit back and chill kinda guy, i dont like to stand for entire shows. I like to sit and rest the legs at least for two or three songs during a set, especially during the day. But dont get me wrong the heat didnt stop me from dancing the entire bob weir set and xavier rudd. Xavier was a very pleasant suprise.
The only shows I regret not knowing about the barricade are Bob Weir, JPT, and Ziggy. I managed to be at the edge of the cade' for Ratdog.
Post by steveternal on Dec 11, 2007 10:18:48 GMT -5
The barricade was excellent. Like others have said, it enabled you to come and be very close to the stage whenever you wanted! I did have to wait in line during The Police-- they had security regulating how many people got in at once, which was good because even once I got in it wasn't terribly crowded and I got some great shots. We also used it for Ben Harper and The Roots, and in those cases it was almost less crowded there than just outside the barricade! It just made all the difference. But yeah, I found out about it serendipitously. I think we were at The Roots, and I noticed the barricade, and that the people inside had regular bracelets. So I walked around until I found the entrance, and there was a security guy there. I asked him about it and he said it was a moshing area for Tool, but that people are allowed in now. So of course we went in, and it was awesome. Of course, there's no guarantee that it'll be back in '08, and even if it is, the more people know about it the more crowded and ineffective it'll be. Oh well.
I found out about it during the Police. Guess I should have read the progam but you had to really read it and I never do more than scan it at Roo.
I wonder if, now that many more people know about it, will it be crowded and will you have to wait in line through the previous show, etc. It's a great idea especially when it's a little known thing but how will it work if EVERYONE knows about it (and if a group like Zep is playing.)
I guess, for me, I like the idea of sound travelling over people and reaching me.
Being right upfront can be a little odd. I mean, it's cool to see exactly what is going on, but it makes it hard to get more drinks, pee, dance, and mingle. Plus, if I'm right up front, it's then like watching the musicians instead of being part of the show. Does that make any sense to anyone else but me? In addition, there are usually some gruff looking securty guards staring at you and that kind of takes me out of it - even though i couldnt be any closer to the action.
granted, all this will be out the window next time radiohead tours, since i might spring for front row tickets on ebay...
I followed a friend with no clue where we were going at Tool. No backpack, water, or camera. I had all three and left pouting. Said WTF and shoved everything I owned in the backpack and handed it to a trusty friend and went in. That is when Tom Morello showed up. Need I say more? ;D ;D
Thanks again to you and 'Runner...Big Love Worked! 
In addition, there are usually some gruff looking securty guards staring at you and that kind of takes me out of it - even though i couldnt be any closer to the action.
