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Posted: Dienstag, September 27, 2011 - 08:08
Just some thoughts I jotted down after the Bojangles show last April. Thought I'd post it as I wait for yet another pre-sale.
I’m not a fan of early entry. I might be a fan of it if I ever received early entry. But I haven’t, so I’m not.
It seems to me the only purpose of early entry is to piss off everyone who did not get early entry. It seems to be there just to reward those with fast computers and faster fingers.
That’s why when I heard about Artist Arena’s plan for the show at Bojangles Coliseum on Saturday, April 9th I was more than a bit intrigued. The plan was simple. Let fans pick up numbered bracelets on the day of the show and prior to entry that evening the fans could get into the coliseum in and orderly and fair manner. Could this be the answer the fans were looking for? It sounded good in theory, but fell apart in the execution, as usual.
As we were lining up in numerical order to enter the arena, several of us noticed a 2rd line forming towards the front. I of course did not check everyone’s wristbands but I saw several with numbers well into the hundreds, and one in particular that was in the mid three hundreds. When we pointed this out to the arena staff we were told that “It’s raining, the numbers don’t matter.” Really?! The numbers don’t matter? Of course they matter. That is the entire purpose of this system and the reason some of us arrived at the coliseum in the wee hours of the morning. Some as early as 2am.
Now I don’t put the blame entirely on Artist Arena, but they need to take some responsibility for this and help correct the problem. I know they feel they are doing something nice for the fans, but if there is no follow through then your good intentions are for nothing.
I really wanted to like this numbered wristband thing. It seemed like a good way to be able to get a good spot at the show and still enjoy the activities leading up to the show, in particular the Overmountain Men, but it fell apart just moments before entry to the show, leaving many fans upset yet again.
Contrast this to the show in Atlanta the next day. I wasn’t there but several people I talked to who were there said it was a great experience. When it was time to go down to the field the staff made sure everyone was in line, not just hanging around in a group. They were very clear that everyone would WALK in an orderly manner down to the stage, and then proceeded to escort them down to the stage. They didn’t just yell at people to slow down or walk, which just rewards the people not following the rules, as there are no consequences for your actions.
It would be relatively simple for AA to correct this. If you insist on having early entry as they did at Bojangles, you need to have someone there to organize and police the line and to make sure things run smoothly. All this would take is one or two people and a max of two hours.
If you want to avoid this in the future, simply do away with early entry. The fans who value getting a great spot up front will do what they have always done. Get up early and wait on line. That is what a general admission show is all about. To just give those prime first spots away to those lucky enough to push a button at the right moment is just ridiculous and makes no sense whatsoever.
Anything short of correcting the problem is just useless.
Kommentare for this Board Topic
I totally agree with everything you said! I've never had early entry, but I notice the people who do and it's often not their first time. Makes me wonder how they get so lucky??? I know they always try to make it fair and I appreciate that effort so much, but this early entry thing I just don't get.
Well said, thekush. I've never had early entry, but I go early to line up to ensure that I am somewhere at the front. Those who win early entry save themselves the trouble of going early to line up. Early entry can be hit or miss in terms of its execution - they need the local venue staff to be aware so that it can be organized and carried out in proper manner for the size of the show.
One thing about early entry for the Avett Brothers shows is that everyone has a chance for it. Certain bands require you to pay for premium access to have first crack at tickets and early entry....
I'm not sure I agree. I've been ablle to enjoy early entry once out of the dozen shows I've attended. I also have early entry at the forthcoming NYE show. It's a nice perk that's meant to be hard to come by. Odds are if you attend enough shows eventually you'll get a shot at the front. Not everyone has the flexibilty to camp out in line.
"Not everyone has the flexibility to camp out in line."
To be fair, not everyone has the flexibility to be at a computer the moment tickets go on sale.
^ Yep. Won't ever happen, but I'm of the same mindset (well aware of the fact that that makes me one of a small minority that vastly prefers seated shows over GA shows.)
As to the original post: early entry would be fine if it worked right. I've had it a few times, and it's almost always screwed up in one way or another. I don't think that it should be done away with altogether just because some people have never had it. To be fair, the people that you've seen have it more than once probably go to a LOT of shows, thus their odds are just better. (And if someone turns this into an "elitist fan" thread, I swear to god, I will scream. It's just a statistical fact - the people that get early entry a lot probably go to a lot of shows.) I don't think it should be thrown away altogether because I agree with the poster that said it's a nice perk. It just think it should be executed right. But I'm done with GA shows as a whole because they turn into a massive CF so I really don't have a dog in this fight.
I agree with you Sunday. I much prefer to have assigned seats. Of course computer-savy people and programs can also buy out the good seats pretty quickly too. But at least I feel like I have a chance of getting a decent spot at a show.
I was one of the fans who waited to get a wristband for the Bojangles show. I was so excited that I got #39 and didn't have to wait in line all day! In theory it was a great idea. But when the storm rolled through, the venue was worried about the safety of their patrons and the whole thing fell apart. I think early entry is a fine idea, but if they are going to do it, they HAVE to do it correctly. Have one person who is checking the line, and stick to the plan. There will always be jokers who try to sneak up and cut the line or work the system...sad but true. Perhaps there need to be some consequences for those people. I surely wouldn't mind if they were denied entry for being so lame and rude!
As for the NYE show, I understand that all 500 pre-sale GA tickets have early entry...um, so the same thing that happened at Bojangles will likely happen again UNLESS they are strict about it. If they don't do the wristband thing again, 500 people will still be camped out all day to get that covenant spot right up front in front of Seth, or Scott, or Bobby/Joe (don't want to give too many clues for my favorite spot
....hahaha).
I am actually looking forward to the Greensboro show because we have seats! Granted it may hinder some dancing, but it makes the experience less stressful for sure. I wouldn't do away with early entry, but they NEED to have someone who is dedicated to the operations end of thing. This person needs to debrief the venue workers (who by the way, probably don't care about our early entry and just want to get everyone inside) on the plan and stress the importance of NOT deviating from it.
Let's just hope for nice weather and a well executed early entry for 500 people on NYE...fingers crossed this time. I still have hope that it will run smoothly
What exactly is early entry and how do you get it? I'm one of those people who gets there early and waits in line, but there's a random process that grants early entries to a select few? I've never heard of that before! Does this apply to all of TAB's shows?
They can't hold people outside in a potential electrical storm. If they tell folks to go to their cars and wait it out, not all of them will listen. Thus people will stand out in an potential electrical storm. Nevermind the well-being of anyone, lets look at something it would appear more people can understand (which is baffling), the bottom line. If someone gets hurt, how much is that going to cost in insurance, damages, ect? I feel so ridiculous stating that, jeez, someone could get hurt and that's not reason enough.
I saw NIN play the CLT Verizon Amphitheater about 5 years back. A wicked lightning storm rolled in. They asked everyone in the lawn (which is not covered) to go to their cars and wait out the storm. In the meantime the show stopped. It took almost 45 min to clear the lawn. Half the seated folks got up and left. Half the lawn folks crowded (not uncomfortably or dangerously, fire marshalls may disagree) under the seated shelter. Soon as the lawn was cleared, the band started back up. Trent said "jeez it takes a long time to get everyone under the shelter", which was not the request made by the arena spokesperson. Two songs into the 'reprise' rain was coming down so hard and sideways that it was nearly reaching the stage (I was 10th row-center and I was getting rained on, and it was coming in from the back of the shelter, not the side). There was beautiful purple and amber colors in the sky as lightning danced all over the sky above us. The band started playing a really heavy "rain, rain, go away, come again some other day" chant that ensued a chorus from the entire venue. It was nuts. I truely memorable experience.
Point being it went from simply overcast, to an insane electrical storm in a matter of an hour. You can't play around with folk's health and safety. So yes, I'd say its a bummer but I'll take a crumbier seat if it means someone else is safe. If we're that selfish to want the prime seat over someone elses well being, can we really say we're 'living of love'?
Would it have pissed you off as well if they started the numbered entry an hour early to accomodate the weather? What if you were getting a Cajun biscuit at Bojangles down the road and missed your advanced spot, because you thought you had time? It simply wasn't an ideal situation. Life happens. It's okay. Atleast they didn't call the game on account of rain.
Do you know how many disgruntled folks wanted AA presale tickets that couldn't get them? I can't find 3 tickets through TM closer than the opposite side of the stage, and I can't justify $180 for 3 tickets that far back, much less for a show I may not be able to attend at all (unmentioned stipulations pending). So now I'm missing out on the third (my) hometown show in over 7 years, and on NYE no less. Thats a bummer, but I'm stoked to spend NYE with little man anyway. I'll try once more at the box office on Friday morning to see if any sections I'd like are available. But 3 tickets across from the stage is not likely at this point.
And AA, thanks for the 750 tickets for the fan club pre-sale. If I wasn't in a test at the time, I'd have the seats I wanted thanks to your allotment. So thank you. Speaking of which, I'm late for organic chem. Peace angry people.
Tiffany, the first 30 tickets sold for a GA show are granted EE. which simply means you are let into the venue about 15 minutes before everyone else.
That was an interesting read.
It supports my condemnation of general admission as "disasters waiting to happen." If the Charlotte show had been all assigned seats everyone could have handled the storm as I did. After the Overmountan Men finished their set I returned to the car waiting out the storm with a nice sandwich and a beer. When the rain slowed to a light drizzle we walked in and found our seats about 10 minutes before show time.
Having assigned seats does not mean that everyone sits down. It just assures you have a small personal space that you can count on. I suppose it’s just easier for the venue to herd people in like cattle.
At Bojangles, after Overmountain Men when things started getting scary, one of the security guards told the group I was with we better get somewhere safe. So we all walked back over to our hotel and came back when things calmed down a bit. Then people just started rushing in and we all rushed in so we wound up with good spots, I'll admit, unfairly. My wristband was a higher number than people behind me. Though I did have to contend with looking over thekush's hat
But with all the confusion, everyone just started flooding in. That's the kind of thing that has the potential for someone to get hurt. I know people who have had early entry a lot and yeah it's those who go to a lot of shows and just seem to be blessed with quick reaction time. The only time I've had it was at Bojangles which really didn't mean a whole lot with that large number having it. I'd like to see it stay cause it is nice for those who get it.
One of the best ways I've seen organized for admitting people was at Harding University in Arkansas back in April. The wristbands were color coded. EE got a certain color, GA had a color, GA seats had their own colors. Whichever color you had you were directed through that line and that area. When we were outside waiting in line early there were three different doors with people lined up at each. Someone finally came out told us they would only be admitting through one door so start forming the line now. Fortunately everyone there was nice and those who were there way before us were at the front and so on. It went so smoothly and orderly. Granted it was only about 3,000 people but I thought the way they handled it with several checkpoints set up was just a smart idea.
Thank you yellow bandit!
You are making this out to be much more of a problem that it is. Yes,I was at Charlotte,it was a mess,but I have been to alot of the concerts,and I do mean alot and it is not a problem. There are only 30 people,so the majority of the people do not have early entry and have to get there early to get a good place in line. I have done that many times. You can still be in the front and all that is different is that you do not have to get there early. Otherwise all you have to do is deal with 30 folks ahead of you.
If you are number 31 and have to stand in line for that place,so be it. You will have just as good of a spot,just have to work for it.
I don't hardly ever get it,but I think its fun to try. It is like the icing on the cake!!
motherholbrook
There were 500 early entry tickets in Charlotte (not 30) and there will be 500 early entry on NYE.
The Early Entry issue aside, I think it's really all about respect. People who are there first should get in first. Sadly, there isn't a lot of respect for that out there. I would never dream of showing up after someone and getting in front of them, but not everyone agrees.
As far as EE, I have mixed feelings. I have had luck getting it a lot, but I've been to a lot of shows. So, it's not a lot proportionally. (and it's nothing more than luck and quick fingers at presale time--I've never gotten any special favors.) But even with EE, I'm still probably there before most people in the regular line. in fact, I almost always am. I am a big believer in doing your time to be in front. No, not everyone can get there early, but it's up to us to decide if that's a priority. That's not a judgement. If you can't or don't want to take off work, I totally get it. And it's a pain in the ass. On the other hand, I really enjoy hanging out with my fellow Avett fan/friends, so doing my time in line is not a negative thing to me.
The Atlanta situation was nothing to do with the typical EE experiences and the Bojangles thing and any situation where you have that many people with separate entrance times is bound to be a disaster. I do agree that if EE is offered, it needs to be managed. It's so frustrating to not have the venues have any clue what is going on sometimes, or telling people where to line up. It seems to be getting a little better though. it's been pretty good the last few times I've had it.
But there's also the fan respect thing. For example, I was waiting for a show a few weeks ago. We were there for hours and never told where to line up for EE and it was actually a very laid back crowd. Only one other person was in front of us for EE. When the line formed about 3 hours later, the people that were in front of us had shown up much later, but didn't respect the fact that we'd been there much earlier. So it goes. You'd hope other Avett fans would be respectful, but it doesn't always happen. It would help a lot if people would do the right thing and a lot of the issues (like people line-cutting and getting in early when they don't have EE) wouldn't exist.
I also mentioned in another thread that some girls who got there super early let some girls who got there super late in front of them (and the many many people behind them who'd lined up by 2pm or so for 6pm doors) for $100. That was disappointing.
Anyway, I love getting EE and I've been lucky, but I can see the argument against it. At the end of the day though, it's only 30 people and it's a nice perk, and I like the opportunity to possibly have it. So I say keep it around. And while I'm getting to the point where I'm sick of dealing with the lines and the GA floors, there's still something way more fun about a GA show, it's such a hard choice!
Long live the Early Entry!
"You'd hope other Avett fans would be respectful, but it doesn't always happen. It would help a lot if people would do the right thing and a lot of the issues (like people line-cutting and getting in early when they don't have EE) wouldn't exist."
Yep. In Columbus, I saw someone who has been active in the Avett Brothers Fans community cut in front of at least 40 people when Early Entry started. There was absolutely no mistake about what she was doing. She thought it was totally ok to get in front of other people who had been there a lot longer than her. It's a testament to the band I suppose that some people who like to talk about sincerity and honesty and community in their off time lose all sense of manners when they're faced with the chance to get up close. I guess some Avett Brothers' Fans are apparently just like everyone else - no one is perfect, everyone has selfish tendencies, some think they're entitled to something that they're not. It's left a really sour taste in my mouth recently. Not that my experience matters much, but it's why I'll stick to seated shows from now on.