To all the "Groupies", do you go alone?

diamondsnake · #1 12-07-2003, 03:46 PM

Okay, when and if FM tour the USA again this summer, I would like to follow them around the country for a couple weeks before I have to head back to school. Just for a few shows.

So how do you do it? I am having trouble finding someone that even likes Fleetwood Mac enough to go with me. So do any of you follow them around country alone and just go to the concerts alone?

Also, how do you afford it and how do you get such good seats?

What do you do as far as hotel/Motel/living arrangments go? Do you just find the cheapest place, or do you go all out and make it a vacation?

I am really intrested in how I am going to plan this trip.

Please let me know! It seems like a bunch of you go to a lot of the shows, so I thought I would ask here first.

strandinthewind · #2 12-07-2003, 05:02 PM

I am not above going alone. But, fortunately, I have friends that live all over and ususally get them to go with me. I also have met some really wonderful people from this Board, burnish.net (love you Tracy ), and buckinghamnicks.net (love you Nancy

). I also usually sit alone if their is only one good seat available.

As for $$ to travel, if you can't afford it I suggest not doing it as you will be paying Visa bac for a long long time

diamondsnake · #3 12-07-2003, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by strandinthewind
I am not above going alone. But, fortunately, I have friends that live all over and ususally get them to go with me. I also have met some really wonderful people from this Board, burnish.net (love you Tracy ), and buckinghamnicks.net (love you Nancy ). I also usually sit alone if their is only one good seat available.

As for $$ to travel, if you can't afford it I suggest not doing it as you will be paying Visa bac for a long long time

Thanks for the info. I am not above going alone either. In fact, it could be a really fun experience to just head out on the open road alone. With just me and a huge collection of Fleetwood Mac CD's for the trip. Like a Fleetwood Mac spiritual experience, you know?

WelshWitchPMD · #4 12-07-2003, 06:29 PM

Well, I usually travel alone. I have met up with a lot of people from different messages boards. My Las Vegas and Los Angeles trips in the summer I travelled alone and it was kind of scary but it was nice to be alone. My Florida trip was nice I met up with some nice people. We did not have seats together but we had fun traveling to the shows. Chicago in Sept was really fun too both the Mac show and Lindsey's Soundstage. I had met so many people from all of my travels that it seemed we all met up there.

As far as hotels I just find one close to the arena. I do like at least a 3 star hotel however. Thats me. You can check online for deals but just read the fine print and check the cancellation policy.

I would just do it because they might not be touring anymore or for a long time.

xdreamsunwindx · #5 12-07-2003, 07:29 PM

Weeeelll, I'd love to go around on my own, but the thing is, I'm three years too young in order to drive, etc. I'm definitely not above going alone, I'd love to go on my own. But, I have to go with either my mom or my dad... *sigh*. Oh well, my paernts like 'em, so that's a good thing

.

gldstwmn · #6 12-07-2003, 07:37 PM

I have no problem going by myself. The Ticketmaster-wait until the release- method worked very well for me. I had no bad experiences in Columbus, Dallas, San Diego or Chicago. I met a lot of other nice FM fans.

diamondsnake · #7 12-07-2003, 08:00 PM

Do you all fly or drive? I am trying to get some ideas on how best to plan a trip like this.

Also, as far as ticketmaster goes, how do you get such great seats? Do you call or go to a ticketmaster booth or do the website thing? Also, should I wait until great seats are available and just keep checking back or just take best available the second they go on sale?

Also, I know I sound silly, but if I went alone that would mean I would go out to dinner alone! Walk through the city alone! Drive alone! Go to the show alone! That is a whole lot of loneliness, you know?

WelshWitchPMD · #8 12-07-2003, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by diamondsnake
Do you all fly or drive? I am trying to get some ideas on how best to plan a trip like this.

Also, as far as ticketmaster goes, how do you get such great seats? Do you call or go to a ticketmaster booth or do the website thing? Also, should I wait until great seats are available and just keep checking back or just take best available the second they go on sale?

Also, I know I sound silly, but if I went alone that would mean I would go out to dinner alone! Walk through the city alone! Drive alone! Go to the show alone! That is a whole lot of loneliness, you know?

Well I just about always fly except for the Boston and Brigdeport, CT shows. I took the bus and the train. I am lucky because Southwest serves Providence and has some good deals. You just need to keep checking TM a lot!!

Just look at it this way there is nobody to say

h you are going to eat that? OR You are going to spend your $$ on that? OR You want to go see what?
Actually some people try to have a get together before the shows so it won't be too lonely.

golden braid · #9 12-07-2003, 09:30 PM

I live in northern California and I took a little road trip down to LA and Bakersfield by myself. I stayed in cheap motels that I found in the AAA Tour Book. I also got front row tickets for both concerts. The Bakersfield ticket I got a few days before the show on Ticketmaster and the LA ticket I got a few hours before the show at the box office. I had a great time by myself because I could do what I wanted to do and I also met really nice people, some from the message boards. One of the concerts that I went to with a friend of mine earlier in the year I didn't meet anyone because I was already with someone. I think when I'm by myself I make more of an effort to be friendly. I would totally love to go on a Fleetwood Mac road trip though. That would be so fun.

diamondsnake · #10 12-07-2003, 10:17 PM

I'm only going to be on the edge of 17 this summer (sorry for the bad joke!), but I am saving up a lot of money and really want to go on a Fleetwood Mac adventure, if you know what I mean!

Anyway, I was just thinking, is it even legal to get a hotel room without a credit card or without being 18. I thought it would be no big deal if I could just pay the cash or write a check and send it earlier, but my father says this is impossible. Does anyone know what is legal?

I really want to just head out on the road and follow them around the country for a few weeks. It would be almost a spiritual thing, since I am so obsessed. My dad thinks I am some '60s hippie wannabe, but I just love FM so much!

He also thinks it would be a waste of money, but I think that the memories, pictures, etc. would be enough! Besides, I have missed out on so many tours, due to my age, I need to make up for it.

darklinensuit · #11 12-08-2003, 12:57 AM

I have met up with people at every show, but at one show I did sit by myself, which is no big deal. I chat with whoever is sitting near me, though I do try to avoid the drunks.

In El Paso I stayed an extra day to relax, though the day after the show nobody I knew from the concert was around. I have no problem doing meals by myself, and if you don't mind paying, there's always room service if eating out alone makes you uncomfortable. I will always pay money for the better things; a couple of us switched to a nicer one in Phoenix when the first one had a creepy feel to it. It turned out they were the same price anyway.

Every hotel I've stayed at has required a credit card, sorry to say.

I have flown to three shows and driven to two on this tour.

Good luck.

- Jake

DrummerDeanna · #12 12-08-2003, 01:03 AM

Well, I'm a broke college student so I only went to two shows. The first, in Phoenix, I drove out there alone and stayed with some friends/a group of people who volunteer at a homeless shelter....and ended up meeting up with several Ledgies, so I had a lot of fun and met cool people...but sat alone.

I took my sister with me to El Paso, and we met up with Jake, but I sat alone there as well....and I only live an hour away, so I drove.

If the shows are in driving distance I'd recommend doing that, it is almost spiritual...just you and Mac cds....going to see the Mac...it's awesome...

darklinensuit · #13 12-08-2003, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DrummerDeanna
[B]I took my sister with me to El Paso, and we met up with Jake, but I sat alone there as well.B]

I did offer to trade seats to let you sit with your sister, but SOMEBODY had to keep that front row seat for herself.

- Jake

diamondsnake · #14 12-08-2003, 01:22 AM

Quote:

[i]

Every hotel I've stayed at has required a credit card, sorry to say.

- Jake [/B]

Oh God! This is getting me worried. Do they require a credit card since you may break something in the room or dammage the room? I just don't understand why it would be a big deal to just write a check or do cash.

Furthermore, I don't understand how they could expect you to be 18 or 21 to get a hotel room.

This whole "not old enough to get a hotel thing" is really a thorn in your side when you want to follow your favorite band around the country!

SpyNote · #15 12-08-2003, 02:53 AM

I can help you out if you decide to go alone. Here are some tips:

Solo
I usually go alone to concerts (for documention purposes) and get weird looks from people. Not because I am alone, but because I always dress in all black (I was so in the Tango in the Night look

I am probably the only fan who likes Stevie's black dress night after night!) If you plan to document a show, you MUST go alone.

Buy tickets at the last minute
I always buy tickets one week to a few hours before the show. If you go solo, you can usually get a 5th row or better seat at almost any show. Remember, industry seats are always released at the last minute when they are no longer needed. Sometimes you can get a pair in a great spot, but front row solo seats are easier to get, as they usually pop up in the beginning, middle or end of a row to fill in the odd spot in that row. I went to ten shows on this current tour and was able to score front row at about half of them by waiting until the last minute. The Ledgies here (especially Livia, you ROCK girl

are great about sending out last minute Ticketmaster alerts. It's still amazing to me that these fantastic seats become available.

And sometimes, fans desperate to unload their extra tickets at the last minute in front of the venue can give you a great discount on seats. I was able to get a 2nd row seat on the Enchanted tour for $50 (face value at the time) from a guy whose date didn't show up for the concert. I guess I was his date that night...he still had a good time

Cheap lodging
Motel 6 is probably the most decent and least expensive motel you'll be able to find (some Best Westerns are reasonable too). Their rates for single occupancy ranges from $40 to $80 a night, depending on what city you are in. If you are a member of AAA Insurance, you can get an additional 5% discount. AAA also gives out free maps and that discount book that golden braid mentioned. Some credit card companies offer lodging and transportation discounts, as well. Motels close to the venues and area attractions are always more expensive. If you don't mind driving, consider staying at a motel off the freeway away from the venue (although you'll have to pay $6-$15 for venue parking, as opposed to walking from your motel).

Bring your laptop
If you have a laptop, bring it! Wherever you're staying, you will need to connect to the internet so that you know what's going on and how to find things if you are not familiar with the area (e.g. MapQuest will generally get you in the right spot). If you don't have a laptop, use the public library in between shows for free internet access. On the same token, a cell phone is useful too (but that's kind of a given these days).

Bring your own food or eat theirs
OK, if you're truly on a budget, bring your own microwaveable food. Some Motel 6s have microwaves and freezers as immenities, take advantage of them. Bring a cooler with those blue ice packs, too, so you can keep them frozen while you're driving from one stop to the next.

Some Motel 6s have free continential breakfasts every morning between 6 and 9. Stock up on fruits, bagels, pastries and cereal. You have to be a bit bold for this one... Visit a nicer motel, in the area, one that you are not staying at, and crash their continental breakfast!

Flying tip
If you plan to fly during part of the trip, book your flight well in advance during the busiest time of the day. Airlines often overbook their flights and occasionally cannot accommodate everyone. If this should happen (and it does happen often), offer to give up your seat and take a later flight. If the flight is really overbooked, they will be very appreciative and offer a flight voucher, usually up to $300 (which you can use to fly to your next concert!). But they don't always offer the voucher (sometimes it's just lodging coupons, but those can save you money too), so you have to be persistent and ask.

About the credit card thing... I think you need one to reserve the room ahead of time. You might be able to get away with one of those pre-paid credit cards (gift cards) that Bank of America (and other banks) issues. It's identical to a credit card in almost every way. (They make GREAT Christmas gifts, too!)

I've never heard of any age restrictions in getting a room at a motel.