Standing at the stage - On with the Show tour

[Boston Steve]

Originally Posted by ejb1969

Security In Indianapolis was pretty cool. As long as the aisles were clear, they were okay and would just walk through occasionally and ask folks to return to their seats if things got too crowded. There were some older people sitting through the show, but everyone was kind and seemed to peacefully co-exist.

With respect to those who pay for Platinum seats, it is reasonable to expect to stand and is--in my opinion, it is not practical to expect fans that close to the stage at a rock concert to be seated and remain so. For those who have special needs (such as my fiance--who has some mobility issues), arrangements can be made in advance to accommodate. (Laura MacFan had a wonderful time at her first FM show!)

For the more genteel crowd--who were willing to spend the additional funds to see the show--those who want a more controlled, comfortable experience should consider a suite.

Again, I am sharing my experience and opinion only, and no disrespect is intended.

As a platinum ticket buyer, I agree that one cannot expect to see the show if seated, nor to sit the entire show. I certainly don't sit an entire show- just during one or two songs that I may not like as much as others.However if a ticket is bought for the 8th row, then there should be 7 rows of people ahead of me. If people rush up to the stage and 3-4 more rows of people are in front of me, I did not, in effect, get the row I paid for. I cannot understand why this is hard for people to understand. And, I am not one of the more genteel members of the crowd who wants to sit in a suite- just want the rights and privileges that come along with the ticket I purchased. The band needs to do a better job of letting ticket buyers knowing their practice. As an experienced concert goer for many years I too, am sharing my opinion and by no means any disrespect to anyone on the board

[kak125]

BostonSteve, I totally get your point but this has been going on for a long time now I think at least since the Say You Will tour in 2003. I do think they should just sell the general admission seats already but do agree that maybe they should put some sort of message on the ticket that the first so many rows are allowed up to the stage but then again I think it just depends on the venue. This time in Pittsburgh people in the 12th row of floor section 1 were allowed up to the stage and sections 2 & 3 were not unless they were front row. In my experience though when I did have front row and people decided to rush the stage, I was not pushed out the way or anything. Everybody was really nice and they stood behind me so I was against the front of the stage. I think a majority of FM fans are this way which is nice because I have been to many other concerts and people can be real jacka**es!

[Macfanforever]

I think its unfair if somebody came down to the front row from the nose bleed sections if or I was in the front few rows.

On the otherhand .

I plead guilty because I got up there for some Stevie shows from other sections .I was lucky nobody was pissed.At some shows the security did not give a hoot.

On this tour I will be in the cheap seats and will stay put unless a drunk next to me gets on my nerves.I'll walk.

[streetangel27]

I hope to stand by the stage this concert (Sunday- yay!).
In 2009, I remember it being so controlled and nobody allowed to move up near the stage- security was blocking it.
In 2013, we were told 'first three rows' could move up by the stage, but if you did you lost your seat to somebody else. I chose to stay at my seat, which was fine...But my second row seat quickly became more like 4th/5th row

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by Boston Steve

No- I did not say "let the first 3 rows go stand by the stage if they want, but ONLY those rows"- I said if the concert is Reserved Seating- not general admission- your ticket entitles your to the space at your seat- not my seat.

I didn't say you said that. That's what I think should happen. I think the band should let the first 3 rows up (or the first 5 if they like) and that the venue should put up barriers so that no more than that can get up to the stage.

Michele

[rhiannondontgo]

I was at the front at my shows on this tour. All depends on venues. MSG seemed cool. There were a ton of people at the stage and security didn't seem that insane. In Philly however, security is NUTS. Apparently venue security at Wells Fargo Center nixed the whole tradition of pulling up girls or something because there wasn't a line on the side of the stage and nobody was making it to the front. It didn't even look like the first 5 rows were even making it up. I've actually never seen so little space between the stage & the first row of seats at any concert before. We had permission in advance to go straight to the front with Stevie's guard. As lights go out, our group went to walk to my spot at the front where I was the show before and the venue's security guard physically barred us back and said "nobody moves an inch past this point." And sent us away even though we were just standing there and had permission. I was freaked out a bit but SN's guard came and found us and pulled us back to the front to help us past the jerky venue guard. He continued to give us attitude until the band's guard pulled out his "official fleetwood mac" guard pass thing around his neck and told him he was with the band and then the guy finally said "oh I didn't know." and escorted us up. Literally got to our spot the second the spotlights hit the band while The Chain started.
My advice on making it to the front is to run as soon as lights go down, never while they're on. Always have your tickets with you. I've seen them send people back to get their tickets and then not let them back past security once they leave. And if you're young and female, go ask a guard if you can go up. Simple as that. The worst they can say is no. They brought up my entire group of me, my 2 friends, my friend's sister in law, and my friend's mother. Just because they recognize some of us in my group of friends and know that we are always very fun and exciting and interactive at the front. And if you do make it up, don't be obnoxious. People spend good money to have really great seats and they don't deserve to have to have anything spilled on them, or to have to see nothing but your camera flashes, or have you smash into them or push through them. Be courteous. You're more likely to get sent away from the stage if somebody complains about you or if any guards see you being annoying.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by rhiannondontgo

I was at the front at my shows on this tour. All depends on venues. MSG seemed cool. There were a ton of people at the stage and security didn't seem that insane. In Philly however, security is NUTS. Apparently venue security at Wells Fargo Center nixed the whole tradition of pulling up girls or something because there wasn't a line on the side of the stage and nobody was making it to the front. It didn't even look like the first 5 rows were even making it up. I've actually never seen so little space between the stage & the first row of seats at any concert before.

When that space is small, I guess they have to keep people back for fire safety reasons.

Michele

[Boston Steve]

Originally Posted by michelej1

I didn't say you said that. That's what I think should happen. I think the band should let the first 3 rows up (or the first 5 if they like) and that the venue should put up barriers so that no more than that can get up to the stage.

Michele

I am sorry I misinterpreted your post. Please forgive me for that. I meant no disrespect.
Secondly I think of the band did as you suggest it is fine- provided people buying tickets are told so before time of purchase.

[Stu]

At Wembley Arena in 2009, I had tickets in the seats at the very back of the arena in the stands.
About 20 minutes after the doors had opened and before security were really in place down the front, I bought two beers and went and stood at the stage. There was already a gathering of about 30-40 people.
My ticket had only been checked to get into the Arena, not specific seating sections. While down there, I got chatting to two great women who’d been to all the UK shows and they gave me one of their tickets, on the proviso that any time I went to the bar, I got them a drink! It was a small price to pay for being right at the stage! I got Lindsey’s plectrum that night (interestingly, a plectrum with a “no plectrums” sign on it – genius!).

The moral of the story, it’s worth chancing it sometimes.
I know I didn’t pay to be there, but I wasn’t doing anyone any harm. It was cheeky, but a once in a lifetime opportunity to get that close.


I also got seating in section 111 (first tier) of the three O2 Arena gigs, despite being in the fourth tier of the venue – but I can’t tell you how I did that, because it’s my little secret for that venue!