Getting to the front at the pyramid

[Jidget]

If you're planning to get to the front of a pyramid for a headline act, what would be the best time to join the crowd? Should you be at the front before 11am, or can you shimmy in between acts at about 5pm?

Thanks in advance

[Liam13th]

Its quite easy, just push your way through, arrived at the left hand side of the pyramid stage just as the scissor sisters finished last year to get to the barrier for muse. Took us around 15 mins to right to the barrier, and it was packed. Im guessing it wont be like that for the headliners for this year (coldplay & bouncy).

Although do watch out for little death traps hidden within the crowds. i.e stupid fecking idiots who think that the front pit of the pyramid stage is the ideal place to set up camp with their chairs, blanket and picnic basket then decide to sit in a 6ft by 6ft square. As you think oo theres lots of room to move over there, then you nearly break your neck over these idiots. Then they verbally abuse you for stepping on their rug.

Anyways, so yeah, its not hard at all, a little pushing and shoving is the norm as it can get quite close. All depends on how ambitious you are.

I can't wait!

[al_coholic]

People start leaving about 15 mins before the end of an act, and once one finishes there is a massive turnover of people. Make sure you are inside the barrier before the end of the act before the headliner, because otherwise you will be fighting a tide coming the other way. Other than that it is easy, no need to stand at the barrier all day, it would be a waste of a day

[Bisque]

I only went up close to watch Muse last year & was very easy, people were even polite if you asked them to move a lil bit. Definitely not something you'd see at Reading. Got close for Dizzee too & that was even easier unlike Reading, which was rammed with no room at all. Closest I got was the sound desk.

I find the best way to get up front is to walk around the sides & then go in at a right angle rather than coming in from the rear.

[Big Vern]

just dont barge your way through the crowd, nothing more f***ing ignorant than people who just decide to storm through. Happened to me last year at V, we were right at the front for Paul Weller, then as soon as "A Town Called Malice" came on, 3 stupid pissed up little bitches just basically ran through everybody, knocking people all over the place. If they'd have been lads, I would have lamped one of them for sure.

[jameshunt]

just dont barge your way through the crowd, nothing more f***ing ignorant than people who just decide to storm through. Happened to me last year at V, we were right at the front for Paul Weller, then as soon as "A Town Called Malice" came on, 3 stupid pissed up little bitches just basically ran through everybody, knocking people all over the place. If they'd have been lads, I would have lamped one of them for sure.

[Leedspete]

I'm all for sex equality in situations like that.

[rabid]

People start leaving about 15 mins before the end of an act

[grumpyhack]

I find the best way to get up front is to walk around the sides & then go in at a right angle rather than coming in from the rear.

[Bisque]

Assuming you really are talking about The Pyramid or the front of any other stage I'd agree. The other thing is to try to get to the front as soon as the previous band finishes as some people will drift away.

I've never bothered with up front at The Pyramid - prefer to sit back and watch from a distance, though I use that approach with stages like the Acoustic.

[ian the worm]

I really wanted to be close for Faithless and Stevie so I started my move halfway through Jack Johnson. And it worked a treat. Good timing, no panic, saw the 2 main acts for me. Found out that Jack is pretty talented too.

Which was nice.

[scappaflow]

I would turn up during the act before the headliner and go to the sides.

Might need to do a bit of pushing while the act is on, but when it finishes there should be enough movement to get into the circle.

[nat81]

I'm all for sex equality in situations like that.

[hilton]

Its quite easy, just push your way through, arrived at the left hand side of the pyramid stage just as the scissor sisters finished last year to get to the barrier for muse. Took us around 15 mins to right to the barrier, and it was packed. Im guessing it wont be like that for the headliners for this year (coldplay & bouncy).

Although do watch out for little death traps hidden within the crowds. i.e stupid fecking idiots who think that the front pit of the pyramid stage is the ideal place to set up camp with their chairs, blanket and picnic basket then decide to sit in a 6ft by 6ft square. As you think oo theres lots of room to move over there, then you nearly break your neck over these idiots. Then they verbally abuse you for stepping on their rug.

Anyways, so yeah, its not hard at all, a little pushing and shoving is the norm as it can get quite close. All depends on how ambitious you are.

I can't wait!

[phillyfaddle]

You'd easily get to the front at 11am - just walk up, like I did a few years back (but it was Shakin Stevens...) - but would your bladder hold up that long? I think the advice here is sound, just plan your moves for the changeover (loads of people go to the bar/toilet/other gigs) and you'll find it fairly easy to manoeuvre to the front (ish) for the main act.

[Wildfire2]

All I've got to say is, very easy!!!!! Just walk very slowly and be polite!!!!

[stanners33]

It also varies alot depending on what sort of band is you're after.. if it's U2, wait for the first big, crowd jumping, song to come on, and you'll be able to surge through while everyone is bouncing around. If it's Coldplay, what i'd imagine will be a far more static crowd (I sure as hell won't be there), you might find it a little more difficult.

I remember using this technique in 09 for Blur, got as close as I could (from the side) before they went on, and when they played Girls & Boys fairly early, blitzed it throught the crowd and was basically at the barrier!

[hotwaterbottle]

i wanna get to the front for beyonce. I'm so determined.

[Spindles]

I'm all for sex equality in situations like that.

[Dorgon]

Getting to the barrier for someone you really love is totally worth it. Because then you get in front of the flag wavers. Because if you're too far back for a headliner, all you see is flags, so you watch on the giant TV screen, which ends up showing mostly flags.

I appreciate the flags for the most part, but when I really give a crap about who's on stage, I'll do whatever I need to do to get in front of them.