Getting to the front for headliners

[NorthernSoul52]

For the record, if we're taking about the front as in "the barrier that stretches across the length of the stage", then I walked up to SZA with a camping chair forty minutes before she began and got on there with concerning ease.

 

Ultimately moved to the back of the field, away from the coked-up brigade of gold-lame fish-scale jumpsuiters, but in terms of having to beat away other punters for a primo spot, there was absolutely no need.

[CaledonianGonzo]

SZA not really a typical scenario though

[O'Doyle Rules]

For the gram baby!

[Theredroseflag]

Am on the video with red rose flag, we walked to the back of the pit. Was able to go out after each set up to Little Simz and get back to our spot. Only did it for Coldplay this year. With planning it’s easy to do and well worth it as the small stage they came onto was behind us. PS I’m not an influencer nor do I s##t in a crisp bag. Respect to all those who spent day at front. 

[CaledonianGonzo]

1 hour ago, Suprefan said:

Its cheaper to do this than on a solo gig for Coldplay. Cause they sell vip/early entry tickets on their own tour dates. 

 

I did it in 2017 for Radiohead, piece of cake. I think I went earlier than this and the barrier had been open. I also thought I was "late". But I got a spot I had no issue with so it worked out. Got on tele a couple times and partially in a shot for A Star Is Born. Fun day. Just sucks I had to miss some other acts that day like Dua Lipa creating her no dancing meme.  And I did have an apple in my backpack along with having had a sausage bap in the morning.

 

This isnt as taxing as other festivals though. People waited in 40 degree heat for Lana at Coachella so go try that. Or just in other places where it has humidity. At Lollapalooza this year theres another K Pop headliner and those people stand in queue overnight at the gates then run in and dont move. Its also a disservice to the artists before cause they dont care about them. So anyone wanting to catch somebody before just hits a wall of people that dont give a toss and are likely sitting on the grass playing on their phone.

 

Because you dont want to drink that much water. Gum keeps your mouth moist and you feel like youre not parched.

 

 

Lets also bring up the point that now its just gotten worse to need to be up front for the younger generation. They all need to get that tik tok video of being in the front and showing they "suffered" for their favorite artist.

 

So what's the difference between you doing it for Radiohead and to get on telly, and younger people doing it for Kpop acts and posting about it on TikTok?

 

[giantkatestacks]

We are normally sat at the top of the pyramid having finished the field and waiting to be let go at that point. Always entertaining watching them rush in. Elton was the best. 

[giantkatestacks]

I'm throwing no shade as I did it at Hop Farm for Prince. Was worth it. 

[balti-pie]

Found myself on the barrier for Kim Gordon, which was partly down to the lacklustre crowd (at least at first, it busied up a fair amount) and partly down to me suddenly realising I’d never been on the barrier and should give it a go -  i was right behind the bloody cameraman, so didn’t know whether to watch what I was watching on the stage, watch his little screen, or sort of watch both/neither. Sound was great there and I really liked watching the interactions between the band. Would do so again, but only if I’m really into the band, I absolutely could not camp out there all day for a headliner 

[HotChipWillBreakYourLegs]

1 hour ago, giantkatestacks said:

We are normally sat at the top of the pyramid having finished the field and waiting to be let go at that point. Always entertaining watching them rush in. Elton was the best. 

 

Can't be comfortable, it's quite pointy.

[BluesManP]

2 hours ago, Suprefan said:

Its cheaper to do this than on a solo gig for Coldplay. Cause they sell vip/early entry tickets on their own tour dates. 

 

I did it in 2017 for Radiohead, piece of cake. I think I went earlier than this and the barrier had been open. I also thought I was "late". But I got a spot I had no issue with so it worked out. Got on tele a couple times and partially in a shot for A Star Is Born. Fun day. Just sucks I had to miss some other acts that day like Dua Lipa creating her no dancing meme.  And I did have an apple in my backpack along with having had a sausage bap in the morning.

 

This isnt as taxing as other festivals though. People waited in 40 degree heat for Lana at Coachella so go try that. Or just in other places where it has humidity. At Lollapalooza this year theres another K Pop headliner and those people stand in queue overnight at the gates then run in and dont move. Its also a disservice to the artists before cause they dont care about them. So anyone wanting to catch somebody before just hits a wall of people that dont give a toss and are likely sitting on the grass playing on their phone.

 

Because you dont want to drink that much water. Gum keeps your mouth moist and you feel like youre not parched.

 

 

Lets also bring up the point that now its just gotten worse to need to be up front for the younger generation. They all need to get that tik tok video of being in the front and showing they "suffered" for their favorite artist.

 

To me it sounds awful. In an ideal world, the stage would be cleared after each artist with one way systems and you would not be able to stay at the front of a stage the whole day

[NorthernSoul52]

Did feel like I was the oldest person at Seventeen, to be fair, and I'm not quite thirty. (I had a rough paper round.)

[giantkatestacks]

1 hour ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

Did feel like I was the oldest person at Seventeen, to be fair, and I'm not quite thirty. (I had a rough paper round.)

nah there was loads of parents with their teenagers. 

[CaledonianGonzo]

Nice!

[Pipine]

I wanted to see PJ Harvey, LCD and Dua and wanted to be on the catwalk for Dua.. so got a spot on and catwalk barrier before PJ and somehow managed not to need the toilet the whole time.  Probably the longest I’ve waited for a good spot and would’ve probably just turned up after PJ Harvey had I not wanted to see her.  
Definitely worth it, the atmosphere and view for Dua was incredible. 

[majormajormajor]

Roskilde (and I assume other festivals) give pit access wristbands out for the mainstage acts at staggered times. So you'd only have to queue for a bit to get your wristband, then can f**k off and enjoy the festival rather than just staying at one stage for the whole day, returning to the pit to see your chosen act.

Edited July 8 by majormajormajor

[NorthernSoul52]

1 hour ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

Nice!

That I had a rough paper round, or...?

[Crazyfool01]

 

Coldplay we just went in after the Sub .... not on the barrier but a decent position in the pit , wasnt there all day despite what newspapers / websites continue to publish . 

[giantkatestacks]

On 7/8/2024 at 11:18 AM, NorthernSoul52 said:

That I had a rough paper round, or...?

It's a Seventeen song...

[giantkatestacks]

On 7/8/2024 at 11:18 AM, majormajormajor said:

Roskilde (and I assume other festivals) give pit access wristbands out for the mainstage acts at staggered times. So you'd only have to queue for a bit to get your wristband, then can f**k off and enjoy the festival rather than just staying at one stage for the whole day, returning to the pit to see your chosen act.

That's incredibly organised. I'm not sure if I'm all for it or not. I take it that Roskilde is a lot more of a sober fest than Glastonbury. Trying to explain to someone off their face that they should have queued for a pit wristband at 2.30 at the info point etc etc. Plus how would we get the inflatable dinghy in for Lionel...

[Skip997]

42 minutes ago, giantkatestacks said:

That's incredibly organised. I'm not sure if I'm all for it or not. I take it that Roskilde is a lot more of a sober fest than Glastonbury. Trying to explain to someone off their face that they should have queued for a pit wristband at 2.30 at the info point etc etc. Plus how would we get the inflatable dinghy in for Lionel...

Not a fan. Far too controlling. 
 

Although I would be in favour of some sort of scheme to stop SE corner tourists. 
 

Hypocritical I know  

[Madyaker]

I was maybe 2 or 3 heads back from the barrier in 2017 for Radiohead, from memory I think I showed up just after the band before Radiohead finished and managed to make my way in from the cider bus side of the stage without much hassle.

 

That was the only time I tried getting into the pit, id never be bothered spending the whole day there.

Edited July 16 by Madyaker

[kerplunk]

The sound often isn't great right at the front with the bass bins along the front of the stage. A few times when I've been in the pit on the stage side taking photos I'v had people on the barrier complain to me about too much bass - like I've got a hotline to the mxing desk or something 😄

 

[Helsbels]

We got either on the barrier or one back for most things this year and loved it. Much preferred to my usual haunt of the tree. Found it easy enough to get there by going the act before. Not sure I'd stay in one spot all day though. Unless it was for the Spice Girls....

[SPW]

We moved around a bit but on the Fri ended up on the '2nd' barrier just to the left towards the screen for Squeeze, Paul Heaton, PJ Harvey and LCD Soundsystem. That was made easy for the last three by the mass exodus from Seventeen (we caught the last couple of songs) and between us was easy to keep a spot. For all of those it would have been easy to get close to the v.front barrier I reckon. I almost went through the turnstile thingys to move in closer for LCD, which was my main must-see, but where we were proved to be a good balance of great atmosphere, view, and sound so stayed put and it was great (although would have been great anywhere).  

 

For Coldplay and a couple of other sets on the Sat we went much further back, level with speaker 5 if anyone uses those as reference points like we do!  Particularly for Coldplay the view was great for taking in scale of lasers and fireworks etc. 

 

My (then 19 yo) son weaved to the front of Kendrick Lamar, in 2022 was it, and it meant a lot to him seeing it as close as poss. Guess horses for courses. My thirst/ bladder combo means I'll happily do other stuff pre sets and be further back.

[Quark]

Never bothered with the barrier thing.  I don't mind being in crowds, but I get really uncomfortable working through them for some reason, so even though I know there's probably decent space as you work in it's just not worth the stress of getting there. And it's incredibly rare that I want to stay somewhere long enough, or am fussed enough about seeing a particular act, that I'll camp out.