Thursday, April 4, 2024 Entry #79 Besides the road trip and the Springsteen concerts, there was the no small matter on this journey of getting to spend time in Los Angeles with Steve, my good friend for 50 years. We met when we were kids at summer camp, and though we have long lived in different locales, we have stayed well connected to one another through calls, visits, common friends and multiple adventures. Steve has lived in Southern California since the mid-1980’s, so it was also great to have him here as my local guide. The night I pulled into town, we grabbed dinner and spent time catching up and engaging in our familiar and gratifying banter.
I've been to many (for me) Springsteen shows, but always bought seat tickets in advance - I've never understood (taken the time to learn) how the process for getting a seat in the pit works. Would you take a post to explain to (some of) us how, if we'd like to see a show in the pit, we go about doing it (without the risk of missing the show entirely)? And if you've already posted on this (I'm new to your blog), can you tell me the date of the post and I'll read it? Thanks!
Hey Brian, thanks for subscribing! I’m sending you the link to my 8th post, back when I drove from St. Louis to Florida for the first 4 shows of Springsteen 2023 tour. The post describes the process in Tampa, which was my first time ever seeing Bruce in the GA pit. Since then, I’ve seen him that way 7 additional times, and the drill has been more or less the same.
In short, you still have to buy a ticket in advance-just make sure if is a ticket marked GA. They are not the most expensive tickets for anybgiven concert, but be warned, they are pricey.
The first thing that happens is usually the night before, some super-fan who hets to the venue first starts the numbering. As people arrive, they het a number written by Sharped on their hand. At the same time, that fan organizer writes your name and number in a list they are keeping. Thus the begins the order. At some point (not sure when, I’ve only ever arrived early the day of the concert, never the night before), everyone goes home and ate told a time to come back to the arena, usually 6:30 or something like that.
At 6:30, everyone limes up again according to the number on their hand. If there are folks who do not show up on time, they lose their number (and everyone else moves up). By this time, more snd more GA people are showing up and getting numbers. 2 or so times, everyone in line is told they can go do what they want but need to return at noon, or 3pm, etc at which points the lines are re-established by number and again no-shows are crossed of the list. The last check-in is usually at 4 or 5, and then you stay in line until the venue staff takes over. The doors for the pit usually open earlier than for folks with seated tickets, say 6 for an 8pm show instead of 6:30 or 7. You get let in my the fan number system, get your ticket scanned, and claim your spot on the floor. And wait (standing the whole time of course) for the concert to start.
It’s a big time investment and a lot of standing, but to me it’s incredibly worth it. Seeing Springsteen and E Street as if you were at an intimate club (with 40,000 people behind you!) is breathtaking.
I've been to many (for me) Springsteen shows, but always bought seat tickets in advance - I've never understood (taken the time to learn) how the process for getting a seat in the pit works. Would you take a post to explain to (some of) us how, if we'd like to see a show in the pit, we go about doing it (without the risk of missing the show entirely)? And if you've already posted on this (I'm new to your blog), can you tell me the date of the post and I'll read it? Thanks!
Hey Brian, thanks for subscribing! I’m sending you the link to my 8th post, back when I drove from St. Louis to Florida for the first 4 shows of Springsteen 2023 tour. The post describes the process in Tampa, which was my first time ever seeing Bruce in the GA pit. Since then, I’ve seen him that way 7 additional times, and the drill has been more or less the same.
In short, you still have to buy a ticket in advance-just make sure if is a ticket marked GA. They are not the most expensive tickets for anybgiven concert, but be warned, they are pricey.
The first thing that happens is usually the night before, some super-fan who hets to the venue first starts the numbering. As people arrive, they het a number written by Sharped on their hand. At the same time, that fan organizer writes your name and number in a list they are keeping. Thus the begins the order. At some point (not sure when, I’ve only ever arrived early the day of the concert, never the night before), everyone goes home and ate told a time to come back to the arena, usually 6:30 or something like that.
At 6:30, everyone limes up again according to the number on their hand. If there are folks who do not show up on time, they lose their number (and everyone else moves up). By this time, more snd more GA people are showing up and getting numbers. 2 or so times, everyone in line is told they can go do what they want but need to return at noon, or 3pm, etc at which points the lines are re-established by number and again no-shows are crossed of the list. The last check-in is usually at 4 or 5, and then you stay in line until the venue staff takes over. The doors for the pit usually open earlier than for folks with seated tickets, say 6 for an 8pm show instead of 6:30 or 7. You get let in my the fan number system, get your ticket scanned, and claim your spot on the floor. And wait (standing the whole time of course) for the concert to start.
It’s a big time investment and a lot of standing, but to me it’s incredibly worth it. Seeing Springsteen and E Street as if you were at an intimate club (with 40,000 people behind you!) is breathtaking.
Here is the link:
https://rabbirandy.substack.com/p/tampa
Hope this helps. Feel free to contact me with any other questions.
✌️
Randy