Question for those who follow the Manics on whole tours

[Bathtub]

I used to go to multiple dates on a tour but I won't bother anymore, 1 or 2 will be my lot, unless they actually make radical changes to the setlist each night or do something like the PPF again where rarities are pretty much a guarantee.

I mainly liked doing mutliple dates as it was a good chance to meet up with mates around the country and go see the band, get wasted and have a good night out. It used to bother me missing gigs I knew I could afford to go to or could easily have done,but don't really care so much these days.

I very rarely ever queued much and don't at all now. I quite like jumping about in the middle,not fussed about being on the barrier. It's only indie gigs,and particuarly Manics gigs, where I find this prevailing attitude about keeping your space at the barrier/certain spot in the crowd. I'd rather just have a good time than worry about saving my place.

[curlyboa]

Originally Posted by lovesean4ever

Can't understand people waiting in line for anyone to be honest. Maybe waiting in line if tickets are going on sale and you want to get them from the box office direct or something, sure that's different.

But if you want barrier then that's what you do!

Originally Posted by WelshManicFoo

I agree with you.I'd find it really boring waiting about all day like that,not to mention Freezing.I love the Manics but i'm not going to catch the flu waiting around all day in December for them.I'll be in a cafe having a hot drink instead.Then I'll enjoy the concert and get a good view at the front.

But it's not boring... it's actually very sociable and gives everyone a chance to catch up on gossip! And if you want barrier it's the way to go!
Also I don't think you catch the flu from standing around all day in the fresh air!! More likely to catch it in a cafe filled with people coughing and sneezing!!

[Dean V]

Originally Posted by Corpse In The Bathtub

I very rarely ever queued much and don't at all now. I quite like jumping about in the middle,not fussed about being on the barrier. It's only indie gigs,and particuarly Manics gigs, where I find this prevailing attitude about keeping your space at the barrier/certain spot in the crowd. I'd rather just have a good time than worry about saving my place.

Pretty much this.

[exopotamie]

I had a lovely time at the very back in Boston (I had rehearsal until late so unfortunately got there quite late)--granted the venue was tiny, so I didn't feel I was missing out on much at all! I could still see everyone (except Sean) pretty well. I'd love to be on the barrier sometime with you guys though! I do worry about my hearing though if I'm up that close as I'm set for a certain amount of premature hearing loss already because of my job...

[DoodleBug]

Originally Posted by deadmartyr

I think at MEN 2004 some little 'princess' bitch pushed all the way to the front and passed me like it was her right and duty, and she had a bit of a thug-looking boyfriend so I didn't bother having a word.

This is the reason why I usually now prefer to hang back a few rows instead of getting a place right at the front - one too many concert experiences of getting pushed at and people trying to squeeze in the three inches of open space in front of me just before the show starts even though I've been standing in that spot for hours. At one show I attended for the group The Twilight Singers, as the concert went on, this 6' something guy (no offense meant to the 6'+ guys on this board) squeezed his way in front of 5'6" female me. Oooh, I was so mad about that! Like the lead singer really wanted to see his mug front and center instead of cute lil' me.

I've also found that when I stand right up front like that, I have a hard time hearing the band's banter - I don't know if it's because I'm standing in front of where the speakers are set up, or if it's so loud it sounds distorted to me - but when I'm back maybe 5 or 10 rows from the front, it's just become a much more enjoyable time for me.

[Amanda]

Originally Posted by lucy92

who else have you queued for besides manics?

Recently not really anyone - I used to sometimes because I kinda thought you should queue for gigs but generally just an hour/two tops and even then I never particularly wanted or needed to be on the barrier and had a tendency to stand in front of where Wire would be should Wire have been there. I can only think of one other gig I got there before lunchtime for though. Mind you these days I can barely be bothered to go see other bands let alone queue for them - somehow the more I went to see the manics the less I could be bothered with anyone else. I'm going to a gig next week and I actually think it might be my first non-manics one this year, which is kinda daft, as I must have seen them 23 times this year (and James on his own once). Thats a point I queued for the manics solo, does that count? (Nicky more so than James though - well I saw James about 4x as many times as Wire as he actually toured so in terms of absolute hours its possibly level pegging but you know what I mean)

[MrsCarbohydrate]

Originally Posted by WelshManicFoo

I agree with you.I'd find it really boring

Su Doku.

Originally Posted by WelshManicFoo

not to mention Freezing.

Sleeping bag.

[Rock Junkie]

Originally Posted by Amanda

I'm going to a gig next week and I actually think it might be my first non-manics one this year, which is kinda daft, as I must have seen them 23 times this year (and James on his own once).

Really? You are going to a non-manic gig? I'm impressed

[bigferret]

Originally Posted by lucy92

who else have you queued for besides manics?

I have queue for Duran Duran more times than I can count. AND I have the frost bite to prove it.

[Abstract Unknown Girl]

Originally Posted by harrijack

It's a matter of opinion though isn't it. Some people don't mind second row but I despise second row or anywhere behind it as I feel detatched and it hurts having to stand for yourself without leaning. I also hate being on the peripheries because the view's not as good.

I usually find second/third row pretty brutal tbh (of course it depends what band you're seeing and on the gig conditions; if it's quite a mellow crowd, second row is fine in my experience). You've got nothing to hold on to and the few times I've ended up there, I've got shoved around so much I've not been able to enjoy the gig and have nearly lost my footing, so I'd either rather be front row or several rows back. Hence why I queue most of the time.

What I don't like is getting to the front after queuing all day and being resented for it by idiots in the second row who feel it's their divine right to take your place.

I can't stand people who think those on the front row are just going to accept the fact that they want to be in their place and say "Yeah, you know what, after queuing X amount of hours, you can have my spot". As I've said elsewhere on the forum, someone at a recent Idlewild gig literally tried to pull me away from the barrier and take my place; I think he got a bit of a surprise when I hit him in the face with my camera and refused to move

Originally Posted by deadmartyr

The barrier is of course great for getting some pictures - if I was on the barrier I'd take some and then try and get off of it to get a bit of movement in. I'm usually on the barrier/front for most of my favoured more sedate bands who aren't very well known and don't have much queing on doors, but it's not too enjoyable when the crowd behind you have a bit of a better time for jumping around.

I don't have the energy to jump around for an entire gig tbh I like doing shouty pointy and singing along etc (and taking a few photos), but I don't need to be po-going for 90 minutes; I think I would pass out if I did that, hence why I like the barrier.

I think at MEN 2004 some little 'princess' bitch pushed all the way to the front and passed me like it was her right and duty, and she had a bit of a thug-looking boyfriend so I didn't bother having a word.

I saw someone at that gig actually bull charge her way through the first few rows to get to the barrier, making some weird tribal screaming noise whilst she did it. I know for a fact she turned up ages after we did as well....reason number 434 why I immensely disliked that particular gig

Originally Posted by Corpse In The Bathtub

It's only indie gigs,and particuarly Manics gigs, where I find this prevailing attitude about keeping your space at the barrier/certain spot in the crowd. I'd rather just have a good time than worry about saving my place.

I don't know, I think any band with a hardcore following will have SOME people who will queue and want to be on the front row; there just happens to be rather a lot of Manics fans who do it. I still find it amusing at Idlewild gigs that I will inevitably turn up a few hours before doors and barely anyone else turns up until 10 minutes before...it sometimes makes me feel a bit sad that others aren't bothered. But then on the other hand, it's all a much more relaxing experience and makes my life easier

[Mary Chain]

Just because not every fan queues, it doesn't mean it's wrong or unnecessary to do so. We queue for a reason and it's personal choice. I like being at the front and I like choosing my place on the barrier. I find it fun chatting to my friends all day, reading, eating chips, making stuff, sleeping etc. It's not cold because we bring coats and sleeping bags. I don't understand why some people find this idea so outlandish.

[The Gutless Wonder]

Well for me second row is definitely the best. The smaller peeps get a view, I get a view over their heads and I get protection from the barrier. I'd find standing on the sloping bit right by the barrier too uncomfortable I think. I may do it one day just to see what it's like but I'm not that fussed. Usually end up getting shifted from where you are standing during the gig anyway.

[Dext37 Fielding]

Originally Posted by harrijack

Just because not every fan queues, it doesn't mean it's wrong or unnecessary to do so. We queue for a reason and it's personal choice. I like being at the front and I like choosing my place on the barrier. I find it fun chatting to my friends all day, reading, eating chips, making stuff, sleeping etc. It's not cold because we bring coats and sleeping bags. I don't understand why some people find this idea so outlandish.

Yay, reason number 75 to queue, To Eat Chips!

I like queueing, well i will do now i have met more fans in queues so i can get there and mingle.

See you all next year at Jesus Christ hundred hours!

[deadmartyr]

Originally Posted by Abstract Unknown Girl

I saw someone at that gig actually bull charge her way through the first few rows to get to the barrier, making some weird tribal screaming noise whilst she did it. I know for a fact she turned up ages after we did as well....reason number 434 why I immensely disliked that particular gig

Might have been her - I couldn't exactly say where I was, but it was left of centre. It just took the piss - I'd been in the 'queue'/area for about 2 hours before doors and the whole mess that's been mentioned on her a number of times, and then this little madam managed to barge her way through somehow. I bet she tumbled down the stairs on the way and still made it.

[Dext37 Fielding]

Originally Posted by deadmartyr

Might have been her - I couldn't exactly say where I was, but it was left of centre. It just took the piss - I'd been in the 'queue'/area for about 2 hours before doors and the whole mess that's been mentioned on her a number of times, and then this little madam managed to barge her way through somehow. I bet she tumbled down the stairs on the way and still made it.

She might have been at T In't Park this year.

Blondey ginger, reasonable height wears alot of make up.

I was towards Nickys side behind Hannah and Grant and she was making a big kaffufal about it, some other woman then ounched her and she just stopped.