can u use fanclub card to get into gold standing instead?!

How do you figure that? I mean, how do you figure that it would be any more unfair towards Gold Ticket holders that are not in the fan club if fan club members were allowed to enter the venue and the pit before them than what it was in 2001 towards the regular GA people when fan club members were allowed to enter the venue and the pit before them? IMO it's exactly the same thing and equally fair or unfair towards the non fan club members, regardless of whether there are Gold Tickets issued or not.

In 2001 there were "regular fans" for instance in Dublin who were pi$$ed off beyond belief when they found out that fan club members will enter the venue before them and basically take all the front row spots. They thought it wasn't fair at all cause they had been queueing up from silly o'clock in the hopes of getting to the front row. We explained them that we pay $35 a year for our membership and that if the fan club wants to reward its members by granting us early entrance to the venue, they have every right to do so. And personally, I can't see how or why the Gold Tickets could affect that right -- after it has been made sure that the pit is definitely big enuff for all Gold Ticket holders as well as all fan club members, it basically shouldn't matter even if the fan club members were let in first. There would still be enuff room for all Gold Ticket holders, they would just be behind the fan club members just like the regular GA ppl were in 2001.

Of course, if there are many fan club members with just regular GA tics, things could get a little more complicated... Cause I'm not sure how wise it would be for the fan club to start dividing people into those who can enter the venue early (fan club members with Gold Tickets) and those who can only enter the venue and the pit after all the Gold Ticket holders have gone in.

Here's a few photos from the Slane Castle show, just quickly off the Google...
http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2001/09/1802.cfm
http://www.u2germany.com/u2tour/2001...tos/slane1.jpg
http://www.u2germany.com/u2tour/2001...a_DSC00002.jpg
http://www.u2germany.com/u2tour/2001...a_DSC00004.jpg

And here's a few other pics with a similar stage set-up for the indoor venues...
http://www.u2.com/images/elev_240301_crowd3.jpg
http://www.u2.com/images/elev_280301_band1.jpg
http://www.u2.com/images/elev_110401_crowd1.jpg
http://www.u2.com/images/elev_280801_stage2.jpg

The outdoor stage is naturally a bit bigger, but I hope the pics gave you a rough idea of what the staging was like.

Right i paid £45 for my gold ticket ,i'm not a fan club member, but ihave most albums and have been to two previous concerts..... i don't care who i share the pit with as long as i can see the band without the aid of the big screens......but i think in all fairness only gold ticket holders should get in the gold circle. surely first come first serve.... i got my gold ticket because i bought bounce ( let's face it, not their best album) through american xs, which i consider is a loyalty bonus for still contining to buy their records.....if u r a fan club member and u havent bought bounce surely u don't deserve to be any closer to the front than anyone else cos u r not supporting the band anymore

oh dear i can see this running on and on and on................

The fanclub members pay for the entrance into the pit 35 Dollars a year. I wouldn't want to pay two times for the Pit.

I'm more than glad that England is the only country that makes this Golden-Ticket stuff and no other country in Europe. I just hope Anu is right and the English-FC-members aren't affected by this Gold ticket stuff and get their wristband like in the earlier years. But as Anu and I said, I don't think that Mrs. B. will take the risk to loose members of the fanclub because of this.

And as far as I know Jon is the one who wants the fanclub in the front.

maybe u guys should review wheather u want to be in this fan club in the first place! what r u getting for your money anyway? fanclubs r for teenages who like s club 7 and crap like that arent they?
if bj were intrested in their fanclub why would there be a need for something like american xs which provides u with every thing u need for free e.g tickets for the gold circle before anyone else!!!!!!!!!!!

AmericanXS was the idea of the record company, not Jon's or his fanclub's. The same for the Golden-Tickets since they are nothing new. As far as I know they are used in England earlier at other bands. They also tried this here in Germany at the Stones-Tour and Tina Turner but it wasn't a success here.

HOW COME IT WAS'NT SUCCESS?

In the U.K all the tickets for the gold circle (hyde park) have sold out.

I don't know. Maybe the Germans aren't willing to pay more just to get into the pit. I have no idea, I just told what someone who works for different bands as a stage technician told me.

As long as the Gold Ticket Members get into the pit (thats what they've paid extra for) - I don't think it would be unfair to let the FC members in first. One of the reasons ppl pay the cash for the FC is to get in the pit & many ppl have joined (paid) just for this purpose.

Mike

Ok so this ones still going. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

I joined the FC for the OWN tour because my mate decided we were going to be smack down the front on the front row (which we were) And we were happy with everything that was done for that tour ie: FC arrangements.

This tour to me seems to be a complete farce. The tour is like 6months down the line and no-one knows nothing. Tickets went on sale, well pre-sale, then on sale. Someone somewhere in the UK ie: promoter of BJ in the UK somewhere decided that this time we will try something new something different, "gold tickets" were issued. Gold ticket, everyone begins to think what is a "gold ticket" what makes it special being £45 at Hyde Park?!!

Backstage have said all along that "depending on capacity of the pit, there will be no FC wristbands in the UK" Now to clear this up, if you read very carefully over at backstagejbj, it does in fact say this. It has been up over there from day 1, when dates, tickets were announced. If anyone has any problems with there reading capabilities then get someone to read it for you OR explain exactly what it means! Until Backstage say there will be FC wristbands at UK shows, there wont be UNTIL THEY SAY. So from this moment, take it like this: UK SHOWS: GOLD TICKET = GUARANTEED ACCESS TO THE PIT, FANCLUB MEMBERSHIP = NO GURANTEES!

FYI, the European fan club arrangement info has never been given out six months prior to the tour. It's always been more like just a few days before each show.

To prove my point, here are some old News items from the BSWJBJ News archive...

Update: 6/15//01

Fan Club Seating- TUESDAY, JUNE 19 PARIS, FRANCE BERCY
The box office will open at 3pm for Fan Club members to pick up their wristbands. There will be a sign for BSWJBJ.

We are still working with the promoter concerning how members will enter the stadium. We will have that information posted on Monday.

PLEASE NOTE - THE BOX OFFICE WILL HAVE ALL OF THE ENTRANCE INFORMATION FOR THE MEMBERS UPON RECEIPT OF THE WRISTBANDS!

That info was posted just four days before the show... And some additional info for that show, further information was actually posted one day before the show.

Update: 6/28//01

FAN CLUB SEATING -
FRIDAY JUNE 29 ERNST HOPPEL STADIUM VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Please pick up your wristbands at the WAVEBREAKER Entrance. There will be BSWJBJ signs.

You can pick up the wristbands at 3pm. There will be a SEPARATE ENTRANCE at SECTOR A/F. There will signs posted to direct members. The door will open, for members only, at 16:45!

Again, just one day before the show.

Update: 6/7//01 - UPDATE 3

FAN CLUB SEATING INFORMATION

FRIDAY JUNE 8 - HAMPDON PARK - GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
Wristbands can be picked up at 2pm. The BOX OFFICE will be marked 'BOX OFFICE ENQUIRES.' It is located at SOMERFIELD DRIVE.
There will be a SEPARATE LINE for fan club members. Upon receipt of the wristbands, members will be given specific instructions where to line up. They will have priority access to the GA area.

SUNDAY JUNE 17 - MILLENNIUM STADIUM - CARDIFF, WALES
Wristbands can be picked up at 2pm. The BOX OFFICE will be marked 'BOX OFFICE ENQUIRES.' It is located on WESTGATE STREET, next to Gate 5. There will be a SEPARATE LINE for fan club members. Upon receipt of the wristbands, members will be given specific instructions where to line up. They will have priority access to the GA area.

TUESDAY, JUNE 26 - LETZINGRUND STADIUM - ZURICH, SWITZ.
Wristbands can be picked up at 12pm at the INFO/MARLBORO-point. It is located next to the 'EINGANG 1' When doors open at 1pm, enter stadium at GATE LISTED ON TICKET. The wristband will entitle you to enter the reserved area between the first and second row of barricades.

Three shows all at once, one of them again one day before the show, one of them ten days before the show and the last one 19 days before the show.

Update: 6/6//01

FAN CLUB SEATING INFORMATION

WED. JUNE 13 McALPINE STADIUM HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND
Wristbands can be picked up at 2pm from the box office window that states, "BOX OFFICE ENQUIRIES". Please use the box office that is used by the Rugby Football Club. It is on the front of the main stand - LAWRENCE BATLEY STAND. Fan club members will be admitted to the stadium at a nearby gate. EXACT LOCATION WILL BE AVAILABLE UPON PICK-UP OF WRISTBANDS. Gates open at 3:45pm for Fan Club members. (15 min before general public! So, make sure you are there early!)

SATURDAY JUNE 16 MILTON KEYNES BOWL MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND
Wristbands can be picked up at 12:30pm from the box office window that states, "BOX OFFICE ENQUIRIES". Box office is located at GATE 3!! Please be aware that there are two box offices at the venue. Fan club members MUST USE BOX OFFICE AT GATE 3!! **** Gates open at 2:15pm for Fan Club members. (15 min before general public! So, make sure you are there early!) ENTRY INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE UPON PICK-UP OF WRISTBANDS.

We are aware that the tickets say doors open at 4pm but due to a change in the rail service they will be opening the doors earlier then scheduled.

The times that are posted for the Fan Club entry are correct! Please have your wristbands and be online for entry at 2:15pm.

Fan club wristband info for two UK shows, one of them a week before the show and the other one ten days before the show.

Update: 5/30//01

THURSDAY MAY 31 - OLYMPIC STADIUM - STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
Entrance for Fan Club members will be at the CLOCK TOWER ENTRANCE on Lidingovagen Street. There will be signs designated for the FAN CLUB entrance. You will receive your wristbands upon entry to the venue. Gates open at 4:15pm for Fan Club members. (15 min before general public! So, make sure you are there early!)

Sunday June 3, 2001 - Werchter - Werchter, Belgium
Fan club members can pick up their wristbands at the Press Office at the venue. The Press Office will be indicated with a billboard marked 'Fan Club'. Press Office will be opened at 2pm for members to pick up their wristbands. NO SEPERATE ENTRANCE FOR FAN CLUB. Gates open at 3:45pm for Fan Club members. (15 min before general public! So, make sure you are there early!) All entrance information will be given to the fan club members upon receiving their wristbands at the press office.

Fan club info for two shows again, one day before the show and four days before the show. And finally,

Update: 5/25//01

FAN CLUB VENUE INFORMATION
Tuesday June 5 & Wednesday June 6 - Amsterdam Arena Amsterdam, Holland
Entrance for Fan Club members will be Gate D or 'Tribune D.' You will receive your wristbands upon entry to the venue. Gates open at 4:15pm for Fan Club members. (15 min before general public! So, make sure you are there early!) THIS IS FOR BOTH SHOWS!!

Sunday June 10 - RDS - Dublin, Ireland
Distribution of wristbands will be 2pm show day. Pick up wristbands @ BOX OFFICE located on Angelsea Road. There will be a separate line for Fan Club members at the Anglesea Road entrance to the venue which will open just prior to the general public. ( Cannot confirm doors for fanclub but members will have advantage!) Doors will open @ 4pm for the general public.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR BSWJBJ MEMBERSHIP CARD AND PICTURE ID WITH YOU TO THE VENUE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THESE WITH YOU, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RECEIVE YOUR WRISTBAND!!
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT BACKSTAGE W/ JBJ IS THE ONLY OFFICIAL FAN CLUB AND WILL BE THE ONLY ONE RECOGNIZED AT THE VENUE!!!

Fan club wristband information for two venues, 10 and 11 days before the show and the Dublin one was 15 days before the show.

There were two more notices at Backstage at the time (this was all for the OWN Tour in 2001 so please don't confuse it with this tour!!!!) about the European fan club arrangements. The first one of them was posted on the 4th April, less than two months before the first European show. That notice read,

FAN CLUB EUROPE
We're in the process of working on FAN CLUB wristband situations for all the EUROPEAN DATES and will post that information as it is confirmed for each show. We hope to do this for you prior to the actual week of the shows - we know much of the information was finalized very close to the show last year and in some cases, caused minor confusion. It is our hope to alleviate that problem this time 'round. Just a reminder: there is a double barricade system in place at most of these venues (this avoids the dangerous crushing so prevalent at general admission shows.) In order to gain access to this area, you need a wristband. This is NOT a Fan Club only area. There WILL be members of the general audience in this area as well. However, we're coordinating with promoters to ensure that Fan Club members will be able to access these wristbands and gain access to this area slightly EARLIER than the general public, thereby making it possible for as many fan club members to access this front area as possible. But remember, at no point (on this year's tour or last's) was this EVER promised to be a Fan Club only area. With that in mind, we'll start posting Fan Club Wristband information for Europe as it is confirmed.

The second notice was posted on the 27th May 2001, just four days before the first European show, and it read,

EUROPE WRISTBANDS:
ONE BSWJBJ MEMBERSHIP CARD will allow you TWO (2) WRISTBANDS. This is what you asked for; this is what we've arranged. You've asked for separate entrances and early access - we're in the process of trying to make this happen for you. You also asked for more notice - we're doing the best we can confirming information with promoters. PLEASE, as we've asked you before, do NOT call the promoters directly for information. If the information was final and ready to be given out to fans, it would be posted HERE. Also, please remember, we have NEVER said the front area is a "fan club only" pit. The tour employs a double barricade system for security purposes and the front area closest to the stage requires wristbands for access. It is this area for which we hold wristbands in order to ensure that fan club members have access. General Public will also have access to this area but fan club gets the privilege.

Like I've maintained before, six months before the tour is simply way too early for even the fan club to know anything about the European fan club arrangements. When they'll have some confirmed information about the fan club arrangements over here, they will post the info as soon as they can.

Where exactly on the BSWJBJ website do you see them saying "depending on capacity of the pit, there will be no FC wristbands in the UK"? You must have access to some secret part of the website, cause I sure as heck am not seeing anything like that over there... What they're saying on the News page (now on the "Click here to read Past News" section) is that **If there are any concerns about purchasing VIP/Gold Circle vs. regular GA seats, if you purchase VIP seats, it will get you in the front area if you don't then you may have access to the front area with wristbands depending upon capacity.** I still maintain that the note they posted is perhaps slightly ambiguous or at least badly worded, but I can't see how it could mean that there will be no fan club wristbands issued in the UK at all if it turns out that the capacity of the pit won't be big enuff for all fan club members as well as for all Gold Ticket holders. In that case, there just won't be any fan club wristbands for those members who only have regular GA tickets. I mean, why should the Gold Ticket holder fan club members be denied all fan club benefits simply because each and every fan club member might not have been able to buy themselves Gold Tickets? That doesn't make any sense!

Well, that's how it's always been basically, hasn't it? Just swap "Gold Ticket" with "queueing early" and you'll get exactly the same situation as it has been before. We've never had any guarantees until Backstage has told us what to expect. Even in 2001, until Backstage posted that first notice -- less than two months before the first European show -- the European fan club members had no clue whatsoever what was going to happen with the European fan club arrangements.

So I would kinda partially echo your words, Yvonne, and say that until Backstage tells us how it will be, nobody can say with any kind of certainty what might or might not happen in any particular country regarding fan club benefits and fan club wristband arrangements. We might end up getting the same benefits we did in 2001, but just as well we might end up getting nothing.