USA concerts

Well, if people decide to stand on them, yes they will break. Simple physics really. Like I said, you may do things differently. To each his or her own. As long as it makes you happy, who cares?

I agree that the atmosphere is different - sometimes that difference is better...sometimes it's not.


That's the one thing about GA that puts me off...yep, it's great to be up there, in the front, front row if you can make it. Barrier bruising is one thing...being crushed [not jostled, not shoved] is another, and not one I ever want to experience again. I'm not saying/advocating one style of seating over another...just glad that the option for both exists.

S.



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I never got crushed at a show. In big stadiums there is this double barricaded area in front of the stage and there it isn't that crowded. You even don't get crushed in the front row.

Yeah, I've noticed that when I've seen crowd shots of the venues over there...always impressed that there seems to be room to be able to move.
Guess it depends to some extent on the size of the venue etc. And, in truth, guess I am biased to some degree because of my own experience. [Terrifying is a word that springs to mind.]
I do love the GA atmosphere, just from a distance now.

S.

Well, I can comment from all sides as I've experienced each of these options. Over many years I have been to concert which are GA and queued all day for a good spot, and believe me nothing beats it!

When I was 15, I went to Guns n Roses and had my ribs fractured because I was so crushed against the barrier - that was not fun! But that was over ten years ago - before double barricaded areas were legally required. Since then, I've never had a problem at a show. I always head for front row GA and it is definitely the best way to experience a concert IMO.

Now, I do understand why some people may prefer assigned seating, but then, if you want a seat - go and sit down at the sides! I agree with everyone on here who has said people don't sit in their seats - that's true. I saw this for myself last year at the US Jovi shows I attended - however, if it's not going to be sat in then why the hell have a seat in the first place? I believe assigned seating can be more dangerous and is definitely more uncomfortable than GA. My experiences last year in the US were that the seats were packed so tightly onto the floors of the venues, to ensure maximum sales opportunities, that the people behind spent the enitre time pushing your chair into the back of your knees. This is not nice, believe me! Also I saw people standing on chairs (which is most definitely unsafe) and even saw a couple of people falling from chairs at Giants Stadium. Tell me how is that safer than everyone standing on the ground where there are security barricades to ensure huge surges and crushes don't happen anymore?

As far as I am concerned, each to their own. Personally, I'd take the front row spot GA (which if I put in the commitment of queueing etc I can guarantee) over an assigned seat anyday. At least we get chances of front row when you're GA! It's nigh on impossible in the US! So, I will deal with assigned seating when travelling to see bands in other countries - however, the worst thing for me would be for that to be enforced over here.

And, yes, the atmosphere is totally different in assigned seating venues to GA venues - and not in a good way!