Front Railing Gold Badge Only?

[sloppyj03]

Hey d00dz I was wondering if for the most part, the only people up on the front rail are peeps with Gold Badges? I enjoy being on the front rail at all concerts I go to, and being that I am a first timer I do not know how easy it'd be to get up front while still being courteous to other attendees.

 

[Sumeet]

People with Gold Badges do get in early, but if this is your first time, and your primary objective is to be up on the rail, just make sure you are ready to enter right when regular-ticket entry doors open, and go straight in and you'll either find a spot on the rail, or close enough that you'll be able to move up to the rail in short order.

 

[Curufin]

I'd recommend being first in line for the regular ticket holders, which usually means lining up anywhere from 11:00am to 12:00pm. Then you have to haul ass to the front, and you MIGHT get a spot on the left- or right-stage side of the rail. Then you have to spend an hour waiting, and after that you should plan on stand for another 7 or so hours. Your legs will not be happy with you.

I did that for the past 4 PPs, and it was worth it every time. Last year I had a Gold Badge, so I was able to get a bit closer to the center and I actually had a railing spot, which was awesome. I managed to get a railing spot during PP5 as well, but just for the night that Brainstorm played. The rail is really REALLY helpful when you have to stand for so long, since you can lean on it to take some of the weight off of your legs.

The best part is being able to catch things tossed out by bands. That's why I usually like being on either side of the center stage; you're more likely to catch things there. I've caught picks from Blind Guardian, Edguy, Mercenary, Kamelot, Edguy again, and probably some others that I'm forgetting. The front is awesome, and definitely worth it if you're willing to deal with the pain.

 

[adaher]

I'd recommend being first in line for the regular ticket holders, which usually means lining up anywhere from 11:00am to 12:00pm.

I go out to lunch about that time and I'm just shocked to see people waiting in line already. I just couldn't do it.

I like getting in line minutes after the doors open and just walking right in within five minutes. Maybe I'm just an old fogy.

 

[Jibrille]

Meh. I was 2nd row left for Therion on Sat and about 2nd row middle for Orphaned Land & Conception on Friday. I got there late on Friday and I kept roaming between the bands on Saturday. Granted it's not a rail spot but just saying it's not that hard to be close. Of course, being female I might be at an advantage of people allowing me to be closer. I did not shove or budge in front of anyone, either. I always hate the people that try to get in front of me for the headliner at shows where I have been standing there since the opener.

 

[mëtålspëd]

There isnt a bad seat in the place! Ive never worried about getting up on the rail.

 

[Greykiller]

I'd recommend being first in line for the regular ticket holders, which usually means lining up anywhere from 11:00am to 12:00pm.

I go out to lunch about that time and I'm just shocked to see people waiting in line already. I just couldn't do it.

I like getting in line minutes after the doors open and just walking right in within five minutes. Maybe I'm just an old fogy.

I show up at 3:30 or so and there are tons of GB's already in line. I do not rush the stage because I like to be a little farther back to see more...and frankly the better stuff the band throws out tends to go where I am not right on the rail so being 10 feet from the stage has it's advantages.

 

[booB]

I'd recommend being first in line for the regular ticket holders, which usually means lining up anywhere from 11:00am to 12:00pm.

LOL... most GB holders don't even wake up that early.

I don't think I could do it either... there are so many more worthwhile things to do in Atlanta than stand in line all day...

 

[Megawozniak]

You should line up early if you're really, really concerned with it. However, you can either take chances by
-Moving when people leave between bands, especially if they're very different. I plan on being able to move to the 1st or 2nd row during SC - FK, and then FK-Mercenary, since I think there'll be a lot of switching. I wouldn't count on this for saturday.
-Slowly moving through when people give you any leeway.

There really isn't a bad spot in the house though. Personally, I want a gold badge, and plan to buy one this year if somebody gives it up. I had my taste of the front last year, and it was wonderful. Camera stand, railing, chicken wings, water + headbanging with SwordLord = good.

edit: what annoys me is when I think I have a great spot, the band is about to come on, and then I look behind me and nobody is there. Happens a lot, and especially for Rage. I was in front center for that, thinking "holy crap, I can't believe I'm here", and then halfway through I looked behind me to see 4 guys moshing, and nothing else. Kickass show, that one.

 

[longshot9]

Never understood the fascination myself, looks better and sounds better farther back. I guess if your shorter then it might be worth it, but no way i'm sittin in line for 4 hours then standing at the front for 7-8hrs with no drinks, or piss breaks. That's just insane. Kudos to the people that can do it. I'd rather be talking to friends, lookin at girls, or cd's, or full glasses of ice cold beer.

 

[Pellaz]

I'd recommend being first in line for the regular ticket holders, which usually means lining up anywhere from 11:00am to 12:00pm. Then you have to haul ass to the front, and you MIGHT get a spot on the left- or right-stage side of the rail. Then you have to spend an hour waiting, and after that you should plan on stand for another 7 or so hours. Your legs will not be happy with you.

Nor will your bladder. Eat and drink sparingly -- if at all -- before the show, and try to get plenty of sleep the night(s) before.

--And after the show's over, head over to City Cafe, where you might even be hungry enough to finish an entire plateful of their Combination Ziti. God knows I've never been able to!

 

[adaher]

Whoever that tall blonde dude is who gets in line at like noon and stands rooted to the front for the entire festival without ever sitting down, peeing, or drinking...

You are not only the #1 Progpower fan, you are a man of steel!

 

[Kenneth R.]

Never understood the fascination myself, looks better and sounds better farther back. I guess if your shorter then it might be worth it, but no way i'm sittin in line for 4 hours then standing at the front for 7-8hrs with no drinks, or piss breaks. That's just insane. Kudos to the people that can do it. I'd rather be talking to friends, lookin at girls, or cd's, or full glasses of ice cold beer.

it's the experience. i agree with ya, but i also think its a blast being smashed between a few girls headbanging like a mofo 5 feet from the best bands around.

 

[dcowboys311]

You should line up early if you're really, really concerned with it. However, you can either take chances by
-Moving when people leave between bands, especially if they're very different. I plan on being able to move to the 1st or 2nd row during SC - FK, and then FK-Mercenary, since I think there'll be a lot of switching. I wouldn't count on this for saturday.

Last year, my friend and I were able to move from the seats to the rail during the switch between PC69 and Therion. This works really well.

 

[eaeolian]

I'd recommend being first in line for the regular ticket holders, which usually means lining up anywhere from 11:00am to 12:00pm.

LOL... most GB holders don't even wake up that early.

Don't you mean "come to that early?"

 

[Mephistopheles]

If you want to get up on the rail you can do so pretty easily. at worst you will be 2 or 3 rows of people back on the floor.

Standing on the rail alllll day is HARD I did it at night 1 of ProgPower V and finally went and had a seat in the middle of Weapons of Mass Destructions set.

 

[eppst1]

I can usually work my way up to the front without too much trouble. I usually like being as close to the front as possible during a show.

I do have to admit that I did stay in one place for a really long time once, and it was torture. I was at Wacken 2002 and I went there to see Blind Guardian for the first time. I got up front right after a band that I can't remeber finished playing and stood in the same place for 8 hours waiting for BG to take the stage and 1.5 hours during their set. It wasn't so bad though, I got to see Exodus, Nuclear Assault, Edguy, Angra, and Iron Savior during the time I was standing there.

 

[Clark Griswold]

I'd recommend being first in line for the regular ticket holders, which usually means lining up anywhere from 11:00am to 12:00pm.

I go out to lunch about that time and I'm just shocked to see people waiting in line already. I just couldn't do it.

I like getting in line minutes after the doors open and just walking right in within five minutes. Maybe I'm just an old fogy.

Especially when everyone stops for a CD haul. It isn't hard to be up front. Most of the PP fans prefer to sit and watch the performances. Me? I HAVE to be on the floor!!

 

[thedelicateflower]

Never understood the fascination myself, looks better and sounds better farther back.

...if you were female, you'd understand... ...

 

[Bryant]

Hey d00dz I was wondering if for the most part, the only people up on the front rail are peeps with Gold Badges? I enjoy being on the front rail at all concerts I go to, and being that I am a first timer I do not know how easy it'd be to get up front while still being courteous to other attendees.

From my experiences at PPUSA (and the upcoming one will be my 5th) there seem to be some people who get on the front row and stay there throughout the night, and some others that go there right after a band finishes in order to see a specific band up close and personal. I have still found that I can get up around 3rd to 5th row (if you want to call it a row) back from bands I want to see. I was about three or four back from Tad Morose and Vanden Plas whyen they played PP.

Bryant