Anyone Got A Sharpie?
An article from the Sunday Times reports that American researchers have discovered that “line Nazis” run the queues of U2 concerts. Here is a brief snippet:
A study of almost 500 U2 fans queuing overnight for four concerts in Philadelphia and Atlanta discovered those seeking to gain entry to “the rail”, a sought-after area at the front of the concert, organise themselves in a remarkably systematic fashion without prompting from concert organisers.
The study’s authors, who have a background in anthropology and one of whom describes herself as a U2 fan, discovered that concert queues “are managed largely by fans themselves who organise a system in which the first fans in line keep a list with names and numbers assigned to people as they arrive”.
Venue staff support the system by telling newly arrived fans to get a number from the “line Nazi”, a fan at the top of the queue who invariably takes control at each event.
To test the strength of the system, researchers invented a series of scenarios in which people jumped the queue. Fans were then asked to fill in a questionnaire that assessed their reaction. The academics discovered that fans of the group, who had an average age of 30, got upset even when someone cut in behind them, not affecting their place in the queue. Hardcore fans were more incensed than more moderate devotees.
For those who may not have experienced a GA line at a U2 concert, I can confirm that this does indeed happen; and I’m pretty impressed that the researchers have even used the terminology that U2 fans who have experienced this phenomenon have dubbed the practice. While I can only speak of the American concert experience, my husband informs me that the GA queue experience in the UK is more of an understood social norm as opposed to someone overtaking a GA line to enforce the “rules.”
After U2 graduated from the clubs, general admission has only been available at US gigs since 2001’s Elevation tour. General admission is a relatively newish phenomenon because of venue rules enforced after fans died attending other concerts because of crushing or trampling. This is the reason why there are somewhat strict rules set by venues to capacities both inside the heart/bomb shelter/etc., and elsewhere on the floor.
From my experience with the “line Nazis” at various US shows in 2001 and 2005, the level of enforcement did change as U2 changed their policy of who got into the inner-circle of the venue and who didn’t. While it caused a great deal more disappointment among those who were first in line when they didn’t get scanned into the bomb shelter (as opposed to first-come, first-served in 2001), it did change who the band saw in front of them night after night. This only seemed to be an issue in arenas because of the smaller numbers in a more confined area. While there were the occasional few who did manage to get their same concert viewing position show-after-show, it was harder for them to do so. Fans who followed the tours know this story, so I’m not going to revisit that.
A couple of items the Sunday Times article did not point out was that the two big responsibilities of the “line Nazi” commander was to a) have a different colored sharpie for each show and to b) leave the show early to reform the line if the band had multiple shows in one city. The sharpie marker color changed based on the show to differentiate between the previous gig and the following night’s gig. The fine art of leaving the show early was for self-preservation so that the same group could enforce the rules of the line for the next show. The frustration of having to deal with the “line Nazi” was that you may be third in line, but they had already accounted for all of their group…which meant you were pushed back to 14th in line (give or take.) They took care of their own at the start of the line and sometimes changed the rules as they went along as long as they served their purpose.
From my 2005 experiences, there really was never a coup d’etat to overthrow the “line Nazis” – it was an understood norm where it was better to just put up with it than it would be to confront the same group of people night after night. Part of it was for the sake of keeping peace, and another part of it was personal satisfaction when they weren’t scanned into the bomb shelter…albeit at my own disappointment when I wasn’t scanned in either. It did create more stress to those in the GA line – “will I be scanned in, or not?” – but it was better than doing a head count and realizing they were only letting in 300 and you were number 303 in line.
It is interesting that this research is being publicized now – nothing like getting people all in a tizzy before the next tour is announced and months before tickets go on sale. I’m sure people on the @U2 Forum and beyond will have a lot to say about this topic!
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I’m almost afraid to buy GA tickets for the next tour. As much as I would love to see U2 up close, I perceive GA as kind of a club of truly loyal U2 fans who really don’t want anybody else to join them (members of @U2 being the exception, of course.) I’m afraid I’d get to the line and be shunned.
Thanks so much for the insightful comments on the article. I one of the two authors on the article, and a fan as well, so experienced the GA personally on too many occasions to count, but also observed the process as an outsider/researcher.
I’m planning to write a second article that explores fan culture and the GA experience with more depth. Contact me if you are willing to be interviewed.
Thanks,
Barbara LoMonaco
blomonaco @ gmail.com
I was only in the GA line-up in 2005 @ Vancouver and can report neither overt Nazism or shunning by the hard-core fans. An aspect left out was the treatment of u2.com members versus other GA ticket holders. At that particular venue the two were split and the U2.com members where let in preferentially at a 2 to 1 ratio. I was 70th in line and so many of those ahead of me in line were also u2.com members. I didn’t get in the bomb shelter but was still on the outer rail.
I’m in the mood to join a U2 queue.
Ah, the season of anticipation before the next tour – such great stuff can only be a few months off! Surely because of this terrific publicity the lines will form even earlier for the Horizonless Tour, and new marks will be regularly set for the “Earliest time to reach 100 fans in the GA line” record. I can’t wait for the fellowship, the interaction, the drama when it’s realized there’s an illegitimate line on the SW corner of the property! After all, think of all the friendships that have been forged in the GA line, and the unmistakable sense of community that is shared. People who queue up for the first time are always accepted, because they demonstrate that they want to be there, too. The ellipse lottery is a fantastic creation, and just adds more excitement to the scene. U2 could implement any type of structured system at any time (such as the Boston Garden process), but it’s easy to see how the band benefits from the buzz, which consistently attracts local media attention.
i have been to many u2 concert in france ireland and sweden, and have never experienced such a thing. i think that the ‘researcher’ got it wrong somewhere. what i mean is that the phenomenon has probably more to do with american culture than u2. and i think that the ‘line nazis’ might go a bit too far
An excellent piece on human behavior-can you imagine lining up at a Stones concert in, say, ‘72?? I doubt there was such self imposed well behavedness (hmm, well behaved concert goers-an oxymoron and a tad embarressing!)
My experience and one I, too, Brett am so in the mood for, is of just getting in line for any damn ticket. My friend and fellow U2 fanatic, Patty, decided that because we hadn’t any tickets for the May 05 shows in Boston, we would just get in line early at the box office. So, I volunteered for the 9:00am duty, hopped on the commuter rail and just smiled from the North Shore to Boston, where the train stops right next door to the “Gahdin”. 9:00am on the dot and there where maybe ten people in line ahead of me. I didn’t know quite what to expect so I just got in line. Polite good mornings and hellos, dunkies in hand, the wait began.
Ah, May in Boston, spring time, soft sunshine…….yah, right! Thank goodness for my too big modern ski coat that doubles quite well as rain gear. What a drizzly day….but who cares!? In less than 10 hours, we would be at “the greatest show on earth”
We met the nicest people, had some great conversations and made new friends.
There wasn’t any cutting in line , just some spot swapping for bathroom breaks and I found all to be gracious and patient. The excitement that built throughtout the day was a great experience and that’s just how we plan to do it again.
I like this story. But I disagree with the term “line Nazi.” Call it more of a line coordinator. I’ve done this a few times and been part of it many more. The only people who feel they get the shaft here are the ones who try to cut or to hold places for buddies who could have been there themselves. Well, in Portland in 05 I didd have one bad experience when it was raining and snowing and whenever I tried to get udner some shelter I was repeatedly accused of cutting, and was forced to get so sick that I passed out on the rail and missed half the show. The people at the front of that line were crazy. But I digress. Out of about 15 times in a GA line, that was only time I’d call the leaders Nazis.
Roman, I’d love to chat with you for the next article! Hope you are keeping well–drop me a note so I’ll have your email. blomonaco@ gmail.com
I think “Roman” (above) was a line leader for one or both shows in San Jose or perhaps the Oakland shows? I can’t remember for sure, but I think I’ve met him before. If so, he was certainly pleasant, polite, and did a good job! Furthermore, I would agree that the only people who don’t like the “system” are those who want to cut in or hold spots for people who won’t show up until the last minute.
Also, silvrlvr, don’t be afraid of the GA line at U2 shows. Of course, as with any “group,” there are a few rotten apples. However, MOST U2 fans are really nice and cordial. Being in the GA line at a U2 show is like our version of a Star Trek convention – the people there “understand” and are supportive of our crazy ways.
Barbara, I enjoyed the article and it brought back fond memories of meeting U2 fans in various lines. BTW, I did attend a general admission Rolling Stones concert in 1972 at RFK stadium in DC (I’m really showing my age here). Absolutely no organization. There was such a crush at the gates that the ticket takers had to pull people out of the crowd to get them through. Almost had my arm broken.
My first line up for U2 was to buy tickets for my first U2 show – Zoo TV at the same RFK stadium. Since it was pre-Internet days, and I knew I’d never get through the phone lines, I spent the night outside the stadium waiting for tickets. I met some great people and the night went quickly. The line Nazi was a fan’s father who volunteered to try to keep order. Unfortunately, the scalpers had another idea and did manage to get their “paid volunteers” to cut in line.
I was really reluctant to try GA for Elevation based upon my previous experiences at GA concerts and bought seats for most of the shows that I went to. However, when I saw the set up and lack of crushing on the floor, I decided to go for it. I had 2 GA experiences for the Elevation Tour and 7 for Vertigo. I did spend all day in line for both Elevation shows, but only 1 Vertigo. The other Vertigo shows, I just went a few hours before show time and still managed to get good positions. Meeting other fans and sharing stories was part of the fun and for the most part all of the lines were organized and the line Nazi’s were reasonable – ok to leave the line to go to the bathroom, get something to eat, etc. Usually a few later comers that tried to butt in but the lines are pretty self policing.
U2 fans are great people – fair, reasonable, friendly, and peaceful!
And, I’m willing to be interviewed if you want to know more,
thanks,
Peggy
Peggy, thanks for the comments, and I’d love to speak with you. Send me a note so I have your email? Cheers,
Barbara
So… how early is recommended to get in line to get positions for general admission?
I know best case scenario is probably overnight, but the 360 tour is in stadiums. So i’m thinking that means more space available.