Confessions of a Springsteen roll call addict

At 10pm Tuesday it had reached 100, at 8.30am Wednesday 112 people had committed themselves to the line.

And by 3pm today there will be dozens more fighting sun burn and trying to orchestrate the balance of staying hydrated without forcing any unwanted trips to the bathroom.

The procedures in the hours and days before a Springsteen show have become nothing short of a necessity or even an addiction for those that have previously turned up to a venue and had a number printed on their left hand.

During the 2013 Wrecking Ball tour the roll call system of getting a number as early as possible - then returning to the line at designated times to keep that place in line - quickly became a friendly contest between fans for the lowest number, a haven for weary travellers, a roadblock for school-running parents and even a bed for tramps and dreamers.

This time around before the doors have opened for the first of 11 shows in Australia the roll call system is once again alive and well.

Sunday night.

 

Pros and cons?

The pros of the roll call are obvious, it allows fans to line up without physically standing – or sleeping – in place for hours or days on end.

A win for fans and for venues worried about the surge of people who might want to turn a single night’s concert into a week-long festival complete with camping experience.

The breaks to disappear for a few hours, take a walk, get food, water and use the bathroom make all the difference. Especially when the line is at a place like Perth Arena, or Melbourne, rather than say Brisbane, where a choice of places to eat, drink and just gather some healthy shade are miles away.

Not only are people more energised and positive, but venue operators and road crews also appear to be happy with the set up at smaller Arena shows because it saves the need for a lottery system – something that can result in a person in line for 5 minutes getting to the front, while someone who spent hours waiting near the front doesn’t get the view they were hoping for.

Most of all the roll call system does one thing brilliantly, it builds excitement and enthusiasm for the forthcoming show through its form as a giant countdown until doors open.

Those final hours stood in line waiting to land a spot and debating whether or not to come up with a strategy inside the venue for the best position are agonisingly brilliant.

It also builds relationships between Springsteen fans in a way that social groups or fan clubs could never do. By the end of the day you’re not just sharing stories of why you like Springsteen, but even stepping aside to let the shorter person behind you move closer to the stage or reach out for the guitar during Born To Run.

Despite being a massive fan of the roll call system not others agree, and frequent discussions do raise what some would argue are a few disadvantages.

First of all is the question of when to start the system.

Start it too late and you could find disagreement between people already in line who have already committed to staying onsite for days on end regardless of any ordered line.

Start it too early and you’ll find people who travel from outside the area angry that their entire time in a new place is spent attending roll calls instead of seeing the sights.

(My memory of Melbourne is a 15-minute L-shaped path from the Flinders St backpackers to Rod Laver Arena I walked every 3 hours.)

You also have the legitimate criticism from people willing to line up for an entire day - but not much longer - that the line would probably be shorter if people were not given the freedom of leaving for a few hours after checking in, as less people would be inclined to queue for hours on end.

In short, it’s not a perfect system, but I’m a big fan of it and it my experience it has worked really well.

Although those who have been in a roll call for more than one show will recognise the signs of ‘roll call addiction’: 

• saying you don’t mind what number you get but secretly fighting for your lowest number yet.
• telling others you probably won’t line up for the next show and then you run to get a number.
• having a strategy worked out to stand in front of Nils or Stevie then just panicking and making a split-second decision depending on the height of everyone in front of you.
• knowing that it doesn’t matter if you make the first 200 because the rest of GA still get great spots anyway – and yet still not being satisfied with being anything above (Johnny) 99.

My Hometown

One other observation from this week is the mistake I made thinking it would be easier to attend several roll calls as I only lived a short bike ride from the venue.

In theory, a hometown roll call should be easy as you know where everything is and how to get there quickly.

In reality however, life itself just gets in the fucking way.

Even on holiday work issues can flare up, family hassles can arise and the kids can suddenly need a ride to school right at the time you should be answering the call to who owns the faded number you proudly got two nights ago.

Not to mention ‘roll call fatigue’ which can easily set in when you have to keep leaving the comforts of home to stand out in the sun currently burning the side of the building you’re trying not to stand near.

It’s fair to say roll call for more than 24 hours takes commitment, a clear schedule and a toll on your personal appearance. If you waiver or worry about any of these, you’re in for a stressful countdown for the show.

 

Alternatively while you’re away, the roll call becomes an adventure. Sure you would like to see the new place you would never have been to before but your desire to be that one place closer to the stage is just a little bit stronger.

And you get to talk about how far you’ve travelled before spotting the brilliant but mental people who have come from all corners of the planet and are typically roll call experts.

This morning I pulled out of number 28 spot due to some last minute commitments which I was already aware of. My decision to join in three days ago was to bag the best spot incase my diary did clear up and I wouldn’t regret not being in line earlier. Not to mention meeting up with all the familiar faces from last time round.

So for Friday’s show I’m just planning on coming down around midday in the day and seeing what numbers are available, and I’m sure I’ll get a good spot whatever it is.

Or maybe I’ll come by at 11am… or Thursday night... or fuck it, maybe I’ll just see what happens after the show on Wednesday.

Bruce Springsteen back to Australia in 2014. And this time he's coming to Perth...

Fans of Bruce Springsteen who missed out on the rocker’s Australian tour could be in luck with reports The Boss is returning down under in February next year with another tour starting at Perth Arena.

Rumours have been circulating fan forums since the end of the Springsteen’s Wrecking Ball tour in Australia in March that he would return within a year after a series of 10-sell out shows.

On Wednesday night fan sites waiting for an announcement went into meltdown after a release from Triple M radio station said Springsteen would play Perth Arena on February 7 next year before heading around the country for another tour.

The webpage was quickly taken down moments later, but a search on Google still showed results that the radio station and Frontier Touring had details of the 2014 concerts.

Facebook group Bruce Springsteen Perth, previously a campaign group to bring The Boss to WA, even managed to collect screen grabs of the website listing dates for Perth, Adelaide – which also missed out on this year’s tour, Melbourne, Sydney, The Hunter Valley and Brisbane.

Frontier pre-sale tickets are reported to go on sale Wednesday, August 21.

The Triple M web leak also suggests that the reformed Hunter & Collectors will support Springsteen for the Melbourne show, listed for AAMI Park.

 Stay tuned for updates, and follow Bruce Springsteen Perth for more.

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Springsteen & I - Movie Review

Finally, after months and months of anticipation, the fan-made documentary Springsteen & I made it to Australian shores.

(And finally, after a few days to collect my thoughts on the movie, I’ve got round to writing my review.)

I didn't make the movie, but I did make the poster... (above the 'E' in the third 'THE'...)

As a movie fan, and occasional entertainment reviewer, Springsteen & I is an excellent documentary.

Letting fans tell stories in their own words, with their own experiences captured on video, not only brought out a unique glimpse of Springsteen and the influence of his music, it also made for a more personal approach that would have been missing in a collection of interviews.

It showed Springsteen fans at their best, their funniest, and in terms of the emotional guy driving in the car, at their most unintentionally hilarious and moving at the same time.

Instant highlights are no doubt the story of the Manchester couple where the husband – a Karl Pilkington-alike Brit - gives his thoughts about being dragged around Europe by his Bruce-loving wife, and the Philly Elvis who for a brief moment threatened to steal the show from Bruce.

Together with snippets of classic footage of Springsteen – the Growin’ Up footage a personal favourite as it was the acoustic version of this on Tracks which first hooked me to the music of Springsteen - the film is a gripping insight into the world of a Springsteen fan.

However, as entertaining and unique a film project as it is, for those Springsteen fans that have sweated in the sun with a number on the back of their hand and waited days for a front row position at an E Street Band concert, it merely scratches the surface of life as a Bruce Bud.

There’s barely a mention of people who have spent decades following him around to more than a hundred concerts, and no details of the effort, exhaustion and subsequent reward of a dozen roll calls to get that great spot to strum the guitar during Born To Run.

And there’s no insight either into the comradery and kinship that forms while waiting to see a Springsteen show and the bonds forged by strangers who strike up a conversation based on how they had a mutual understanding of why they’ve given up their time for an experience that ‘other people don’t get because they just haven’t seen him live’.

I have no doubt that all of these points could have been addressed through fan submissions to the film makers. And also that there are countless stories that Springsteen fans thought would have deserved more to be included than the female truck driver in America or the woman in the woods who struggled to stay in shot and at times raised a few Blair Witch Project flashbacks.

For the Springsteen fans looking for their story to be told, or their experiences to be played out on screen whether through their own submission or by that of a seasoned blood brother, the movie may be below what was expected.

But at the same time there is some merit from not going too deep into the world of the proud Springsteen fan.

If there’s one thing the movie does well it’s that it shows the influence of the man and his work for people who aren’t able to hit every show on country’s tour.

The couple dancing in the kitchen to Radio Nowhere who have never been able to make a show was another poignant entry. And I bet every Bruce Bud who has seen anything from one to 100 shows would have been up for buying them a ticket to the next concert they stand in line for.

Meanwhile, in true Springsteen fan style, the movie and its selection of entries – which no doubt would have relied heavily on the visual and sound quality of submissions – shares many qualities of a live E Street Band show.

It will no doubt convert newcomers into picking up a classic album or considering getting a ticket for the next tour.

And in the style of Springsteenradio.com, E Street Radio and the countless Facebook groups, blogs and websites for Bruce bootlegs, just like the incredible versions of live songs we get, the stories that didn’t get told in the movie, will be out there and will be shared by Springsteen fans.

Springsteen & I offers a brief glimpse into the world of Springsteen fans.

But as many Bruce Buds will tell you, it’s no substitute for standing your ground front of the line waiting for the real thing.

What did you make of the movie? Let me know below....

Down In Lucky Town...

It's impossible not to look at the setlists, videos and photos from the current leg of the Wrecking Ball tour and not feel envious.

Bruce and the band are still making every single show a special one to remember for those who make it and an event others would do anything to be at.

Back in the real world where I'm still missing the days of roll calls and wristbands I haven't blogged on this latest leg just yet, but this little feature of the Stockholm show seems worthy of a mention.

Jake Clemons came out to surprise and join those waiting in the GA line at one of their roll calls.

The man doesn't need to do anything to be any cooler, but when asked what number he was in line, fans there said he told them 107.

It may not be in the top 50, top 100 or even Johnny '99, but I can assure Jake - and anyone else - that you can still get a great show with that position.

And I would know because that was the same number I had in Brisbane 2.

(Big up to Petition to bring Bruce Springsteen to Perth guys for updates on the tour where I spotted this!)

How to survive the line for a Springsteen show...

With just two weeks until Springsteen and The E Street Band start up the Wrecking Ball tour in Europe again my thoughts are turning to all lessons learnt lining up for their show.

 

There are obviously many bits of advice that could be shared but here’s some that I found most useful during the ten shows of the Australian tour.

1. Check around the venue

First bit advice is simple – if you arrive to what you think is the main entrance less than five hours before a show and there’s no one there, the chances are you’re not at the right entrance. Most venues allocate a special entrance for the General Admission crowd so if you don’t find it straight away be sure to take a walk and look for it.

(At Brisbane 1 someone came up to me inside the venue to say they had arrived hours early but missed on priority entrance because they hadn’t found the rest of the crowd.)

2. Respect the line-up system

European fans have an imposing reputation about how long they are willing to wait in line to get priority entry.

In Sydney I was staggered to find out a dedicated couple from Italy had slept outside Allphones Arena to be first in line. 

When I got there - 10 hours early and 71 in the queue – I was told that sleeping out for the night was nothing – in Sweden people sleep out for five days.

Thankfully throughout the Australian tour, the arena dates in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne – at which I spent a total of five days in lines waiting for the doors to open – they had a roll call system.

Turn up early, get a number, and make sure you’re back a few hours later to keep your place in line.

You can’t really go wrong with this system but there were a few people who felt the need to argue the point that it was unfair, and that people should stay in line without being allowed to disappear. 

Meanwhile in other places, particularly the US, there’s the lottery system. Where you turn up and get a number, then at a certain time a number is called out and the allotted number of priority places will start at that number. (So if 200 people are to go in, 750 are in line and the number 632 is pulled out – then everyone with the number from 632 to 82 will go in.)

This system of course means you take a gamble on matter what time you line up. There’s no way of knowing if rocking up for entry five days or five minutes before the cut-off time will get you in first.

No matter what the system is, it’s important to remember that all venues can be different, and also that Springsteen’s people would have probably set something up with them to best accommodate the size of the crowd.

Late night roll call in Melbourne...

Ultimately however the best advice I can give you is head to the front of the line and look for any Americans - especially if there's some with the New Jersey accents. They will be the experienced tour mates more than happy to pass on info about roll calls, numbers and entry times. Many times during the Australia tour people thought they were paid to organise things the set up was so well organised.

3. Buddy up

There’s no point in being shy when you’re joining a group of other fans all out there for the same reason you are.

The great thing about the line-up system is that everyone was keen to help each other out, hold spots in line or look after belongings for food and bathroom breaks.

Not to mention swapping stories and wishlists of the best Springsteen show ever to take place.

A lot of people, myself included, go to the shows by themselves but leave as part of a group.

Once you take a number you’re in a club. A club that works well when everyone’s working together.

4. Eat, drink - but don’t get too merry

Standing in line, attending a roll call and being front and centre for a show is serious business. And even if you don’t take it seriously, other people will.

With the roll call system it meant there was time to leave the line and get some decent food instead of just fast food or convenient store snacks. Not such an issue for a single line up, but with multiple shows you need to maintain a solid diet to stay healthy and keep energy levels up.

When it comes to drinking, hydration is the key. Water and sugar-free sports drinks are the way to go (Bruce drank blue Powerade on stage and that soon became the beverage of choice for many in the line too).

As for alcohol, some people in groups were able to drink throughout the day, then again during the show, but for myself and many others investing that much time in getting to the front you don’t want to risk either being too pissed for the concert or having to lose your place inside to use the bathroom.

For me, choosing the right time for last fluid intakes was an art form, as once you got into the arena holding you’re well-earned place was a hard task and very much dependent on those around you.

5. Look out for the signs

There are two main reasons to keep an eye on other people’s request signs.

The first is to make sure you choose a song that isn’t being requested by everyone else. You want to choose a track that will not only attract Springsteen’s attention, but will gain the respect of other people in the line. 

It can be a lot of pressure to get this right – and not everyone is going to be happy to see a bit of card for Outlaw Pete.

The other reason is the size of other people’s signs, especially the people ahead of you in the line.

Several occasions in one concert my view was blocked by someone’s sign ahead of me which was held up far too long than it should have been. There’s a time for signs and this idiot needlessly kept it up throughout a performance.

When I saw him at another show, I made sure to watch out which part of the stage he headed for and what size card he had, and made my quick decision for a position to avoid him.

(Meanwhile one guy – you know who you are Victor – even held up a sign ‘The guy behind this sign can’t see’ during one show. And if you see someone scribbling that in a big marker you know who to avoid).

 

6. Bring your Springsteen T-shirt

OK so album or tour T-shirts are not mandatory, but on the one show I didn’t wear one, I went to the merchandise stand to buy one as within five minutes I felt out of place. Like being the one kid at school who forgot it was non-uniform day.

Bruce was a big fan of the matching T-shirts in Melbourne...

 

7. Patience is your friend

You may think this is an obvious one, but I’m not necessarily talking about the long periods of waiting.

Instead what will really test your patience is the people nearby who discuss everything Springsteen and then start getting it wrong.

It may only be a slight error, but if you’ve just finished reading the latest biography, or was at a previous concert and the guys next to you are talking about it and getting the setlist horribly wrong, then it can take every ounce of patience not to turn around and correct them. I feel the same urge when people on the train get Bond movies wrong or misquote Arnie films.

Of course if you’re in the conversation that’s great, go for it, but if you’re just butting in then even the nicest Bruce bud will probably start to lose patience with you and your encyclopaedic knowledge of everything E Street.

8. Power up

It can be a long wait, and a long wait in today’s world means plenty of time on your smartphone.

I bought a pocket charger that I charged up every night and took to every show.

Then an hour before gates opened I plugged it into the phone.

After the first two shows I realised that to take pictures, sneaky videos (or even to make a note of the setlist if I could do it without losing the enjoyment of the show) I needed at least 70 per cent battery in my iPhone.

You don't want to be left hanging without enough power... (slide)

But if I was using it throughout the day I’d be lucky to go in with 20 per cent power. A portable charger is definitely a worthy investment.

9. Don’t over think getting to the front

If you’ve made it to the priority and you’re slowly walking into the venue in your numbered order the chances are you’ve already discussed a strategy about where to stand.

For me the trick is to never plan it, just go with what you get.

If you’re number 1 – then hey, front and centre no probs.

 

You never know where Bruce will go for a lie down or planking photo op...

But if you’re around the 100 mark, you have to take what you can get.

For me, I was first 151 and was advised to go behind the few rows near the central platform in Brisbane 1.

This turned out to be great advice for the first night as my view was incredible and I was still close enough to stick an arm out and hit the guitar for Born To Run.

But other nights, different spots were better for me.

I found that any spot along the barrier saved a lot of energy for the show. Not only was it something to lean on, but also a lot cooler than being between people. Even if you’re along the side you still get an unblocked view of the stage.

Ultimately, the moment you walk in all strategies you had suddenly go out the window anyway as you realise you’re getting closer to the thing you’ve spent a day lining up for and the adrenaline kicks in.

10….

There are so many more bits of advice I was given, but I’m opening up the final spot for other tour followers. What advice would you give to someone lining up for priority entry at a series of shows?

Leave a comment below...

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