First time in a Springsteen lottery?...

You've got nearly 400 hungry hearts waiting to be first in line for the next Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band show and somewhere among them all is the person who will be let in first and have a split second to pick the best position in the crowd.

Previous shows started their lines days in advance with the established, tried and tested (and sometimes detested) roll call. Normally started or kept in line by a few New Jersey accents to add to its Springsteen-fan authenticity.

But for tonight, in the middle of fucking nowhere, to keep people lining up for days you're in a lottery waiting to see if the digit printed on your wristband will be first, last or anywhere in between.

For the first time on the 2014 tour of Australia, the line for a GA ticket has seemed reasonably stress free. 

Any need to get to the venue as early as possible and get a number, followed by roll call, after roll call, after roll call, has gone. Replaced by the knowledge that no matter how soon or late you join the line you could still be last in. Or first. Or second. Or Johnny (99).

So you invest a couple of hours, get what could be a middle range number in the hope it will be drawn, but safe in the knowledge that if your elbows don't rest on a barrier in six hours time, at least you had a lie in this morning.

But then comes the call.

You're told to line up in order. Soon - an hour if you're lucky - after, you hear the total number of people competing for the number one slot is 380-something. And with 329 you're hoping that if anyone else gets it other than you, they have a number higher than 250, and lower than 328.

In other words, number 330, the person behind you has - potentially - just become a total fucking bastard.

You smile at them, make a joke about how they're in for a great night if THEY get in first and you'd be OK because it's not that big a deal. But secretly you're planning on finding out which car they arrived in and letting down the tyres so at the end of the night they have more than just a bottle-necked car park to fight on the journey home.

It's when you start having these dark thoughts that you realise how stressful the Springsteen lottery has become. Despite being friendly, happy even, to people with a better number than you at dozens of roll calls on the tour, you know you would be so much happier if they were for once stuck at the back while you were front in line to strum that guitar during Born To Run and hold up an obscure sign request that blocked their view. Yeah! Fuck you Mr 6ft-4-long-haired-melonhead-in-a-cowboy-hat. Fuck you. And fuck your giant Outlaw Pete sign.

You of course try to calm yourself as the number is being drawn, and you tell yourself that the girl chosen to plunge her hand into the bucket of numbers really isn't a stupid dumbass who just wants to get on stage during Dancing In The Dark with no real appreciation for decades of great music.

She could be the greatest person alive, with a fantastic knowledge and appreciation of the Tracks boxset that you've always wanted in a woman. She could turn round and pull out your winning number, and in the victorious glow be so beautiful you ditch your real life plans and commitments to take her out, become the man of her dreams and live happily ever after with a great wedding day anecdote. Afterall, from behind she kinda looks like she's-...

Oh, there's the number. It's 350-something. You're back in a field getting sunburnt, the person several rows away is now a total bastard and the number-picker really is a Courteney Cox-wannabe dumbass. 

Meanwhile you've wasted at least 3 hours, risked the early stages of skin cancer and could really do with a drink but won't have one due to having to leave the line later to take a piss.

But it doesn't matter, right? Because at least you didn't line up for days on end in a roll call getting tense and the view will still be great, right? And of course you're here to enjoy the show and not take any of this ridiculous, immediate surge of pressure too seriously, right? 

And you're happy that another fan will get to be an active front row, centre-mic participant of the show who may have been waiting more than 30 years and hundreds of shows to be in that spot and may even have a great sign planned like Prove It All Night '78 or Incident... or maybe even Lost In The Flood, or....

- wait, is that Outlaw fuckin' Pete?!... 

How to see Bruce Springsteen in Perth for $10...

OK, so yes it's a competition and it's all about the luck of the draw.
Literally. Because it's a prize draw.

But not just any prize draw - it's a draw for a pair of tickets to every event at Perth Arena. for a year, starting from November 10.

That means you get to choose one of Bruce Springsteen's three confirmed shows for just $10.

And not to mention you also get Leonard Cohen - November 13, Muse - November 30, Fleetwood Mac - November 22/23, Alicia Keys - December 5, Bon Jovi - December 12... all before Springsteen's February shows. (Check out Perth Arena for more events)

The Golden Ticket draw is all about charity and raising cash for hospital Radio Lollipop and helping them move to Perth's new children's hospital.

Unfortunately you don't get tickets to every single show if there is more than one of the same act, but the rules say you can choose which show you go to. 

In Springsteen terms, where the tickets are not only sold out but at least $150 to 200 for the best seats, anyone still looking to go should buy a couple of Golden Tickets before considering buying tickets from re-sellers.

 

All the details are here - Golden Ticket -  but make sure you get your tickets by October 31.

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....

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...

(And don't forget to vote for this blog in the 

People's Choice Award of Best Australian Blogs 2013)

Tougher Than The Rest

The earliest that I saw people lining up for shows in Brisbane or Sydney was 9pm the night before - but in Melbourne, it will take more than a 12hour head start to grab the highly sought after number 1 spot in the GA line.
Bumping into concert regulars as soon as I arrived in the city I saw fresh numbers had already been given out, and were already past 30.
This was at 7pm on Saturday night.
The first guy in line was there at 2pm and prepared to camp out overnight for the privilege.
After checking in to my room for the week here I went and grabbed the 42nd spot in line - that's better than 71, for Sydney 3 and 121 and 107 for Brisbane 1 and 2.
So far we've had roll calls at 10pm Saturday, then Sunday at 7am, 11am and now heading into the 1pm.
So far we've gone past 110 with some seven hours to go.
Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena being closer to the city centre than previous venues on this tour, the wait between roll calls has bee made a lot easier as you have time to disappear for a few hours - as long as you're back in time.
Miss that roll call, and when you do get back you're moved to the back of the line.
If anyone thinks any of this waiting, roll calls and sleeping outside arenas is mental, then you'd be amazed by what happens across Europe.
Tales of people sleeping on the streets for up to five nights in Sweden have spread through the GA camp.
While the US lottery system designed to cut down on people waiting and could see people who only wait 60 minutes get first in line, has it's fans and it's haters.
With GA tickets for Tuesday and Wednesday's consecutive shows, I'm expecting their to be a race from the stage on Tuesday night to the start of the following night's GA line.
And when it comes to Hanging Rock, where a strict no camping rule has been talked about, I'm guessing a lot of people will be sleeping in the car park before the gates open at 2pm.

Spare Parts...

Last call for a spare pair of seated tickets to tonight's Springsteen show in Sydney!
Seats are B Reserve seating in section 38.
Cost is $180 each - but feel free to make an offer.

Also, I currently have 1 spare GA lawn ticket for the Saturday show at Hanging Rock, that includes bus travel from Melbourne.

And, the holy grail, a spare GA front standing for Melbourne's show 3 on Weds, March 27. Face value, and least I'd take for this, is $212!

Get in touch if interested!

The Price You Pay - GA or Bust

A few people I've spoken to at the first two shows have told me that when they tried booking tickets that for them seeing Springsteen they basically had one rule - GA or bust.

It seems that for many, once you've been in the front row for an E Street Band show, there's no going back. (to the back)

And with General Admission comes great pressure to reach the stage.

With Brisbane 1 I was lucky to arrive and be placed 121 in a group of 200 GA holders.
After arriving three hours before the gates opened I was given the number and a green wristband.

Then as the gates opened instructions were shouted out that once inside we had an hour before meeting outside a specific door, where we would line up in order and then be marched into the venue before anyone else.

After we were in, the rest were allowed in to fill up the remaining space.

For the second show with another GA ticket I left nothing to chance.

After hearing at midday that by 10am they were already at 53, I jumped into a taxi and told him to floor it to the Entertainment Centre.

The driver seemed to love this as he belted through a couple of amber lights and at one point started trailing a passing police car with its sirens on to beat traffic.

I was there by 1pm and this time had 107.

As I was earlier the GA set up was a little different. First you put your name down and was again given a number. Then at 3pm, a roll call was made to see who was still here.

At this point we had to get in line and have our tickets marked, and new purple wristbands handed out. Then again informed of which door to meet at and how we would be let in.

In total Brisbane 1 required about 5 hours of waiting in line and in front of the stage. Brisbane 2 I waited around 7 hours.

There was no word if this system would be the same in Sydney or Melbourne, but venues have advised early GA admission is on a 'first come, first served' basis and not a 'pit lottery' which is big in Springsteen's US shows.

And if you are going to do this then the general rule of thumb is you already have your GA ticket in hand ready to go. And I would advise using a buddy to help keep the line during toilet and drink breaks. It's a lot easier in a group than it is to go solo.

The only question for me is after being front row for the first two concerts, can I convince my girlfriend who is joining me for Sydney 1 with a GA ticket, to wait in line that long?...