Dave's Take: Queuing from Stupid O'clock for a Gig!

Early Doors

If you've been listening or watching our podcast you will have heard me point out to Angie & Lesley my thoughts on queing for a concert from as early as 0900 in the morning. ITS UTTER MADNESS ! 

Recently I took my daughter to see SUEDE (or London Suede as they're known in the USA) "Dad I want to get there early as I want to be at the front" is all I kept hearing.

Just the thought of standing in line for hours on end is well, it just sounds painful and soul destroying and just not for me. Years ago we used to rock up at the venue maximum of 30 mins before doors opening, that's if we were not in the pub before hand, upon entry we'd just force our way as far front as we could possibly get, it's what everybody done.

After much deliberation and many discussions, I settled for getting there early but not as early as she wanted to. We turned up at the venue at 3pm it was cold and damp; doors were 7pm. "Four bloody hours early!" And we were not even the first people there! We were 6th and 7th in the queue ! Apparently it's a thing when you arrive early that you get given a number, generally written on the back of your hand. Yes, I did do the 6-7 thing; it immediately broke the ice. With a few introductions etc. we settled in just fine chatting with the others, I was absolutely flabbergasted to find out that the first people in the queue were there from 8am, 11 flippin' hours before doors opening. I discovered that one woman had flown in from NYC for a gig vacation where she was attending the first 8 gigs of the tour! The four hours passed relatively quickly. Due to us meeting new friends, we were able to leave the queue to get some food and have a wee, due to us being numbered. We were also offered hand-crafted bracelets in which we accepted. Plans were made for when the doors opened and they all had said that if they get to the front or should i say barrier (that'll please the Americans ) they'd make room for my daughter to get in, how nice and friendly the fellow fans were.

The doors opened....... We ran...... We both got to the front! Just off center right!

Worth The Wait?

Well "Damn Skippy" it was ! (I never thought i'd actually say it!) Everything was made worthwhile when Brett came down and touched hands with the crowd in the front row, more so when Brett stood on the platform on the barrier in front of us and sang directly at my daughter. We were even featured in a @suedehq reel on Instagram.

So to summarize, yes it was well worth the four hour queuing time. The fact that it was a really great show helped too. Now, will I start to getting to gigs earlier? Hell yes! Am I converted? Kinda yes  In the  future, if time prevails, I will get to a gig as early as possible. If you want to be up front all I can say is get there early you'll make new friends, and have a great time. It's ALL part of the experience.