UPDATE: November 17, 2009

Now that I've gone to over a handful of U2 360° Tour shows throughout Europe and North America, I thought it would be timely to update my 'Unofficial Guide to the U2 Queue'. First, I am happy that it has helped fellow fans get near or to the front on the stage. Second, returning to the queue reminded me how much fun it was to meet others who shared the same passion for U2's music and the circus that accompanies their world tour. Third, spending all those hours in the U2 General Admission (GA) line this past summer allowed me to consider some of the 'not-so-pleasant' things of queuing up, which in all fairness should also be discussed. Nevertheless, I still maintain that seeing a U2 show through the GA is an amazing experience all together, and I will continue to do so for the remainder of this tour.

Topics I Cover: buying GA tickets, possible times to show up, camping, handling security, the number system, saving spots in the queue, fanclub membership line, meeting the band, what to bring, what to do in the queue, security checks, running/walking, what it's like in the GA pit, pitfalls of the GA, and why the GA is fun


Photo: August 15, 2009 Wembley Stadium - London, England - Adrian, Karina, and I

Video: September 12, 2009 Soldier Field Chicago, Illinois
- My friend Chris filmed the run towards the GA pit area where I was waiting for him.

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INTRODUCTION:

Thinking back on all the U2 concerts I've been to (the majority of which were through the GA) I thought it would be fun to post my Unofficial 'Guide to the U2 Queue'. This post is not for everyone, and is really intended for those who plan on queuing (lining) up early - for whatever reason they so choose. Maybe because they want to get to the front, or ensure they are in the pit, or feel bored and want to hang out with fellow U2 fans. I've received a few questions about this topic and felt a post was warranted.

I find the whole GA queue to be more than just trying to get to the front or in the pit. I find the GA line to be a great U2 community experience, and a wonderful way to make new friends - friends who I've remained in touch with since Vertigo and will see again for U2 360˚. This may explain why out of all of the the shows I will see during the 360˚ tour, all but one will be through General Admission (GA). For me, there's no other way but GA :)

Considering that the upcoming U2 360° Tour will be in stadiums, in which the GA generally operates on a first-come-first-serve, this post will primarily be drawn from my recent GA queue experiences from the European and North American legs of the U2 360° Tour, and from the European leg of the Vertigo Tour, which were all general admission into the stadium venues.

 

Photo: October 20, 2009 University of Phoenix Stadium - Glendale, Arizona

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Q: How do I get General Admission tickets? What if I miss out on the presale and general sale?
A: There are various ways to get GA tickets - but don't ever get them through scalpers!
- There are the various presale dates that are conditional to your fanclub membership status - giving you priority access to tickets before the general sale. This is pretty straight forward.
- There is the general sale to buy tickets. I often have the page open 10 minutes prior to the opening general sale of U2 tickets on Ticketmaster (or other equivalent site offering the sale). I will begin hitting refresh 2 minutes before the opening of sale every 10 seconds (to avoid being kicked out by Ticketmaster thinking I am a computer). Hitting refresh is necessary because sometimes the time on my computer may be slightly different from Ticketmasters. There was one time for Dublin 3 during Vertigo when the tickets went on sale 10 minutes before the official start time. In any event, once the page does goes live, I avoid using the 'Best Ticket Available' option, and quickly select the number of tickets I need, and immediately scroll down to select 'General Admission Floor', 'GA Floor', 'GA Pitch' or some other derivative of the GA ticket, and quickly hit enter. 9 time out of ten, I've been able to get tickets this way without having to use my presale code.
- If you missed out on the U2 presale or general sale, Google for 'free internet password' U2 and the venue. Often venues will offer presale tickets for their season ticket holders or special constituents (i.e. students at the U of M campus for the Minneapolis show). Here is a good source to find free codes to these sites. I recently used a free code to successfully get a pair of GAs for the Montreal show.
- If none of the above worked, not to worry. Often Ticketmaster releases spare GAs a few weeks or a few days before the show (I got a single GA for Vancouver 1 week before the show for a friend). Usually there are day-of tickets made available by the venue in order to undercut scalpers.
- Check the Zootopia forum (Under Tours and Tickets) where fans are selling and trading GAs at face-value. I've also used www.u2tix.info to get GAs I missed out on during the presale and general sales.
- EVERY single GA queue I've been to, there has always been a handful of GA tickets that need to be sold by fans to other fans at face-value. Sometimes plans change, and individuals cannot make it, so a GAs are surprisingly plentiful the day of the show. I've seen this happen at even 'popular' shows like the Tour opener at Barcelona; Dublin 1, 2, and 3; the tour opener at Chicago; Las Vegas and LA; and the tour closer at Vancouver. There are always spares floating around in the queue, just ask around. What we started to do when we organized the Vancouver queue was take down the number-on-hand of a fan who has spare GAs and mark it in the GA book. When a fan is looking for a spare GA ticket, we would refer to the number in the book and point them in that direction -- worked like a charm where fans helped fans and undermined the scalpers.

Photo: June 30, 2009 Outside Camp Nou - Barcelona, Spain - Me and my GA ticket

Q: What time should I show up to the queue?
A: It depends on where you want to be on the floor (pitch).
- Night Before > 8AM (day-of-the-show): If you want to maximize your chances for a choice position along the front rail, you probably want to get to the queue early in the morning. In my experience, anywhere between the night before (camping required) to 8AM (day-of the show) would be a good time to show up in order to get a chosen position along the front rail. Not all fans want to be along the front rail, and instead choose to be along the back rail or have front row centre along the outside rail.
- 8AM > 11AM: You can get a good spot near the front stage and be anywhere in the first 2-5 rows, or have a comfortable position along the outside rail or inner rail
- 9AM > 4PM: You and your friends can still make it into the pit if you arrive at the queue between these times. The pit fits well over 2000 fans (some venues let in more or less that number). So if you can't make it to the queue really early, arriving in the afternoon should still get you in to the pit area. I have some friends who were able to sneak into the pit after talking to security, despite showing up at General Admission at 8PM!
- 6PM > showtime: If you want to be outside the pit and be near the back where you may drink, freely dance around, and have the liberty to go to the washroom without too much concern of losing your spot, then arriving at the queue 6PM or later is fine.

NOTE: These are general times I am suggesting. We would have to also factor in which cities U2 are performing in.
- If it is an opening show for a leg of the tour, there will be pent up demand. There were a lot of people camping out the day before the opening show in Barcelona. There were fans queuing up the day before the opening Chicago show for the 2nd leg of the tour. Keep in mind that these fans wanted front rail spots in the pit. I heard that at the Pasadena gig (Oct. 25, 2009), which was to be filmed for DVD, the queue began 2 days before the show.
- As it was during the Vertigo Tour, there were fans lining up 35 hours before the concert started at the 1st Dublin show. Like 2005, the shows at Croke Park were special. There were legions of fans converging from all over the world making their pilgrimage to the U2 holy land. I have never seen a more international crowd than the one I saw at Dublin I. Because of the efficient trains, and cheap airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet, it is easy for Europeans to make their way to Ireland and the north side of Dublin.
- Again, what time you show up to the queue also depends on how fanatic the fans are at each venue. In 2005, my train from Rome to Milan was delayed, and I got to San Siro at 9AM. By that time, there were hundreds of people bubbling (not queuing) around the entrances (I call this the Italian queue). Once the gates opened, everyone pushed themselves into the gates and ran to the front - it was crazy. My friend Joelle and I were lucky to be situated in between the two B-stages, and were able to take in the unbelievable Italian atmosphere in San Siro.

Photo: April 28, 2005 GM Place - Vancouver, Canada

Q: What about camping overnight?
A: Again, this is contingent on where and when. If the show is in a city where there is an unusually high demand or is highly anticipated (i.e. Barcelona or Dublin I) or is THE tour closer (i.e. Honolulu), I foresee plenty of fans camping out. While I agree that some North American venues do ban fans from camping, the die-hard fans will still stick around over night regardless of venue policy. During the Chicago and Boston 360 shows, there was a sort-of roving queue that was maintained off the venue property. Once the venue officially opened its grounds the next morning, the queue just moved and resumed on the property. Other places like BC Place in Vancouver, fans were allowed to stay over night. In fact, the venue and U2 also provided security to ensure our safety. As you can see, it largely depends on the venue whether fans could camp over night.

Photo: June 27, 2009 Croke Park - Dublin, Ireland - Camp out at Croker

Q: What if the venue bans camping overnight?
A: This was the case during the the Phoenix and Las Vegas shows. Security didn't want people to camp, but were willing to let 5 of us to manage the queue by collecting names and putting numbers on people's hands. People were asked to return the next morning for 'roll-call'. If people were not present during roll-call, they were scratched off the queue list. This was very effective during Vegas, where security cooperated completely, and actually kicked late-comers out. Lesson to be learned: you can't just collect a number and expect to show up 2 hours before we're let into the venue. Mind you, not all venue security act as cooperatively, and may not care about the numbering system. It's up to fans to implement and self-police the queue.

Photo: December 8, 2006 Aloha Stadium - Honolulu, Hawaii

 

 

 

Q: What happens if a venue tells us we can't queue up until a certain time? Would we be arrested?
A: At Chicago, the police and security told us we couldn't line up until 6AM the day of the show. If we did, security told us that we would be given a verbal warning, then a written warning, and then arrested. Luckily my friend Bryan befriended the cops and we never did get arrested; in fact, the cops turned out to be quite funny and friendly. At any rate, while we did start a numbered queue the day before, we never did camp out overnight, and decided to return that morning with the expectation of respecting the numbering system. What we found, however, were fans queuing up at around 4:30AM the day of the show - there were about 100 people there already.

From what I understand at the Boston queue, fans were told that they were not allowed to queue up until 12PM the day of the show. However, fans began a number queue system just off the Gillette Stadium grounds the evening before the show.


Photo: September 11, 2009 Soldier Field - Chicago, Illinois - Threats made by security

The point that I am making is that although the venues may proclaim a certain time to allow queuing up, fans will continue to line up somewhere regardless of 'official policy'. Us U2 fans can be obstinate at times ;) My advice, check out the venue the day before the show and see what is going on. Chances are there will be fans queuing up, and ask how the queue is being organized and then show up at a time of your liking - whether that same day before, early in the morning the day-of, or later in the day-of the concert.


Photo: September 11, 2009 Soldier Field - Chicago, Illinois - Waiting for U2

Q: What if I can’t make it early in the morning because of work or other commitments?
A: The pit or inner circle fits well over 2000 fans. Not every queue even reaches 2000 people, and not everyone in the early morning queue will want to be inside, and prefer to be on the outside rails of the circle. I know of some fans and friends who came to the queue at 3PM for shows like Barcelona 1, Zagreb 1, and Zagreb 2 and still got inside the inner circle. Some even made rail on the far side of The Edge, or were 6-7 rows back centre-right or centre-left. There is plenty of room in the inner circle, and while I’ve never done it myself, the outside can also be perfect place to witness the full lighting capabilities of the stage, something you cannot see or appreciate inside the pit area.

 

 

Photo: July 2, 2009 Camp Nou - Barcelona, Spain - My friends Paco and Jessica

Q: What happens when I get to the queue, do I get a number for my spot?
A: Unless it's like Boston (as mentioned above) where the venue offers numbered wristbands to keep the queue organized, the majority of places are self-governed and self-policed. When you get to the queue, go to the front of the line and ask who's handling the numbers. A fan will have a marker and will write a number on the back of your hand and may even write your name down in a book. This is all informal mind you. In a way, it is necessary, to hold order in the line. The self-governed number system does not happen at all U2 concerts. In 2005, I never saw this at Milan, Oslo, Berlin, or Munich.

 

June 29, 2009 Camp Nou – Barcelona, Spain - Our numbers after arriving at 12PM the day before the show

Photo: October 23, 2009 Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, Nevada - The GA Book

Q: Can I get the queue early and save spots for my friends who will arrive later?
A: Touchy issue. I personally say no, but ask the people running the GA queue or explain the situation to those around you. There is no official policy about saving spots, it's really just about being considerate to those who spent many hours in line. In so far as GA etiquette goes, saving spots for friends can also upset those who lined up for hours in the queue. I was in Montreal for the Elevation Tour, and my friends and I were numbers 7,8,9 in the line (we arrived at the queue around 6AM). Person number 5 got there an hour before us, but when 8 of his friends arrived at 4PM and cut us in line, and we were naturally pissed off. They obviously didn't learn their elementary school manners of not cutting in line. In the end, we got front row centre and they were at the back of the heart - karma I tell you ;)

Photo: October 12, 2001 Molson Centre – Montreal, Quebec

Q: Can I temporarily leave the queue and come back? Will I lose my spot?
A: Yes you can leave the queue, but not for too long - possibly an hour or two at most. This is simply GA etiquette. I've seen people come really early, get a number written on their hand, leave for the entire day and then come back an hour before the gates open. This ruffles the feathers of quite a few fans who 'did their time' in the queue. As mentioned before, at the Vegas and Vancouver gigs, security kicked those out who got numbers the day before and didn't bother to show up until late the next day. Fans who noticed queue jumpers simply told security, and the authorities dealt with the problem. Again, not all venue security are as compliant (i.e. LA), but it's always helpful!

Photo: October 28, 2009 BC Place - Vancouver, British Columbia - Great security

What is more generally acceptable is informing your friend or those around you that you will be away briefly (ie. to go to the washroom, get a shower, or get food - tasks that should not take more than an hour or so), and kindly asking them to hold your spot. If you need to leave the queue, it's at your own risk, but the risk is much higher closer to the time when the gates open (4-5PM). If you need to briefly depart from the queue in the morning, there shouldn't be any issues.

Photo: August 6, 2009 Slaski Stadium – Chorzow, Poland

Q: Will there be special access for U2.com members?
A: No. There was an extensive Zootopia posting on whether or not U2.com members should have privileged access to the 'inner circle' within the claw. At some North American arena venues during the Vertigo Tour, there was a separate line for fanclub members; however, this has NOT been the case during the 360° Tour. From what I have seen throughout Europe and North American shows so far, there is NO separate queue for U2.com members. I can't see see how this could be feasible for a stadium tour, particularly in places like Milan where there is no queue, just a bubble around the entrances - and then a mad rush to the front. Plus, there are various degrees of membership – Horizon, Breathe, and Boots – which complicates things further.


Photo: April 25, 2005 Key Arena - Seattle, Washington - Separate U2 queue for U2 fanclub members during the Vertigo Tour

Q: Can I meet the band?
A: This was an easier task to handle at the arena venues than at the stadiums. While I've never had the opportunity to meet the band at a European stadium (it was much easier at the North American venues because the point of access for the band was normally close to the GA line), I believe this strategy will still be applicable. If you know where the band is staying, there is a good chance you can meet them before they head out to the venue for their sound check. By chance, I was able to see and get autographs along with other fans outside their hotel in Zagreb. It was around 2:30 PM, just before they left to Maksimir Stadium.

Photo: August 10, 2009 Outside Hotel Regent - Zagreb, Croatia - Adam signing for fans

 

If you know where the band is entering at the stadium, make sure you are there in the afternoon when U2 come in for their sound check. I did this at the Boston, Vancouver, Toronto, and New York shows. (NOTE: Check out the platform shoes of Bono and Larry; and look excited when you see them, otherwise they won't acknowledge you and think you're an eBayer wanting to sell signatured U2 memorabilia).

Photo: September 11, 2009 Outside Soldier Field - Chicago, Illinois - Edge signing autographs

Q: What should I bring to the queue? What should I wear?
A: Bring all that you can't leave behind. I normally bring a minimal amount of personal belongings and food, in anticipation of leaving disposable items behind and having the ability to get through security quickly with only my camera and ticket in hand.
- quick-dry t-shirt (to allow sweat or rain to evaporate easily)
- khaki pants or shorts (ones I do not mind getting dirty)
- a breathable Gore-Tex jacket in case it rains (like it did at Dublin)
- ultra-zoom camera (I will be bringing my Panasonic DMC-TZ5 10X optical zoom camera for close ups of the band)

Photo: December 6, 2006 Aloha Stadium - Honolulu, Hawaii - 4th Row Centre

- sandwiches for the day (good energy source)
- snack bars or granola bars to keep in your jacket or pockets to eat when you get in the venue and before U2 comes on. (NOTE: You are usually let into the stadium once U2’s sound check is done, which is normally around 4:30. That will mean you will not eat anything until after the concerts which finishes around 11PM. Believe me, you will get a bit hungry, and will need an energy source for later.)
- disposable sunscreen packets (thanks Trish for the reminder!)
- bottle of water or sport drink (i.e. Gatorade) (NOTE: depending on cloud cover, if there is an overcast, drink little water; if there is a lot of sun, drink a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated. Most venues will have portable toilets (at Croke Park, lots of alley ways), so having to go to the toilet is not an issue in the morning. However, when it gets closer to show time, you only want to drink enough water to sustain life, but not too much where you will have to leave and possibly lose your spot at the front of the stage.
- games to play (i.e. cards)
- magazine or newspaper to read (and leave behind)
- a plastic bag to store all of the above (and leave behind)
- card board box or mat to sleep on (and can leave behind)
- The Survival Bag (in case it is raining and you are sleeping overnight or arrive in the queue early in the morning, you can slip into the bag and stay completely dry (and leave behind)

 

Photo: October 20, 2009 University of Phoenix Stadium - Glendale, Arizona - Jeff, Josh, and Bowman playing poker

Now this seems extreme, but that's just me. I've seen people bring lawn chairs or blow-up chairs and leave them behind - but I don't think that's too kind to our environment. My friends and I have also brought chairs and inflatable mattresses. But when it came around 3PM day of show, we would store it in our car parked nearby or have a friend pick-up or drop-off materials such as food or chairs.

Photo: September 12, 2005 Air Canada Centre - Toronto, Ontario

Q: What do you do all day in the queue?
A: There were several things I've done to occupy myself in the queue at the various cities I've visited. I've met several new and old friends from all over the world (all cities); read a book and newspapers (all cities); drank beer (Dublin III, Las Vegas); slept all morning on my inflatable mattress (Chicago II); ordered and ate delivered pizza (thanks Adam and Nate - Chicago I and II); got angry at security (Zagreb II); played games on my iPhone (Barcelona I); and bought U2 T-Shirts (London II, Dublin I). During the Vancouver overnight queue, we had a propane heater and a BBQ fired up, which we later returned to Dino's truck when it was time to put our materials away the next day. It was a lot of fun to literally and figuratively chill out!

Photos: October 27, 2009 - Outside of BC Place - Vancouver, British Columbia - Chilling Out

Q: What is security check like? What is allowed and not allowed?
A: At most venues, security will line everyone up in separate pens, and ask you to open your bags for inspection. Point-and-shoot cameras are alright. I've seen people sneak in pocket digital HD camcorders. I haven't seen any issue so far with people bringing in signs to wave to U2.

Things I've generally noticed that security will disallow entry into the venue: 'professional' cameras with large (2"+) zoom lenses, alcoholic beverages, chairs, umbrellas, and weapons (obviously). Some venues allow water bottles in, others don't. Some allow water bottles without caps, in which case, hide a spare cap in your pocket. Some disallow outside food, while others don't mind snack bars and such. Your best bet, ask security in the morning of what is allowed and not allowed. It helps to look for the head of security because they have better knowledge of venue policy. Remember, if you want to get through security check quickly, carry all that you can't leave behind!

Video: October 13, 2009 Outside Soldier Field - Chicago, Illinois - The security check

Q: Do you run or walk once the gates are open?
A: It depends on the venue. At places like London and Dublin, they insisted everyone walk to the front. The venue had a gauntlet of security guards ensuring no one ran and yelled out "walk...walk...walk!" So learn how to speed walk! However, at cities like Milan, Berlin, or Oslo, it was a mad sprint to the front. I was nearly pushed down the stairs at Olympic Stadium in Berlin, but I luckily made up lost ground because I was a fast sprinter.

Video: September 13, 2009 Soldier Field Chicago, Illinois - My friend Chris also filmed the run towards the GA pit for the second Chicago show.

NOTE: If you are bringing in a small bag or a backpack, make sure you have it wide open for inspection. If possible, have no bag at all and just carry in water, your camera, and your ticket - all in hand - so security will not have to sift through your belongings, which will cut down on time being held up in the queue.

Photo: August 9, 2009 Maksimir Stadium – Zagreb, Croatia

Q: What is it like at the front or in the pit? Is it rough?
A: Unlike Coldplay shows or concert festivals which are the only comparisons I can draw from, U2 crowds are generally easy going and respectful. I've been able to enjoy the front with relative ease. The only times I found it tough in 2005 were in NY, Dublin I, and Honolulu, where 'important' people pushed their way to the front. Even for U2 360˚the crowds in Poland and Croatia were not pushy as I thought they would. All other times, I thought there was general respect and a sense of harmony amongst us, and I look forward to sharing a 'magnificent' time with fellow U2 fans :)

Photo: July 25, 2009 Croke Park - Dublin, Ireland - During the opening act Kaiser Chiefs

Q: When you are at the front, is the stage too high?
A: I noticed that the stage is slightly higher than the one used during the Vertigo tour. I remember my neck aching quite a bit after the show after looking up for several hours, but that is a trade off I am willing to make to be at the front. While Bono, Adam, and Larry are easy to see from the front row centre rail, it is difficult to see Larry. If you are in front of Adam, it is hard to see Edge who positions himself far off to the other side of the stage. Likewise, if you are in front of Edge, it is challenging to see Adam who is on the other side. There is enough movement by the band mates to adequately see them, except for Larry.

Photo: August 15, 2009 Wembley Stadium - London, England (Front Row Centre) - Vik, Darren, and I

Some fans prefer the back rail when they are in the pit because they can see the band comfortably without having to crane their necks, and still see the band when they come around the circle stage (which is much lower than the front stage). I've also been in the pit a few rows back and enjoyed the show as much as I did when I was at the front because it was not as cramped and easier to see the band (and the video screen - something you barely see or appreciate when you are at the front).

Photo: July 24, 2009 Croke Park - Dublin, Ireland - View from front row centre

In reality, the U2 General Admission into the pit is like a box a chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get! Because so much random events can happen between the opening of the gates and you getting into the pit, sometimes you have to be content with which ever spot is available! Either way, it's a great show whereever you are in the pit :)

Photo: October 23, 2009 BC Place - Vancouver, British Columbia - Bono looking my way

Q: You are lining up for such a long time, it can’t be all fun and games?!
A: You’re right; it isn’t always the greatest of experiences for the entire time you are in the queue. I’ve had to deal with really hot days, where there was no shade (i.e. June 30, 2009 Camp Nou - Barcelona). There would be days where it would rain nonstop (i.e. June 24, 2005 Croke Park – Dublin). There are ways to prepare for such climates, but your patience can wear thin quickly. I sometimes found myself frustrated by people cutting the line, despite the fact that I spent the whole day there, and despite my protestations, there was nothing I could do. Fairness, it seemed, was not universal. Other fans had described to me of a not-so-pleasant camping out experience at the Chorzow queue, where there were really drunk fans being loud and obnoxious at night, which made it a sleepless queuing experience.

 

Photo: October 8, 2009 Madison Square Gardens - New York, New York - Waiting in the rain

Another phenomenon I encountered so far during the 360˚ Tour was that being at the front of a queue does not necessarily guarantee a good spot in the pit because of mechanical or human errors. For example, the tickets wouldn’t scan properly at Dublin 3 or at Chorzow, which would result in gates locking up and disallowing you to pass. I know for some female fans, particularly at Wembley, there was a shortage of female security guards to search female fans, so they were held up. Sometimes security guards will randomly hold you back for crowd control into the pit, which meant other fans passing you while you waited your turn. Most stadium venues would have multiple GA gates, which increase uncertainty of where you will end up in the pit. Many fans had described to me of the Paris shows, where some gates opened up early than others. This resulted in frustrating some fans that felt this to be unfair and arbitrary. Having been through this myself, one can easily feel irritated and upset.

 

CONCLUSION:
Well, I hope you found this post informative, if not entertaining. Despite these negatives, I still maintain the GA queue to be a beneficial and fun experience. A valuable lesson I learned was that ‘anything can happen’ in the GA experience and that we should not raise our expectations of always getting the spot we imagine ourselves having. Because we get to the queue early enough, we will all get into the pit or inner circle, and will have a great spot where ever we may end up. Most U2 fans would love to see the shows we see, let alone the close proximity we have to the band. Most of us who have had the privilege to be in the pit will agree that the atmosphere is electric and any bad experiences from earlier in the day are washed away by the torrential music of U2.

 

 

Photo: August 6, 2009 Slaski Stadium - Chorzow, Poland - Bryan, Arnie and Bono's Setlist

Photo: August 9, 2009 Maksimir Stadium - Zagreb, Croatia - Nick, Bronwyn, and I

While the U2 queue can be tiring and at times trying (i.e. North end Dublin kids making fun of U2 and throwing fruit and eggs at us outside of Croke Park), I think we can look back and remember all the great times. I can earnestly look back at all my experiences in the queue – good and bad – and remember how much fun it was to meet everyone, listen in on the sound checks, feel the rush of getting into the venue early, enjoying the concert with the same fans I shared the queue with during the entire day, and getting various setlists at the end of the night. I vividly recall meeting new friends, sharing our love for U2's music, talking about our backgrounds, and explaining where our travels have taken us. In the end, the U2 queue is more than trying to make it to the front; it really is a place where different people of varying backgrounds can find a common ground, with the hope of having long lasting memories. I look forward to seeing you all in the queue! For me, there's no other way but GA :)


Photo: July 7, 2005 Olympic Stadium - Berlin, Germany