FestHack: Up Close for your Favorite Band
Hello r/wayhome!
All music lovers will tell you how incredible it is to experience a show from right in front of the stage. Each note will resonate through your soul and the crowd’s energy will engulf your body in a way that makes you feel like you’re a part of the music. One of the unique things about festivals is you don’t need an expensive, hard to get ticket for the chance to be up front; you just need patience and stamina to get you there.
Some Lingo
A metal barrier at medium sized stages/tents that keeps the crowd back from the stage. There is usually a 2 meter gap between the stage and the rail which is populated by security and photographers. If you make your way to the rail you can stay there as long as your heart desires.
A sectioned off area at the front of the large stages where the crowd can either wait in a line, or win passes for entry. There is often two pits at large stages with one being designated for GA ticket holders and the other for VIP ticket holders. Both pits are emptied at the end of each show to allow another group of people to occupy it for the next show.
Getting to the Rail/Pit
For any show at a stage without a pit, getting to the rail is achieved purely with commitment. If the show is early in the day, go get in the line to get into the Main Venue early in the morning. When they start letting people through, powerwalk to the stage you want to be on the rail for, set up camp, and wait. If it’s a later show you want to be on the rail for, you will have to arrive 2-4 shows ahead of time, and slowly work your way up through the crowd. When each show before the one you want to see ends, people will leave allowing you to make your way further and further up to the front. The most dedicated fans will have the best spots, that’s simply how it works.
For larger stages with a pit the same idea applies, the early bird gets the worm. We don’t know exactly how things will work at Wayhome, but for pit access there is usually a lineup which starts 1-2 shows before the one you’re trying to see. Find the line, make sure it’s for the show you want, and get comfortable. After each show the pit will be cleared and your line should be ushered in before the next show begins. As is often the case they will hold contests either before or during the festival with pit access vouchers which allow you straight walk-in access to the pit for your show of choice. As you can see from the picture getting into the pit doesn’t mean you’ll be at the absolute front, you’ll need to combine the rail and pit instructions in order to achieve this highly coveted spot called the Pit Rail.
Some Things to Consider
Be Prepared
At larger festivals you may have to put in an entire day to have the perfect spot for your favorite headliner. This means being equipped with enough water/food/sun protection to keep you in good enough shape to actually enjoy the show once it comes time. The closer you get, the harder it will be to leave and return to your spot. Make sure you have what you need before embarking on this mission. Also, never pick up a water bottle from the ground in the pit. 99.99% of the time it’ll be filled with piss from someone who had to go but didn’t want to give up their spot.
Be Aware
The rail is literally what holds the entire crowd back from the stage. As the crowd moves you can feel crushed between them and the rail. If you’re a smaller person this may be too intense a situation for you, but you can always use a buddy to help. Have a larger person stand directly behind you and place their arms on either side of you with hands against the rail. They will need to be strong enough to keep their arms locked and provide you with a safe un-squished little area between them and the rail. Please also keep in mind that the closer you are, the more potential there is for a crowd surfer to be passed over your head. This can result in a foot to the head, or someone’s body coming down on you if you’re unaware they’re coming your way.
Another aspect of concerts that requires respect from all participants. If you would like to crowd surf, don’t wear bulky heavy shoes/boots that could injure someone below. Keep your limbs spread and stiff as to distribute your weight over the greatest area. If you go limp you’ll fall between everyone like a wet noodle. If someone is being passed over top of you, never willingly allow them to drop to the ground, and never under any fucking circumstance is it permissible to grope/molest a crowd surfer.
The natural progression of crowd surfing is to be passed up to the front. When this happens you will eventually by tossed over the rail by the crowd into the waiting arms of security. Don’t worry, most often they will simply set you down gently and usher you out the side to rejoin the crowd. However if you fall into their arms a second or third time, they may not set you down as gently. So get your crowd surfing fill in one go and call it a day.
Now you have an idea of what it’ll take to have the best possible spot for your all-time favorite band. Since Wayhome will be half the population of the larger festivals, everything mentioned here can be toned down a few notches. It may take some time, and you may have to miss a show on another stage, but I promise you there are few feelings in life like being front and center for an amazing show.
Please share your stories from the Rail/Pit to help encourage our new Wayhomies to embark on this crazy musical mission! Or any of your own hints for getting up close!
Posted Apr 9, 2015, 4:53 PM UTC