First Time Pit

[CFerris44]

Hey everyone. I am sure this topic has been brought up before but I am just going to ask it again. I will be attending my first Dave Matthews Band concert from the pit. I am super excited! I was just wondering what time I need to show up at the venue to give myself the best odds of getting to the front of the stage. I know everybody wants to get there and it will be a struggle to make my way to the front, but I want to say I at least tried. I am travelling a very long way to attend this show and I want to make the most of it. Once the gates open do people run at top speed to get there? Any information on this would help out. Thanks Ants

[T_Train]

If you want to be on the rail, you have to have a Warehouse ticket. Warehouse members are let in the gates 10-15 minutes earlier than regular ticket holders. If you have a WH ticket, get there early in the day. The earlier, the better your spot on the rail. As for "making my way to the front," don't be that guy.

[MontaukNY]

What will happen is they'll let all the WHers in and line up in an orderly fashion, then walk everyone down to the pit. You won't have to sprint for a spot.

[CFerris44]

So in other words, just because I have pit tickets doesn't guarantee me to get anywhere near the stage? Or can I still get close with just GA pit tickets?

[tbernsen05]

Originally Posted by CFerris44

So in other words, just because I have pit tickets doesn't guarantee me to get anywhere near the stage? Or can I still get close with just GA pit tickets?

Everything in the pit is relatively close to the stage. You are not guaranteed to get railed though.

[TimHonks]

Originally Posted by CFerris44

So in other words, just because I have pit tickets doesn't guarantee me to get anywhere near the stage? Or can I still get close with just GA pit tickets?

You will be close, but you will have to show up very early to be the closest.

[ExistenceNow]

If you want center rail, you'll need a WH ticket and you'll need to line up around 7am.

[lovemesomedmb]

Originally Posted by MontaukNY

What will happen is they'll let all the WHers in and line up in an orderly fashion, then walk everyone down to the pit. You won't have to sprint for a spot.

They don't walk people down at Berkeley - it's a sprint since it's all GA.

Originally Posted by ExistenceNow

If you want center rail, you'll need a WH ticket and you'll need to line up around 7am.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ yep

[CFerris44]

So what would be a good time to show up in the afternoon to get a really good position in the pit? Keeping in mind I have no warehouse seat. A few hours before the gates open?

[ExistenceNow]

What do you consider a really good position?


I don't really see the point of lining up hours early with a LN ticket.


If you're really gung ho about getting railed, try to trade your LN ticket for a WH ticket. Plenty of us with WH tickets don't give a shit about rail and are content to stand at the back rail with easy access to beer and bathrooms.

[ExistenceNow]

What show is this for, btw? That will help us give you more specific advice.

[CFerris44]

I will be at the Chula Vista show. It would be a dream come true to catch a drum stick. I want to hear the music from up close and experience everything! I read what you ants have seen and done at past shows and I want to have similar experiences. Hopefully that makes sense.

[ExistenceNow]

Don't gotta be super close to get a stick. Just have to be lucky, or have a sign/flag that Carter sees and likes.

Or a kid. Kids are stick magnets.

[misschung]

I had a Livenation pit ticket for SPAC and I arrived about two hours before they opened the gates. Warehouse members already lined up at the rail, but I was second row directly behind.

[MyNameisKristen]

I had pit at Chula two years ago and lined up an hour before they opened the gates. I ended up about 7 people back close to center. It was amazing considering I'd never had anything but ok seats before. Just know you have to trade your ticket for a wristband once you get in. If you try to go straight for the put you could lose a few minutes.

I'll be there Friday with pit tickets too!

[CFerris44]

That is great info to know. Where are these wristbands locate once you get inside the gates? What time will you be showing up this year? I think the gates open at 6.

[CFerris44]

Originally Posted by ExistenceNow

Don't gotta be super close to get a stick. Just have to be lucky, or have a sign/flag that Carter sees and likes.

Or a kid. Kids are stick magnets.

Thanks for the good advice. I will have to draft something up I suppose.

[MyNameisKristen]

Two years ago there was like a desk/stand (whatever) on your way to the pit. Had no idea to look for it so got to the entrance of the pit and was directed back to it.

I think I'll be getting in line about an hour before they let people in. I thought they didn't let you in till an hour before the start time though so I need to find out. I usually tailgate till just before they start but not when I have pit!

Looking for one more pit if you happen to see anything

[ExistenceNow]

Gates have been at 6:30 for most shows (Berkeley is earlier, and Gorge too). Show time is 8 (on stage at 8:20)


There will be a Warehouse pit wristband tent outside the venue. In the past, they would give a wristband to anyone with a pit ticket, but this year they've only been giving them to people with WH pit tickets. LN pit ticket holders have been having to get theirs inside, at the entrance to the pit.

[lovelyladysarz]

So, with a LN Pit ticket at the Gorge, there's no point in showing up early? I don't want to plan my day around something (getting railed) that won't happen. Bummer.

[Sabres914]

Originally Posted by lovelyladysarz

So, with a LN Pit ticket at the Gorge, there's no point in showing up early? I don't want to plan my day around something (getting railed) that won't happen. Bummer.

Yeah, I wouldn't plan on getting railed without WH Pit.

If you have LN Pit, it's always worth it to post and track someone down with a WH Pit who isn't using the early entrance. You can trade stubs and use theirs to get in early, then trade back once you're inside and have secured your spot.

[dmbfan32]

Originally Posted by ExistenceNow

Gates have been at 6:30 for most shows (Berkeley is earlier, and Gorge too). Show time is 8 (on stage at 8:20)


There will be a Warehouse pit wristband tent outside the venue. In the past, they would give a wristband to anyone with a pit ticket, but this year they've only been giving them to people with WH pit tickets. LN pit ticket holders have been having to get theirs inside, at the entrance to the pit.

It is worth just looking for the tent and play dumb. In Irvine, I went to get my wristband (I did have WH pit tickets) and the guy did not even ask to see my ticket. Just put the wristband on my wrist.