The Gorge Q&A and FAQs

[ExistenceNow]

4 days of camping with toddlers seems like a dreadful idea.

But that's probably why I don't have kids.

[Sister]

I know this is probably a really dumb question (and different for everyone) but what is the best place to watch the show from? I love Pit to be close, but I have read that the stage is very tall. I would love reserved seats, but I am a short girl. Everyone raves about lawn and I will likely do at least one lawn day. I am also thinking about box seats but will have to pay a bazillion bucks for them and honestly could spend the same money on about any other location in the venue. Help plz, first (and probably only) trip to Mecca. It's been a long time coming.

[ExistenceNow]

Originally Posted by Sister

I know this is probably a really dumb question (and different for everyone) but what is the best place to watch the show from? I love Pit to be close, but I have read that the stage is very tall. I would love reserved seats, but I am a short girl. Everyone raves about lawn and I will likely do at least one lawn day. I am also thinking about box seats but will have to pay a bazillion bucks for them and honestly could spend the same money on about any other location in the venue. Help plz, first (and probably only) trip to Mecca. It's been a long time coming.

Pit at Gorge is an overpacked nightmare.

Seats can also be a nightmare if you're not near an aisle. The rows are impossibly long and stupidly narrow. If you're in the middle of one, say goodnight. Also, the views from the side sections can be abysmal.

Box seats are good, but yea, you'll have to pay a premium for them, and will likely have to go through a LiveNation rep, or a resale site, to get them.

So, long story short, just do lawn. Get in line early for a good spot, bring a low sitting chair (or rent one in the venue) and just relax.

[ToySoldier#34]

Back of pit N1, seats to mid lawn as long as you are somewhere near the middle

[ClearlakeSun25]

I got pit for N2 this year and am stoked. Would you care to elaborate on the “overpacked nightmare” comment regarding the pit at gorge? Should I not be excited?

[MidwestGirl]

Originally Posted by ClearlakeSun25

I got pit for N2 this year and am stoked. Would you care to elaborate on the “overpacked nightmare” comment regarding the pit at gorge? Should I not be excited?

They oversell it and its packed. Can't dance or move, or get in/out. Even on the back rail its packed.

[YouNeverKnow25]

Originally Posted by MidwestGirl

They oversell it and its packed. Can't dance or move, or get in/out. Even on the back rail its packed.

yes---it's very bad I must say

[dmbolp]

And there were stories of folks just jumping over the wall to get into the Pit, so lots of folks not even entitled to be there

[eliz]

Originally Posted by dmbolp

And there were stories of folks just jumping over the wall to get into the Pit, so lots of folks not even entitled to be there

We witnessed this first-hand.... and it was a spectacular fail! The guy did a very karmic face-plant and had to be removed by the first aid team.

I also know of people who get literal stacks of pit wristbands (IDK if they're real or counterfeit) and just hand them out en-mass.

Total shit-show.

[Sister]

I really appreciate the insight. When I do manage a pit ticket, I am not a rail rider and have typically done well to hang in the back but maybe not at the Gorge...

[ExistenceNow]

Originally Posted by eliz

We witnessed this first-hand.... and it was a spectacular fail! The guy did a very karmic face-plant and had to be removed by the first aid team.

I also know of people who get literal stacks of pit wristbands (IDK if they're real or counterfeit) and just hand them out en-mass.

Total shit-show.

Saw this two years ago. Someone had a stack and was handing them out at the front of the lawn at the entrance to the reserved section. Watched to make sure, and yup, they all went down to the pit and got in.

[BruceW]

ok well this answers the question of whether or not we will do one night of pit at Gorge...big NOPE

[CrushB610]

Only time I noticed the overpackedness of the pit was the N2 in 2018 I think it was that people are referencing where they were handing out wristbands to anyone.

Been in there I think 3 other times with little or no issues that differ from any pit situation at any venue.

I felt like last year n2 we had a good amount of room.

[ISawTheBridge10]

Yeah I'm not really worried about the crowd. I've accepted that most pits are going to offer little personal space, but I can see how a couple of hundred people suddenly showing up when the pit is sold out will effect the qi.

Speaking of pits: is there a word for where you start in one spot and by the end of the show you're in a completely different spot without ever noticing any discernible movement?

[YouNeverKnow25]

Originally Posted by Sister

I really appreciate the insight. When I do manage a pit ticket, I am not a rail rider and have typically done well to hang in the back but maybe not at the Gorge...

this does not work at the gorge. in 2018 I did that N3 and got smushed back against the backrail

[mHeiser92]

2018 N3 started the night with a good spot off to the side and towards the back of the pit. Left quickly about 5 songs in to grab a drink and when I came back it was like an extra 300 people had filed in. Wound up standing way outside and back against the rail for the rest of the night.

[ToySoldier#34]

I guess my experience is different than the norm, N1 '18 I was in the back of the pit and dancing with my gf with space, good to keep in mind it's usually not like this for getting tickets this time

[dmbolp]

Originally Posted by ToySoldier#34

I guess my experience is different than the norm, N1 '18 I was in the back of the pit and dancing with my gf with space, good to keep in mind it's usually not like this for getting tickets this time

N1 is great, N2 sucks; Same applies to WPB

[Route_2]

At least in the pit you don't have those metal chairs pushed into your legs from the front and back.

[YouNeverKnow25]

yes all of the rules that are in place are enforced less and less as the weekend goes on.

[ClearlakeSun25]

This is crazy to me. Been lucky enough to pit 3 shows in my life and they were my best DMB experiences ever. I was over the moon on Tuesday when we got N2 pit for our first ever trip to Gorge, especially since we love Bella Fleck. I am going to keep a positive attitude and see what happens.

[MidwestGirl]

Originally Posted by ClearlakeSun25

This is crazy to me. Been lucky enough to pit 3 shows in my life and they were my best DMB experiences ever. I was over the moon on Tuesday when we got N2 pit for our first ever trip to Gorge, especially since we love Bella Fleck. I am going to keep a positive attitude and see what happens.

You never know.

I never care about a spot upclose, but the last time I went in 2018 it was just miserable and you couldn't escape the crowd of people unless you were on the far outsides.

[ExistenceNow]

Originally Posted by Route_2

At least in the pit you don't have those metal chairs pushed into your legs from the front and back.

Yea, the dead bodies are much more plush and easier on the knees.

[flames_theman]

2018 N3 pit was bad! Last year N3 pit I found to be a lot better. I think it depends on the year. We also went in a little earlier last year and got a decent spot about 6-7 rows from the rail. I think the overcrowding happens more by the back fence.

[ISawTheBridge10]

Originally Posted by flames_theman

2018 N3 pit was bad! Last year N3 pit I found to be a lot better. I think it depends on the year. We also went in a little earlier last year and got a decent spot about 6-7 rows from the rail. I think the overcrowding happens more by the back fence.

While this will be my first Gorge trip so I can’t really compare, I have to assume 2018 overcrowding had something to do with the full band taking off 2017.

[dmbolp]

Originally Posted by ISawTheBridge10

While this will be my first Gorge trip so I can’t really compare, I have to assume 2018 overcrowding had something to do with the full band taking off 2017.

Don't think that has anything to do with it. All nights of Pit are sold out day of show, regardless of year.

[Zags85]

Originally Posted by flames_theman

2018 N3 pit was bad! Last year N3 pit I found to be a lot better. I think it depends on the year. We also went in a little earlier last year and got a decent spot about 6-7 rows from the rail. I think the overcrowding happens more by the back fence.

Haven't done many pits recently but was in there for Tinley. Noticed it was a cluster by the entrance when I went for beers but we were similar distance back and plenty of space in the front.

[MidwestGirl]

Originally Posted by ISawTheBridge10

While this will be my first Gorge trip so I can’t really compare, I have to assume 2018 overcrowding had something to do with the full band taking off 2017.

I don't think it matters

but going off that logic 2016 was a FAR busier year, the last show before the break... and we were in the pit n3 that year and it was much better.

[ClearlakeSun25]

My warehouse reserved seats for N3 are section 204 row 13. After Back reading and looking at chart I think these will be ok sight wise but anyone who’s been there want chime in...

[YouNeverKnow25]

Originally Posted by ClearlakeSun25

My warehouse reserved seats for N3 are section 204 row 13. After Back reading and looking at chart I think these will be ok sight wise but anyone who’s been there want chime in...

in my opinion that will come down solely to seat number. higher than 25ish and you might wish you'd upgraded IMO