Now the post-tour depression is setting in, I thought I might consider a trip to Europe this summer. Tho I am English I have only seen the Stones out of the States once, 1976 at Knebworth, my first Stones show! Since then it has all been in the USA.

How do you ensure getting a few rows from or in front of the stage in Europe? Do they have FOS for all the shows, big and little, and once you have a FOS ticket, can you just wiggle up to the front? Or do you have to queue outside for hours/days and then make a mad rush for it? If you have a FOS ticket do they have to let you in even if, say, you arrive after the opening band? Are there any other options? Any info much appreciated. Sarah

In UK these days the floor or pitch (whatever you wish to call it) is all seated. In most of Europe (don't know about Scandinavia) it's still as it used to be many moons ago in the UK; namely free standing. You arrive early early, queue up, and when the doors open ........ run like stink and stake out your place.

Are the sales on ticketmaster like here with seating maps?

Sarah, for FOS card holders there is normaly no special treatment at the venue. That means that the only advantage you'll have is the FOS section with normaly two special entries one on each side of the stage. For a chance to catch a great view onto the stage, be as early as you can there to get in.

Seating maps normally you can find on getgo for the german concerts.

Take care

Gangster

Hang in there, Sarah! It's going to take some getting used to! I just watched television (like sitcome/drama shit) for the first time in MONTHS! How totally disappointing and unfulfilling!

But, something has got to fill this void! I'm searching for a hobby or a cause, or something!!

But, it's great that word is out that there will be some European action. I know that bit of news is helping me!

paulywaul said

"You arrive early early, queue up, and when the doors open ........ run like stink and stake out your place."

Those were the days. That's how it should be.
[...and I can still show a clean pair of heels to most of the unfit and under-exercised youth of today ;^) ]

There was a thread about FOS sitting in Europe not long ago.

I've just got my tix for the Roger Waters gig in Paris next year and guess what...There will be reserved seating.

In Paris, Amsterdam, Bergen and Horsens there was a "Golden Circle" - tickets more expensive, but gets you into what used to be called the "pit".

The size depended on the size of venue, and the crowd was everything from very relaxed (most places) to aggressive (Paris). To get to the front you just need to enter this area early. You could get tickets outside from touts (scalpers) and on line for this area.

Twickenham was seated.

The golden circle tix in Horsens wasn't very expensive compared to outside the circle. Only 14 bucks more.

JumpingKentFlash

sarahunwin Wrote:
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> Are the sales on ticketmaster like here with
> seating maps?

Yes of course, but having said that, Spanish ticket sales were notably frustrating because of either poor, or totally non existent - availability of seating plans. Ticketmaster/UK is good in terms of the provision of adequately detailed seating plans, and otherwise so too were SOME ticket agencies in other European countries, but by no means ALL. The Spanish agencies were in my opinion particularly poor with respect to the provision of such information, either prior to, or at the time of - ticket sales. You were basically forced to buy "blind", and there is scope for a MASSIVE amount of improvement in this respect on behalf of whichever agencies were involved in the marketing of tickets - at least for the 2006 shows which by coincidence ended up getting cancelled.

Detailed seating charts were equally non-existent for Portugal. And also Nice.

Germany 2006

FOS = STANDING !!!



Koeln (Cologne)

thecitadel Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In Paris, Amsterdam, Bergen and Horsens there was
> a "Golden Circle" - tickets more expensive, but
> gets you into what used to be called the "pit".
>
> The size depended on the size of venue, and the
> crowd was everything from very relaxed (most
> places) to aggressive (Paris). To get to the front
> you just need to enter this area early. You could
> get tickets outside from touts (scalpers) and on
> line for this area.
>
> Twickenham was seated.


I would not use the terms "golden circle" or "pit" for Stones shows. My experience in Europe this summer was that the "golden circle" extends to the edge of the B-Stage, so It would be more accurate to say that the "front of stage" tickets basically cover an area that extends about 40% down the field. The photo above is typical, but by the time the show starts, it is packed. I would also add that Fanasylum package purchasers get early entry to the venue, so that the spots on the rail will be taken, no matter how early you queue.