Outside Lands, San Francisco, CA, 9 - 11th August - ARCHIVE
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read that~ no mention of the south bay... nothing post for the south bay...
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YoungGerl:
aakiboh:
Do you have any other advice for first-timers? I'm a lot less worried about this than Bonnaroo, since extreme heat and camping won't be involved, but if you've got any words of wisdom for newbies, I'd love to hear them!
Good question! Here are a few things I can think of off the top of my head: - They'll probably offer lockers this year. They started offering them last year. When they go on sale, GET ONE. Last year it was $5 for a medium locker or $10 for a large one...for the WHOLE WEEKEND! We only ended up using it once, but it's definitely worth it just in case. They sold out before the festival last year. - Wear layers and bring a jacket. San Francisco weather is unpredictable and it can be FREEZING at night because the festival is close-ish to the water and the fog rolls in. - Bring cash. Many of the places do take credit cards, but it always helps to have cash on hand...and that way you don't have to deal with the ATM lines or ATM fees. - Blankets are helpful to save your spot & keep you dry if the grass is wet. Last year they were giving away free blankets at one of the tents. - Watch where you're going. You're in a grassy park. Sometimes the ground is uneven. (My accident-prone friend stepped in a hole and sprained her ankle.) - There is a medic tent to the right of the Lands End stage. - Bring tissues/toilet paper & hand sanitizer. They try to clean the port-a-potties often but they can get pretty icky. - It's San Francisco. There will be a lot of people smoking pot around you. (I'm sensitive to smoke and the people smoking cigarettes bothered me more than those smoking pot...) - Walk around! There's a lot to see, the booths give out free stuff, and the food is from local restaurants and different all around the festival. You can do your own "Taste of the Bay Area!" They also have local wines, local cheeses, and local beers. - Wear good walking shoes, but be aware they will get dusty, as the trails are unpaved from stage to stage. Also, you'll probably have to walk far to get in and out of the festival, because buses & trains & cabs nearby will be packed! Hope that helps...if I think of other suggestions, I'll post here! Any questions, feel free to post them...
Thank you SO much!
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I found a motel just on the outskirts of Golden Gate park...definitely within walking distance to the festival, on the Great Highway. That would be doable for us (the hubby & I), eliminating the need to take public transportation. Just a thought since we are still debating about attending the event.
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So much for my idea of any nearby motel...nothing available for that entire weekend.
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~lady*madonna~:
So much for my idea of any nearby motel...nothing available for that entire weekend.
Any nearby hotels will be snapped up by now or fairly expensive. A shuttle pass for $39 could be a good option - that way you could stay a bit farther away. http://www.sfoutsidelands.com/shuttlepass/ Also, there are hotel packages, but they're pretty pricey even if you're interested in going for the whole weekend. But I think the shuttle will actually drop you off at your hotel. http://www.cidentertainment.com/home/osl2013.php Looking briefly online, it seems that the majority of the San Francisco hotels are in the $200 and $300 range for the weekend, but you can probably find a few under $200/night.
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Anything close to confirmation that Paul will be playing on Friday? I have a chance at some one-day passes, and want to know if I should snap them up...
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edschen:
Anything close to confirmation that Paul will be playing on Friday? I have a chance at some one-day passes, and want to know if I should snap them up...
I've been checking but so far haven't seen a lineup of who's playing when. I've only seen three day passes still available, where did you find day passes?
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Mine is through friends. I've heard that some resellers are splitting up packages. "Official" Day Passes have been sold in previous years, but that is no guarantee they will come into existence this time, particularly given the headliner
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edschen:
Mine is through friends. I've heard that some resellers are splitting up packages. "Official" Day Passes have been sold in previous years, but that is no guarantee they will come into existence this time, particularly given the headliner
Gotcha! Yes, I think if day tickets are eventually released I'll go the evening Paul is on. Otherwise we will just go and sit in the park and listen when he's on.
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edschen:
I've heard that some resellers are splitting up packages.
I've been to Outside Lands a few times over the last few years, and buying a 3-day ticket gets you a single ticket that you have to use each day of the festival. You can't really split up a ticket into single days, unless you make an agreement with friends that you'll only go on a specific day. Last year, they announced daily lineups on July 18 and single-day tickets went on sale on July 20. So you've got a while to wait...
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I entered the local radio station contest for two 3 day VIP tix PLUS 2 night hotel stay! If I win, I will be soooooooooooo happy. I wasn't sure I even wanted to attend, but if I get the VIP tix with the hotel, I'll be there in a heartbeat! Anyone know if the VIP ticket holders get a special area to view the headliners???
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I read that VIP tix are on a little bit of a hill but not close and you get a better toilet. I have now decided I will be going to this show. If he doesn't do any other California gigs in the near future I know that I will be devastated if I missed him in my home state. I don't mind the 3 day pass. gives me a day to explore the festival and the food and wine, and a day to camp in front of the stage. and its a helluva lot cheaper than most of his tix. Hope I see some of you there. I'll be on my own.
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hi all, this is my first post. Thought I'd get to know some fans before Paul comes to Cali. I read the entire thread and really wanted to chime in, as I managed to be in the front row at Outside Lands a couple of years ago. All the tips listed thus far are great. Definitely bring a jacket but also wear lots of layers. You'll be shedding and putting back on those layers throughout the day, and even when you move from under a shadow to under the sun. Freezing in the morning, hot under the sun during the day, and back to freezing at night. And yes, please wear sturdy, comfortable shoes! The ground was very uneven. I could barely walk on Saturday, and that was the most important day of the weekend for me. Remember to use bathrooms early in the day because they will run out of toilet paper and become disgusting. People with VIP passes have their own blocked off area in front of the stages, so not as difficult to get a front row spot. My friend picked up a single day ticket in 2011. I am really hoping they release single day tickets this year, as I can't afford a three day pass (prices jumped since 2011). The Outside Lands crowd for Muse (Saturday headliner) was VERY pushy, definitely not the kind of crowd I - or any of Muse fan - expected. at times I felt like I couldn't breathe as I was being pushed against the rail, and my torso was bruised the next day. A girl behind me had an asthma attack but she wouldn't leave without seeing the headliner. there were lots of Muse gig veterans who fly all over the world to watch gigs, and even some of them said that the crowd was one of the roughest they had experienced. I don't regret going thru that experience but up til the OSL lineup was announced, I wasn't sure if I'd ever do it again. If you can, go to OSL with a friend. that way you can save each other's spots as you wait for Paul, and hold onto each other as you get pushed around (i'm sort of kidding, but sort of not). I don't think I'll have a companion with me this time, hence why I'm here. I have no idea what the Macca fan community is like, but I hope everyone generally helps each other out. As I'm a newbie in terms of Macca gigs, I was wondering how pushy fans usually are. I guess most of Paul's gigs are all seated now. I'm already dreading the crowds but I know it'll all be worth it in the end!
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polythenelucy:
hi all, this is my first post. Thought I'd get to know some fans before Paul comes to Cali. I read the entire thread and really wanted to chime in, as I managed to be in the front row at Outside Lands a couple of years ago. All the tips listed thus far are great.
Can you share how you got front row? There's no pit line, right? I was planning to just run to the stage as soon as it opens and hang there for the whole day--is that the best way?
polythenelucy:
People with VIP passes have their own blocked off area in front of the stages, so not as difficult to get a front row spot.
Can you elaborate on this more? I thought it was GA and that VIP had a viewing area off to the side.
polythenelucy:
I don't think I'll have a companion with me this time, hence why I'm here. I have no idea what the Macca fan community is like, but I hope everyone generally helps each other out. As I'm a newbie in terms of Macca gigs, I was wondering how pushy fans usually are. I guess most of Paul's gigs are all seated now. I'm already dreading the crowds but I know it'll all be worth it in the end!
Macca people take care of each other! At Bonnaroo last weekend we were in line for 12 hours. We met some amazing people and were looking out for each other all day as far as bathroom breaks and food were concerned. The crowd at Roo was great. I was 2nd row and had plenty of room to jump around and dance.
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aakiboh:
Can you share how you got front row? There's no pit line, right? I was planning to just run to the stage as soon as it opens and hang there for the whole day--is that the best way? Can you elaborate on this more? I thought it was GA and that VIP had a viewing area off to the side. Macca people take care of each other! At Bonnaroo last weekend we were in line for 12 hours. We met some amazing people and were looking out for each other all day as far as bathroom breaks and food were concerned. The crowd at Roo was great. I was 2nd row and had plenty of room to jump around and dance.
ahh I must've been sleepy when I posted, my wording was confusing. you're right, VIP has a viewing area off to the right(?) side, but it does reach a small section of the rail. Probably barely enough for under 5 people to be in the very front of the stage. there's no specific pit line, just VIP and GA lines, and yeah that's basically what i did to get in front! the hardest part is just staying in the same place for the entire day. so glad to hear that everyone takes care of each other in the Macca fan community, too! makes me feel better about going in for the long haul to see Paul up close (and for the first time!) thanks for answering my question! I have a feeling midwest crowds are just calmer. I know there was plenty of room in front of the main stage at Lolla a couple of years ago for Muse. totally different scene at OSL though. I hope things will be different this time! forgot to add - I did take public transportation to and from the park. The bus took a VERY long time to come, I think because everyone was trying to fit in the muni bus and the doors wouldn't close. No one ended up paying the muni fare...the gates were wide open as we exited. Luckily for me I stayed with my friend's roomie who lived conveniently at Civic Center. This time I hope I'll be able to stay with a friend who lives near the park. Also if anyone is selling their 3-day pass, please drop me a PM. i missed my chance for eager beaver tickets, if I could get a ticket around that price, I may be willing to go for all three days. there's so much to see at OSL!
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polythenelucy:
there's no specific pit line, just VIP and GA lines, and yeah that's basically what i did to get in front! the hardest part is just staying in the same place for the entire day.
So there is no pit, you can just walk up to the rail? And how good are the VIP perks for getting very front if I were to wait ALL day? I did that for Bonnaroo and it was perfect.
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pierceedge:
So there is no pit, you can just walk up to the rail? And how good are the VIP perks for getting very front if I were to wait ALL day? I did that for Bonnaroo and it was perfect.
i don't know for sure how good the VIP perks are...i doubt many people who get VIP passes try to get a spot at the rail, so I'm sure you'd have a better chance getting a good spot if you went with VIP over GA. don't take my word for it though, i couldn't really see the VIP area from where I was in front of the main stage. and there's no pit, no seats. once the gates open you just walk up to whatever space is available...and wait there all fking day. so Macca fans generally play fair and don't try to steal spots...right??? someone tried to take my friend's spot when I was at Outside Lands but the good thing about getting packed like sardines in front of the rail is that there aren't many opportunities for people in the 2nd/3rd rows to grab onto the rail.
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polythenelucy:
so Macca fans generally play fair and don't try to steal spots...right???
I should clarify: Macca fans are generally great and some of the best people you'll meet. But, in a festival environment, I can't really say if those are the people we'll encounter. Hopefully there will be a nice, core group of us that can look out for each other and keep people from creeping up.
polythenelucy:
the good thing about getting packed like sardines in front of the rail is that there aren't many opportunities for people in the 2nd/3rd rows to grab onto the rail.
Does it loosen up and clear out a bit when no one is on stage? And if you're with friends who'll save your place, if you leave to use the facilities...can you get back up to your spot if it's not too close to showtime?
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I emailed Outside Lands this yesterday about a pit line before I looked on the forum. This is their reply: Thanks for getting in touch. The viewing areas for the stages at Outside Lands will not have pit lines the way in which the What Stage at Bonnaroo did. Please let us know if you have any further questions! So, get your best running shoes, don't wear a white bucket hat (Bonnaroo left-pit joke) and guys, get a large bottle. Good luck ladies.
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aakiboh:
I should clarify: Macca fans are generally great and some of the best people you'll meet. But, in a festival environment, I can't really say if those are the people we'll encounter. Hopefully there will be a nice, core group of us that can look out for each other and keep people from creeping up.
yes hopefully...there always seems to be a couple of troublemakers at every gig. I'll try to keep an eye out for you lot!
aakiboh:
Does it loosen up and clear out a bit when no one is on stage? And if you're with friends who'll save your place, if you leave to use the facilities...can you get back up to your spot if it's not too close to showtime?
I'm afraid this wasn't the case for me in 2011... during the first couple of sets, my friend and I were able to save each other's spots to get food and throw away trash. But in the afternoon, the crowd wouldn't stop pushing and well...you can see my previous post. Unfortunately I wasn't exaggerating about not being able to breathe and whatnot. The only way out of the pit was to be pulled out by security behind the rails, and even that was tough... After The Black Keys' set, my friend who was squished behind me (he's over 6 ft, and I'm just over 5 ft) stupidly asked security to pull him out of the pit LOL!!! They wouldn't do it at first, but people around us kept telling security that there was no other way for him to get out. Eventually the security guys pulled him out, after warning me to watch my head. I don't know, this time could be different. The main stage lineup that day was amazing...Macklemore to kick off, and later OK GO, Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys, and of course Muse! Maybe this year will be a bit calmer...or maybe that's wishful thinking. : does anyone else have an OSL front row experience to share? I've only been speaking about the one barrier experience I've had at OSL. I was also second or third row for The Shins who played at the Twin Peaks Stage and there was a decent amount of room for me to move my arms, but not so much to move my feet. We may be able to expect something like that.
pierceedge:
So, get your best running shoes, don't wear a white bucket hat (Bonnaroo left-pit joke) and guys, get a large bottle. Good luck ladies.
guys, please don't chuck those bottles into the air.