I have a few recollections of a general admission Prince performance. The RubySkye show in SF last year was entirely general admission. For those in the Bay Area who attended, the ticketing and admission processes were both good and bad.

This Hit N' Run show, Dec 2000, predated the NPGMC membership and presale option. All RubySkye tickets were sold at a single box-office on the morning of the performance. Only one ticket per person. $100 per ticket.

Basically, people were discouraged from lining up at the ticket office by not being allowed to know where the line would start. When the line was established, there was a lot of jockeying for position. There were a few thousand waiting in this ill-formed "line," and a lucky group of about 700 were successful in purchasing their ticket.

Scalping was minimized by having a somewhat tamper-proof orange wristband attached to each ticket purchaser, so if you showed up at the concert, you had to have the special wristband.

At the venue later that day, I decided to show up a couple of hours early. The soundcheck could be heard from the street - "Controversy" - and I found a small group of 20 or so other hardcore-types with orange wristbands forming the line to get in. Trust me, the wait was worth it. There were a few opportunists who cut into the line, but I was more or less among the first to enter the venue.

Here's where it got interesting. My spot was center stage just behind a first row of standing women. By the way, EVERYONE STOOD for this show - hell, I don't think there were any seats on the lower floor of the venue. I had a great place, and felt that I had earned it by virtue of arriving early, etc.

But I was not really prepared for the aggressiveness of some of those around me. We were crammed in tightly, not at risk for being crushed or anything, but there were some bizarre prima donnas who were threatening those who made any physical contact with them. Two women in front of me nearly came to blows over incidental contact. There was a couple to my left (I'm sure one or both of you come to this site!) who aggressively protected "their space" by challenging anyone who got too close.

Of course, some tried to cut in front of others. Many succeeded. As far as I could see, there were no actual physical altercations, but the concept of L4OA was absent.

Here's what's cool. Despite all of that crap - standing in uncertain ticket lines, gettin' a wristband, waiting outside in line at the venue, waiting inside and protecting my space, dealing with prima donnas, etc - it was the best concert experience that I could imagine. I arrived early, and I was rewarded by the concept of general admission.

So I am strongly in favor of the general admission policy for NPGMC Members. Reward devotion. Reward work. See you in line!

Now if only he could change the venue in the Bay Area! The Concord Pavillion SUCKS.

The current choices seem to be:

Restricted general admission where you compete against 100 to 200 NPGMC Members for a prime general admission seat.

OR

Rigged presale via Ticketmaster where you have almost no chance of getting a seat close to the stage.

Although.....My buddy that would be going to the show with

me is 6'8" 325lbs.....He could move some people if

need be.....Hmmmmm, well if I do go all I can say is

watch your step around me! LOL

Excuse me, I'm not quite getting this. At first I thought the new way of selling tickets was a great idea, but now I'm reading all about "General Admission". Sorry - my English vocabulary is actually quite good, but can anybody explain what that means for me? Thanks

Some of u people are insane. Your fighting, kicking and screaming over the BEST GODAMNED SEATS IN THE HOUSE! Do you really think it's gonna' suck if you're in row 6 instead of row 5?

I think some of you are doing a lot of worrying for nothing.

Based on my experience at the Indianapolis concert, the vibe amongst Prince's club members was congenial and friendly. Yes, there was a tiny rush by people to get down front, but it was not ugly. I don't think y'all need to be worrying about pushing and shoving to get to seats.

Prince is playing venues that basically have 2,000+ seats In Indy, there were only 150 or so people there for the sound check and at that number, we only took up the first FIVE rows.

On top of that, I am not entirely certain that all the people at the sound check that day were club members. I'd heard that an Indianapolis paper published that Prince was allowing fans in, and some regular payin' folks just showed up! They didn't check ID's.

So, by doing it this way, Prince is guaranteeing that ONLY club members will be allowed in, and you will get to keep your seats. Don't worry so much. It'll be good.

Damn is does not matter to you that Prince is making a serious effort for us but you fools still fucking complain. Unfucking believable!!!!!

I bet Prince is reading thread and he just shaking his head amazement, and thinking to himself damn with fans like these who needs enemies.

Some of u people are insane. Your fighting, kicking and screaming over the BEST GODAMNED SEATS IN THE HOUSE! Do you really think it's gonna' suck if you're in row 6 instead of row 5? I saw the Purple Rain show from what seemed like a football field away. Then, as the venues got smaller, from the balcony in a small theatre, and now I'm going to be in one of those spots I always wondered who you had to blow to get.

Personally, I plan on seeing 2 kickass shows and a living legend up close and personal, occasionally turning around to view the THOUSANDS of poor suckers BEHIND me.

"Don't let nobody bring you down."

Prince is trying to do a great job here, although I think Gen Admission is not the answer.

Random seating or just plain first come first serve is great, but it somehow needs to be assigned!