What selection were the seating for the NPG member at Staples Center opening night? I just got my tickets (resale) for the June 3rd concert and I know someone went opening night at the Staples Center.

I wish other people would answer this thread.
Altho im not in LA I'm still in the dark about this whole X type stage setup and if I should buy from NPGMC or TM

The reviews have been great but someone please say
"I was sitiing floor EAST, Row X, my seat was far left and i could see great!"

thanks

CapedCrusader said:

I have attended four shows in the past week (Pittsburgh, COlumbus, Cleveland, and State College) and I can say that the best seats in the house are NOT the NPGMC Seats! The best seats are in the Lower Bowl section of the arenas on the sides, about 5-20 rows up. From here you can see over the keyboard and drums set-ups and see the entire stage!

Just my two cents!!!

I had 3rd row aisle seats on the floor for Staples on 3/29.....sorta behind Blackwell. Was thrilled with my seats. Even though you can't see Prince for every second of the show (as I'm sure you've read in other threads) I felt that he did make an effort to walk around to each side of the stage. The stage is round but it has four short catwalks jetting out from it creating an "X" or cross pattern if you were to see an aerial shot of the stage. My seats were kinda nestled up in between two of the catwalks, although I was closer to one catwalk than the other. When he would walk down the one closest to me, I would say I was no more than 10 feet away from him. As far as buying from NPGMC or TM, its a risk. Being on the floor is so much fun, yet there are some side seats (the first few rows off the ground level) that would offer great views of the WHOLE show - whichever catwalk he were to be on. If you were to consider getting tix through TM the best side seats would be in the first few rows of sections 101, 102, 111, and 110. Below is the seating chart for the show @ Staples - I was in Section 3, Row 3:

I just read the post above my previous post -again, if you've never had floor seats in an arena show, its definitely an experience. And, its fun to be partying with all the NPGMC members.....your call though. If I were to get tix for another show on this tour, I may try to get those lower level seats just for a different vantage point. But, I'm glad that I had the "floor" experience

mchotsie said:[quote]I had 3rd row aisle seats on the floor for Staples on 3/29.....sorta behind Blackwell. Was thrilled with my seats. Even though you can't see Prince for every second of the show (as I'm sure you've read in other threads) I felt that he did make an effort to walk around to each side of the stage. The stage is round but it has four short catwalks jetting out from it creating an "X" or cross pattern if you were to see an aerial shot of the stage. My seats were kinda nestled up in between two of the catwalks, although I was closer to one catwalk than the other. When he would walk down the one closest to me, I would say I was no more than 10 feet away from him. As far as buying from NPGMC or TM, its a risk. Being on the floor is so much fun, yet there are some side seats (the first few rows off the ground level) that would offer great views of the WHOLE show - whichever catwalk he were to be on. If you were to consider getting tix through TM the best side seats would be in the first few rows of sections 101, 102, 111, and 110. Below is the seating chart for the show @ Staples - I was in Section 3, Row 3:[quote]



Oh man,

I never thought about it that way before. We are so accustomed to thinking that the best seats are the ones "closet to stage", that we forget how HIGH the damn stage is. Now I'm wondering if my 3rd row Dallas seats are too close. That would really suck. Guess I won't know until June.


-Ray[quote]
[This message was edited Wed Apr 21 17:03:37 2004 by THREEnineTEEN]

I was at the LA opener. I had Section 2 Row 3 towards the handicapped symbol. I could see Prince at all times except when he went to the side of the stage facing Sections 8-9.

My friend who was at the LA opener with me also went to the OKC Show. He was behind Chance's setup in Section 6. The view was obstructed *the entire night* even though he was in the second row. If you get stuck behind Chance or Renato (Section 12) you will have a hard time seeing. The sections behind Chance and Renato have very few rows. All the other sections have many rows.

At the LA show my friend and I did a walkaround on the floor. We both concluded the best seats were in Sections 2-3 and 8-9. But there was an advantage to being in Sections 5-6 because this where is the "stairs" to the stage are located. You can see the band come off and on during the show. Plus if you are in these sections, you can get pulled up to the stage more easily.

This is all difficult to predict because NPGMC doesn't tell you where you are seated. If you are stressing about it, go with TicketMaster and get a ticket in the 100s because you will be able to see the stage *and* the video screens. In LA, we could not see the screens because we were so close to the stage. I don't know how far back you have to be on the floor to see them.

If you like being on the floor for shows -- I will rarely go to show, any show, if I am not on the floor -- take a risk with the member tickets. Of course since I'm tall I almost never have problems with lines of sight.

I am going to at least 3 other shows, including May 28 in LA. I have member tickets for all of them. I imagine at least once I'l get stuck behind Chance or Renato.

Oh man,

I never thought about it that way before. We are so accustomed to thinking that the best seats are the ones "closet to stage", that we forget how HIGH the damn stage is. Now I'm wondering if my 3rd row Dallas seats are too close. That would really suck. Guess I won't know until June.

-Ray

Curious-Did you purchase your 3rd row Dallas seats thru Ticketmaster?

uptown1 said:

THANK YOU UPTOWN1 FOR SPEAKING THE TRUTH!!!!

I also saw 4 shows in a week (Champaign, Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland) and I reiterate...unless you're a hoochie mama with dreams of getting onstage, the NPGMC seats are NOT the best seats in the house.

By far, the best seats are (as Uptown1 said) in the lower bowl...I think even the first row there would have to be pretty damn amazing...but yeah, a few rows up would be TIGHT.

And there's definitely a "front" and "back" to each concert too...don't believe the hype. I only wish there was a way to know which side would be the front when buying the tickets outside of the club.

I had Indianapolis seats section f6 row 1 seats 19-20. I was directly in front of Mike Scott in a little section that was only 2 rows deep. I am 5'11" and when I stood I could see the WHOLE STAGE. I do not know about my view when on my a**. I stood for the whole show. Maybe I couldn't see Prince's feet if he was on the other side of the stage, but I would not trade my NPGMC seats for anything. If you get there and don't like your seats, I guarentee that it won't be hard to find someone on the sides to trade with.

THREEnineTEEN said:

Did you buy through TM? If so, then you're 3rd row in the lower bowl, right? If that's the case, you'll have AMAZING freaking seats, trust me.

PuhLeeezze!
On the floor for the show, and on the stage for the "Life of the Party"-that's where I will be in Denver this year!
Where would YOU rather be!?!

June 3rd is my bday. Partyup for me guys!!!

i was in SC last night, had third row on the floor....i am 5'8"...never saw Renato the whole night....i am dead serious....was behind the Horn Section....the concert could have been the "Maceo, Candy, and Greg" show for me....saw Prince about 25% of the time. When he was at center stage, he was completely blocked by Chance.

You are better off in the 100 sections. I am not fond of shows in the round.

However, if you had third row, at the "front" of the stage where Prince's petals are, you would have KILLER seats....

it all depends on where in the round you are.

theblueangel said:

You are correct...there is a definite "front" to the stage, and it appears to be between where Rhonda and Renato are stationed. As you said, though, it's impossible to to know before you get there exactly which way the stage will be set-up.

I had 3rd row floor seats last night right in front of Rhonda. Prince really did seem to gravitate to that side of the stage throughout most of the show last night. There were very few times when I couldn't see him, and those were when he would go on the opposite side of Renato. Otherwise I saw him throughout the whole show. Also it was to my side of the stage where he threw the towel out into the crowd. The girl in front of me caught the towel. I have absolutely NO complaints about my seats at all.

Hmm...I wonder if my seats are going to be good...Im going to the FL Lauderdale show and I purchased my tickets thru NPGMC...I will be sure to give a full paged report on my experience...if I live thru it

I was in the first row by Rhonda also. It was amazing but the sound was deafening. It depends on whether you are interested in getting up close and personal with Prince and the band or backing up and seeing the whole stage from above. For me it was time to get right up there to see the man, and boy did I ever! It was fabulous.
I always thought I might get emotional if I ever got within reaching distance to Prince, but I am glad to report I didn't go all teenybopper! I felt peaceful and warm. He does give off some kind of warm vibe that close. I felt like I was just so happy to see my dear old friend of all these years past.