nessy_k

Hi, I got there 20 minutes before U2 came on and had no problems - in fact, I was the only one they had to take through, everyone else was already there. I still got a place at the front of the main stage. Maybe because I am short. (When I say 'front', there is a very wide gap between the edge of the stage and the crowd barrier with a heap of sound equipment and people there. I was pretty irritated that they had tall security people blocking the view. Not a single person attempted to go over the barrier during the show. Security would have been better sitting down on chairs facing the crowd, not standing watching the show and blocking the view of people who paid $AU550 for a ticket). They sent an email prior saying that you would not be admitted if you arrived 15minutes after the show had started. I think this may be because of the way the show is structured. I think they would let you in but you may be taken through a different entrance (and this may just have been in Paris because of the venue set-up). I personally would never get there four hours early. I guess if you want a spot at the front of general admission (not red zone, but you have access because that's what red zone gives you) then get there as early as possible and maybe have a buddy who can hold your place if you need to leave to go to the bathroom. Yes they only send email confirmation. I travelled from Australia and did not have my ticket posted so I just picked it up when I got there. They email you a couple of days before with instructions about where to pick up the ticket in the venue. It isn't usually from the box office, they set up a separate little table/ tent thing. I HAD TO SHOW A COPY OF THE EMAIL TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE RED ZONE TICKET PICK-UP AREA. Luckily I had my phone with me, which had a copy of the email. They didn't actually mention this in the email they sent out. Then they have your name on a list and you have to provide some type of photographic ID to verify it is you. They give you the ticket and take you through to the red zone. My advice is: If you want photos of the boys up close, stay as close to the front and middle of the room as you can get, BUT if you stay there you may not see the whole concert. You will not be able to see when they are down on the round 'e' stage unless you are very tall or unless they install reverse facing screens at the back of the room, which is what they really need. If you want to see the whole concert, stand about half way back and on the red zone barrier so you can see when they move between stages. Alternately, be prepared to follow wherever they go. This may mean starting at the front of the main stage but as soon as they go walkabout, take off to the other stage so you can see them. For one song (spoiler alert - don't read if you don't want surprises ruined) Adam and Edge walk to little platforms at each side of the general admission - this is why there is a line taped on the red zone floor to show you where to stand, because they need a clear path to the platforms. If you want photos of them, your best bet is when they are standing on the platforms. They are very close to the crowd. Good luck! I hope you have a great time!

I thought I'd give an update after the show last night. This time I was sitting in the rafters and although it was terrifyingly high and far away, I actually saw the whole show in all its glory. This show was designed to be seen from afar. Comparing the two experiences is like night and day. When I was standing in the RZ I missed probably 75% of the visual content of the show - its just too close to see anything well. They really need a screen at the front. I had no idea what was going on down at the B stage when I was in front of the main stage in the RZ. The band were fantastic and the whole tone of the show felt on-point. It was interesting that they released the book pages during the 3rd show but not at the 4th... Last night was most memorable. Thanks U2.

I thought I'd give an update after the show last night. This time I was sitting in the rafters and although it was terrifyingly high and far away, I actually saw the whole show in all its glory. This show was designed to be seen from afar. Comparing the two experiences is like night and day. When I was standing in the RZ I missed probably 75% of the visual content of the show - its just too close to see anything well. They really need a screen at the front. I had no idea what was going on down at the B stage when I was in front of the main stage in the RZ. The band were fantastic and the whole tone of the show felt on-point. It was interesting that they released the book pages during the 3rd show but not at the 4th... Last night was most memorable. Thanks U2.

Apologies for the cross-posting but I thought my response to another thread may also be useful here...beware the red zone!!! Perhaps the RED zone experience improves if you are very tall. I'm quite short. I travelled from Australia to Paris for the 3rd show and made the mistake of buying a red zone ticket. In Australian dollars after conversion, that's over $500. I am on a teacher salary. To me, this is a lot of money. I would say that I could not see anything of the band for at least 50% of the show (actually I could see Larry a bit more than the others), except the screen and as that doesn't always reflect what's happening on stage, it was a bit of a let down. I estimate they spent around 30% of time on the main stage at the front. And what's more, if you are on the left side (Edge side) then you also have to contend with a large video camera that goes up and down on a pole and pretty much obscures Bono for most of the time. I was pretty disappointed. I don't think it was worth that amount of money for the 5 seconds they came close enough to snap a photo...and then I wonder, is that what we're all there for or the music? Also, you have to contend with others holding up their phones and blocking your view unless you are right at the very front. Something else that made matters worse, was that when the band when to the round stage at the far end, people started climbing up on the central barrier, which meant anyone behind them could not see. It was not a good set up and really the only redeeming factor was that the money from the ticket goes to RED. I am going to the last show tonight (4th Paris show) also and am so glad I bought a cheap seat (was still over $200 AU) up in the rafters. I strongly suspect that this is going to be better visually and sound wise, as there were times last night when I could not hear Bono's vocals at all. That giant cage/screen thing seems too big for these venues. Isn't it more for a stadium? It was pretty clear that people around me were equally disgruntled and trying not to complain/say anything....but really. Of all the U2 shows I've been to, that one will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. The set list seems a bit dippy too. Bono's voice was fabulous. Edge and Adam and Larry always the professionals that they are and it was great to see Larry mobile I liked the inclusion of Until the end of the world and Acrobat. I loved the inclusion of Gav singing HM,TM,KM,KM during the animation sequence and I am really happy they kept Cedarwood Road in the set list. I think the Macphisto segment works really well and after all, it's U2. They never do a bad show. It's just the logistics of actually being able to see them during the show, which is after all why you go to see the band play. Also...I have some photos of the obscuring video camera if you want me to upload one...It sort of became my nemesis during the show

It also depends on your height. I'm quite short. I travelled from Australia to Paris for the show and made the mistake of buying a red zone ticket. In Australian dollars after conversion, that's over $500. I am on a teacher salary. To me, this is a lot of money. I would say that I could not see anything of the band for at least 50% of the show (actually I could see Larry a bit more than the others), except the screen and as that doesn't always reflect what's happening on stage, it was a bit of a let down. They did not spend 80% of time on the main stage at the front, it was more like 30%. And what's more, if you are on the left side (Edge side) then you also have to contend with a large video camera that goes up and down on a pole and pretty much obscures Bono for most of the time. I was pretty disappointed. I don't think it was worth that amount of money for the 5 seconds they came close enough to snap a photo...and then I wonder, is that what we're all there for or the music? Also, you have to contend with others holding up their phones and blocking your view unless you are right at the very front. Something else that made matters worse, was that when the band when to the round stage at the far end, people started climbing up on the central barrier, which meant anyone behind them could not see past them. It was not a good set up and really the only redeeming factor was that the money from the ticket goes to RED. I am going to the last show tonight also and am so glad I bought a cheap seat (was still over $200 AU) up in the rafters. I strongly suspect that this is going to be better visually and sound wise, as there were times last night when I could not hear Bono's vocals at all. That giant cage/screen thing seems too big for these venues. Isn't it more for a stadium? It was pretty clear that people around me were equally disgruntled and trying not to complain/say anything....but really. Of all the U2 shows I've been to, that one will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. The set list seems a bit dippy too. Bono's voice was fabulous. Edge and Adam and Larry always the professionals that they are and it was great to see Larry mobile I liked the inclusion of Until the end of the world and Acrobat. I loved the inclusion of Gav singing HM,TM,KM,KM during the animation sequence and I am really happy they kept Cedarwood Road in the set list. I think the Macphisto segment works really well and after all, it's U2. They never do a bad show. It's just the logistics of actually being able to see them during the show, which is after all why you go to see the band play. Also...I have some photos of the obscuring video camera if you want me to upload one...It sort of became my nemesis during the show

Right...I think I've got all the bases now covered....surely at least *one* of them will help me get a presale ticket! Thanks for your help! Much appreciated! So...If I only buy one ticket with my U2.com presale code, does that mean I can also buy one more ticket at a different location or is it restricted to 2 tickets at the same location? Hmmmm.... I just wish the seating categories didn't have weird names like 'hot seat 1' and 'hot seat 2'...then there's platinum and VIP etc etc....too many fancy/ confusing names. What happened to good old gold/ silver/ general seating/ general standing?

Oh...thanks for that...I have now registered with them also but I might have missed a presale...don't know...we'll see... Their website is a little clearer than the direct Ticketmaster site...

Thanks for that! I will give it a go! Perhaps the red zone isn't showing in the current shows because it has sold out? I am off to set up my French Ticketmaster account now!

Hi, I desperately need help to purchase a ticket for the Paris concert. I am really confused. I'm in Australia and I can't see where you just purchase a standard ticket. Are the new pre-sale dates shown to accomodate the new shows that have been added? So...in theory...I *should* be able to get a presale ticket for the 12th if I can work out how to use Ticketmaster France? Is that correct? Anyone?

I'm in Australia and want a ticket for Paris show but can't work out how to use the Ticketmaster website....where is the presale? Or did I miss that? Am so confused. I can only see a whole heap of package deals and no mention of the red zone at all...