I'm going to the Queen + PR concert in Budapest this year and this is the first time I have standing tickets. I'd like to try top get as close to the stage as possible. This means I should go to the concert venue very early during the day.
I was wondering if any people who have been to similar concerts (Queen + PR concerts especially) have any idea what time it would be advisable to go there. How many hours before the show? The show is due to start at 20:00. Should I make my way there at 16:00 or even earlier, to be certain I manage to stand very very close to the stage (the closest if possible)?
I am open to any opinions and would be very grateful for your help.
Thanks in advance!
My experience is that this varies much from concert to concert, and it may even change from country to country, or venue to venue. My best advice is to be there at least before the gates actually open.
When I went to the Antwerp concert in 2005, I was there around 18:00. There were already a bunch of people waiting before the gates, I guess at most 50 to 100 people.
When the gates finally opened around 18:45 the crowd had swelled to around 200 people. Then we showed our tickets and ran to the concert hall. We managed to get a good spot along the catwalk, only one row in front of us.
Make sure you don't have any bags or heavy coats that you need to leave at a counter, this can cost valuable time, travel as light as you can. Security might want to check your bag, this also costs time.
Also, it can get quite hot in the front crowd, so wear light clothing, or wear something like a sweater you can take off. Bring a bottle of water, because it may be hard to get drinks when you are in the front, and you don't want to leave your precious spot. Try not to drink too much before the concert, if you need to pee during the concert, it may be very hard to reclaim your spot!
i went t newcastle in 2005. show started at 20.00, i got thre for around 17.00 and there as a que of around 300 going around the arena, i joined the que and paitently waited, doors opened at around 17.30, i got in but you werent allowed in the concert hall for about half an hour, so i wet got some merchandise,the went to the doors, whereit opened and i gt right infront of the cat walk. i had to stand there for 2 frickin hours but was worth the wait just to geta thumbs up from Paul Rodgers =D