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So this is my first year going to Bonnaroo. I'm very excited. Rumor has it that Vampire Weekend will play before Kanye West on the what stage, Friday night. Kanye happens to be my favorite rapper and Vampire Weekend happens to be my favorite band. Seeing them both would be the ultimate dream come true. I'm not entirely sure how the pit system works, but I've heard in order to get in the pit for a headliner (Kanye West in my case) you have to wait in a line for hours upon hours. Does this mean I have to sacrifice a pit spot for Vampire Weekend in order to see Kanye in the pit? Or can I see them both in the pit? Feedback is appreciated!
Post by itrainmonkeys on Mar 18, 2014 9:50:50 GMT -5
The pit is emptied after each show. So people are waiting in line for Kanye while Vampire Weekend is on stage (assuming that's how they're scheduled). When Vampire Weekend ends the people in the pit get ushered out and the people on the Kanye line get allowed in. Sometimes it's possible to get in the pit for multiple shows in a row but for a headliner it's really tough.
Post by itrainmonkeys on Mar 18, 2014 10:15:31 GMT -5
Yea, just might be off to the side a little bit. Not the best view but still able to see/listen. The closer to the front of the line you are the harder it is to see but if you're somewhere in the middle you should be good.
While waiting in the pit for Local Natives last year I saw Trombone Shorty, who played right before Local Natives...the sound was good enough from the line where I could still get all hyped and into the show, but it still wasn't as ideal as being more towards the middle of the crowd.
Waiting for Radiohead in 2012 I pretty much missed out on enjoying Avett Brothers and Rod y Gab.
I refuse to waste a day like that again.
2013 I got close for Passion pit and waited it out through PP and Wilco and enjoyed the hell out of Wilco and had an AMAZING spot for Macca.
My advice is to just get a good spot and camp out through both sets and don't bother with the Pit. You will end up sacrificing the experience of one or both for the (prestige? coolness?) of being in the pit when being 10 feet off the back rail of the pit is just as good, and you get to hang out with people instead of jockeying for position in the stupid pit line.
Besides, in the pit lines, there are lots of bees and people will rub poo in the stings.
Post by culloweird on Mar 18, 2014 11:01:12 GMT -5
Pit can sometimes take patience. Make sure its worth it. Though for some shows you'll have no problem getting into the pit. Last year I walked right in at the beginning of Government Mule's set to a half empty pit. No problem at the Lee Fields pit last year either. I know you'll have a full pit for Kanye, and most likely for Vampire Weekend. But I bet you won't have to get in line more than an hour before Vampire Weekend's set. For Kanye's, go ahead and line up by 3PM... You'll be able to hear the shows from the pit lines as well, you just won't have a great spot from the line.
Post by 10goldbees on Mar 20, 2014 13:52:08 GMT -5
You should get in the pit for Vampire Weekend (as they are your favorite band). Then when their set ends, exit the pit and make a hard right into the field and grab a good spot for Kanye.
I say this because while you can still hear the music while waiting in line for pit you are most definitely making a sacrifice. Just choose one or the other if the scheduling works out the way we all think it will.
Post by celestiaequestria on Mar 20, 2014 14:40:15 GMT -5
Just get in the pit for Vampire Weekend.
The Kanye pit is where you're going to get plowed over by security chasing after all the angry wooks who will try to throw grilled cheese at the stage.
Waiting for Radiohead in 2012 I pretty much missed out on enjoying Avett Brothers and Rod y Gab.
I refuse to waste a day like that again.
2013 I got close for Passion pit and waited it out through PP and Wilco and enjoyed the hell out of Wilco and had an AMAZING spot for Macca.
My advice is to just get a good spot and camp out through both sets and don't bother with the Pit. You will end up sacrificing the experience of one or both for the (prestige? coolness?) of being in the pit when being 10 feet off the back rail of the pit is just as good, and you get to hang out with people instead of jockeying for position in the stupid pit line.
Besides, in the pit lines, there are lots of bees and people will rub poo in the stings.
Do this. I did the exact same thing last year for Macca and it was perfect. Not only that, but waiting in a pit for a big act like that, it's fucking stressful man. Not knowing which side is going to go in first, everyone cramming and pushing to get in once the gate opens, it's fucking stressful as hell.
I'm going to do the same thing I did last year for Macca for Kanye and Vampire Weekend this year. I enjoy both acts a great deal (though Kanye a lot more) so I'm just going to probably get there for whoever is playing before Vampire Weekend (please be Chvrches), and move close during their set into Vampire Weekend is on, and then move closer, and then finally when Kanye is on I should be on the rail like I was for Macca, just not in a pit. Got to rest my arms/elbows, wasn't too packed, and wasn't stressed about getting fucked over after waiting for 5 hours. Plus, I got to see Passion Pit and Wilco from great spots as well.
I was able to make the pit on back to back shows in 2011. The Black Keys into Eminem (these were two of the acts that brought me to my first Bonnaroo, however both shows were a little disappointing). There was a near stampede when they opened the gates for Eminem. Haven't seen anything like that since then.
I would also suggest what others have said if you are going to be in the What field for multiple shows, just get there a little before the first act you want to see starts. From there you can just move your way forward. You should be able to make the rail behind the pit without any problems and have great viewing of both Vampire Weekend and Kanye.
