Grateful Dead

Just an irrational thought, and don't get be wrong, I don't condone illegal activities and wouldn't actually do this even if I could, but wouldn't it be nice to be able to track the section/seat numbers that are being scalped for ridiculous prices, then hacking into the ticket tracking system that they use to track tickets that have been scanned at the gate, and marking them all as "invalid" or "used" or whatever they tag them as. Though I guess that would just end up screwing the person who bought the scalped tickets.

See PM

Actually I would like to see GDTS not issue the tickets to those selling on any of the sites - this way the seller gets screwed for selling something that they don't have in their possession. Put those tix on sale at the box office for a walk-up surprise!

Sounds like something on urban dictionary. I always check the box office on the day of though, and I've gotten a couple. I remember tagging along with my cousin to see Boston at the Centrum in '87 and being bummed that I didn't have enough cash for the scalpers, then taking a leap and checking the box office and they had just released more seats. They were tagged as "obstructed" but ended up being excellent seats just above stage level with a perfect view of stage right. I don't expect to have such luck in Chicago but I'll be trying.

They haven't released any tickets yet, so I doubt that seller is on the up and up!

My story sounds familiar, long-term fan who saw them first in Oakland in the late 70's while going to high school in the Bay Area. I was hooked. My last show woul've been at Buckeye Lake in I think ''94. Had a ticket, but life got in the way and could not go. Fast forward to Jan 2015 and I was excited about the announcement of the 50th Anniversary shows. I sent in mail order for four $95 tickets for July 4. About a month later got the dreaded rejection letter. My three friends and I were bummed but not too worried figuring with three days of tickets available, we would get some in the ticketmaster sale with no big deal. On Feb. 28th, went to work where there is a faster connection and right at 10a put in for 4 best available tickets for the July 4th show. Very quickly I had the spinning sign saying a 5 minute wait time. Ninty minutes later I had a sick feeling I was screwed. I spoke with my wife who is not a fan about going solo. She understood why I really wanted to go, but when I checked on stubhub for a ticket I was shocked at the prices. No way was I going to pay $700 for a behind the stage ticket (I didn't want to bother to go and stare at the back of stage). I kept checking ticket prices and remained discouraged until early this week when I saw the $425 ticket in 215 on eBay Klang discussed in an earlier post and thought that price is one I will and can do as the seat was full view. However, that ticket scared me as the seller had 0 feedback and I didn't want to go to all this effort and not have a ticket. The day that ticket expired I saw another July 3rd ticket on eBay in section 311 with a buy it now of $550 or make an offer. After going back and forth with the seller over the next day we settled on the $425 amount I was comfortable paying. It's still a crazy price - and by far the most I've ever paid for a ticket, but I'm very excited the trip and concert are now really going to happen. Even better, my friends are now looking for singles and we'll go a a group if they score or I'll go to my first concert ever solo knowing I'll be among thousands of friends. In sum, Klang's advice was right on for me Lastly, maybe they'll play a couple of my favorite songs - Althea and Cassidy. See everyone in the parking lot!

Ok lets get down to it First off just finished watching my last of all my vhs dead. Backstage pass Downhill from here Dead Ahead Ticket to new years (87-88) Fantastic show the ticket to new years and it has special significance for me personally. It was my initiation to the dead (as the story was told about 500 posts ago). It's a must watch for sure, great jovial band interviews during the break and comedic shorts (aka Mickey as Spock). RIP Brent, Jerry and Leonard. Anyway I got hooked back into the dead after this new tour revelation and watching all these vids after buying and watching Sunshine Daydream (plug the 'dreamers :-) ) I am rediscovering what I love and have loved about this band if you can even call them just a band they are so much more. I am truly blessed to be able to have got the message and the vibe from this band that so many others have missed... (to be continued)

I find it ironic that the same reasons the deadheads like the dead are the same reasons the non-deadheads dislike the dead. Cases in point: 1) Generally considered a rock band the dead have country songs and integrate jazz, bluegrass and acid rock into their style. Most rock fans do not appreciate such things. Deadheads do. 2) The dead is associated with drugs and the consuming of said substances. The mainstream rock fan acknowledges this and partakes to a point but does not endorse or publicly admit their involvement in such activities. Most deadheads embrace it be it alcohol, maryjane or (insert vice here). 3) Some of us "get it" because we are open minded, the general public is not. 4) The dead make a lot of mistakes. Poor harmonies (not limited to Donna, Phil), Jerry solos sometimes on but can be off, forgotten, missed and blown lyrics. Bobbys Vegas lounge act. The mainstream can't handle this and are turned off. Deadheads (professional, old or young, hippy, business man, homeless person and every type of person in between) are very tolerant and accepting of these mistakes because we know that the dead as a band bring us to so many different heights that no other band could. Seeing them live was a whole different experience than seeing any other musical artist or performance...

brother i hope you score tickets - positive vibes your way

Watching the video reminded me of my friend that videotaped the pay per view event. And IIRC Bill Walton and Kevin McCale were both there and were being interviewed. So Bill is not just a fan (my bad for an earlier post), he is very close to the band. I say he was a groupie not your ordinary fan. He made a ton of shows! I also met him at a meet and greet with Bill and Mickey for a GD tribute night at Sacramento Kings game. Frikkin awesome got a great purple tie dye kings dead shirt from the deal. Bill and MH told us a few stories it was a hoot. So if he says the dead are coming to bay area, I think I am gonna have to believe him. This is good news and may be the change in luck I was looking for. Positive things are coming...

from NorCal

One of best times I had touring the Boise show of 83

I was shut out of all ticketing methods like many on this forum.Surprised and disappointed with how it all went down. Saw around 200 shows from 1980-93. Had given up hope on going and eating the $900 non-refundable flights for my wife and I when a little luck happened. I am only posting this to help others gauge the market out there: Was able to score "Playin in the Band" CID travel package for 3 days in the GA field and hotel for 2 people for $4995. About a $2400 mark-up from the $2500 original price. Considering I was gonna absorb a $900 hit for plane tix and stress levels for looking everyday I thought it was worth it. Of course 2 months ago if someone told me I was spending 5K on 6 tickets and lodging I would have said "no way thats crazy" I hope this is helpful

Where did you score the package, ebay or somewhere else I might find one? Thanks greg.

I would check with uncle rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgrrrrrrrrrrrrrr about how great of a score that was...there may be some - er - problems. CID was designed to not be scalpable. They will need to get approval to transfer the package to you. Otherwise you are S.O.L. Uncle rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr care to pipe up and tell you story of changing CID package to family (not just someone who bought online...)

Morning Proper, Long story short... To transfer a package to anyone...even family member other than name registered for will call on original purchase, CID has to preapprove it so you need to bring their email authorizing it, if they do then a hand written letter from original owner specifying transfer with sellers signature on arrival to hotel, produce buyers driver license or passport, sellers photocopied license or passport to affirm signature and.... THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER"S CREDIT CARD, not a photocopy.... It can be done, I sure hope the dude who scalped you will be in Chicago the day of check in... CID frowns on scalping, despite the inflated prices the system is somewhat protective.... Good luck....

Klanger busy on the west-coast evening posts...I believe our fearless leader Jer summed it up the best in an interview when asked "what makes dead fans so different from everyone else?" Captn Trips' response? "Our fans are like people who like liquorice, most people don't like liquorice, but those who do, LIKE IT A LOT" For me personally, it was the way they played their music - yes there were nights that it was off and Jerry was the first one to admit that when it was off, it was HORRIBLE...but when they were firing on all pistons...look out. Next, no two nights were ever the same. EVER. Each show was fresh and brought something to us (the fans). Today's concerts are so contrived that it seems more like a Broadway play...1.5 hours and out. Before you jump on me - yes, there are bands out there that improv and jam and mix it up, but for most, it seems like punching a time card and gone...I miss the '90s before the Eagles ruined the concert experience...most shows were a minimum 2 hours, but closer to 3. Now they are 1.5 EXACTLY (including encore). I saw the stones and actually left because it looked like they were hitting marks for christ's sake. Solo of satisfaction, Jagger moves to stage left and pelvis thrust, with arm in the air, move stage centre, repeat... There was also the whole concert experience. Never in my life have I felt so safe on acid and so loved. I went in the '90s and I have to say there was totally a seedy element to Shakedown, but for the most part, I felt that if things went sideways, some kind head would take me into their bus, feed me, maybe share a dube and talk me down before the show started...where else does that happen? Most shows, you are likely to either get rolled and robbed or worse, have someone call the psych ward on you - explain that one! Finally, and likely most importantly, they were/are all amazing musicians. I watch a lot of the dead covers and yeah they are great, but there is always something missing. Mickey loved off tempo timing, Phil was a student of avant garde, while Jerry was a living juke-box that could play anything with strings. Hell the guy gave a serious go at the steel pedal...

Lifetime resident here again. Some of you have been kind enough to ask me if I have tickets. I don't, and I decided, after more than four decades of chasing them, I will let them chase me this time. So, in an effort to assist my fellow Deadheads who do not know Chicago well, I will continue my efforts to guide you to some interesting suggestions, such as they are. Please realize I'm taking things into consideration that I know will most likely be in effect; heat (after all, it IS the Fourth Day of July, and Chicago at that time can feel more like Cambodia than the Midwest), traffic, costs, etc. Without further ado, here we go again. I already suggested the Art Institute, a Wendella boat ride, Oak Street Beach, and several restaurants, most within walking distance of Soldier Field (SF) if you are in reasonable shape. Some have asked me about the Lincoln Park Zoo. In all candor, I'm not a zoo fan. Seeing animals locked up in cages depresses me, and the zoo is a hefty distance from SF. Buckingham Fountain is on the lakefront, just north of SF. It is beautiful day or night, and a good place to gather. Millennium Park can be a great stop as well. The Bean, the Pritzker Bandshell, the Mouth Fountain, it's all good. The Field Museum is another great place close by if it's hot out. Lots of mummies and other stuffed dead things, but still worth the price of admission. Have fun, and remember, even though it may be 'The Last Time', the scene only works the way it's supposed to when we help each other.

So, how long have you been experiencing this EDAD condition? Heehee, sorry your user name just made me LOL.

Thank you for all the heads up.I spoke to the person I bought the package from by phone before making the transaction. They somehow got 2 PINTB travel packages. They are staying at same hotel. We will meet in person on 7/2 at hotel. Hotel has the tickets. I am aware of the transfer policy but we are waiting a little while before contacting CID about the transfer. The seller will have their original credit card at hotel so we think we are going to be OK

that these "lucky heads" scored two packages, so now you get to pay their way,just makes you shake your head......

Julex - you may want to check the exact name of the package you have purchased as the Playing in the Band package (with some VIP elements) was withdrawn by CID and didn't go on sale. Sounds like you may have a Sunshine Daydream deal which is basically tix and hotel. The seller would have been able to purchase two travel packages as this was offered in a dropdown on the order page. Congratulations :-)

I agree Boo - I was extremely fortunate to get through to the buy page on the CID site - it didn't cross my mind to buy 2 packages when all I required was one.

Sunshine daydream is correct. I get a shirt!!!! Paying for another couple to get to go to Chicago is not my idea of a great deal but I went into this deal with both eyes (and wallet) open! The seller should buy me limitless drinks for the weekend!!

you nailed it. i did not see all that many shows, but man, i REALLY miss them.

you also nailed it! you love the dead or you don't for the most part. My wife is one of the few people I know who "likes" them but does not love them.

you also nailed it! you love the dead or you don't for the most part. My wife is one of the few people I know who "likes" them but does not love them.

i have been to several GD or ratdog shows solo...it is always fun. you'll have a blast if it ends up that way

i kind of agree with you. it is not a popular opinion on this site, but it is yours/ours. i lucked out and got them at face but i would have paid over face to go....not the kinds of prices I've seen quoted but maybe 2X face if i could get them.

i have been listening to this tour this week from archive.org. wow. everyone knows about cornell 5/8...buffalo 5/9 may be even better. Keith shows some real personality on a couple of songs.currently listening 5/25 at the Mosque...really crisp, great energy. every song. i was at Baltimore 5/26 (? not sure if that is the date...another incredible show. i'm not onto saying this era, this tour, etc was better than another but if I was...this tour may be my favorite. even the song selections are my favorites.

Was on that bus from NYC til the end...all great Boston Barton Buff Va etc...they were peaking...can't go wrong with any spring 77

Section 204. Please anyone have a clue if this section was considered "obstructed" or not? Or any thoughts you might have. Need answers or opinions ASAP. Thanks in advance, Greg

pretty sure that dude is scamming, I emailed him first he says he has ticket master, I ask where he says GA, I say is that the one in front or back, he says frontpretty sure TM didn't have the front pit on offer, correct me if I'm wrong, bound to be a few scams running, be careful '77 was a good run after the Buffalo 5-9, Rochester 5-11 and on.......

According to the seating chart it will be obstructed but with a view. Look at the soldier field website or ticketmaster. I'm off to the side and curious as well what kind of line of sight. I'm used to getting down no matter where I am all is well as long as the band keeps playing on.

Has anyone out there been able to find a copy of this?

Dude, you know the view is, well, not a view. There are buckets of GDTS TOO tix ending auctions as I type on eBay. Self-selection criteria and priorities: - view or no view? - TM or GDTSOOO commemorative? Last ride on the bus, bro...

Yo Boo....to my knowledge TM had nothing in front of the stage, floor or anywhere else in the lower bowls. All back, side, obstructed, or way up high facing the stage (nose bleeds).

Anyone familiar with the 200 and 300 level club seating with the private bars and washrooms. Do seats over there have access to all that, or will it be closed off for the shows?

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Greg, If you search online for soldier field concerts, there is an image of a Kid Rock concert where about half of Section 204 is filled. Nobody is sitting on the side or behind the stage. It seems like a lot has to do with where in Section 204. If you are near 205 you might have a view for obstructed prices. Good luck!

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Consider this: Didn't Rolling Stone report that the stage would be reconfigured to allow for sale of seats located behind, to provide additional tickets for each show? Would it be possible that the updated seating chart didn't get fully updated to remove the "no view" marking behind the stage? If so, then a seat behind the stage might be a miracle after all. Take a peek at that RS article again and make your own judgment. BTW, this ain't Kid Rock, this is Fare Thee Well baby!

more post about prices, no view, partial view, shit view, no shit view, it's all the same, the biggest ripoff of a fan base ever. Gee, let's hope nothing happens to any of the participants before the show, like illness or god forbid, death. can you imagine trying to get your money back from this fiasco? I can't believe that some people who are so out of it that they would consider paying a thousand dollars for a three day pass. What the hell is wrong with you people? I've got a used band aid from phil's finger, an all ready been chewed piece of gum from Mickey's bedpost and a scab from bobby's shoulder, any bids? Laugh out loud, you people make me laugh. I wouldn't give you a buck of any ticket to this fiasco, biggest screw ever.

It looks like you received your gdtstoo money orders back.

On the no view Shapiro himself stated "The sight lines won’t be the same, but you’re in. They made a decision to get as many people as possible into the show. There will be (video) screens and sound back there.” All about being there! Music sounds tasty from any vantage point. Blows my mind people will shell out thousands to see the dead when it's all about truly hearing the music. I opted for behind the stage as soon as they went on sale because I knew it would be my best chance to score tix, all about being there!

and I left his dead ass there by the side of the road.

We saw more mail-in tickets available than any other band has ever done. Nice. We can't name another major show in the past decade that didn't use Ticketmaster. Yep. We saw the shows sell out in minutes, like most top acts. Of course. Many of us didn't snag a ticket. Natch. Are greedy scalpers going overboard to try to take advantage of us Heads? Hardly unusual. Does this make for some tough decisions for us? Uh-huh. (If the price is too high, don't buy) Tell me again how anyone could blame the Band, promoter or GDTS TOO? I mean anyone old enough to dress themselves. Sure we may not have a ticket (yet) but are we that nieve that we expect more shows, free shows, shows in our own backyard? This is Fare Thee Well baby.

Glad to hear you're in. I plan to be there too. Got to pitch a wang dang doodle one more time! After all, this is Fare The Well baby!

Link to Rolling Stone article please.

You pull the trigger on 204?