CANCELLED - 2022 - Mika @ Roadrunner, Boston - 2 April 2022

[Prisca]

10 minutes ago, Hero said:

How does it work with the cloakroom? If we have to queue for that too, do we then lose the good spot we spent so long queuing for outside?

I guess if we are in the front row, we can do our stuff in front of us on the floor. I won't go to the cloakroom and risk to lose my spot.

[Hero]

Debs post about the NY meet up reminded me, I was looking in maps at the Boston area and there's a joint pizza and bowling place near the venue. Could be fun if anyone wants, although I'm conscious not everyone can tolerate pizza/wheat. 

[Prisca]

Just now, Hero said:

Debs post about the NY meet up reminded me, I was looking in maps at the Boston area and there's a joint pizza and bowling place near the venue. Could be fun if anyone wants, although I'm conscious not everyone can tolerate pizza/wheat. 

No problem about the food because of me, it will be ok.

 

I just wonder when we can do that? I probably won't be at my hostel earlier than 9pm on 1 April and I actually want to be in line early on 2 April. Maybe after the concert, but I don't know, that might be too late to go bowling and for dinner?

[Aki Celeste]

3 hours ago, Prisca said:

I guess if we are in the front row, we can do our stuff in front of us on the floor. I won't go to the cloakroom and risk to lose my spot.

 

Oh god, these are the sorts of details that might keep me up at night if I let them.  I'm definitely planning to avoid the cloakroom if I can help it, even if it means tying a raincoat or sweatshirt around my waist, or wearing a fanny pack rather than a purse. Comfort and ease of movement over fashion - except for the flower crown, of course!

 

Regarding food/drink/toilet breaks, I'm guessing it'll just take a little persistence to get back to wherever I initially station myself in the venue? Or am I pretty much guaranteed to lose my spot if I leave?

[Prisca]

4 minutes ago, Aki Celeste said:

Regarding food/drink/toilet breaks, I'm guessing it'll just take a little persistence to get back to wherever I initially station myself in the venue? Or am I pretty much guaranteed to lose my spot if I leave?

I guess if we're a group and they see that you're one of us, they'll let you through.

When queuing in Europe, the MFC often do it so that the first person that is there gives people numbers. Then you can go to the toilet and get something to eat without losing your place from time to time. I don't know if people in the US would agree with that system.

[Aki Celeste]

11 minutes ago, Prisca said:

No problem about the food because of me, it will be ok.

 

I just wonder when we can do that? I probably won't be at my hostel earlier than 9pm on 1 April and I actually want to be in line early on 2 April. Maybe after the concert, but I don't know, that might be too late to go bowling and for dinner?

 

What about brunch or something during the day? I have some friends I might be meeting up with for lunch on either the 2nd or the 3rd, but it would also be fun to put faces to the names I've been seeing on the MFC site these past few months.  Unless this is meant to be more of a reunion kind of thing, which I totally understand!

[Prisca]

9 minutes ago, Aki Celeste said:

What about brunch or something during the day? I have some friends I might be meeting up with for lunch on either the 2nd or the 3rd, but it would also be fun to put faces to the names I've been seeing on the MFC site these past few months.

I guess I'll go to the venue already in the morning (it's my birthday and I really want to be at the front during the concert). But probably not everyone is as crazy as me.

Maybe the others want to have brunch or lunch with you?

And on 3 April, my flight leaves for New York already at 9:28 AM.

[Hero]

51 minutes ago, Prisca said:

No problem about the food because of me, it will be ok.

 

I just wonder when we can do that? I probably won't be at my hostel earlier than 9pm on 1 April and I actually want to be in line early on 2 April. Maybe after the concert, but I don't know, that might be too late to go bowling and for dinner?

Good point! Hmm, how early are you wanting to queue?

 

Edit - never mind, just seen your other post. 

 

20 minutes ago, Aki Celeste said:

 

What about brunch or something during the day? 

That's a good idea. 👍 A good brunch before hitting (starting?) the queue. 

Edited February 21, 2022 by Hero

[Prisca]

2 minutes ago, Hero said:

Good point! Hmm, how early are you wanting to queue?

Eeeeearly, I don't know if I want to make it public here and then have others copy it.

 

Although, to be honest, I don't think people would follow suit and go there as early as me.

[kreacher]

There’s a lot to comment on so I’m not gonna quote everyone!

So here’s what I’ve experienced in my 10 Mika queues to answer some questions. For reference: I’ve only ever been like 20 people or less from the front of the queue or so and around MFCers I knew before or became friendly with. Earlist I ever arrived was 8:00ish in the morning and latest I ever arrived to queue was maybe like 2pm? my spot during the gigs was always somewhere in the front row or 2nd row near center stage.

-people in the queues near me have always been really chill about folks coming and going to use restrooms or get food or go check in at your hotel or just go chat with friends further back in line. When you’ve all been waiting together for hours you kinda have to be xD

-I’ve been super lucky in that whenever I’ve had to queue the weather was mostly pleasant. Once it rained a little in NYC at about 5ish pm or so. Some folks had umbrellas they shared or brought cheap disposable rain ponchos. A garbage bag works in a pinch. They can be sat upon as well. I usually pack one even if rain isn’t forecast. Definitely not worth bring a raincoat unless it’s forecast to be pouring all day. In that case I’d buy the cheapest one I could find then toss it right before the show. If it’s cold…. I’m not sure what I’ll do. I guess layer up and plan to dump any that I can so I don’t have to deal with it during the show. After the gig when I’m waiting for Mika to maybe appear I tend to be super hot, even waiting outside in the dark so I wouldn’t need layers til much later.
-from what I’ve seen on google maps the Boston venue is really new and in a strange area with not much around compared to other venues I’ve been at, especially places open later than like 11pm. I’ve really been worrying about this. 

-I wouldn’t check a coat either unless they let you check it before doors open. Seems highly unlikely!

-the security at some of the venues really don’t care if you’ve been waiting in an orderly fashion all day. They will sometimes f*ck it all up. Sometimes they’ll let everyone into a foyer area after bag check, shout at everyone not to run, then open 2 sets of doors at the same time and it’ll be a mad rush to the stage and people will trip and make their hand bloody. Or they could let people with one kind of ticket in while people with another kind of ticket get held up so the girl who was 2nd in line cuz she was queuing since 9am is further away from the stage than some randos who were like 30th in line. Or it could be orderly and civil like at the Corona theatre in Montreal and you can just saunter up to the stage right by who you’ve been hanging out with the whole time. :shrug: ugh I’m already getting anxious about it!

-a couple times I met someone in line who lived near (or was staying close enough) to the venue that they just took some MFCers bags back to their place closer to show time then afterward went to get them for us, or at least once someone drove to the gig and parked nearby and she put some bags in her car trunk during the gig. These people are angels.

-if you have a bag that’s like much bigger than say, a newer iPhone, be prepared to have it checked while all the bagless people that were queuing behind you go in a different line to get searched and get inside first. Security.don’t.care.

-sometimes there’s a barrier so people in the front row can put their bags on the other side of that, other times there’s no barrier and you’re right against the stage with Mika’s feet just a foot or two (er… I mean like half a meter?) away from you and you can feel his sweat drip on you and hear his voice unamplified so you’ve gotta kind squish your bag in between you and the stage or set it by your feet and hope it doesn’t get stepped on or get beer on it, but once Mika is there you forget all about things like bags and pain and gross floors.

-once we’re in the venue I wouldn’t plan on moving from your spot, especially if you’re near the front. Personally I never eat or drink anything after like 5pm and go use the restroom nearby at about 30mins til doors so I don’t need to budge from my spot until Mika’s left the stage. You might be able to get back to your place but anyone who’s trying to take it and all their friends will glare at you.

-I too am a little reluctant to say on here when I hope to queue. I wouldn’t want anyone to think it’s necessary to get there as early as I might (I’m just crazy and have no hotel room), but I also wouldn’t want them to see my time and think oh it’s later than I thought so I’ll wait to arrive then the line be like 30 people long! Also, I’ve never been to a Boston gig before, I’m not sure what queue times are like there but I’m guessing it’s later than in NYC?

Edited February 21, 2022 by kreacher

[Hero]

2 hours ago, kreacher said:

you can feel his sweat drip on you 

   oh my....  

 

Ahem. What I meant to say was, that's a really useful insight, thanks! Seems like security might be the biggest problem.

 

I asked a colleague whose been to lots of festivals for his queueing tips. He said "paracetamol, water, sunscreen, a hat". 

The paracetamol is to take the edge off any leg pains after standing in a queue for several hours - his experience. 

 

[kreacher]

15 hours ago, Hero said:

   oh my....  

 

Ahem. What I meant to say was, that's a really useful insight, thanks! Seems like security might be the biggest problem.

 

I asked a colleague whose been to lots of festivals for his queueing tips. He said "paracetamol, water, sunscreen, a hat". 

The paracetamol is to take the edge off any leg pains after standing in a queue for several hours - his experience. 

 

 

Good tips!

I'd forgotten about sunscreen. Water, but not too much (especially if you're prone to needing to pee often ). It can't be taken into the venue since they want us to buy their overpriced drinks instead. Ibuprofen was definitely on my list, it can be used for so many ailments. For queuing most people sit on the sidewalk most of the day, only stand up when security comes round to put up barriers a couple hours before doors open and stuff. Also Band-Aids and alcohol wipes are good in case of emergency. I wore a hat with a little brim while queuing last time, it was good for sun and rain and wind, i pulled it down over my eyes while trying to sleep on the train, i kept it on during the gig too since i didn't know what else to do with it and found it so useful for blocking most of the blinding lights that were inevitably behind Mika without blocking my view of him. Be warned tho, Mika has a history of taking hats from people up front and putting them on his sweaty head!

Edited February 22, 2022 by kreacher

[Hero]

2 hours ago, kreacher said:

 useful for blocking most of the blinding lights that were inevitably behind Mika without blocking my view of him.

Oh, that's something I hadn't considered. Might need sunglasses! Indoors. Hmm. 

 

2 hours ago, kreacher said:

 

Be warned tho, Mika has a history of taking hats from people up front and putting them on his sweaty head!

 Hats don't suit me (unfortunately, I'd love to rock one) but he can pinch my flower crown if he wants. 

[Hero]

So, I emailed Roadrunner to ask about the venue layout, security process on admission, etc. Here is their reply:

 

-------

We are a general admission club with a main floor and a tiered balcony. GA tickets will get you in any spot in the club that you choose to stand in. There are VIP ticket holders with early entry for this show as well who will be let in early. Everyone will go through a security check upon entry, but we are still working on how that will be setup, so I cannot answer for sure at this time whether there will be bag vs no bag lines. There are plenty of bathroom options in multiple locations around the venue.

 -------

 

I didn't realise there were VIP tickets with early entry!

[dcdeb]

Just now, Hero said:

So, I emailed Roadrunner to ask about the venue layout, security process on admission, etc. Here is their reply:

 

-------

We are a general admission club with a main floor and a tiered balcony. GA tickets will get you in any spot in the club that you choose to stand in. There are VIP ticket holders with early entry for this show as well who will be let in early. Everyone will go through a security check upon entry, but we are still working on how that will be setup, so I cannot answer for sure at this time whether there will be bag vs no bag lines. There are plenty of bathroom options in multiple locations around the venue.

 -------

 

I didn't realise there were VIP tickets with early entry!

 

If you bought through the fan presale, you should be getting early entry for this gig, I think.

[kreacher]

5 minutes ago, dcdeb said:

 

If you bought through the fan presale, you should be getting early entry for this gig, I think.

 

f*ck, i wish i'd known that 

[dcdeb]

21 hours ago, kreacher said:

There’s a lot to comment on so I’m not gonna quote everyone!

So here’s what I’ve experienced in my 10 Mika queues to answer some questions. For reference: I’ve only ever been like 20 people or less from the front of the queue or so and around MFCers I knew before or became friendly with. Earlist I ever arrived was 8:00ish in the morning and latest I ever arrived to queue was maybe like 2pm? my spot during the gigs was always somewhere in the front row or 2nd row near center stage.

-people in the queues near me have always been really chill about folks coming and going to use restrooms or get food or go check in at your hotel or just go chat with friends further back in line. When you’ve all been waiting together for hours you kinda have to be xD

-I’ve been super lucky in that whenever I’ve had to queue the weather was mostly pleasant. Once it rained a little in NYC at about 5ish pm or so. Some folks had umbrellas they shared or brought cheap disposable rain ponchos. A garbage bag works in a pinch. They can be sat upon as well. I usually pack one even if rain isn’t forecast. Definitely not worth bring a raincoat unless it’s forecast to be pouring all day. In that case I’d buy the cheapest one I could find then toss it right before the show. If it’s cold…. I’m not sure what I’ll do. I guess layer up and plan to dump any that I can so I don’t have to deal with it during the show. After the gig when I’m waiting for Mika to maybe appear I tend to be super hot, even waiting outside in the dark so I wouldn’t need layers til much later.
-from what I’ve seen on google maps the Boston venue is really new and in a strange area with not much around compared to other venues I’ve been at, especially places open later than like 11pm. I’ve really been worrying about this. 

-I wouldn’t check a coat either unless they let you check it before doors open. Seems highly unlikely!

-the security at some of the venues really don’t care if you’ve been waiting in an orderly fashion all day. They will sometimes f*ck it all up. Sometimes they’ll let everyone into a foyer area after bag check, shout at everyone not to run, then open 2 sets of doors at the same time and it’ll be a mad rush to the stage and people will trip and make their hand bloody. Or they could let people with one kind of ticket in while people with another kind of ticket get held up so the girl who was 2nd in line cuz she was queuing since 9am is further away from the stage than some randos who were like 30th in line. Or it could be orderly and civil like at the Corona theatre in Montreal and you can just saunter up to the stage right by who you’ve been hanging out with the whole time. :shrug: ugh I’m already getting anxious about it!

-a couple times I met someone in line who lived near (or was staying close enough) to the venue that they just took some MFCers bags back to their place closer to show time then afterward went to get them for us, or at least once someone drove to the gig and parked nearby and she put some bags in her car trunk during the gig. These people are angels.

-if you have a bag that’s like much bigger than say, a newer iPhone, be prepared to have it checked while all the bagless people that were queuing behind you go in a different line to get searched and get inside first. Security.don’t.care.

-sometimes there’s a barrier so people in the front row can put their bags on the other side of that, other times there’s no barrier and you’re right against the stage with Mika’s feet just a foot or two (er… I mean like half a meter?) away from you and you can feel his sweat drip on you and hear his voice unamplified so you’ve gotta kind squish your bag in between you and the stage or set it by your feet and hope it doesn’t get stepped on or get beer on it, but once Mika is there you forget all about things like bags and pain and gross floors.

-once we’re in the venue I wouldn’t plan on moving from your spot, especially if you’re near the front. Personally I never eat or drink anything after like 5pm and go use the restroom nearby at about 30mins til doors so I don’t need to budge from my spot until Mika’s left the stage. You might be able to get back to your place but anyone who’s trying to take it and all their friends will glare at you.

-I too am a little reluctant to say on here when I hope to queue. I wouldn’t want anyone to think it’s necessary to get there as early as I might (I’m just crazy and have no hotel room), but I also wouldn’t want them to see my time and think oh it’s later than I thought so I’ll wait to arrive then the line be like 30 people long! Also, I’ve never been to a Boston gig before, I’m not sure what queue times are like there but I’m guessing it’s later than in NYC?

 

So much queuing wisdom in Dee's post here, so I'm leaving it intact.

 

One of the key things she said: Security don't care. They really don't. I mean, you might find a nice guy or gal occasionally, but in general they seem to enjoy screwing with you, ESPECIALLY if you've been there all day. It's like they enjoy finding a way to make you further back.   Yes, I've been burned.

 

But luckily if you have enough familiar MFCers around, it will usually all work out.

 

 

[dcdeb]

10 minutes ago, kreacher said:

 

f*ck, i wish i'd known that 

 

Michelle posted this in the general tour thread. I thought the Brooklyn show had early entry, too, but I don't see it marked on my tickets.

 

 

 

[Hero]

1 minute ago, dcdeb said:

 

If you bought through the fan presale, you should be getting early entry for this gig, I think.

Ah that explains it, I bought my ticket later. Oh well, maybe those lights won't be so blinding from further back! 

[Hero]

22 minutes ago, dcdeb said:

 

Michelle posted this in the general tour thread. I thought the Brooklyn show had early entry, too, but I don't see it marked on my tickets.

 

Oh! It says no bags larger than 12x12. In the FAQ on their website it says 14x14. 

 

I guess 12x12 is easier to remember, 1 foot square. 

[Sivan]

I think @holdingyourdrink said she got us the early entry but she can't see it in the emails she got. 

[kreacher]

31 minutes ago, Hero said:

Oh! It says no bags larger than 12x12. In the FAQ on their website it says 14x14. 

 

I guess 12x12 is easier to remember, 1 foot square. 

 

the FAQs on their website were added more recently, so i think they updated the policy since the screenshot was taken

[Prisca]

2 hours ago, Hero said:

Oh! It says no bags larger than 12x12. In the FAQ on their website it says 14x14. 

 

I guess 12x12 is easier to remember, 1 foot square. 

Yeah, with people like me who don't know how long a foot/inch is (since she usually has the measurements in cm), that doesn't really help with remembering. I should probably install a foot/inch-cm converter app on my phone.

Edited February 22, 2022 by Prisca

[Prisca]

3 hours ago, kreacher said:

f*ck, i wish i'd known that 

 

3 hours ago, Hero said:

Ah that explains it, I bought my ticket later.

MFCers: Don't take your eyes off me (and Michelle also bought the ticket at the presale). You simply belong to us.

 

Yes, of course, I do not know if this will work!

Edited February 22, 2022 by Prisca

[camille*]

I have an extra early entry ticket if anyone is interested ..