cgfcgf

So we went last night and it was totally worth it. We got there around 6:40 for a 6:00 start time. I guess his flight was delayed so it started late. We waited in line for a little over 2 hours. By the time we got to the front of the store we could see him through the store's glass front as he was stationed sort of towards the front of the store. I didn't have a ticket (my son had it) but they let me go through the store with him. the line went past him to the back of the store then back to the front to the signing area (you got to sort of see him up close while waiting in line). Since I wasn't getting a book signed I actually browsed through the store and walked up next to where he was signing just to get some extra time so close to one of my music idols. I hopped back in line with my son about 3 people away from signing. I then hung back and took about 12 pictures and I actually leaned into the table a little to try to center them both in the picture. My son nicely said "could you do me a favor...could you sign it...you threw a shirt at me..." as we were lucky enough to catch a shirt in Saratoga during the time machine tour. He said sure. My rock and roll heart melted as he looked at my son and was very genuine. My son had a solid 30 seconds with him got to say how much that shirt meant to him, thanked him and also got a fist bump in the process. There was a gap to the next person and I probably could have fist bumped him or tried to say something clever but only complimented him on his Le Studio shirt (raising money to try to refurbished the famed studio site). My only regret was that I didn't take a selfie with my son with him in the background or that I didn't say thank you and have a great retirement. I'm sure each venue is different but there was no real security saying what or what not to do. To me, everybody was cool and there was no real reason to need security. The event was supposed to end at 9:00 but we doubled back past the store at around 9:10 and there was still around 50 - 75 people and it looked like he was going to stay and complete the signing. All in all a class act and seemed real...very much like we see on the videos and interviews. Geddy's parents raised him well and I'm glad my kids like the group and consider him one of their music idols. A great night and a great memory. I'll post a picture if I can figure it out. Thanks again to everyone with their comments thoughts and advice.

Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions. I have made my plan based on all the feedback. I will have him meet him. It will be a total surprise as I have already fake asked my son to help me with moving somebody from my job Thursday (Brookline/Boston)...at some point into the ride he will probably ask what's going on...I will hold the surprise as long as possible. From all your responses I think the short 30 second meet and greet will be more better for him. He has played bass for a while now (he's 21 now and started when he was 12ish) and Geddy was his first music idol. Thanks again to everybody...have a great summer...keep rockin...

At book signing is it just "To John Geddy Lee". Or can I ask for "To John...I threw you at shirt in Saratoga...Enjoy the book...Keep Rocking.... Geddy Lee" Also...do he do "selfies" or mind if pictures got taken while he was signing?? Its a gift for my son...I want to make it as great as possible.

Debating whether to go or not. Me and family saw them 3 times last year. It looks like virtually the same setlist. If the videos are also the same I'm questioning whether I should spend the money elsewhere. Our local show is May 9th so I'm looking for a good deal to help me decide. The arena is 2 hours away so it's 2 hours there and 2 hours back to see virtually a show I've already seen 3 times. Believe it or not...yes the videos might make the decision. At least something would be different (not just the randomness of the rotated song slots).

Very cool hearing other people's stories. Yes being frugal I would have taken 7th row at that price in a heartbeat but I can't count on scalpers and over the past 4 years I've sort of figured out the Ticketmaster - secondary scalper market so I like to have some sort of ticket in my hand before I drive and park (even though for VH in Philadelphia in 2007 I went, parked and bought on site). To me though concerts aren't the same as when we were growing up. Everybody stays in their rows for the most part. There's no rushing the stage. Security on power trips. It's just not the same. Yet I keep going because in 5-10 years who will be around that I want to spend money on? Outside of being glad to go to these shows with my kids I'm also glad these bands are still touring and playing with a very strong resemblance of the "glory days".

Maybe I'm torn between the price paid and the experience. I'm frugal by nature (my kids would say cheap - but they aren't going to be the ones footing 4 cell phone bills, cars insurance, college, etc.) but I just like to get my money's worth. Anybody can spend money. My sport is stretching my dollars as far as they can go. I think if it was more luck than an analytical purchase (with some spontaneity thrown in) I would have 100% enjoyed it vs me feeling around 80% satisfied. Anyways just wanted to share. I shouldn't be over analyzing the experience. There's bigger problems in the world and in the state of today's music scene. Again we are fortunate to have spent like that in today's environment. Hope everyone has a great time at their show of choice.

Let's see...this was about the 30th time I saw Rush. I've had 4th row a couple of times and super close side seats several times. I've brought most of my kids. I've spent a lot of money over the years. So when the Bridgeport show was announced I said to myself...let me think about sitting real close. I have never sat front row at any concert (sat 2nd row for VH earlier this year). Outside of Rush I've seen many other bands (Kiss 15 times, Judas Priest 8 times, Maiden 5 times, etc.) We went to opening night in NH (my wife, my oldest (14 and big into Rush), and 2nd oldest (13, definitely into Rush just not as much as the first). For NH we sat Stage Right side seats real close. So we started keying in on CT tickets from Sunday to yesterday. Ticketmaster locked us out twice (even though we were logged on so they should know I am not a machine looking for tickets). Then finally after being locked out at work and watching Stubhub all day I made the plunge for two front row in front of the keyboards. I went with my oldest. Don't get me wrong...every show I go to with my kids (no matter who it is) makes me emotional. Me with my kids at a concert starring the music of my life...very powerful. So front row. Let's see...my Holy Grail (but I payed for it and didn't luck into it). With the barricade making the front row a good 10-15 feet away from the players it makes it a little sterile. We had a great time. We rocked. We banged heads. We air guitared, air drummed and air bassed all night. But was it worth it...of course... it's front row but not being able to rest a drink on the stage or use the stage as my personal drum set makes me say...great I did it and now I'm done. Don't get me wrong we are very fortunate to have the money to try this but you know what...I think we would have had just a good of a time being close on the side again. Maybe if you're more towards the center it would be better but being 10 or so feet away from the very front of the stage...it's like being at a stadium show where the barricades are a barrier. It didn't feel as intimate as it should have? Again we had a great time and looking back the glass is half full but maybe my expectations (even though I suspected I would feel this way) exceeded the actual. Maybe because we saw virtually the same show in NH...but you know what...I'll probably go to Boston too (if work and family pans out properly).

Thanks for the info.

Can anyone tell when the VIP ticket info is given out and when tickets must be picked up? Is it a week before the show? A couple of days? or do they give the info the day of the show?

Thanks for the heads up. We got our tickets on Monday and saw the release (before I saw your post). We chose the guitarist side so the drummer is in better view (hopefully). The funny thing...when I looked the day they went on sale and even in the presale the same section was available but the tickets were a little higher up. I passed on them figuring I could do better and I didn't know how many of our kids we would be bringing. We scored 6 in a single row Monday so my two oldest and wife will be going along with 2 other relatives (two oldest are lucky - this will be the 3rd tour they've seen and they're only 14 and 13). My two youngest are not happy that we bought 6 (I fronted for the relatives) and they aren't going. Wasn't that psyched... but after buying tickets... on with the show! Everyone enjoy and have a great time. It has to end sooner or later but for now the glass is half full.

Unless they changed it recently AA through ZZ first then A B C D so around row 30 is where you are at. I just tried and got Row A Section 2 seats 8 and 9 and my heart stopped for a second until I remembered the AA thing and the VIP first 15 rows thing.

Not sure how to get the majority of my money to the artist directly, so I bought the N. Peart DVD from Rushbackstage.com. I received it last month but said to my wife just give to me for Christmas or my birthday (yes it takes self control to get a DVD this awesome that answers many of my requests in terms of Music DVD and then wait to open it). Then through reading here and there I find out Guitar Center purchasers get additional bonus footage. Plus I probably could have got a better price through Guitar Center. Do rush.backstage customers get the additional footage? If not, should I feel jipped?? Am I whining...after already having the opportunity to purchase an incredible DVD with what is already there (the only thing I really want that is listed in the additional footage is the studio "Subdivisions" footage). In fact it took me this long to write whether I should feel like I'm being jipped because it is such an incredible DVD to offer to fans (i.e. fans are never satisfied). Just feeling out for any opinions (outside of the be grateful for what you have and stop whining). I still haven't opened it yet with Christmas and birthday in the next 2 weeks.

After reading your review ILG, I think we got your close last minute seats. Also if the guy guy who asked me to move over (I'm over 6'3" tall) and I couldn't because I would be blocking someone else - is on this forum - sorry for being so tall and ruining your Section 4 Row B seat. Imagine scoring Section 4 Row B and then have me standing in front of you.

Thanks for confirming sound issues and also countering with good sounding seats. I bought them the day of the show and Mohegan is a tough ticket to get becuase of the smaller sized venue so I really couldn't pick and choose. next time I will hold out for Section 15 or 25 (I saw Sting 2 weeks ago from Section 15 but it was with an orchestra so the sound wasn't jacked to begin with). Hope everyone had a good time. On to SPAC where I have heard it's a lot of reflective concrete. I need to see the drummer this show though so we will be sitting Stage Right. I still haven't bought tickets for that one either yet. I may be at the whims of what's available.

First. Had a great time. Went with my 11 year old (his 3rd tour). Great Setlist. Some songs I didn't like but that happens at every single show of every single artist I go to. Now for the rant - I sat in Section 16 Row K (look at seating chart if unfamiliar). I was swamped with loud low end. It drowned out the guitar player. I could hear drum clarity here and there. These seats are not too close and not too far. The sound should have been loud but clear. Isn't the bass going through house sound? I could understand if there was a stack of bass amps on that side of the stage but there isn't. These guys are at 60 years of age, play incredibly and still write powerful music. I would like to hear them playing. I couldn't discerne many guitar or bass passages. I don't mind loud but can't it be clearer? It was all awash in loudness. I can't imagine my wife (who went in 04 with me) understanding the song when it is loud and muddy. At least my son and I know the songs well enough to figure it out. But the ones he didn't know forget it. he doesn't have a chance to actually hear the song. They're not lip synching and they actually play their instruments. If they can't clear it up then turn it down. If I mixed my band shows that way I don't think we'd get invited back (or maybe we wouldn't have anyways because of other...).

Many responses different opinions. That is cool. I just get frustrated that with all the lights and lighting options available the lights are just as bad as watching late 70's stage show where they only had 4 colors avaialable and they are just randomly flashing from color to color. I'd want a nice choreographed show like Genesis Mama Tour or even Genesis' The Way We Walk Tour". Very clever lighting, transitions and mood. The last Rush tour I can remember with emotional/tasteful lighting would probably be Roll the Bones tour. The screens again I don't mind but stay with camera angles longer. AS someone mentioned with camera switches it's like watching a DVD. The tour will be great. I just want as great an experience as I can get.

I remember reading a few weeks ago that someone posed the question "Do you like the Screens". I guess a lot of you like the screens. I understand they are needed however.... 1.) Stick with camera angle for more than 3 seconds. To have the screens constantly changing both angle and person gets annoying. As annoying as say watching a Live DVD with camera edits every second. 2.) Where are the old movies. During Subdivisions where are the shots from the video (basement bars/backs of cars) and why aren't they shown during the show. The end overhead view of Toronto being the most stirring. Where are the Red Barchetta 80's graphics on the screens? These shots don't have to by synched with a certain beats per minute that the band is playing to on that night. The synching issue doesn't need to be that tight. 3.) Location - Right above the band. Not good. Too distracting for people in closer rows. Can they be spread out or higher or more on the sides of the stage? Lighting - You know with all the technology and lights it's amazing how little sense the light show incorporates. Lighting should enhance the mood of the song. I look at the light patterns while at the show and think how non-sensical they are. Watch the DVD videos. I understand synching to songs/BPM. But there are general sections of each song which should be lit and produced to match/enhance the song's mood. I was watching the end of the R30 DVD and the lights/lighting is not even in touch with how the song is reacting. The ticket prices are high enough to demand Broadway like quality. You go to Braodway and the lighting and scenery is orchestrated as well as the rest of the show. Most Rush shows from night to night are very similar (from the pattern of 3 songs then speak a little intro to the 4th song to the scripted encore and closing songs synched to metronome click in the ear piece). Drivers start your engines.

Thanks for the encouragement. I think they can easily sit through a show. Plus with a break in the middle, we'll be able to walk around. Most likely I will go to Mohegan earlier that week so if I also need songs to take a walk to the bathroom or other, I should know when my bathroom break with the kids songs are. We did a similar thing when I took the two oldest and wife to the S&A shows. I'm not into S&A so for the first part of the second set (after Far Cry) we walked around and looked at shirts and stuff. Kind of wierd not being in the concert when the concert was going on. Then we came back in time for Subdivisions. P.S. Very nice gesture to buy the ticket for the other TRF memeber (I think I read that elsewhere).

I am strongly leaning towards attending the 7/23 SPAC show with my family (wife and 4 kids). So that's 6 tickets. I am keying in on the best $65 seats that I can get (hopefully below face just prior as we were lucky to do on the last couple concerts). We will do lawn if we have to. Question - Anyone who has been there - Do you think lower row balcony seats (sec 15,16,17,18,119) or back of the lower seating area (sec 8,9,10, 11, 12) is better for wife and kids? How far forward does the balcony extend over the lower seating area? Are the people in the balcony generally seated for most shows or do they stand? I figure in the lower seating area it will be standing people that they will have to see around (the kids are still small 11,10, 8 and 6).