Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion - June 13th, 2015

[JuliusDelRey 1]

Hello, this is simply a discussion thread for the Charlotte, NC show. I have a silver VIP ticket, and I plan on arriving very early. However, I contacted the PNC Music Pavilion and they told me that they have a no camping policy and that parking lots will not open until 2 hours prior to showtime (5:30PM). I'm really not sure what I should do considering I do not want my car towed.

[Bae 565]

park it near by or take public transit or get a friend to drop you off?

[Atom Heart 1,929]

I want to go but idk if tickets are still ring sold at normal prices

[National Anthem 9,902]

I'll be there! I'm not sure about the parking thing either @@JuliusDelRey, hopefully there's a big lot behind the venue, is that what you understand? Like it's free parking?

[JuliusDelRey 1]

This was their response

[buster 152]

@@JuliusDelRey Honestly, I would take another route. I would either take the bus or catch a cab. It will cost more but at least your spot will be secure in line. Judging from the text, I think they meant the parking lot won't be open for you but I don't think it meant you can't line up.

[Neptune-Avenue 220]

I'm getting dropped off as to avoid the parking problems I have shit seats though I got lawn seats for Christmas

[Kitten 76]

I'll be attending her show at the PNC as well!

Echoing what buster said, I believe they only meant that you can't park there before the specified time.

 

No idea on their feelings about when to start lining up, but now you've got me curious. I may take the initiative and message them too.

 

My boyfriend got us pit tickets and I'd like to be at the barricade or w/e so WHEN we get there and join the line could certainly have an impact.

[Kitten 76]

For @@JuliusDelRey and anyone else who may be attending her show at this venue, I followed through and messaged the PNC, too. It's a bit long-winded to be posting here so I'll just contribute the most important part of what I learned, directly from them:

 

Parking lots generally open 2 hours prior to show time, however, please do check the day of show tab/link for updated info. Will be posted by Friday 6/14 at the latest. Once parking lots open, fans will be allowed to line up. We do not allow overnight camping so people will not be allowed to line up until the parking lots open.

  

Camping isn't permitted, for sure. I estimate that around 5:00-5:30pm is when the line-up process will begin, according to their two-hours-beforehand policy.

[buster 152]

 

For @@JuliusDelRey and anyone else who may be attending her show at this venue, I followed through and messaged the PNC, too. It's a bit long-winded to be posting here so I'll just contribute the most important part of what I learned, directly from them:

 

 

Camping isn't permitted, for sure. I estimate that around 5:00-5:30pm is when the line-up process will begin, according to their two-hours-beforehand policy.

I assure you that there will be a large group of people who figure out how to camp out. I assure you. Lana's fans are relentless.

[Kitten 76]

I assure you that there will be a large group of people who figure out how to camp out. I assure you. Lana's fans are relentless.

 

Haha oh I def get your point! Truly, I do. I've been following the events of this tour and I can tell people favor camping to try to get the best possible spot they can, even with early entry.

 

But hey, I'm just echoing what I was told by them on Facebook. I've read quite a few reviews online which imply that they're pretty firm on the parking rule at the absolute least, as unfortunate as it is. In one of those reviews, a fan described how he and his wife were rudely shooed away (told to "TURN AROUND!!!") when arriving before they were supposed to. I know how it typically goes on Lana nights, but I feel that they wouldn't warm to campers and may very well kick them off venue property, since they're on record for reacting strongly to people trying to park before they're supposed to.

 

That leaves the possibility of successfully camping to be very slim, unless people camp elsewhere? Which I feel defeats the fun and purpose and doesn't give the advantage that doing so on-site accomplishes.

[buster 152]

@@Kitten This will be an interesting night. Can't wait to hear all about it. Have fun!!!! It is one of the best experiences ever!

[Kitten 76]

@@buster Thank you so much   Will be sure to hit up this thread after my experience next month too. Might help to recollect on happy moments from the show during the post-concert depression that's DEFINITELY gonna happen.

[JuliusDelRey 1]

This makes me sad, but they can only push us back so far, so I still plan on going super early.

[buster 152]

@@Kitten OH YES! The depression will kick in. I saw the Houston show front row and it was incredible. Had Silver for Dallas but we all know what happened there so I am just waiting for the new date for that show.

[Kitten 76]

I said I'd swoop back in post-concert so I'd just like to gush a little. Not necessarily about the venue, mind you. I was told no camping or early arrivals but @@buster as your prophecy foretold, people arrived hella early and it was a-okay. My boyfriend and I parked a little over a mile away and walked all the way there just to get in line before parking opened. I wanna say we got there around 3pm, and we didn't get into the pit until like 7 since they took for-fucking-ever getting VIP in and opening our alleged ~fast lane~ gates. Waited for about an hour in the pit 'till the opener came on and in the meantime, I began feeling sick as hell and had to sit down for most of my wait. I'd been guzzling water the entire time, and snacked on a little something, but looking back on it now I probably didn't eat enough.

 

But enough of that, onward with my story....

 

After the initial wait was over and we actually got to hear some sick beats, it was, in one word, spectacular. As I'm sure y'all already know, Grimes opened for my date. She was joined on-stage by her two gorgeous dancers and another singer, Hana, who was doing backup vocals. I don't know what to say other than I was in awe and smiling like an idiot the entire time. Claire (Grimes' real name) had an overwhelming positive energy while putting on her portion of the show and it was downright charming. She's beyond awesome at dancing too. Couldn't take my eyes off her for a moment! As much as my poor little gay heart was looking forward to Lana, a big part of me was kinda bummed when she finished because she was just that uplifting.

 

It's crazy how quickly people did Lana's stage-set up, and as they revealed the cityscape and the "DEL REY" I could FEEL the stranglehold of my own excitement, haha. Everybody was so excited when she came out. As for me, I cried a little because I'm a big baby and it was my first time seeing her in person. I don't wanna say it solidified my love for her 'cause I already knew I adored her but.. something like that. It's just a special moment seeing your idol on-stage. I've only ever been able to witness videos and pictures, but this was totally different. Intimate.

 

Everybody was so enthusiastic. I believe it was after her first song, but she told us that we had a lot of energy. So meaningful to have her comment on that. All of us die-hards in the pit did our best to make her feel welcome and loved. Her entire performance, she gave us her absolute all. I have to say, she's better live than anywhere else, and I'm sure anyone can vouch for that statement. Footage or albums or what-have-you, they cannot compare to hearing her sing in person. The amount of talent is mind-blowing. From her first to her last song, I was like, in a trance.

 

I thought I'd be sad if I didn't meet her, and to an extent I am. I had a letter I REALLY wanted to get to her if nothing else. However - and I may be dreaming big on this - at one point while I was waving my envelope around like a maniac, she was on our side of the stage and I swear she made eye contact with me in a sad "I can't reach you sweetie" way, and mouthed something. "I love you," maybe? Idk. I'm a hopeful person and that's what I thought I saw. I believe that the day will come when I meet her, too.

 

Regardless, I'm so grateful to have been as close as I was in the first place. Not barricade, I'm pretty sure that was almost exclusively VIP people. BUT I fluctuated between 3rd and 4th row, which wasn't bad for my very first Lana experience. Especially when I wasn't forceful with anyone or anything. I had my boyfriend behind me as a buffer too, protecting me from shovers.

 

Unfortunately, all the strength that her graceful, godly self had shined down upon me left me as soon as she left the stage. I felt like I was going to die. We were lucky enough to get a ride back to our car from some newly-made friends so that we wouldn't have to walk. Lucky for us, seeing as I wouldn't have been able to truck through it. Not even exaggerating, I probably would've passed out. My legs were already yelling at me for my first brush with standing in a pit for several hours and dancing. My head hurt and I was suffering from extreme nausea and desire to fall into bed.

 

But after food, a good night's rest at our hotel, food, a safe check-out and trip back from Charlotte, and yes, more food, I'm feeling much better. Definitely able to look back on things with more fondness than before. Not that I wasn't already, just.. I WAS ILL. Anyways...

 

Now that the droning on and on is over, time for the goodies. I didn't get TOO much because for the most part I was enjoying myself rather than worrying with my phone, but I have some photos and videos on my Twitter. My personal favorite capture would have to be the beginning of UV, which can be seen here, and I even got a dedicated Lana account to RT it. Mostly because I thought it was pretty great audio considering my place in the pit. Video was admittedly a little shaky, but it was hard to hold my phone way up high and steady it at the same time.

 

Just thought I'd share the deets with anyone who might be interested. I tried not to embellish my story with any more rambling than necessary, but it's still probably really long. If you read all of it, you are a superhero and I love you.

[VelvetNight 181]

@@Kitten GIRL, your story brought tears to my eyes! Glad you had a good time. I know what you mean about being in a trance while watching Lana.

[Kitten 76]

@@Kitten GIRL, your story brought tears to my eyes! Glad you had a good time. I know what you mean about being in a trance while watching Lana.

 

Oh no! Didn't mean to get you crying dear, I swear. D:

 

You're real sweet though, thank you so much! She absolutely excels at putting us in that place due to her angelic voice.

 

God help me. Post-concert downer mood is still killer two days after.

 

Despite my tumultuous experience in the heat of the pit and the aftermath of it all, I'm already dying for her next tour.

[antivietnam 1]

really wish she sang Old Money :~( 

 

and @ Kitten i was suuuuuper depressed the day after, it was nuts lol

[Neptune-Avenue 220]

I feel like I'm still giddy and on the "Lana high" just being there was so amazing and she seemed so happy and energetic and all the people I met were super nice!!