11 replies to this topic

[Ed209]

There's been a bit of talk on the u2 thread about the size of the pit and how it really can detach the band from the audience. I knew it was big but looking at the footage it is f**king huge!!

Why? It seems a touch unnecessary. Is it for the media and photographers or are there security reasons as to why its so big. There's no doubt that some headliners can struggle with its size

[krisskross]

there were around 100 photographers at some points on the pyramid stage.  + with all the stage extensions and security it makes sense.

[Ed209]

krisskross, on 30 June 2011 - 11:40 PM, said:

there were around 100 photographers at some points on the pyramid stage.  + with all the stage extensions and security it makes sense.

I'm sure they feel the crowd are as close as they can safely get them, but if its for photographers then it seems as though some of the gig's atmosphere is being sacrificed for the media, rightly or wrongly.

Has it always been that big?

[krisskross]

think it was the same last year.  the bbc camera rails and front row of speakers take up a massive chunk too

[kerplunk]

It's always been wide enough to have a game of tennis I've thought but however it was conceived that way I seriously doubt the needs of the snappers was a primary concern - that's just silly.

[incident]

krisskross, on 30 June 2011 - 11:40 PM, said:

there were around 100 photographers at some points on the pyramid stage.  + with all the stage extensions and security it makes sense.

Of course the Stage Extensions only usually happen because the gap is so big to start with.

I don't really understand it, I've never seen any stage at any other music event with such a big gap to the crowd.

[ferraristu]

Sure its for crowd safety - should the worst happen they can relieve crushes by pulling / allowing a large number over - Also it allows for medical treatment to take place and give enough space to allow for access of ambulance & other emergency services.

I guess its size is also directly related to the potential size of the audience - 100,000+
I am no expert but thats my guess and is probably as a result of lessons learnt at Hillsborough, Roskilde & Love Parade

[arcade fireman]

Before this year I last went in '09. Was there a pit there then? I couldve sworn there wasnt..

edit: I'm talking about something different (the V shaped bit at the front)

Edited by arcade fireman, 01 July 2011 - 07:46 AM.

[**claire**]

ferraristu, on 01 July 2011 - 04:27 AM, said:

Sure its for crowd safety - should the worst happen they can relieve crushes by pulling / allowing a large number over - Also it allows for medical treatment to take place and give enough space to allow for access of ambulance & other emergency services.

I guess its size is also directly related to the potential size of the audience - 100,000+
I am no expert but thats my guess and is probably as a result of lessons learnt at Hillsborough, Roskilde & Love Parade

Good point.

[Mardy]

ferraristu, on 01 July 2011 - 04:27 AM, said:

Sure its for crowd safety - should the worst happen they can relieve crushes by pulling / allowing a large number over - Also it allows for medical treatment to take place and give enough space to allow for access of ambulance & other emergency services.

I guess its size is also directly related to the potential size of the audience - 100,000+
I am no expert but thats my guess and is probably as a result of lessons learnt at Hillsborough, Roskilde & Love Parade

Good points, that's almost certainly the rationale,but given how concerned about safety they are, it makes the idea of putting massive bands on at the Park stage seem even more unfathomable.

[geebus]

I never really went near the front this year, but have crowd surfed out a fair few times in other years and never noticed it especially bigger than any others - I know something was mentioned about an extra platform for Bono, so could it have been to accommodate this?

[hillwalker]

but surely even if there's 100000 people, with the barrier further back only a certain amount can get in the front pit anyway. it does seem unnecessarily big