Things that are too real for hardcore line-waiters

It takes a special kind of person to spend an entire day outside a venue when there are so many more fun ways to spend a day. But are there really more fun ways to a spend a day? Okay, well, probably, yes.

Hardcore line-waiters are a dedicated bunch. With my personal best being 23 hours, I’m proud to include myself in this category. Here are some things you can relate to if you’re a hardcore line-waiter like me.

1. Scheduling pee breaks

That last pee break before doors is crucial. You don’t want to wait too late, but you don’t want to go too early and need to go again either. Also finding public bathrooms can be a pain. Sometimes your best bet is sending someone to buy food from a nearby Chipotle and having them share the bathroom code with everyone else in line.

2. Scoping out the best places for food near the venue

Nearby Chipotle? You’re set. Pizza or french fries on the sidewalk? Yes please.

Sometimes scoping out the area around the venue means getting there even earlier than you had planned just for the sole purpose of figuring out where you’re going to sneak off to for food throughout the day.

3. Bringing snacks and other seemingly unecessary items to the venue

Poptarts? Check. Red Bull? Check. Blankets, pillows, lawn chairs, a tent? Check check check and check.

4. Coming up with ridiculous answers to the ridiculous questions you will inevitably receive

“What are you in line for?”
“I have no idea. I just really like lines.”

“Are you waiting to buy tickets?”
“Ummm there’s this thing called the internet… No, I’m not waiting to buy tickets.”

“Who’s playing tonight?”
“There’s a marquee right there, dude. Can you not read?”

5. Having your own personal hell: venues without coat check when it’s snowing

Why would they do that?! It’s too cold to sit outside for 6+ hours sans coat. Is this band worth hypothermia? …probably.

Hopefully you have a car you can ditch your coat in about fifteen minutes before doors. Just make sure to either park close by or be prepared to run like hell.

6. Accepting the fact that at some point in life you’ll have to sleep like a homeless person

If you’re willing to sit outside in the cold for 6 hours for a band you love but don’t LOVE, then you know at some point your all-time favorite band will be headlining in an arena and people will be camping out the night before. Mentally prepare yourself for that 23 hour campout and sidewalk sleeps.

7. Getting called “staff” for holding spaces for friends in line all day

“Sorry, guys, but just to let you know, I’m actually five people.” And that five eventually turns into ten.

Or maybe that’s just me.

8. Being hated for holding said spaces

You totally get that the people waiting behind you have been there longer than your friends, but it’s not your fault that your friends are dumb and wanted to be tourists while you hung out outside a venue all day… (Umm… Or maybe your friends had the right idea…)

9. Hating everyone ahead of you in line holding spaces

It goes both ways.

10. Deciding who to fight if you somehow don’t get barricade

This is especially true if you spent the night sleeping like a homeless person. No one deserves barricade more than you. You slept on the sidewalk! Also lack of sleep (because sidewalk) just makes you grumpy in general.

Even if it was more like 4 hours rather than 24, there’s nothing worse than having your line-waiting be in vain and not getting barricade.

11. Making some of your best friends in line

Because while the band may be amazing, the people who love them as much as you do can be even better.

What’s the longest you’ve ever waited in line for a show?