to wonder how the 02 allocate their seats for music events

[merrywidow]

been to 02 four times in the past year; twice with a mate with connections so seats were free and obviously very good. Twice I have booked events online direct with 02. first Rihanna, booked on the day tickets went on sale, had seats in the gods, but event was packed, most seats taken. ( if you haven't been the seats in the gods on level 4 are not good if you have a fear of heights as they are so steep ). Anyway, went to see Linkin Park last week, again booked on the day and best seats avaliable were again in the gods, and we were right at the top.

looking down there were plenty of empty seats, so I went to customer services and explained DD had vertigo whilst she feigned peakiness. I got a bit of a lecture about their website expalining high seating etc however they proceeded to give me some seats that were almost at the front. Result. However why could I not get any of these seats when I originally booked?

[MooMooFarm]

YANBU. I've had the same experience, and I hate heights so it ruined the whole experience for me. I would now avoid going to the 02 for that reason. And I think it's a joke having the seats that steep anyway.

[lollipopshoes]

I sometimes think that they allocate the crap seats first

We had seats way up in the gods and dp went and explained that he couldn't sit there as he had a bad back (which he did at the time but nothing official) and they found us other seats straight away.

dp was being quite genuine, but tbh the second lot of seats were so much better, from a comfort point of view as well as from a seeing the band point of view

[merrywidow]

I've always booked directly with 02 so maybe they allocate blocks to other agents, who perhaps only want percentages of the crap seats?

[LetThereBeRock]

I think a small percentage of seats are usually kept for the artists,promoter,record label'sfamily/friends/contacts /guests etc and only released later if they don't want or require the use of them.

[Lynli]

DH went to the O2 last night to see paramour and to the linkin park gig.

He had seats at the front, his company pays 4k a year vip membership which means they will always get the best seats and access to the vip bar. That may be why.

[merrywidow]

There were a lot of 'mates' seats at Linkin Park then.

I got in the 'mates' way at Lady Gaga. We went in backstage and the bloke who we were asscociated with said we would be standing. we complained that we are 'old birds' and couldn't stand! he went off and got us a couple of seats at the front, but there weren't that many.

Something seems fishy to me about their allocation

[merrywidow]

Ah, sponsorship, hadn't thought of that Lynli

[WhyIsThatThen]

Corporate hospitality has a lot to answer for IMO, as does reserving seats for agencies etc.
That said DH has access to the company box so we can pretty much get to see whatever we fancy! We were at Paramore last night. I wouldn't have wanted to be at the front of the standing area (they had been queuing for hours apparently) as lots of people were carted off having been crushed, hurt, dehydrated or needing a wee!!!

[LetThereBeRock]

They can reserve 5% of seats apparently.

[merrywidow]

There must have been 15% seats in level 1 empty, level 4 absolute crap seats all taken

[merrywidow]

Must add Linkin Park very good

[bethelbeth]

Different seats go to different agents and they also reserve seats for release at a later date.

[blushingm]

never choose 'best available'. I find in my experience they are always level 4 tickets. Try and chose my area or price instead