Topic: Reserved Seat Taping w/ No TS

[cgrooves]

What's the etiquette for taping at Reserved Seat shows with no TS? (Open taping allowed from your seat, BTW)
I know the fans of many bands respect the fact that tapers are present, however, what if your assigned seat sux?
Most of the time the fans of the bands I see don't sweat the assigned seats much, however, people with  reserved seats in the sweet spot usually will want to be in their seats.

I was thinking that if I had a really bad seat that it would probably be best to try and get a patch from someone fortunate enough to get a seat in the sweet spot (rather than taking a chance of setting up, only to get moved by an usher OR pulling a crappy tape from a bad seat).  I guess you could always record from one stack on the side, (or maybe try Omnis?)

[Kevin Straker]

Depends on how sold out the show is. If there is room I grab some decent seats. If the usher comes explain that you'll be happy to move if the actual seat holder comes. Until then start setting up your gear. If the seat owner comes try to trade your seats (if they are any good),and a copy of the show. If not, bribe, beg, offer your first born, or whatever it takes to keep the seats. If the people insist, move from their seats and don't bitch about it. It shouldn't be too hard to end up in better seats than you have on your ticket. Good luck.  Some positive vibes go a long way in this process.

[Swampy]

Ya, sometimes your just out of luck. Try whatever you can to get someone to let you use their seat ect... but just keep it in your mind that you have no special right to any seat but yours...

[thoman8r]

This practice happens frequently at DMB shows.  Tapers will trade over to the sides where you can run your stand higher.  I've even seen some people start setting up before the people they are trading with even get there.  90% of the time it isn't a problem because you are most likely trading them better seats, but sometimes people just don't want to move.  The best thing to do in that case is just say ok and ask someone else.  Don't argue, they aren't under any obligation to trade with you.  (Although at Hershey I had some random guy give people crap because they wouldn't trade with me, basically guilted them into doing it.  I felt a little bad about that.)

I would *not* start setting up in a spot considerably better than your tix unless you are pretty sure the show is not going to be nearly full.  That's pretty presumptuous if you ask me, plus, what if those people show up during the show?  Then you are going to have to tear down your rig and you won't get a tape at all.

[spyder9]

I agree.  If you didn't pay for that seat, and you're sure its sold to someone else, then don't even try it.  Security will just tear you down.  And you'll get no sympathy from other tapers because you tried to scam someone's seat.  Ask after their seated.  That's the right way on improving your seat/taper location.

[thoman8r]

I agree. If you didn't pay for that seat, and you're sure its sold to someone else, then don't even try it. Security will just tear you down. And you'll get no sympathy from other tapers because you tried to scam someone's seat. Ask after their seated. That's the right way on improving your seat/taper location.

Also, when a taper pulls shit like that, it reflects negatively on all of us, and makes it harder for other tapers in the future to get prime taping locations.