Queue

Synonyms:
See also:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Queuing is an everyday activity everywhere. In fandom, queues are also part of the experience, and become a part of the culture and almost a type of fan activity and a realm of interaction.

Related

• Fandom and Profit

Not related: the practice of queuing posts for Tumblr or other social media platforms or similar rate-limiting.

Queues as fandom space

At Creation Con Salutes Star Trek, some fans wrote on the queues and how they obstructed / benefited the fandom experience:

... On the other hand, it was necessary to queue each day for seats in the hall (the LA Hilton put their three ballrooms together) if you wanted to get anywhere near the front. Some fans did not go to bed on Saturday night, they began queueing at 1 am. This led to people keeping seats for others and the resultant outrage of those who had been waiting since the early hours. With some thought about a seat numbering system of some kind, all this might be avoided. At a professionally run con, fan access to the guests (with some exceptions) is limited to their formal appearances. But you do get to see them. There is no fan run programme of talks and discussions or evening activities (the cabaret was a first at this con) and if you are very shy it might be difficult to make friends, but sit down in a queue and someone is sure to talk to you.

from IDIC #5

At Scorpio (convention)

These were so popular that you had to queue for up to an hour to get in, but it did give all the con attendees a chance to talk to the guests on a one-to-one basis. And it gave you a chance to get to know the other fans, while waiting in the queue. The guests were unfailingly friendly, considerate and welcoming during these sessions, but I couldn't help thinking that meeting those endless lines of people must have been hard work for them.

Mary Moulden from Horizon Newsletter #17

Media coverage

“The queue becomes an offline communal experience shared with fellow fans,” says Laura Saunter, insights editor with trend forecasters WGSN. “It’s about more than what they take home.” She adds: “The process of acquiring the item requires a certain amount of emotional investment, so waiting in lines all day can be a rewarding experience – even if they don’t buy anything.”

... Everyone has queued for something for a laughably large amount of time. Among my social circle, there’s the guy who queued for 12 hours for a Nintendo 64, a friend who queued for eight hours to see Duran Duran at Wembley Arena in 2004, another who queued for a burger at a new opening for four hours in the rain, and another who has queued for every single Harry Potter book. One friend in Japan admitted to queueing for two hours for ice-cream, adding: “I sometimes think the queue itself is the main event.” ...

As the writer Howard Jacobson, who lives in the vicinity of one of these skate shops, surmises: “The queue and the fan are, of course, closely related, in that fans will queue any length of time in any weather to see, touch, watch, hear, read, wear, or simply enjoy proximity to the object of their devotion.”

[https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2018/jul/02/wimbledon-fun-queue-streetwear-brands-instagram

Queues for concerts and entrance to other live events

• queuing overnight
• performances

But I would say you would need to get there at least 3 hours before doors to be certain you'll get in the first 10-20 rows. It really depends on the venue and location. I've been to shows where you needed to get there by noon to be close. Others where you can show up an hour before doors and still get in the front half off the GA floor.

Considering this is sold out (it is right?) I would imagine there will be at least a few hundred people showing up at least a couple hours before doors. Just bring plenty of water, and hopefully have a line buddy in case someone needs to use the restroom. And in terms of food, I usually try to eat a large breakfast and/or early big lunch (depending on when I plan to line up), and then have a few pieces of fruit and maybe some granola or something as I'm waiting (I prefer to eat light most of the day for concerts).

Whatever you bring, just note that you may have to pitch leftover food before entering, and probably can't bring in a water bottle (maybe an empty one?). Call the venue or look online to be familiar with the venue rules. Bring something to keep yourself busy, like a book especially if you are going to line up really early.

Oh and also. know exactly where you would ideally like to stand (i.e. in front of Ed, in front of Jonny, or Thom) Because when it's time to dart for the stage after they open the doors, it will fill up fast so have a goal location and move forward and post up when you are happy with how close you are. And MAKE SURE to use the restroom right before they open doors. You don't want to have leave your close spot to pee! And wear comfortable shoes because once you get close in your final spot, you'll be standing for probably like 3+ hours. So that means, do some really good stretching the day of the show, it makes all the difference!

Line waiting tips? on r/Radiohead by irisuniverse (2016)

Ticket queues

• Twitter thread on queueing both online an in person, written for the SVT Bulacan SVT Right Here tour by @xmhlovre

Exit queues

• danger
• playing music

Queues in fanwork depictions

• Single Rider AU, based on a tumblr post where single riders at theme park queues are paired up with a stranger.