Security and other checks at venues

[twm]

Someone has told me that the Boston venue has banned all bags from being taken into the venue, with no exceptions, and that no storage facilities are available.  You will simply be refused entry.

Has anything similar applied atvenues earlier on the tour?

And, in general, how tight has security been at other venues?

NOTE - What we call handbags in Britain are called purses in the States and I believe these will be permitted but I don't know if this is correct.

[Jules]

All this security issues are a nonsense, totally idiotic...

[knopfling]

At Broomfield, Colo., I would say security measures were not real strict. There were no metal detectors. They briefly looked inside of bags.
Ushers did spend much time trying to stop those taking cellphone pictures. I took a shot of the empty stage, and an usher told me I couldn't take pictures during the concert. I said, "I know," and I didn't take any during the concert -- cellphone pictures are of terrible quality, so no loss there for me.
Ushers tried hard to ask those who did raise their phones during the concert to stop, but most of them kept doing it anyway.

[sweetsurrender]

I posted my review on the show in Sacramento and all the ordeals the security put me through. It was downright absurd.  Just like Jbaent said all these security measures are idiotic. 

In Sacramento, not only backpacks are not allowed, but the metallic belt I had on was not allowed also.  They had this wand kind of thing that beeps. They actually scan you with it before they let you in.

San Francisco, no such thing. No bag checking. nothing, nada. The only thing was they threatened to throw you out if you run.  Remember this is a GA standing room only.

Berkeley was smooth and easy, just walked in.

[Rkd]

In St. Paul, they checked bags for metal but seemed more intent on keeping people from taking pics or taping. I managed to get the pics I wanted but they were right on me when I tried to tape.

In Madison there were no checks of any kind except they too were fussy about pics and taping.  All of the arena personnel seemed to be elderly so I guess that's what you are supposed to do when you retire!

[twm]

No prejudice against the retired, please. [Especially those who are volunteer ushers at our small local theatre because, without them, we'd have to pay more for our ticketss]

The security picture seems very mixed. It probably depends on two things: (1) the local rules and regulations and (2) the vehemence and severity of the pep-talk given beforehand to the lead usher by one of Dylan's people (I base this on comments one once made to me - years ago) and how this is passed on to the team. Also, I guess, how Dylan's own people are feeling that night and whether they themselves go round harrassing audience members and geeing up the local usher team.

My concern is that, since we're primarily visiting Boston as tourists, we are likely to have bags with us during the day and, if none are allowed, we have no choice but to go back to our hotel beforehand to drop things off, which could be highly inconvenient. Also, for reasons too boring to mention, there things we just have to carry with us.

But what do people do who are travelling in to the city by public transport to the show? I've done this before and have been fairly weighed down with "stuff".

[Rkd]

No prejudice against the retired, please.

No slight intended - I've just become one myself!

[tunnel85]

No prejudice against the retired, please.

No slight intended - I've just become one myself!

There are lucky people out there. 

[knopfling]

In Las Vegas several years ago, I happened to be standing in a lobby area when Paul Crockford began talking to security people at the Hard Rock, telling them maybe half an hour before the doors opened what was to be allowed in and what was not. It was interesting. Of course, MK allows non-professional cameras and recording equipment, so it was probably a lot different than a lot of shows that play there, but PC made it all pretty clear that fans weren't to be harrassed about such things and that cameras/recorders were to be allowed through the doors. The ushers did seem to follow PC's stipulations there and didn't fuss about cameras/recorders.
Last year at Temecula, though, one usher insisted I couldn't use my point-and-shoot camera, and he sat at the end of the row much of the time to make certain that I didn't, so the staff at the Pechanga casino concert hall didn't get the message as well, or at least that one guy didn't.

[twm]

I've actually been asked by PC to stop taking photos at a concert - 9th row at Edinburgh, as I recall - which was a shame because I took one or two of my favourite MK photos there.

[sweetsurrender]

in Sacramento, security guys and gals would actually shine their very bright flashlights on people who tried to video or took pictures. Very annoying, because all of a sudden a bright light went across your face down the aisle.  I didn't bother with video taping, but managed to voice record as my teeny tiny recorder was safely stashed in my pocket. SF was a little more lax where I was standing. Berkeley was pretty strict.