West Seattle scene: Why people are in line outside Easy Street

The line outside Easy Street Records in The Junction right now – wrapping around the building and up the alley – isn’t in advance of a Black Friday deal. But it DOES involve the day after Thanksgiving. At 3 pm, as explained on the Easy Street website, tickets go on sale for a just-announced performance by Foo Fighters, Friday at the Showbox downtown. The show also includes a screening of “Sonic Highways,” the HBO series in which the band travels to cities around the U.S. while recording its new album.

Foo Fighters have been performing “surprise” shows in connection with the show’s episodes, and the Showbox plan fits right in with that.

Joe Szilagyi November 26, 2014 (1:56 pm)

The line at downtown Showbox had to be 500+ deep already.

Wes C. Addle November 26, 2014 (1:56 pm)

And if you’re not in line already . . then you’re too late.

I know the Sonic Boom in Ballard has already said the line is too long to guarantee that everyone in line will get tickets.

Sue November 26, 2014 (2:14 pm)

It’s a shame they couldn’t also sell them online. Some of us have to work today and can’t take off before a holiday weekend to stand in line for tickets. :(

WSB November 26, 2014 (2:24 pm)

I suspect it’s a logistics thing. If you read the “fine print” on the page we point to, it’s “ticketless entry” which suggests the last-minute nature of it all didn’t enable printable/printed tickets either.
- WSB November 26, 2014 (2:33 pm)
  
  P.S. If you’re not on ESR’s mailing list, we just got their pre-Black Friday blast and they’re also giving away a pair of tickets in an e-mail contest, winner drawn Friday morning, details here: http://easystreetonline.com/NewsItem/4634

JayDee November 26, 2014 (2:33 pm)

Bad timing for Junction merchants–all the lots were full as were many of the side streets. I heard business was lower than usual at one place.

WSB November 26, 2014 (2:56 pm)

We went to The Junction to visit several businesses as well as to photograph the line after hearing about it. Parked by one of the four businesses where we shopped & spent, walked to the others and then back to the space. Certainly other businesses were responsible for filling parking spots too – this afternoon is always the last-minute grocery (etc.) shopping craze – beverages at places like Bin 41 and Beer Junction (which is open REALLY late tonight, see the shopping section of our holiday guide) – and while Bakery Nouveau wasn’t on our list today (for once), I would imagine they’re crazy-busy! Will be interesting to see how the dynamics change next year, as the buildings with big parking garages open (Spruce, Junction 47) …

Rob November 26, 2014 (2:56 pm)

“I heard business was lower than usual at one place.”

HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WSExpat November 26, 2014 (3:16 pm)

A little off topic, but I see the famous marquee has not been replaced. Any plans in this direction? Apologies if I missed a WSB update on this.

almostwithinreach November 26, 2014 (4:12 pm)

Had goosebumps for about 10 seconds there – until I read a wee bit further that it was a) too late anyway and b) they are not playing at Easy Street.

oh, well. have a great time all you lucky ticket holders.

Happy Thanksgiving just the same all.

ps. about the neon replacement, i was told a couple of weeks ago they are still haggling/waiting/working with building owner to do “something”. Not an official inquiry and not an official answer, but what would WSB and the comments sections be without rumors to squelch and corrections to be made. ;)

Big G November 26, 2014 (4:46 pm)

They did it this way to ensure tix went to fans and not scalpers. The person that bought the tix has to be present with ID and CC that was used to purchase the tix. Your CC is actually your ticket, as they’ll swipe it at the show to prove it’s the same one you used to purchase.

I heard other “secret” shows in other cities were being scalped for nearly $1,000 a ticket. This way tix go to the fans not to people just trying to make a buck.

WSB November 26, 2014 (5:08 pm)

Thanks for the explanation, Big G.

Carlos Soto November 26, 2014 (6:41 pm)

Although I wasn’t luck enough to score tickets at the Easy Street in West Seattle, the 3 hour wait in line might of been one of the funnest I have ever experienced.

To Rose, her friend and the kind people I waited with, thank you for the laughter.

To the guy singing his ass off at the bus stop. You rule!