Olivia Rodrigo fever has well and truly hit Australia, because fans have been lining up for her Melbourne shows three nights in advance. The “drivers license” singer kicks off her Aussie leg in Melbourne tonight, Wednesday October 9, and some fans have been camping out since Sunday. The absolute dedication!!!
Considering the VIP GA Pit Experience tickets cost a whopping $455.65 each, it’s wild to me that fans even have to line up, but it seems some Aussie Livies are wanting a specific spot on the barricade.
At each concert, Miss Olivia interacts with a fan in the front row by accepting a gift before using it to segway into “jealousy, jealousy”. She’s also previously done a barricade walk where she touches people’s hands in the front row, but it’s unclear if she’ll be doing this at her Aussie shows.
The first group to start camping shared a TikTok, with Scarlett (@scarlett.bakker) sharing some tips and explaining how it all works in the comments. While the concert will be taking place at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, the VIP line is being held at Kia Arena, and moves to Rod Laver at 8am on the day of the concert.
“We have wristbands and can leave for a bit, as long as you stay overnight and stuff,” Scarlett wrote. “Security has said [the numbering system] will be honoured.”
Another TikToker, Liv (@oliviacchristiee) started lining up at 3pm on Monday afternoon, and was 21st in line. Once it hit 5.45pm, there were already around 100 people in the VIP queue.
According to what “venue management and the stagehands” told the TikToker, the barricade will fit around 200 people.
There was a bit of backlash from other Olivia Rodrigo fans, with some saying the groups were breaking venue rules. In the past, Rod Laver Arena has said queuing was prohibited before 8am on the day of the concert.
“This is actually insane and it’s also a privilege… homeless people get moved on from all over the city for doing this and you think it’s okay? It’s VIP, you’re on the floor at a small venue,” one person wrote.
“Saying people who camp are the ones who deserve front row when there’s plenty of people who cannot afford to skip work or looking after their family to be able to do so is ignorant. Lots of people deserve front row, not just campers,” another added.
Others pointed out that sometimes there’s mess left behind by those who camp out for concerts.
“[Many people] leave [their tents] from what I’ve seen in my experience. Not everyone of course but many also leave rubbish and whatnot which the poor venue staff have to clean up all their crap,” one person said.
“They just leave tents and trash EVERYWHERE. It’s so wasteful,” another added.
“They made people who rocked up at a normal time for GA Niall [Horan] line up around Kia Arena and all the tents were left there and it STANK,” a third wrote.
There were a few fans who were impressed by the campers’ dedication, with one saying: “I hope y’all get the spots you wanted, the commitment is real”.
I can kinda see both sides! Most of these teens are just dying to see their favourite artist up close, and that’s hard to fault. Either way, I’m just praying they all clean up after themselves and are suuuuper polite to the venue staff.
Lead image: TikTok @scarlett.bakker, @iluvmiddleagedactresses, Getty
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