Before Ed Sheeran's LOOP Tour presales begin tomorrow, and the general ticket sale takes place Friday, we’re going to try something a little different with this newsletter today and delve into some queue tips.
How does the Ticketmaster queue work? The queue acts as a virtual line that uses advanced security measures to detect bots and monitor traffic. When the queue opens, you'll know exactly where you are in line—and you’ll get an alert when it's your time to shop.
Why is there a queue? In addition to blocking sus account behavior, the queue helps to pace how many fans can shop at one time. (Only a few hundred people can shop at once, which is why it can seem like the queue is moving slowly.) This gives you a better chance of finding and purchasing the seats you want, since you’re only competing against real, human fans for those seats.
What’s the best strategy for the Ticketmaster queue? When you’re ready to shop for tickets, we recommend doing the following:
Sign in and make sure your payment/billing info is up to date before the ticket sale starts
Check that your phone number is correct (again, before the sale starts)
Join the waiting room before the ticket sale begins—waiting rooms typically open 15-30 minutes ahead of time
Use one browser, tab or device per queue—using multiple tabs will cause errors
And for the love of Gaga, DON’T REFRESH. Your page will automatically refresh when you enter the queue, so there’s no need to. Doing this could get you flagged as a bot and booted from the sale.
More Ed-specific info below. Comment and let me know if this was helpful!
–Gab, Head of Editorial Content
What we saw
My popstar cup runneth over. I attended back-to-back shows by Dua Lipa, CMAT and Chappell Roan in New York, and I fear I may have permanent voice loss. Highlights: Dua’s massively talented opener Cil; CMAT performing “Take a Sexy Picture of Me” (aka the Woke Macarena); Chappell returning to the U.S. for the first time in about a year and in my home borough no less. Also, shoutout to the dad in front of me whose adorable young daughter fell asleep on his lap about halfway through, and stayed that way as he screamed along to “Red Wine Supernova.” —Gab
Wet Leg, the darlings of the indie scene, did not disappoint on September 18 at Brooklyn Paramount. Supporting the drop of their second album Moisturizer, Rhian, Hester and Co. took a packed house through a 19-song romp. With a searing start combo of “catch these fists” and “Wet Dream,” a crowd-sung scream during “Ur Mum” in the middle, and a raucous ending via “mangetout” and “CPR,” plus everything in between, they kept an exuberant throng, including some crowd surfers, jumpin’ all night long. —Kenny, Head of Creative Studio
Nine Inch Nails closed out their Peel it Back World Tour with two sold-out shows September 18-19 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA and I was so glad I got last-minute tickets to be there for the Thursday night show. It was an incredible cathartic evening full of powerful sounds and visuals as the Trent Reznor-led band played through a 20-song setlist that saw them switching back and forth between the main stage and the smaller, in-the-round B-stage. Highlights on the setlist included “Copy of A” (my personal favorite), “Closer” — which featured a guest appearance by opening act Boys Noize — and a cover of David Bowie’s “I’m Afraid of Americans.” —Crystal, Senior Copywriter
What to see this week
Soft Play: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy
English punk rock duo Soft Play will kick off their string of California tour dates on Sunset Blvd. with a show at the Roxy featuring KennyHoopla.
Linkin Park: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 – Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
Catch Linkin Park in Seattle for the final date of the North American leg of their From Zero World Tour—with rapper/singer JPEGMAFIA.
MARINA: Thursday, September 25, 2025 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
MARINA will bring her Princess of Power Tour to Radio City Music Hall—her biggest headlining moment in NYC to date—with Australian singer/MC Mallrat opening.
AUDACY'S 12th Annual WE CAN SURVIVE: Friday, September 26, 2025 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
The 12th annual edition of We Can Survive features headliners Ed Sheeran, Goo Goo Dolls, Alex Warren, Shaboozey and Lola Young for a night of music to support the organization’s I’m Listening mental health initiative, with a portion of proceeds going towards the American Foundation for Suicide.
Global Citizen Festival: Saturday, September 27, 2025 – New York, NY @ Central Park
This year’s Global Citizen Festival, the annual event designed to help the planet and fight poverty, has a star-studded lineup. On Saturday, The Great Lawn at Central Park will welcome Cardi B, Shakira, Tyla, Mariah the Scientist, and Ayra Starr.
P1Harmony: Saturday, September 27, 2025 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
Six-member sensation P1Harmony are touching down in Newark with their LIVE TOUR [P1ustage H: MOST WANTED], the follow-up to 2024’s P1ustage H: UTOPIA. In the wake of their most recent EP, DUH!, Keeho, Theo, Jiung, Intak, Soul, and Jongseob will be bringing their signature energy to the U.S.
G Flip: Sunday, September 28, 2025 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
On the heels of her 2025 release and third studio album, Dream Ride, G Flip is scheduled to touch down in Brooklyn for a performance at Music Hall of Williamsburg. G Flip’s The Dream Ride Tour is slated to make a number of other stops across North America in the coming weeks.
Los Angeles-based alternative pop duo Magdalena Bay are bringing their Imaginal Mystery Tour to Hollywood Forever for two back-to-back hometown shows—with electronic artist Oxis opening.
Keep an eye on…
…Waylon Wyatt, the Arkansas diamond who might just be your next country obsession. His music blends campfire storytelling with modern Americana vibes, and his Webster Hall set in New York on September 17 was pure proof he’s a natural showman and building the future of country music. Catch him on his biggest tour yet this fall before he’s selling out arenas. —Hayden, Integrated Marketing
What to listen to
RAYE - “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”
RAYE’s approach to artistry is crystal clear, and the latest release from the Grammy-nominated artist combines so many of the things that have come to define her signature sound. “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” is theatrical, playful, unbelievably catchy, and a great vocal showcase—and with tour dates on the horizon, her new era has begun with plenty of sparkle and shine. —Mary, Senior Editor/Writer
The Favors - The Dream
FINNEAS and Ashe make sweet, sweet harmony on their debut album as The Favors. The 10-time Grammy winner first featured on Ashe’s 2021 single “Till Forever Falls Apart” (two years after helping pen her 2019 breakout single “Moral of the Story”). On the new full-length, the duo channel the magic of male-female pairings of yore like Sonny and Cher, Elton John and Kiki Dee and Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham on melodic standouts like “The Little Mess You Made,” “Ordinary People” and “David’s Brother.” —Glenn, Content Writer
Sarah McLachlan - “Reminds Me” (featuring Katie Gavin)
Along with new documentary Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery, festival co-founder Sarah McLachlan released her tenth studio album Better Broken on September 19 and it features arguably one of the sweetest love songs I’ve heard in a really long time. Featuring Katie Gavin of MUNA, “Reminds Me” is a sweet reminder of how life-changing it can be to find true love. “'Cause you and me were meant to be/A sweet and simple melody/And I wanna sing this song for you.” Swoon. —Crystal