The growing trend of ‘queue culture’ has fans divided and venues struggling to keep up with the chaos. 

What used to be a one-night wait for concerts has now stretched up to five days, forcing venue managers to increase security, waste management, and crowd control. 

At venues such as Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, where international artists attract thousands of fans, early arrivals now force event staff to begin managing crowds days before the event. 

Venue staff are tasked with managing unofficial queues, resolving disputes over fan-made number systems, and maintaining safety in high traffic public areas not designed for camping queues. 

The practice is dividing fans. Violeta Bakmaz, who regularly camps out for musicians, believes the experience brings more than just a front row view. 

“It builds a community and makes friendships by camping with like-minded people,” Bakmaz said. 

However, Vanessa Huy, a long-time concertgoer, said she was no longer willing to participate. 

“It’s just not worth it anymore when you have to get there days prior otherwise all you’re going to see is the back of people’s heads,” she said.  

“It’s exhausting and unfair, especially for those who can’t take time off work or school.” 

While camping outside venues is prohibited, the number of fans participating in this trend appears to be increasing, and it’s forcing venues to reshape how they deal with safety regulations and the future of live events. 

Iva Stojilikovic, who works for Box Live – an entertainment management company based in Melbourne – said the rise in queue culture was due to fans hoping for a deeper artist-fan connection. 

“It comes down to the demand and popularity of the artist, plus their fan service,” Stojilikovic said. “If they (the artist) typically go into the crowd or talk to the fans on a more personal level, people are more motivated to get close.” 

However, she acknowledged that without proper supervision, camping culture can escalate tensions. 

“Hostile behaviour does happen. Some fans think they are owed something by the artist because they camped out,” Stojilikovic said. 

Despite the challenges, queue culture shows no sign of slowing with crowds forming days in advance and the need for security escalating.