How to pull of the ‘impossible’ (U2 style)
March 9th, 2006
A lot of people have asked me how we did it …
A couple weeks ago U2 had a locked-down high-security invitation-only “club” show in a small theatre near Boston. The demand to get into this show was insane. Boston is probably their biggest fan-base, selling out over 100,000 tickets every time they tour here - yet only 100 Boston fans were given tickets.
Desire …
One of the city’s biggest radio jocks said this was the “toughest ticket” he’s ever seen. His cell phone wouldn’t stopped ringing with calls from the heads of two Boston pro sports teams, a “singer in a major rock band” and “every client we have or would like to have.” “I can’t get anyone … in, so stop calling!” he begged.
Security was intense for this event. 50 cops surrounded the theatre with crowd barricades in anticipation of the tens of thousands of U2 fans, who wouldn’t be getting in, filling the streets around the theatre. Everyone wanted to get into this show and no one could. They were even having the lucky ticket holders bused in from a secret location so there wouldn’t be any confusion in front of the theatre about who the legitimate ticket holders were.
Mission Impossible …
I’m a huge U2 fan. I’m also a fan of spur of the moment adventures. So last minute, my wife and I set out to pull off the “impossible” - sneak into the U2 show.
We did no planning. We had no insider help. We just wanted to see if we could walk right off the street into the most coveted show of the decade - with nothing but our impulses and our faith to guide us.
“But what about the ethics?” one might ask. We weren’t stealing, because nobody paid for tickets to get into this show. U2 gave these tickets away. This was on the same ethical level as crashing a party - a very very well guarded party. The tickets were just given out to radio contests and music insiders. Nobody was making money on this show - except for the Theatre owner who made his money by selling beer - and yes we would buy his beer.
A Sort Of Homecoming …
We arrive just an hour before the show, walk out of the subway terminal and head straight for the theatre. The police are everywhere. Crowd barricades are up and a large crowd has formed behind them across the street from the theatre. Instead of joining the crowd we head straight for the theatre doors. I know U2 is already in there and I just want to see how close we can get. Surprisingly we get pretty close before the cops start barking at us to back off.
The police start clearing the street and the sidewalk so I instinctively pull my wife, Heather, into the “press line” that has formed right next to the theatre. I say “hi” to a well known radio personality who flew all the way from Seattle just because he was wait-listed and just “maybe” has the chance to get in. Even for him it didn’t look good. But I figure standing in this line gives us at least a one-in-a-million chance - which is all that we need.
I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight …
Suddenly the buses arrive filled with all the music insiders and contest winners who somehow got tickets. As I’m watching the ticket holders get off the bus, I can feel something is about to happen because my heart starts pounding hard inside my chest. My heart usually starts racing right before I do something crazy - even if I don’t know what that crazy thing is yet. It’s my body’s way of saying, “Get ready…”
The ticket holders start getting off the buses and being corralled right past us in the press line and there’s only a small crowd barricade between us and this procession of ticket holders. I nudge Heather to stay close. I suddenly get a strong inner impulse to join the procession of ticket holders, so I hop around the crowd barricade into the stream of ticket holders and start cheering like I’m one of those lucky fuckers getting into the U2 show. Heather, having been through enough of these kinds of situations with me, instinctively jumps in with me.
My heart is racing as we walk with the procession of ticket holders. I can hardly breathe so I scream just to get all that extra energy out of the way. “Yeah! U2!” I can’t believe we aren’t getting busted! I can’t believe no one’s noticed us!
The TV news cameras are in our faces. “How does it feel to have tickets to U2 tonight?” I instinctively back off and push a real ticket holder in front of us. I don’t want to get busted by the media if they ask too many questions about our tickets.
Out comes security and says “Okay everybody, remember what we told you. You’re to hold up both of your hands in the air. Hold up your right arm showing the wristband we gave you and hold up left hand with your ticket in hand.”
Bad …
We’ve beat the wristband thing before when we were kids too young to get into clubs. Just hold up your sleeve and pretend like the wristband is buried underneath it. But the ticket thing is a whole new dilemma. How can we beat this?!
I look to Heather, “We’re so fucked. There’s no way we’re getting past this.” Heather, in her sweet way, reminds me of our mantra “What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
Whenever we’re doing something really crazy, that’s what she says right as it’s dawning on me that there’s no going back after the next step. The first time she ever said this to me was 10 years ago in Jamaica when my answer had to be, “We’ll end up in a Jamaican prison!!!”
Tonight’s answer was, “We’ll get arrested and have to beg our babysitter to stay with the kids until we can get out of jail.” Not nearly as bad as a Jamaican prison … We’re going for it.
Moment Of Surrender …
I figure our best shot - as lame as it sounds - is to dig though my wallet for ticket-like things. I give Heather the best I can find - a subway ticket. For myself, all I’ve got left is my buddy’s business card who’s a cop. I figure maybe if the swarm of police officers at the door see the police emblem, maybe they’ll think I’m a cop too and cut me a break.
The security MC pipes up again and says, “Alright everybody - form two lines - Men on one side, women on the other.”
As we approach the door and Heather gets farther away from me in her line I’m praying for a miracle. I’m doing my best to believe we belong here. I’m clearing the space in my mind for the possibility of a miracle.
Mysterious Ways …
I see Heather get up to the police and security guards. They check her over and she gets through. “Unbelievable!”
Now it’s my turn. I step up to the three police officers and a few security guys. I’m holding up my sleeve in one hand and in the other hand is my buddy’s business card held up like a ticket for all to see. They proceed to frisk the hell out of me. I must have looked nervous … or dangerous … or both …
Then they push me forward. I am stunned. The Chief of Police looks me in the eye and says “Smile already! You got in!”
Something about what that Chief said feels like a blessing.
I grab Heather and we face the next hurdle together …
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For …
In front of us, blocking the entrance from the lobby into the main theatre, there is a line of security guards in front of a wall of decorated police officers. The security guards are methodically grabbing each and every person’s wristband and holding up a black-light to them, then they’re laser-scanning the person’s ticket that they’re supposed to hold in their left hand.
I look to Heather and say, “There’s NO WAY we’re getting passed THAT!”
Now I know there’s been a lot of talk about “the power of positive thinking” but from my experience the talk’s not quite right. Realism is important too. I was having frequent realizations of the impossibility of what we were trying to do and I think these “negative thoughts” may have grounded and protected us a bit. If we had just been unrealistically “positive thinkers” we would have walked right up to that line and gotten busted.
No Line On The Horizon …
Overwhelmed by the impossibility of the situation, I realize I’m not going to outsmart this thing. We’re going to need another miracle.
When you see movie heists like the ones in “Oceans 11,” it makes you think the way to pull off the impossible is to outsmart the system with practically omniscient planning, impeccable preparation and flawless execution. I’m starting to wonder if that’s ever true.
My experience tells me that pulling off the impossible is all about coming to peace with the worst case scenario, throwing yourself into the ring anyway, and being willing to trust your impulses, and having the faith to let Divine Providence throw you some much needed miracles.
Vertigo …
Now when I say, “follow your impulses,” I’m not talking about superficial impulses - I’m talking about those impulses from the depths of your being - from your soul - that prompt you to “jump!” or “go for it!” even when you’re scared. I’m talking about those impulses that lead you so far outside of your comfort zone that you get vertigo, you feel light-headed, disoriented - like you’re outside your own body.
These terrifying impulses are what I call “miracle impulses” because they seem to stem from something so deep that you are not in control of them - something much bigger takes you over - you have no idea what you’re getting into, but it feels dangerous and alive; and you know you’re about to do something crazy.
If God Will Send His Angels …
So I’m looking for a sign. My impulse is to just wait by the left most side of the line of security and cops. I keep Heather with me. We just stand there watching the spectacle of intense security … and then suddenly my heart starts racing again. I grab for Heather …
Someone bumps into my left shoulder as they pass me from behind. I feel the impulse to follow him closely as he walks into the jaws of the wall of security and police. It’s all or nothing now…
I Will Follow …
It’s “go” time! We immediately start tailing that guy who bumped into me. All of the sudden we’re surrounded by a flock of 5 guys with U2 badges hurrying through the security line - security steps aside like the parting of the red sea - and we’re whisked right through with the U2 badge holders straight into the theatre. We’ve literally just walked right past security without being stopped!
We can see the stage! “Holy Smokes!”
We JUST… WALKED… IN…
… to the most exclusive U2 show ever!
In God’s Country …
I’m astounded by how many lines of security we penetrated without so much as a ticket in hand.
Even inside we had to beat yet another four more security details checking for wristbands and tickets, just to stay in for the show. Each time I trusted my impulses and we managed to duck into just the right place at the right time. Before we knew it we found ourselves standing in front of two empty seats and the show began.
We could never have never done this without miracle upon miracle upon miracle helping us through each and every passage - and it was trusting a certain kind of impulse that allowed us to be open to those miracles. Your miracle impulses are an amazingly powerful force that can guide you to be able do just about anything. They impel you to do just the right thing at just the right time. All you need to do is develop the sensitivity to notice your miracle impulses and the faith and courage to follow them, then you become a force of nature. You are unstoppable.
How do you tap into your own miracle impulses? Discover more here: MiracleImpulse.com
By the way … it was a great show.
And Yes, this really happened (also covered by The Boston Globe).
Beautiful Day.
Tickets for U2’s next U.S. tour go on sale today! - Go here for more details.
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36 Comments Add your own
1. Jana | March 30th, 2009 at 5:32 am
Way to go!!!! Would not mind being there either!!
Green on this side
2. Jacs | March 30th, 2009 at 5:34 am
Does Bono know about this? Wow, G - I am impressed
3. Tom | March 30th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Garret,
Thats awesome! I know exactly where you are coming from, I’ve down this sort of thing on a couple of occasions to get into high security press conferences with the England Soccer team and Jose Mourinho’s written journalist press conference right inside the high security Chelsea training ground. I was sat around a table with about 6-7 national UK newspaper journalists listening to and take notes on what the special one had to say that day. I just put my phone in (and hit the record sound button) along with the all the other dictaphones and recording devices….It was great!
Well played to you! Or should I say well played you too!
Tom
4. Martha / March 30th, 9:36 am | March 30th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Wow… I´m just speechless. What experience!
You were became positive through the negativiness ,but at the end you possitive thinking shood itself as it is. This mean that you are a very possitive person, otherwise you won`t got it.
At last we have to find balance, and try to fit the things into it by pulling of the imposible.
5. AH | March 30th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Thank you for this. I am about to undertake something outside of my comfort zone and this was just the message that I needed. I feel the same way about following your instincts and I especially like how you point out the necessity of realism. This is key. It is balance. This is an extreme example of how if something is meant to be, it will be as long as you apply the key ingredients: faith and your 100% involvement and commitment to whatever it is you are doing. Oh an it helps if all of that is built on a foundation of integrity and your desire to be the best person that you can possibly be. Thanks again for that.
6. Mary | March 30th, 2009 at 8:26 am
I’m totally impressed. A great lesson in trusting my instincts (and my ADD!).
7. Mon | March 30th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Now that’s the kind of thing I love! I’m impressed,especially with the security being so tight. I know exactly what you mean about jumping on instincts and acting on momentary impulse. You’d probably survive in a war zone. I wonder if ADHer soldiers or merceneries have a higher survival rate than others do? Good survey idea… One of my last instinctive actions was to get into the Gold Coast Indy last year (Australia). There’s at least 1 or 2 security guards every 15-20 metres along the fence with radio’s to police if there are attempted fence-scalers. It was the last day and I couldn’t afford to pay the high price just for a few hours so I thought I’d try to get in. There’s only one area that’s not completely impenetrable- the fences along the sand dunes, where you can dig your way under, as soon as the patrol buggies on the beach have passed by. It needs a good sense of timing to start digging & get under, but from there, you need to rely on instincts to run the 20 metres to the next perimeter line & then jumping it without any one seeing you. I directed my sister & a friend of hers when & where to run, and when to hit the sand behind a shrub or dune when security guards were looking in our direction. We made it in perfect timing, jumping the 2nd fence, where we then dispersed in different directions in case anyone alerted the guards. We all got a cheering from a small crowd instead! From then on, it was just a matter of hiding the fact that we didn’t have any wristbands or lanyards with tickets attached. We did this by blending in with/behind groups etc, just like you did. Unfortunately, a group of boys behind us hesitated for too long and were caught! So to everyone who has the opportunity: go for it & go with your instincts every time!
8. Kevin Larkin | March 30th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Excellent! I can so relate to that from the times, ALL, the times I’ve sneaked in to concerts, even deliberately going straight up to the security and pretending anger that someones nicked MY SECURITY ID ! And now i’m going to see the boss for another.;-)
What I’m most pleased about is how you have explained the pounding heart and practically sh***ing my self but just keeping going and timing things just right.The thing is I always do these things more successfully by myself coz it just feels like I’m baby-sitting anyone else who wants to join me but can’t keep up, and usually end up getting us busted!
Cheers, mate, maybe see you at Glastonbury !
9. Hans Anders | March 30th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Great story, nice to have Heather to join you in this, mine would never ever do this, unfortunally for her she does not have our extra life enhancement tool (adhd).
Went to a Formula 1 race in Barcelona last year, ticket cost about 500 dollar each and it was sold out, bought one ticket for myself from some guy at the entrance 150 Euro, and pulled the same trick as you Garret, only i had my three kids (11-14 years) and no tickets for them, going in with a confident smile and a gut feeling i would pull this off, and we did it, using other people as if my kids belong to them, and seeking eye contact with security, lots of smiling and talking, we got in, because there were no seats left we had to sit on the stairs, the race was great but the excitement of free entrance was a absolute bonus for us all. From holland with love Hans
p/s seen my first U2 concert 1981 and to make people more green have met them twice.
10. victory darwin | March 30th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Every morning my wife and baby boy and I dance to “Beautiful Day” to get our day started. Watching the way our boy responds is really what makes it powerful. It’s exactly what you mention in the MiracleImpulse.com audio
I think if I focus on the “it’s meant to be” then I’m more successful in pulling outrageous things off, rather than focusing on the process.
A thought like… “this event will be better with my presence”, makes me feel like i’m contributing, not just taking.
Thanks for the outrageous adventure story Garret!
11. helas | March 30th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Man, that is awesome!~ I don’t know if using words like ‘miracle’ and ‘unstoppable force’ is really accurate or appropriate, though, is it? You didn’t stop bullets or feed a million homeless people with five bucks, you (amazingly, luckily, foolhardishly) snuck into a concert. Not a ‘miracle’, but a damn good story and I’m sure it must’ve been thrilling. It is ’sort of’ an example of and encouragement to take risks and believe in yourself, but most things in life that we are afraid of are a little more daunting and long-term challenging than seeing if we can get past some security. Still, point taken and thanks!
12. Vince | March 30th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Tomorrow I too will be attempting something that is very much “impossible” and this was the sort of inspiration I needed. Thank you.
13. Karen | March 30th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Life is only ever what you expect it to be ! You have to dream to believe and believe in your dreams. WAY TO GO GUYS
14. Allan | March 30th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Timing…it is almost everything, I guess noticing that the timing is right is the bigger part…this email I received is out of the ordinary, unexpected, almosted deleted, but something about stood out…turns out just the thing I need to read right now as I undertake something against odds, certainly against what everyone dear to me is telling me to do…..
Timing….
15. Yilikla | March 30th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
WOW GARRET, THAT WAS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
16. Andrea | March 30th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Amazing!
17. T RAJESHWAR RAO | March 30th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
You dared where angels fear to tread. It was fantastic. One needs the guts of your sort.
Thanks
Rajesh
18. Christine | March 30th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Brilliant. I believe in my instinct same instinct applies in my personal life and investing/business activities. Cheers.
19. Fae | March 31st, 2009 at 1:19 am
Congrats Garret & Heather, my own personal experience is based on going with my gut feeling, timing combined with sheer excitement and fear with full on adrenaline rushes. Each time I’ve acted on these impulsive feelings i have achieved outstanding results. Awesome
20. Mildred | March 31st, 2009 at 3:13 am
Thank you so much for sharing this. U2 forever!
21. Mustapha Ibrahim Jibril | March 31st, 2009 at 6:15 am
People with Divinci power; take NO notice of boundaries and obstacle in their execution.They set their target very hight, then they go for it, alway feel they are destine for great things. only good things come their way, the bad one’s through other desk……… AM DIVINCI TYPE, BUT YET TO DISCOVER IT
22. Nyczoo | March 31st, 2009 at 11:30 am
Well done. I had a similar miracle impulse for game 3 of the 1984 World Series in Detroit. Kelly Tripuca was playing for the Pistons, and we were hanging around the front gate waiting for the game to start in hopes that ticket scalpers would drop prices. My buddy Mac gave his brother-in-law TK and I a mischeiveous wink, and somehow all three of us were instantly on the same page. We had all just come from work, were well dressed in suits and overcoats, and suddenly Kelly Tipuca’s enterage of three guys doubled to a party of six. Tiger’s won 5-2. Official attendance was 52,130 (plus 3) !
23. Sebastian | March 31st, 2009 at 3:41 pm
I believe you didnt even consider exagerating that story! These guided impulsive acts of miraculous magic happen to me so often, that i cant possibly remember them all. I agree, the only prerequisite for such a miracle is not the planning, but the faith and trust in the (im)POSSIBLE.
I often wonder how much of such magic is from divine guidance or simply a result of a mindstate…simply being a great surfer of situations. I suppose, tapping into the devine will help us surf smoother.
24. Anne | March 31st, 2009 at 4:00 pm
That would have been so much fun! It’s a shame we have to “grow up” in society.
Trusting your gut instinct is an awesome thing to do. I once was totally lost in traffic in Sydney heading to a hospital and in the middle of an intersection decided to follow another car that was turning in that instant. It was perfect. I had no idea where I was going at all. If I hadn’t decided to follow that car in that split second it would have taken me ages to find my way back.
We do have help when it’s needed. I don’t know if my angels and guides would get me into concerts though? *smile*
25. Trish | March 31st, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Garret, You are the man!!! What a wonderful story to read. You two thought so well on your feet and look where it got you……………..IN to U2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Fantastic!!! That must have been great especially a pretty much private showing. I saw them years and years ago at Western Springs in Auckland NZ, they were brilliant and there would have been at least 60,000 people which is a pretty good amount for here in little NZ. I am impressed.
26. robert | March 31st, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Thanks, awesome story!! Been there myself & know it to be true.. Thanks for reminding us of all the greatness out there!!
27. Tee | April 1st, 2009 at 1:57 am
Wow…. Hats off to you guys. I’m inspired!!!!! Follow the gut feelin!
28. andreiko van Koeverden | April 1st, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Good Garret @-)
- BBB RRR III LLL JJJ AA N TTTTT!!!!tttTTT PLAY OF U 2 , AND u2 , TOO !
- stop writing , st art improving and entertaininG the world , i could help u (REALLY!!) , it would be cool great fun belIEve me !
- yesterday i broke two levels of security from a hotel in security zone in the Netherlands DENHAAG where the Afganistan top was , by just looking and acting like “play important” , respect the police men more then normally , talk very straight look deep in his eyes and play respectfull future friend , works often .. And yes intuition knows when to say what , just positional calculating from limbic !
ps then i told in a lobby 4 Afganistan members , that if the people of Afganistan would make a beuatyfull present for Obamas grandmother and mother and wife adn daughter and dog , for Obama’s polite and elegant signal , and for his deep care for real humen being of all levels and kinds !!!)))!!!
Garret , great thanks 4 ur DaVinci book , and if u like things like Beuaty Before Bucks Bevolution or World Wide Women Web (WWWW) , just call +375296699 999 or mail , and give ur Heather a hot heart and cultural compliments too , since ur limbics dance well together **—)))
Andreiko
29. andreiko van Koeverden | April 1st, 2009 at 12:55 pm
ps also since u love ur sun so much which u both created
30. Heidi | April 1st, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Ok, get him a message that you did this……make sure you offer to pay for the ticket.
Concord Society? You placed yourself there mentally and spiritually before even going and manifested it physically. Where else do you want to go or see? You are in charge of you, go for it! Love and light, Heidi
31. Rich Lynd | April 1st, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I thought I was the only one crazy enough to do stuff like that! I worked for ON TV when cable tv first became popular. I went to the first US FESTIVAL in Southern California with no tickets just to hear the music from the outside. I was wearing my “ON TV” uniform and was mistaken for a representative who was supposed to have shown up as an exhibitor at this huge concert/exhibit event, and they thought I was the guy! Of course I played it off and was given back stage access and passess for all 3 days! I was even given beer tickets! I got to see Carlos Santana, The Police, Fleetwood Mac, just to name a few. The next day I brought my neighbors, and while waiting in a long line of cars, a motorcycle cop saw my pass and gave us a police escort to the VIP entrance! It was an un- believable but great experience I will never forget!
32. Sharon | April 2nd, 2009 at 2:42 am
Excellent example of “go with your gut”.
I’ve put myself in “impossible” situations before, feeling like I’m outside myself and watching the action - that’s when the results seem to have been best~ I’m watching and not trying to talk myself out of whatever the impulse is.
33. Renet | April 5th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Now that is living! To be spontaneous and impulsive is something not many understand… you will always remember that day! That is what I call flying.
34. Liliana | April 7th, 2009 at 2:42 am
Howzit Garret
Always a much needed boost of adrenaline to read your pages.
Pulling off the Impossilbe is sometimes on possible when we have that ’someone’ that can say to us “what’s the worst that can go wrong?”, and by doing so, give us the little nudge we need to break through the wall of fear of failure and achieve the Impossible. Nothing is impossible but fear it self. Fear of rejection, failure, lose and even gain. It all leads to nothing. I don’t want Nothing, I want the impossible becoming Possible!
Thank you Heather for being the nudge in Garret’s life.
Liliana G
South Africa
35. quantum_flux | April 28th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I’d like to invite you to look at some of the links on my blog posting entitled Risky Behaviors before you decide to be too impulsive. There are natural and causal consequences or risks involved in any given behavior, and hence it is wise to know them before deciding to engage or disengage in certain activities.
36. hadiza Ngila | May 27th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
hi, garret,that was quite a stunt you pulled,really impressed.the best part of it for me is the fact that you went through that experience with you other half(wife).thanks!
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