Superfan camp out for days to secure front-row spots at concerts

Devoted supporters of Italian artist Ultimo have been camping for more than a week outside Tor Vergata in Rome in anticipation of his concert on Saturday, which is expected to draw 250,000 attendees. The campsite is well-organized, with a fan from Germany responsible for printing numbered wristbands and overseeing roll calls. On June 24, Ultimo's team requested that fans cease camping due to dangerous temperatures, describing it as an 'incredible act of love,' yet many chose to stay under an organizer's tent. This phenomenon of 'barricade culture' has persisted for years, presenting dangers like dehydration and fainting. While some artists, such as Phoebe Bridgers, have paused performances to assist fans, others implement official wristbands for entry, though fans frequently devise their own systems, causing conflicts.