Another method of getting to the front is to make friends with some big dude and ask nicely if he would take you there. This is a particularly useful technqiue if you're an attractive female, but most big guys are nice enough to help anyone on their way forward.
If you seek the front merely for the view (and happen to be female, or REALLY good friends with said giant), why not take advantage of his height and sit on his shoulders? This is also a particularly useful tactic in college riots, especially if you offer to take off your shirt.