Forecastle

[rusty95]

Would love to see the Roots in this lineup, and it would be great if the boys could pull the Black Keys out of "festival retirement".

.....you're kidding about the Keys, right?

I'm over seeing the BK, bring on The Roots! (and yeah, they're retired from festivals? they're playing every major fest, aren't they? i'm waiting to hear they're headlining Hangout)

Ok
1 I'm not a diehard Bk fan but have been listening for a few years now.
2 didn't realize they are doing a huge arena tour this year.
3 read awhile back that they weren't doing festivals or large festivals anymore because they didn't like the vibe from the mixed crowds.
4 didn't realize they did do a few festivals last summer.

Maybe I'll do some more research before I post again. (yeah right)

[sweatboard]

I could do without The Black Keys.  I really like the new record (much more than Brothers) but they aren't anything amazing live.  If I did see them I would want to see them in a small compact setting and that's just not going to happen anytime soon.   

[bold992006]

They are headlining Coachella also.

[Fully]

I could do without The Black Keys.  I really like the new record (much more than Brothers) but they aren't anything amazing live.  If I did see them I would want to see them in a small compact setting and that's just not going to happen anytime soon.   

I'm with you on this one. Large festival stages and their show just do not work.

[erchint]

summer is shaping up nicely! Hometown festival with the hometown boys! I am hearing the rest of the lineup is going to blow some minds as well......and Jacket is involved in requesting some acts be on the bill.....cannot wait! :D

[Penny Lane]

I'm not sure I'm reading that the same as o is.... ???

i read it as the VIP is in the middle somewhere, maybe UP higher?

Yeah....just wondering about "there will still be front of stage/pit viewing".  Does it say for whom? 

Context!  You know I gotta lawyer that stuff, Penny ;)

that's why i assumed it would be for everyone because they said or implied it was different than before-the VIP area had been moved (thereby leaving the PIT for everyone)...i hear ya...i'm going to ASSUME for my own sanity that they wouldn't do a VIP PIT---that kind of goes against PIT justice...(Bonnaroo is a whole different animal, that stage is so big that you could still have that rotating stuff and regular ticket people on the rail at the same time)

[ALady]

Penny Lane for PIT justice!   I'd get on that campaign trail!  ;) ;D

[BigHerm]

I think it's possible that they don't know yet, or the guy that responded to my question was just out of the loop.

I emailed yesterday and asked if the entire pit was a VIP area and the response I got was:

"Usually it is about half of the area"

[mahg33ta]

The VIP viewing area is an elevated platform, situated betwen the main and second stages.   Great sightlines for exceptional view you can't get anywhere else in the park.

This is what I'm told by someone involved with the festival.

That tells me to buy the roll call ticket with peace of mind.

[Penny Lane]

Penny Lane for PIT justice!   I'd get on that campaign trail!  ;) ;D

i just find a VIP PIT area to be elitest! NOT that i wouldn't pay, but it's the principle ..


and PS---elevated platform and a drunken festival Penny is not a good mix...that's a lawsuit and a broken collarbone waiting to happen...what's wrong with Superfly (LOL okay kidding)

[ALady]

Oh, it's totally elitist!  Unless somehow I can get the hookup...   ;)

Then I'll fight for free drinks and nice bathrooms  ;D

But yeah, the viewing platform as described sounds pretty meh. Dunno why these fests think people want to pay more to be farther away from the action...  ???

[spoonyc]

The VIP viewing area is an elevated platform, situated betwen the main and second stages.   Great sightlines for exceptional view you can't get anywhere else in the park.

This is what I'm told by someone involved with the festival.

That tells me to buy the roll call ticket with peace of mind.

That makes sense.  2010 is the only comparison (only other time it was held in this park), and the VIP area for food/drink/tableside viewing was west of the main stage, at one end of the entire festival ground, meaning no view of the second stage, which is to the East.   So if they put the VIP amenities area in the middle of the park, it would be between the two biggest stages, which would be a nice improvement.

And the way I recall it, the pit area for VIP tickets only extended halfway across the stage, with the rail on the other half open for anyone willing to claim it first thing once the festival opened.  But I may not have seen it correctly.

[YouAre_GivenToFly]

My current strategy is to grab the $100 3-day pass tomorrow and purhaps purchase any Roll Call upgrade that might be available later. I think $350 is a bit steep for nicer bathrooms and some air conditioning. Is this strategy fatally flawed? This will be my first festival.

[aMillionDreams]

Last time there was a VIP section to the side and a place in the pit only VIPs could get to.  As I said, if you can afford it, VIP is well worth it

[oistheone]

My current strategy is to grab the $100 3-day pass tomorrow and purhaps purchase any Roll Call upgrade that might be available later. I think $350 is a bit steep for nicer bathrooms and some air conditioning. Is this strategy fatally flawed? This will be my first festival.

I'm with ya man. Just can't decide what to do. $350 is the cheapest VIP pass I've ever seen offered at a festival, so I'm highly considering hopping on board, but can't seem to quite get a clear picture of what perks are being offered. I've been exchanging e-mails with someone at Forecastle all day, but other than the "elevated VIP viewing platforms", I can't seem to get a straight answer on this pit situation, which is the deal breaker.

[oistheone]

So the latest is that it "doesn't look like" there will be a VIP pit at the main stage, and it is "very likely" there will be a VIP pit at the second stage.

[slappymoe]

My current strategy is to grab the $100 3-day pass tomorrow and purhaps purchase any Roll Call upgrade that might be available later. I think $350 is a bit steep for nicer bathrooms and some air conditioning.  Is this strategy fatally flawed? This will be my first festival.

being the old fart that i am, i'm going VIP soley for the opportunity to step into some air-conditioned comfort when needed.  july in the ohio valley can be brutal.

which leads to this festival-newbie question:

from what i'm reading, seems vip ticket-holders are essentially "trapped" in the vip section, with no opportunity to mingle with the commoners.     most of my friends will probably be GA, it would be nice to hang with them as desired.    is co-mingling possible?

[Taterbug]

My current strategy is to grab the $100 3-day pass tomorrow and purhaps purchase any Roll Call upgrade that might be available later. I think $350 is a bit steep for nicer bathrooms and some air conditioning.  Is this strategy fatally flawed? This will be my first festival.

being the old fart that i am, i'm going VIP soley for the opportunity to step into some air-conditioned comfort when needed.  july in the ohio valley can be brutal.

which leads to this festival-newbie question:

from what i'm reading, seems vip ticket-holders are essentially "trapped" in the vip section, with no opportunity to mingle with the commoners.     most of my friends will probably be GA, it would be nice to hang with them as desired.    is co-mingling possible?

I'm another old fart and I concur.  Good question on co-mingling.  I would think you would access to the entire grounds.

[BigHerm]

My current strategy is to grab the $100 3-day pass tomorrow and purhaps purchase any Roll Call upgrade that might be available later. I think $350 is a bit steep for nicer bathrooms and some air conditioning.  Is this strategy fatally flawed? This will be my first festival.

being the old fart that i am, i'm going VIP soley for the opportunity to step into some air-conditioned comfort when needed.  july in the ohio valley can be brutal.

which leads to this festival-newbie question:

from what i'm reading, seems vip ticket-holders are essentially "trapped" in the vip section, with no opportunity to mingle with the commoners.     most of my friends will probably be GA, it would be nice to hang with them as desired.    is co-mingling possible?

Yea, you will be able to go wherever you want.

edit: this is just based on festival experience in the past but I highly doubt they will confine you to the VIP area. You will probably have a wristband or lanyard and be able to enter/exit the VIP area whenever.

[slappymoe]

makes sense, thanks for the quick reply.   

and while i'm at it, another, probably silly, Q:

what's with the GA ticket prices starting at $100 then rising bit by bit?

is it simply an incentive to get folks to buy early?  no "difference" in the tix, right?