First Time Jammer VIP Experience

[txgold17]

That's interesting....everyone "deserves" to be able to get to the front. Really? I realized after the first few responses my post wouldn't go over well with the majority, so I tried to rephrase the "move VIP to the front of the stage", to "move VIP inside the PA columns" for the sole purpose of hearing good sound. Being very aware of other fests and having attended Rockfest, I think it is a privlege for "anyone" to be able to move to the front of the stage. In fact, since I have been attending concerts since 1974, unless it was a General Admission concert(in which all tickets were priced the same), tickets were priced by location; the first concert I went to prices were $3, $4 and $5. With the $5 seats being in front of the stage. Just curious, as many replied: "if you couldn't go to the front of the stage when you wanted you wouldn't go to Moondance at all" - what festival would you attend?

Having stated the year I started going to concerts, it might give you a clue to my age and being in my 50's I just don't want to stand in a crowd, jostling for position and dealing with out of control people. On Wednesday night I stood in front of the stage for Hairball, I encountered a half dozen totally wasted people who just bulled their way past people to get to where they wanted. Then, right next to me one of these individuals ran into someone who didn't much care for that and a pushing match ensued that nearly broke out into a fight. It was broken up by others but really, that is not my cup of tea, sorry. So this stand in front of the stage set-up doesn't work for me. Is the Hairball deal I experienced the norm? I hope not, but for those 2+ hours it seemed to be. By the way - did Hairball rock or what? I was very surprised at how good they were. A bit cheesy with the theatrics, but damn they were good musicians and I loved hearing all those classic rock tunes in one set.

My comments were solely intended to let those that be know that my VIP experience was less than stellar, unlike the other fest I attended. I listed the problems I had and really didn't want to get into a message board debate. I hope those that run Moondance care about my dollars and as some stated, they do not see the benefits of VIP being worth the dollars; well for Moondance I agree, it isn't worth the money I paid. Which again is why I posted. I liked the bands, I liked the area and would like to come back...just give me value for my dollar. I don't have to be in front of the stage, but I'd like an assigned seat and I "have" to have clear sound. It sucked looking at a You Tube video of Cinderella at MD this year and the sound of that video was better than what I actually heard.

[Chris]

txgold17 - I hope your experience doesn't drive you away from the jam or this board.

You will notice your comments about the food didn't draw the ire of anyone. Mainly that is because most people on here (and most of the people at the jam) didn't experience the food you speak of. I can tell you that the meals have been better in the past and I can just about guarantee you that Bill (and Don and Jean) will do what he can to make it better next year.

However, when you mention moving most of the people on here (and most of the people at the jam) back from the stage to accomodate VIP now you are talking about something everyone on here is affected by. The fact anyone can go to the front of the stage is a HUGE part of the jam. It is even advertised on the home page to Moondance that there is festival seating so everyone can go to the front if they want. It would change the feel of the jam for a lot of people to make a few feel better because they paid more money. To me that is the opposite of what Moondance is. Many people feel like Moondance is their festival, not just a place to camp and watch some bands.

You also make comparisons to other concerts and the best seats cost more. At Moondance I don't feel like I do at other concerts. Moondance is a completely different and better experience. I am sure many people who attend the jam go to very few other concerts because the high cost of good seats at other venues.

It also never helps to compare Moondance to the "other festival." Heck, most (like me) won't even type their name! There is kind of a sports-type rivalry between the two that has somewhat died down the last couple years as the "other fest" went to a different music format. I appreciate your food comments from that festival though because I have wondered about that.

[Deacon_Blooze]

LOL Mr Tuttle!

[Ringo]

to all folks...we can all be critical of everything and anything...I want to support what txgold17 is saying...if you pay more so you can have food and a shelter (someof us for health reasons on the shelter) then it should be reflected accordingly...txgold did not complain about the bands...but if we choose to spend more to have food brought in, it should be better than a two ounce piece of ham and 8 fries...I think Txgold was just comparing the two venues...Moondance should not have run out of food TWICE when they knew the number of tickets they sold....we choose to be in VIP for various reasons...it is accepted that the sound is not an issue, however, when the website posts one type of menu and delivers another, it is irritating...after ten years of having fun and constantly being downgraded, it is frustrating...I do agree that VIP should not be in front of the stage (especially at my age), but what is advertised should be delivered..

I think for the money paid (for VIP, my choice) I should at least have food that I should not have to make at the camper...the friends, the camping, the music was fun...but I was severely let down for the money I paid to be in VIP...again, VIP is my choice, but it felt as if the money I paid was to help fund the Country Jam...after ten years and disdaindful taste during the last three years of VIP, I cannot help but agree with Txgold with his comparisons other venues that truly do cater to the people that purchase VIP and deliver what they advertise..

sorry, again, this is only how VIP food was handled...

PEACE,,,,

[IanR]

OK, so there seems to be a concensus that the food wasn't up to scratch this year. I have to admit that copared with previous years that it was a little disappointing. I hadn't heard that the food had run out on a couple of occasions, but if true then I would agree this should be assessed.

As for the positioning of the VIP area,everyone who buys a VIP ticket surely must know where it is. It's on the maps!!!!

If you want perfect sound, then upfront seating wouldn't give you that either. For that you would need a seat somewhere just in front of the stage lighting podium. I've been to concerts where I've been seated right up front. If you want to see the band close-up, it's perfect, even though you can sometimes get neck ache looking up at the stage!!!

If you feel there are problems, comment cards are always available from Don and Jean, and they are all read and where possible things do change.

[Lisa!]

I agree… VIP is a lot of $ and they should get what they pay for. And when I say 'get what they pay for', like Ian pointed out, the DO know what they are getting as far as WHERE it is and the fact that seats aren't assigned, etc. But if the food sucked and the drink lines were just too long, etc., they do have the right to be heard. Just hope the Powers That Be are reading this (to be sure you are heard, go to the http://www.moondancejam.com/ and look for Contacts to send them a private email; they are very good at replying, too!). Howler & I did it last year ('09) and it's not for us but that's cuz Camp Howler is so close, we can eat & drink there. I wasn’t impressed with VIP food last year, either… and I think a buffet-style way would be better, too.

Jammers have every right to vent their frustrations here, but ya need to be ready for a debate, too (or a friendly discussion) ~ even if you say you don’t want one. Jammers are passionate about Moondance, that’s for sure!! We’ll defend it to the end. Trust me, I’ve had many a go-around (mostly on the ‘old’ G) and I’m all for speaking your peace.

I am certain they will never move VIP to the front. Like many have pointed out, that’s one of the aspects that Moondance is most praised for ~ that ANYBODY can stand up close to the bands or out on the grassy knoll. I hope those that come only to sit in VIP would give it all a chance. Like Tom Tuttle pointed out, we aren’t all bad and you might make a lot of new friends, not to mention a ton of new memories!!

If you come back next year, come on by Camp Howler and say hi. Or catch up with us at the concerts... you’ll find us in the sand or on the hill… we’re easy to find, we’re the happy ones, beers in hand, dancing in the sand, surrounded by tons of friends we’ve met because of Moondance. Some of my very best friends are my Moondance friends... we are FAMILY!

Cheerleader Out.

[kansas666]

Notes from a 14 year Rockfest veteran and Moondance virgin

Moondance VIP
When I went to Moondance I was really interested in finding out how VIP would compare with Rockfest. I had spoken with a number of people who had done both and the general consciences was it was a wash – some of it was better, some of it was worse. Here’s what I experienced;

PROS:
Most of VIP is covered, so if it rains or the sun is beating down you are protected. It rained during Cinderella and it was pretty cool sitting their watching them play while 10,000 others were left scrambling for umbrellas, ponchos or shelter. The seating is tiered in VIP. The first row is open. The second row is just barely under the tent and the rest is completely covered. We sat in the third row. My wife thought we should have been in the second row. But when it began raining and all the water ran off the roof onto the tables in the second row, she realized we had made the right decision.

The poser deck is great. You get to go up on a deck above the stage and take pictures. It’s a great view of the band and the crowd. We got up there for every show and spent most of Sammy Hagar up there.

You get to eat your food right at your seat while watching the bands. Plus the wait staff clears your plates and trash and even brings you drinks. The wait staff and everyone working in VIP were very friendly and helpful. The couple who run VIP (I didn’t catch their names) bent over backwards for us and were downright goofy.

Meet and greets – Although everyone I talked to only got a picture with the band, no autographs or questions.

CONS:
Location, location, location. Sitting in VIP is kinda like sitting on the outside edge of section D at Rockfest. You are outside of the PA and the sound suffers as a result. If you are under the tent, the sound is even worse. There is nothing like the spacious seating right in front of the bands at Rockfest.

They really need to work on the food. The quality wasn’t bad; hors d’ouvres in the afternoon, dinner in the evening and a late night snack. But the setup was lousy. Where as Rockfest has 4 buffet lines that get people through and they have all you can eat, at Moondance they have one single file line and serve everything to you. They must really be concerned that you will take too much food. I never went away hungry but the lines were ridiculous. For the dinner meal they even notched your VIP pass so that you could only go through once. The food tent was spacious enough to set up a buffet line but they had us walking around the perimeter like paupers holding up little bowls and asking for more. They didn’t start serving each day until 3pm. So if you didn’t bring your own food you could get pretty hungry by the time the time it was ready.

Rockfest serves wine. My wife likes wine. You got one small glass of wine with dinner. That was it.

Porta Potties – ‘nuf said.

There was an annoying railing in front of the tables. If you are of average height it blocked your view of the stage. I am 6’2”. If I sat up straight I could see fine. My wife is 5’5”. She had to either crouch down or sit on a phone book to get a decent view of the stage.

The tables were nice but the folding chairs left a little bit to be desired. The were crammed pretty close together and more than once during an afternoon band I thought people in lawn chairs had a better experience than us.

The seats are not reserved. So if you want a good seat you better get there early. People typically held there seats by leaving a jacket or shirt on it when they weren’t there. But one time when I got to my seat, my shirt had been moved and the seat was occupied. It’s not like we were gone a long time. We were there for EVERY band.


So, in my opinion Rockfest VIP is a much better experience.

[Andy (London UK)]

I'm also a Rock Fest veteran (did 6 years, but only one in VIP) and done the last two MDJ's. As someone not too bothered about VIP, particularly as I was driving in and out of a hotel and unable to drink much, I much prefer the Mooondance set up of a standing area at the front being available to all. In fact, as far as facilities go as opposed to which bands are playing, it is the biggest Selling point for me for MDJ as compared to Rock Fest.

[Doug]

I second the "LOL' on Tuttle's comment. Not much else to say other than that keeping the front of the stage open to anyone is one of the perks of the Jam. Besides that I fine the sound quality to be much better about 80+ feet back from the fence, in front of the light scaffolding. Everything mixes well there from both sides and it sounds amazing. Directly in front I've noticed some things get lost, but I wasn't anywhere near there this year so I don't know if anything has changed. It seemed louder this year, but I thought the sound was probably the best I've heard yet at this party, clear and undistorted, no farting speakers and everything EQ's perfectly.