Tailgating vs. Concert

[Bfan53again]

The anger and frustration surrounding this year's ban on tailgating at JB's show Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA in August has been well documented here in BN and other social sites. It somewhat surprising that many Parrotheads have expressed their opinion that the tailgate experience has now become almost more important to them than the actual concert. Many have already sold their tickets, are trying to sell their tickets, or just plan to eat the cost and not attend this particular show. I honestly can't ever remember that happening at any JB concert before......

I certainly don't mean to suggest that fans no longer enjoy hearing Jimmy perform live. We obviously do. But the JLL issue has confirmed how much the now-expected daylong tailgate enhances the show itself. For me, I could care less about the alcohol at this point of my life. I just have come to enjoy the friendship, getting to see fellow BNers that one time a year, and just "escaping" real life for a day.

Jimmy has created this party frenzy over the years and encourages it, as he should. That's what Margaritaville is all about!

I'm just curious: If other venues decide to curtail tailgating before a Buffett concert in the future will you still go?????

[Wino you know]

Yeah, I'd still go.
Sure, the tailgating is a unique experience in itself, lots of fun, getting to hang out with fellow Parrotheads, meeting up with some of the B.N.ers that you only get to see at the concerts, etc., but if any of the venues were to ban tailgating, I'd be upset, but I'm sure we'd all find a bar somewhere to meet at, as we did at Wrigley Field in 2005. I'm sure the concert-goers did the same at most of the other shows that were at stadiums.
Parrotheads are a pretty resourceful bunch. If there's fun to be had, they'll find a way to make it happen.

[tigzoe]

I would certainly still go! I am with Garry, with this crew, there would be some other place to meet up and socialize before the show. Don't get me wrong, the tailgating is a blast and would certainly be missed. But the whole reason we are here is for the music.

[SchoolGirlHeart]

As with many things in life, it depends... In most cases, I'll still go, because the show is still great and with planning you do get to gather with friends.

However, I canceled plans to attend Bristow this year for several reasons: Jiffy Lube Live did not make it clear BEFORE tickets went on sale that they would, no kidding, be enforcing the 'no tailgating' rules. Beyond that, there are myriad stories from other shows this year about bullying and threats if you didn't IMMEDIATELY move to the gates... Gates which were not due to open for over an hour, so people got to stand in the hot sun. But the final killer for that show is that without tailgating everyone has to get into the parking lot at once, which is nearly impossible at that venue. It was difficult when tailgating sort of spread out the arrival times. Now, it's got to be a nightmare. I want to go and have a good time with a good vibe at the show. I can't imagine the vibe at JLL being great at the show itself after all the nonsense trying to get in and being bullied by security. Sadly, the fun times in Bristow seem to be history.

[tigzoe]

As with many things in life, it depends... In most cases, I'll still go, because the show is still great and with planning you do get to gather with friends.

However, I canceled plans to attend Bristow this year for several reasons: Jiffy Lube Live did not make it clear BEFORE tickets went on sale that they would, no kidding, be enforcing the 'no tailgating' rules. Beyond that, there are myriad stories from other shows this year about bullying and threats if you didn't IMMEDIATELY move to the gates... Gates which were not due to open for over an hour, so people got to stand in the hot sun. But the final killer for that show is that without tailgating everyone has to get into the parking lot at once, which is nearly impossible at that venue. It was difficult when tailgating sort of spread out the arrival times. Now, it's got to be a nightmare. I want to go and have a good time with a good vibe at the show. I can't imagine the vibe at JLL being great at the show itself after all the nonsense trying to get in and being bullied by security. Sadly, the fun times in Bristow seem to be history.

Look how it was a PITA to get into GW since they were actually checking tickets. I had heard from several people that are non BN'ers, that the traffic was horrible as the day went on. Further proof was the video that was posted on JB's arrival. I don't know if that is a new policy for GW or it was just because it was Buffett.

[parrothead216]

When we go to see Jimmy, which unfortunately is not that often, the tailgate means nothing.
The concert is why we are there and it will always be the reason.

For far too many Parrotheads , It seems that the Tailgate has become larger than the show. People are usually so wasted by show time they don't even remember what show they went to see.

IIMHO, the Tailgate has become too important.

But hey what do we know.

[citcat]

The tailgate at Cincinnati is so great, I get to see all my Cinci friends. If I couldn't party and talk to and hug with them, why would I go to Cincinnati ? I'd just go to the Nashville concert. Three hours traveling versus five hours to see Jimmy. It's a no-brainer. Tailgating is a HUGE bonus to the concerts.

[SchoolGirlHeart]

As with many things in life, it depends... In most cases, I'll still go, because the show is still great and with planning you do get to gather with friends.

However, I canceled plans to attend Bristow this year for several reasons: Jiffy Lube Live did not make it clear BEFORE tickets went on sale that they would, no kidding, be enforcing the 'no tailgating' rules. Beyond that, there are myriad stories from other shows this year about bullying and threats if you didn't IMMEDIATELY move to the gates... Gates which were not due to open for over an hour, so people got to stand in the hot sun. But the final killer for that show is that without tailgating everyone has to get into the parking lot at once, which is nearly impossible at that venue. It was difficult when tailgating sort of spread out the arrival times. Now, it's got to be a nightmare. I want to go and have a good time with a good vibe at the show. I can't imagine the vibe at JLL being great at the show itself after all the nonsense trying to get in and being bullied by security. Sadly, the fun times in Bristow seem to be history.

Look how it was a PITA to get into GW since they were actually checking tickets. I had heard from several people that are non BN'ers, that the traffic was horrible as the day went on. Further proof was the video that was posted on JB's arrival. I don't know if that is a new policy for GW or it was just because it was Buffett.

I'd be pretty sure it was because a) it was Buffett and b) last year people who had paid for the concert arrived to find parking lots full and nowhere to park. So while I don't like the checking tickets thing, they have to keep spots in the lot for paying customers, not just partyers. That said, I think as long as one person in the car has a ticket, that should be enough.

[ph4ever]

Probably not

[SchoolGirlHeart]

When we go to see Jimmy, which unfortunately is not that often, the tailgate means nothing.
The concert is why we are there and it will always be the reason.

For far too many Parrotheads , It seems that the Tailgate has become larger than the show. People are usually so wasted by show time they don't even remember what show they went to see.

IIMHO, the Tailgate has become too important.

But hey what do we know.

But tailgating does not necessarily equal wasted.... The tailgate is extremely important to me because it's the only time all year I get to see most of those people, but for me it's not an excuse to get 'wasted'... It's entirely possible to tailgate while drinking responsibly or not drinking at all.

[urlcenter]

What has the ticket holders for the Jiffy Lube Live show upset is that Live Nation implemented the policy after the tickets to the show had been sold. Live Nation should have made the policy known before any tickets to Jiffy Lube Live were sold. If you have been following FB page setup in opposition to the anti-tailgating policy there are more then just JB fans upset with this. People who attended the Jason Aldean show at JLL on 5/21/11 had to wait in traffic nearly 3 hours in some cases just to get into the parking lot. All of the shows at Jiffy Lube Live this summer are under the tailgating ban, not just Jimmy's show.

The Jason Aldean show was part of an event called the WMZQ Country Festival which featured other country music acts performing prior to Jason Aldean. The event had a scheduled start time of 4:15pm with several acts performing on what was called a side stage. Under the anti-tailgating policy the parking lots did open until 3pm and the event was a sellout of 25,000. There was simply no way that JLL staff was going to have every car parked and all 25,000 ticket holders in the venue for the 4:15 start time.

There have been many stories from that event some even posted here on BN from some very angry concert goers who in some cases missed more then half of the event sitting in traffic. These people paid good money for this show and in some cases, for multiple shows at the venue. JLL made what are known as Mega-Ticket packages available which allowed concert goers to purchase tickets for multiple shows at one time. Added to that cost was the amount of gas used by cars that had to idle for 2 hours plus the day of the WMZQ event. At nearly $4.00 a gallon that is an expensive waste of fuel.

One final thought, according to both Live Nation and JLL this policy was implemented to curb excessive drinking at JLL events. Yet at the same time the venue raised the price of a beer from $11 to $13, so this really about safety or is really about profit??

[SchoolGirlHeart]

What has the ticket holders for the Jiffy Lube Live show upset is that Live Nation implemented the policy after the tickets to the show had been sold. Live Nation should have made the policy known before any tickets to Jiffy Lube Live were sold. If you have been following FB page setup in opposition to the anti-tailgating policy there are more then just JB fans upset with this. People who attended the Jason Aldean show at JLL on 5/21/11 had to wait in traffic nearly 3 hours in some cases just to get into the parking lot. All of the shows at Jiffy Lube Live this summer are under the tailgating ban, not just Jimmy's show.

The Jason Aldean show was part of an event called the WMZQ Country Festival which featured other country music acts performing prior to Jason Aldean. The event had a scheduled start time of 4:15pm with several acts performing on what was called a side stage. Under the anti-tailgating policy the parking lots did open until 3pm and the event was a sellout of 25,000. There was simply no way that JLL staff was going to have every car parked and all 25,000 ticket holders in the venue for the 4:15 start time.

There have been many stories from that event some even posted here on BN from some very angry concert goers who in some cases missed more then half of the event sitting in traffic. These people paid good money for this show and in some cases, for multiple shows at the venue. JLL made what are known as Mega-Ticket packages available which allowed concert goers to purchase tickets for multiple shows at one time. Added to that cost was the amount of gas used by cars that had to idle for 2 hours plus the day of the WMZQ event. At nearly $4.00 a gallon that is an expensive waste of fuel.

One final thought, according to both Live Nation and JLL this policy was implemented to curb excessive drinking at JLL events. Yet at the same time the venue raised the price of a beer from $11 to $13, so this really about safety or is really about profit??

Agree completely. JLL claims it's about safety. Then why sell alcohol inside the venue at all?? No tailgating is one thing but the traffic nightmare put the last nail in the coffin and I canceled my plans to attend JB's show there. As an out-of-towner I would have spent about $500 on lodging, gas, and food. The local businesses lose, on this one.

[carolinapiratechik]

I'm just curious: If other venues decide to curtail tailgating before a Buffett concert in the future will you still go?????

When trying to explain a Buffett concert to those who have never been, I usually say that it's about the whole experience: the weeks of planning the tailgating decorations, food, etc. But for me it's about the tailgate and the concert. In the end, if tailgating didn't happen, I'd move the party elsewhere and still end up at the concert because I really like the music and the camaraderie of the laid-back, casual crowd that joins together in singing Come Monday, raises thier arms in a Fins Salute, and screams for more (and gets it-thanks Jimmy!) as the concert nears its end that has me hooked.

[FinnsU.P.]

I'm just curious: If other venues decide to curtail tailgating before a Buffett concert in the future will you still go?????

When trying to explain a Buffett concert to those who have never been, I usually say that it's about the whole experience: the weeks of planning the tailgating decorations, food, etc. But for me it's about the tailgate and the concert. In the end, if tailgating didn't happen, I'd move the party elsewhere and still end up at the concert because I really like the music and the camaraderie of the laid-back, casual crowd that joins together in singing Come Monday, raises thier arms in a Fins Salute, and screams for more (and gets it-thanks Jimmy!) as the concert nears its end that has me hooked.

Exactly! And what Tig said the first time through also.

[urlcenter]

What has the ticket holders for the Jiffy Lube Live show upset is that Live Nation implemented the policy after the tickets to the show had been sold. Live Nation should have made the policy known before any tickets to Jiffy Lube Live were sold. If you have been following FB page setup in opposition to the anti-tailgating policy there are more then just JB fans upset with this. People who attended the Jason Aldean show at JLL on 5/21/11 had to wait in traffic nearly 3 hours in some cases just to get into the parking lot. All of the shows at Jiffy Lube Live this summer are under the tailgating ban, not just Jimmy's show.

The Jason Aldean show was part of an event called the WMZQ Country Festival which featured other country music acts performing prior to Jason Aldean. The event had a scheduled start time of 4:15pm with several acts performing on what was called a side stage. Under the anti-tailgating policy the parking lots did open until 3pm and the event was a sellout of 25,000. There was simply no way that JLL staff was going to have every car parked and all 25,000 ticket holders in the venue for the 4:15 start time.

There have been many stories from that event some even posted here on BN from some very angry concert goers who in some cases missed more then half of the event sitting in traffic. These people paid good money for this show and in some cases, for multiple shows at the venue. JLL made what are known as Mega-Ticket packages available which allowed concert goers to purchase tickets for multiple shows at one time. Added to that cost was the amount of gas used by cars that had to idle for 2 hours plus the day of the WMZQ event. At nearly $4.00 a gallon that is an expensive waste of fuel.

One final thought, according to both Live Nation and JLL this policy was implemented to curb excessive drinking at JLL events. Yet at the same time the venue raised the price of a beer from $11 to $13, so this really about safety or is really about profit??

Agree completely. JLL claims it's about safety. Then why sell alcohol inside the venue at all?? No tailgating is one thing but the traffic nightmare put the last nail in the coffin and I canceled my plans to attend JB's show there. As an out-of-towner I would have spent about $500 on lodging, gas, and food. The local businesses lose, on this one.

The story from the day of the Jason Aldean show that was most disconcerting was the woman who was six-months pregnant not being allowed to sit in her car with the A/C on. Temps the day of the Jason Aldean show were in the mid 80's!!

[maid memories]

I don't think one is more important than the other, but when you put them both together it's like one of those K-Y Yours + Mine commercials. We don't have traditional tailgating here (Nashville), but people manage to have fun. Next year I'll probably skip the tailgate, just go to the show and save my tailgating for Tampa and GW. It's not the tailgating at issue though, it's the lack of friends who participate in it that make it a non-event for me. Tailgating is a chance to see people I sometimes only see once a year and it just so happens that we all get to go to a really great concert after we're done.

As an aside, if Buffett skips JLL next year, I wouldn't take it as a sign of his support of a boycott on the venue as much as his people see the complaining and threats by the general public to skip any concerts there. If it's less likely to sell out shows based on this summer's debacles, he'll likely find another venue in the area next year.

[sonofabeach]

I'm to the point where I look forward to the tailgate and hanging out with friends more than the show.
I've considered going to tailgates when I could not get tickets but have not done so yet.
As for the show, Jimmy seems to phone it in most of the time nowadays but I'd most likely go if he came to my town and there was no tailgating.

[thelorax]

I would attend the shows even without the tailgating.

But as others have stated, it's the whole experience combined that makes it an "event". I have tickets for blossom in Cleveland and honestly, that venue is a nightmare. Very few Port-a-potties, strict tailgating rules, parking lots not opening until a few hours before the show, traffic jams that you sit in for hours both in and out of the lots and the list can go on. I will still go, enjoy myself, sing along and have a good time.

It has been I believe, 7 years since he has been in our area and I hope that next year he chooses a different Cleveland venue. Honestly we should be thankful he is coming back because it was rumored that he stated he would not return to our area again because of how his fans were treated the last time.

In the past, we have gone out of state for his concerts.

[SchoolGirlHeart]

The story from the day of the Jason Aldean show that was most disconcerting was the woman who was six-months pregnant not being allowed to sit in her car with the A/C on. Temps the day of the Jason Aldean show were in the mid 80's!!

That's *obscene*.....

[Lightning Bolt]

No

The tailgate atmosphere is what sets his shows apart from just any other concert.
I suppose if they would open the gates 2 hours prior to the show it might be enough to socialize with fellow PH's, but...

to go to see only Jimmy is something I just cannot fathom.