Rant of the Day: Is Festival VIP Really Necessary?

I don't know why American festivals think it's necessary to do the "VIP" experience to sell tickets. If you're not familiar, many American events (like Rocklahoma) offer expensive packages with a close seat, unlimited beer and food. European festivals don't do this and I think that's the way to go. I used to be a fan of the seat idea -- a guaranteed close view -- but never cared about the beer or food. I always flushed that money down the toilet regarding Rocklahoma (and Rock the Bayou, too) because I don't drink the beer and can't eat much of the food. So - is it fair for people to have to pay a couple hundred bucks more just for the seat and none of the other perks?

I bring up this topic because I noticed some people asking for a VIP package for M3 on another forum. I'm not really sure why a one-day event would demand such a package? There are ample beer and food stands. Sure, the VIP package usually includes air conditioning, but M3 is so early in the summer, the extreme heat usually isn't an issue. I know it doesn't get nearly as hot in Europe as it does in America, but still. I tried to explain the VIP thing to one of my British friends and he was both appalled and amused. Maybe we're all just spoiled, I don't know. I do know, however, Rock on the Range doesn't do the VIP thing (or at least it hasn't in the past) and the fest hasn't suffered for it - quite the contrary! It's set up European style with a barrier, and if you want front pit you get there early and fight for it. There's no free beer trough or food line. Just vendors like any other normal event. Tickets are cheap as a result.

The older I get, the more practical and tight I get with my money. Obviously, I've got no problem spending money traveling to shows. I support the bands I like and I want to have a good time whenever possible. That said, I'm sick of spending money when there's no value add: I need to get an actual bang for my buck. It just seems the entire infrastructure cost for a large scale event would be cheaper sans "VIP" and therefore ticket prices a little more friendly. At least, it would seem that way on most levels. So ends my rant of the day.

Check back at noon eastern for another confirmed M3 Festival band.

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