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VIP or GA?
6 minute read
OK, OK, hear us out on this one. We know there are plenty of times when we have all been irritated by the VIP Wankers at a music festival. That said, VIP (and usually multiple different levels) are necessary to raise enough money to pay performers and put on a music festival. So, VIP Wankers are not completely evil and usually pay more than half the total gate money at most festivals. That said, are there times when you might want to go VIP? We wanted to discuss the factors you should consider when making this choice. Obviously, this is a personal decision and will depend on your finances and preferences.
First of all, VIP perks are different at most shows. One thing that almost every VIP package includes is flushing, air-conditioned toilets. These are typically mobile trailers, and they have real sinks along with flushing toilets. At a camping festival, where you are never going back to a hotel, these are often cherished moments to relax and reset. At a city festival, depending on the temperature and length of the festival day, the distance to VIP bathrooms will vary.
Another VIP perk that is true at almost every show is an accelerated entry process to the festival and dedicated merch booths or lines. These are a huge help during high-traffic times and can easily cut 30-60 minutes or more off your wait time each day. That said, if you’re a British person who loves standing in queues, this may almost seem like a disadvantage.
Another common VIP perk is raised or closer-to-the-stage viewing areas. This is usually limited to one or two of the main stages. If it’s up-front viewing, this perk can enable VIPers to have a more intimate festival experience. Raised standing/seating behind much of GA is often a less crowded experience with excellent sightlines but comes with disadvantages. On a platform or in stands, you are literally removed from the crowd, which decreases the communal feel and experience that can often make live music more special. There are also times when sound production hasn’t been optimized for these areas, and the sound quality suffers. Looking through festival maps and reading about experiences from previous years on Reddit can often help. Of course, we at SWB are also here to help with advice for individual festivals.
There is typically a VIP lounge area. This is either air-conditioned or at least shaded/cooled. There are usually multiple areas to sit or relax, with beanbags, hammocks, or other furniture. Typically, water refill stations are easily available, and bathrooms (air-conditioned) are nearby. Some festivals will have activities such as ping-pong or cornhole. Lounge areas universally have access to some food options and “private bars.”
Most festivals have “private bars” that can be accessed as a VIP perk. Very few festivals include free drinks anymore. Though some, such as Bonnaroo, will have VIP party times with open bars and food. The VIP bars are usually easier and quicker to access during high-volume times, such as before headliners. Is this a reason to pay more for a ticket? Probably not, since simple planning can enable you to get a drink at any bar in a reasonable amount of time.
Almost all VIP perks include some sort of concierge or hospitality staff. At SWB, we’ve been going VIP off and on to music festivals for about 20 years. We honestly have never spoken to a concierge or seen anyone assisted in any major way. That said, there are typically areas with wait service and staff that clean tables, which is nice.
VIP passes also typically include some sort of “gift.” Technically, since you’re paying an exorbitant upcharge, this is not really a “gift.” Usually, this is a commemorative credential, T-shirt, poster, or some combination of the aforementioned. There are exceptions to this, and Camp Flog Gnaw in LA has some pretty special merch for their VIP tiers, but this is the exception, not the rule.
Many festivals provide VIP guests with salon services. These vary from hair braiding to temporary tattoos or massages. Sometimes these are complimentary (tips appreciated) and sometimes there are fees. Obviously, some festival-goers will appreciate these services.
Most festivals will have Wi-Fi available in VIP areas. We honestly cannot see this as a major interest to anyone who really wants to be at the music festival, but perhaps this is a valuable perk for family/friends who are dragged there against their will.
The price difference from GA to VIP varies greatly between festivals and must be taken into account. For example, a GA ticket to the 3-day City of Austin Festival is $355, while VIP is $1,670. This is not a camping festival, and it ends around 11 p.m. each night, so typical festival days are around 8-10 hours maximum for 3 days. This is a premium price that we do not think is worth it, especially since they have eliminated the open bars. On the other hand, Kilby Block Party in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a 3.5-day city festival (Thursday night has some acts), and GA is $269 while VIP is $369. The extra $100 we consider well worth the value. There are other options at both festivals, and we are not going to break down every price point for every festival, because ultimately, it’s an individual decision.
Camping festivals are different because VIP sometimes involves camping options and sometimes does not. At Bonnaroo, the largest mainstream camping festival in the U.S., VIP only involves Centeroo (the main festival area with music) and not Outeroo (the camping area). Camping is an additional cost with multiple options available. At Electric Forest, the VIP options affect both the camping and music festival experience. The biggest difference between camping festival VIP and city festival VIP is that VIP at camping festivals is geared towards “veterans” (i.e., older) festival-goers, whereas at most city festivals, VIP tends to be geared towards corporate entertainment.
The last factor to consider between GA and VIP is who you want to be enjoying music with. Sure, almost all of us go with our “crew,” but the people we meet along the way are a large part of the festival experience. Friendships, relationships, and memories are made at each and every music festival. Regular attendees of many music festivals sometimes think of themselves as citizens of that festival, who unfortunately have to live in the “real world” the rest of the year. When attending VIP at many city festivals such as ACL, Lolla, or Coachella, you will be surrounded by people who are there due to business connections. These individuals often have no real interest in the music or the festival experience. We view music festivals as an escape, a place where we can just let go. Being surrounded by people conducting business or wondering why Chappell Roan is so popular makes that escape much harder. Again, this is festival-specific, but it’s something important to consider.
Do we go VIP for festivals? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. We take into account the cost and all of the factors listed above, and then we make a decision. Should you go VIP? Well, that is up to you and your crew. Music festivals are where fun is to be had and memories are to be made, and that can be priceless. That said, VIP will always come with an extra price to consider.
