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We've had guest passes the last couple of years, and I couldn't quite figure out the buses permanently parked behind the what and which stages. We kept assuming they were bands, but then people would pop out of them and look like normal people. The mystery is now solved. Bonnaroo Total Access.
If any of you are thinking of doing this, I'd reconsider. There is a gravel road behind What and Which that connects out behind VIP and then out behind This and The Other. The Total Access buses are parked right on this main backstage thoroughfare. There are people, carts, limos, trucks constantly passing back and forth past your bus. The buses are lined up single file b/t the gravel road and a fence. You have absolutely zero community and I would imagine feel like you're living on the side of a highway. Yeah, the backstage passes that come with it are sweet, but there are other better ways to get that without eliminating the "feel" of Bonnaroo.
If any of you are thinking of doing this, I'd reconsider. There is a gravel road behind What and Which that connects out behind VIP and then out behind This and The Other. The Total Access buses are parked right on this main backstage thoroughfare. There are people, carts, limos, trucks constantly passing back and forth past your bus. The buses are lined up single file b/t the gravel road and a fence. You have absolutely zero community and I would imagine feel like you're living on the side of a highway. Yeah, the backstage passes that come with it are sweet, but there are other better ways to get that without eliminating the "feel" of Bonnaroo.
Just a word of warning before you dump $20K.
okay, so how do you suggest that one obtain backstage passes? im not press, not a photographer, certainly not a musician, not in the crew, don't want to volunteer...
i have the feel of bonnaroo. this is just a different way to experience it...
i'm truly surprised at the price. certainly a better value than the tents.
but here's the rub with backstage passes: 1. watching a band perform from the side sort of sucks. 2. backstage passes allow 'hanging out' before/after the set. buuuut, just because you want to hang out with them, DOESNT mean they want to hang out with you. except they sort of have to. ehhh.
Post by trackmarkedamoeba on Feb 20, 2010 14:34:54 GMT -5
backstage/sidestage is a fucking blast, got the chance last year at Rothbury and it was a ton of fun. Got to meet Brendan Canning and Kevin Drew of BSS, Matisyahu, and it is just a completely different experience. I personally loved it. And if I could... I'd do it every year at every festival. Even in the guest/artist section, there is a good sense of community, people are honestly MORE friendly, less sketchy and very welcoming. I'm sure its a different vibe at bonnaroo, but the ability to go out in the regular crowd, or check out the side stage of an act is really neat.
For the record, unless you work for the Bonnaroo Beacon, Big Hassle Media or one of the Artists PR firms, even media do NOT get onstage/backstage access PERIOD! Photographers with Photo creds get front Pit access for the first three songs on the What and Which Stages (escorted in and out and VERY closely timed) and then have a BIT more flexibility in the tent pits depending on room/availability and the artists and security moods. But NEVER Onstage unless you are with FUSE doing live Video Feeds (or ATT Blueroom depending on the year) or some other National Mag that might luck out and get a few shots from the stage (like Rolling Stone or Spin or someone) but even THAT is rare.
The other buses/RVs etc in the back area behind Which/What and along that area are usually the national/regional media with the sattelite trucks that are broadcasting live daily updates from the festival. It's very noisy and not sure I would want to acutally camp back there. Especially since a lot of the artists also have their buses and entourage buses back there that are constantly coming in and out and it's always a lot of chaos and lots of people/buses/vehicles coming and going and LOTS of noise and not much getting out and getting to know anyone. Most people back there are WORKING in one form or another.
And speaking from some experience, the view/sound from the side or back of a stage at a music concert just does NOT compare to being in front of the stage. I spent over HALF the NIN show last year at the side of the stage in the pit waiting for our turn to come into the pit to do our photo shoots. The sound was CRAPPY! And we had NO VIEW at ALL! You don't realize till you get in those positions how much of a difference the speaker positioning makes. I mean, it's exciting just to BE in that environment for a little while, but if you are really there to experience the MUSIC....not the best place to be for that.
It would definitely be a unique experience. You would have great luxury and get to see the festival in a completely different way. It sounds like all of your true socializing would be with your group of eight. It sounds like you hang with your friends in the bus , step off the bus and into a taxi and go directly to a stage.
For me so much of the fun of Bonnaroo is meeting new people and wandering around the campgrounds. It seems that would be lost with total access.
i dont get why some of you guys think you wouldnt get to interact with people. id be taking my private golf cart around the place, checking out BFE and some other places i rarely get to - id probably see more roo than usual...
i do agree that the side stage is not the best for the sound - but for most of the day, at least for the main stage, im listening from my campsite since it's so damn hot. it would have to be a better experience to be in the shade, on the stage, listening / watching.
it's not for everyone, thats for sure - and it isnt just an issue of the cash.
With Total Access you do not have to stand next to the side of the stage all the time if you do not wish. If you want a better view or sound you can stand down in front also. The people on the video talk about front row access as well as part of the advertising for Total Access states:
"Experience Bonnaroo like you never dreamed. Watch music on the Main Stage all weekend from your own private viewing deck, or choose to stand in the front row and have a few drink if you desire. Its your call at Bonnaroo 2010 when you have TOTAL ACCESS. "
There is also no reason why you would not want to wander Centeroo at times and check out everything there is to see there just as you would if you camped anywhere else. As ideoteque has pointed out you also have access to a golf cart which would allow you to easily explore the entire site in entirely different ways.
I emailed a Total Access representative and asked where the buses are parked and they sent me some pictures showing the location of the coaches. They are located in a nice quiet area in a field behind the What stage staging area. In the pictures below you can see the 9 coaches from last year off to themselves close to the center of the pictures.
Overall this looks like a great way to enjoy Bonnaroo from an entirely different point of view.
Post by JustSoYouKnow on Feb 21, 2010 18:08:18 GMT -5
Has anyone gone Total Access that can tell us what it's like??
It's a lot more luxury than just backstage passes BUT backstage passes can't be bought anywhere else that I know of for 'roo. Also, The group rate you get with Total Access is what has really got me wanting to do this.
I think the draw of Total Access for me is being able to wake up at any time(cause I can sleep thru anything) in the A/C 20 minutes before a show started and catching a golf cart then ending up in front row. I don't mind if I am front row off to the side, squished in next to the photo press...I wouldn't want to take anyone's good spot when I just showed up 20 mins before the start, no matter how much money I paid to 'roo...But I can tell you I am gonna say that this works for me! I'm not gonna be tired out b/c of the luxuries you're getting in Total Access.... after the show I'll catch a golf cart back to A/C RV, drink some free beer and eat some free food, then sleep until 20 minutes before the next show. I'm not saying i'll do this everyday, but Sunday I'm usually too tired out to even enter Centeroo.
Has anyone gone Total Access that can tell us what it's like??
It's a lot more luxury than just backstage passes BUT backstage passes can't be bought anywhere else that I know of for 'roo. Also, The group rate you get with Total Access is what has really got me wanting to do this.
I think the draw of Total Access for me is being able to wake up at any time(cause I can sleep thru anything) in the A/C 20 minutes before a show started and catching a golf cart then ending up in front row. I don't mind if I am front row off to the side, squished in next to the photo press...I wouldn't want to take anyone's good spot when I just showed up 20 mins before the start, no matter how much money I paid to 'roo...But I can tell you I am gonna say that this works for me! I'm not gonna be tired out b/c of the luxuries you're getting in Total Access.... after the show I'll catch a golf cart back to A/C RV, drink some free beer and eat some free food, then sleep until 20 minutes before the next show. I'm not saying i'll do this everyday, but Sunday I'm usually too tired out to even enter Centeroo.
LOL! Well...not sure the Photo Pit is the front row Pit they are talking about....but if they DO put you in the Photo Pit I will warn you....you show up 10 minutes before the show with a drink in your hand and a snap and shoot camera and the photogs there working to get the shot will be shoving you out of the way right and left! It's all about survival of the fitest (and smartest) in the photo pits at Roo...every person for themselves on getting angles. Most everyone is decently nice ONCE they get at least a couple of good shots....but it's BRUTAL. Lucky I am short and most guys can shot over me easily so they don't mess with me much....but yeah...it can get cutthroat esp if you are there just as a spectator!
Has anyone gone Total Access that can tell us what it's like??
It's a lot more luxury than just backstage passes BUT backstage passes can't be bought anywhere else that I know of for 'roo. Also, The group rate you get with Total Access is what has really got me wanting to do this.
I think the draw of Total Access for me is being able to wake up at any time(cause I can sleep thru anything) in the A/C 20 minutes before a show started and catching a golf cart then ending up in front row. I don't mind if I am front row off to the side, squished in next to the photo press...I wouldn't want to take anyone's good spot when I just showed up 20 mins before the start, no matter how much money I paid to 'roo...But I can tell you I am gonna say that this works for me! I'm not gonna be tired out b/c of the luxuries you're getting in Total Access.... after the show I'll catch a golf cart back to A/C RV, drink some free beer and eat some free food, then sleep until 20 minutes before the next show. I'm not saying i'll do this everyday, but Sunday I'm usually too tired out to even enter Centeroo.
LOL! Well...not sure the Photo Pit is the front row Pit they are talking about....but if they DO put you in the Photo Pit I will warn you....you show up 10 minutes before the show with a drink in your hand and a snap and shoot camera and the photogs there working to get the shot will be shoving you out of the way right and left! It's all about survival of the fitest (and smartest) in the photo pits at Roo...every person for themselves on getting angles. Most everyone is decently nice ONCE they get at least a couple of good shots....but it's BRUTAL. Lucky I am short and most guys can shot over me easily so they don't mess with me much....but yeah...it can get cutthroat esp if you are there just as a spectator!
If they got a Photo Pit in the front row then I'm sure Total Access will find a safer spot in the front row for its patrons.
Does anyone know if this is still available? All of my requests for info on the site get me the auto-response email but no phone or email in response to my questions.
Waaaahhhh!
VIP will be fine I guess. Would like to try to do this one though.
I am my sure some of my group, which includes JustSoYouKnow, would be down with splitting the Total Access package with others to create the Inforoo Total Access 2011 party bus!
This sounds great!!! I'd love to pitch in. Otherwise, we should all just split an RV and go VIP. Thoughts?
This sounds great!!! I'd love to pitch in. Otherwise, we should all just split an RV and go VIP. Thoughts?
Nikki
We did VIP/RV this year and I would not do it again, going regular VIP in 2011. Generator fumes really killed it for me - we didn't spend much time at camp (outside the vehicle) as a result. That is a BIG part of Bonnaroo for me. But as bloody hot as it was I was glad to have an RV.
Others may feel differently, just my experience.
The year we did GA/RV/Access was awesome, though, because there was tons of room and I didn't notice fumes at all.
For the record, unless you work for the Bonnaroo Beacon, Big Hassle Media or one of the Artists PR firms, even media do NOT get onstage/backstage access PERIOD! Photographers with Photo creds get front Pit access for the first three songs on the What and Which Stages (escorted in and out and VERY closely timed) and then have a BIT more flexibility in the tent pits depending on room/availability and the artists and security moods. But NEVER Onstage unless you are with FUSE doing live Video Feeds (or ATT Blueroom depending on the year) or some other National Mag that might luck out and get a few shots from the stage (like Rolling Stone or Spin or someone) but even THAT is rare.
The other buses/RVs etc in the back area behind Which/What and along that area are usually the national/regional media with the sattelite trucks that are broadcasting live daily updates from the festival. It's very noisy and not sure I would want to acutally camp back there. Especially since a lot of the artists also have their buses and entourage buses back there that are constantly coming in and out and it's always a lot of chaos and lots of people/buses/vehicles coming and going and LOTS of noise and not much getting out and getting to know anyone. Most people back there are WORKING in one form or another.
And speaking from some experience, the view/sound from the side or back of a stage at a music concert just does NOT compare to being in front of the stage. I spent over HALF the NIN show last year at the side of the stage in the pit waiting for our turn to come into the pit to do our photo shoots. The sound was CRAPPY! And we had NO VIEW at ALL! You don't realize till you get in those positions how much of a difference the speaker positioning makes. I mean, it's exciting just to BE in that environment for a little while, but if you are really there to experience the MUSIC....not the best place to be for that.
i've been fortunate to cover roo the past 2 years, hoping for a 3rd in 2011, but there's not really anything extra we media pass holders get - which is completely fine by me. best part of having that is basically just to get away from time to time from the madness in the crowd and some much needed a.c. in the press tent, which probably saved my life in 2010. i've managed to get side stage (tents only) for some shows (usually depends on what kind of day the security guard is having or is up to the artists) and it's a much different experience back there. bad view, bad sound, only great thing really is you're not crammed and generally see a lot of artists up close. last year i watched prine while dave rawlings was standing right next to me. unfortunately i didn't realize it until after the fact. other people who were at times within arms reach of me were jack black, kristofferson, steve martin, some of the guys from mumford, neon indian, local natives, um, man i don't know, theres others i can't think of. i guess media are kinda spoiled when it comes to shade cause there's a ton of trees back there, i just feel bad for those who don't have access to shade and a.c. like that, especially when something unnecessary that probably could've been prevented happens as in carpedm's case.
Are you kidding me that total access is wack. Sure being close to the stage is a perk and the gourmet food looks tasty but thats not what Bonnaroo is about. Even though the sh*t houses suck and the walking around shakedown can take a toll on your legs and feet but i wouldn't trade the streets of bonnaroo for a tour bus no way. Thats why i love bonaroo tent city or bust
Post by icantenough on Jan 31, 2011 12:15:45 GMT -5
20k? jesus. you could rent your own tour bus from roberts brothers coach 45 minutes from bonnaroo, pay a driver 2k and still wouldnt spend that much probably.
shit, even the triple slide outs they have now arent going to cost 20k for a weekend.
and what is the big deal about being backstage anyway? I have had the opportunity to go backstage almost every year and always decline. that isnt where the party is. plus you dont get to see the light shows.
I haven't been in General camping since 08. This year I think I would like to try TA. But I would totally settle for Guest Pass and That Pass.
We didn't have That Passes last year and walking to our Hospitality we had to pass the pig roasts. It smelled really good.
As far as TA, I think I would enjoy the golf cart the best. I have put in my time and miles of walking at festivals. It's not something I would miss if I didn't get to do it one year.
Also I have to say I saw one of the golf carts bring a group of people to the Which stage via the back and there were these two kids(around 13-15) that had the I'm the cooles kid in the country right now look on their faces. I thought that was awesome. They looked like they were having the time of their lives.
Yeah I checked on it awhile ago and found that it was 20 grand. Ridiculous. But you gotta figure there is a good amount of very fortunate people in the world and this is one of the best festivals in the world so why not. It's crazy how lucky some folks are. If I was one of them I'd get a few busses and pick random people to make their day. Unfortunately most lucky people are also assholes. As far as the tent goes total BS. Did you see them last year? Yeah they were nice tents but they were also right out int the blazing sun. I'd take my setup over that any day. And 750 is an as raping. Not cool Bonnaroo. Really you could buy that tent everything in it and pay somebody to set it up for you for way less. And then you'd own it. I was pretty disappointed when I saw how greedy Roo was with those tents.
This will be my First Roo, and I am doing TA, coming from New Zealand, I won it in a competition, from what I have read it's not the real way to do Roo and I couldn't afford it but Damn it sounds pretty wild.