PFPS: Super Ball IX – Baller’s Ball?

General Admission allows a sense of wonder and enjoyment of being in the same wonderland together with ALL other patrons, and the collective experience is what you make of it. The “classic” option that allows you meet new friends, catch up with old, and spend three hours after the last set of music trying to figure out where the hell you set up camp.

Glen Close Camping – According to the official Superball IX website, this option, “Includes a three-day Festival pass, camping in field inside the track near the venue site, separate entrance, and access to bathroom and shower units.” Now, at first I thought this option seemed like a great idea. Then, I flip-flopped and thought it was a good idea on the surface, but eventually would detract from those that participated in it.

Phish festivals, in my opinion, are about so much more than the music. I cannot tell you how many times early in the morning, or in the middle of the day, or extremely late at night, I have found myself walking around the concert grounds, exploring each and every corner of site, not wanting to miss a single piece of art or anything the band had cooked up for us. This is something that I found to be the case when I was 16, and now that I am into my 30’s.

There is simply something that is special about a Phish festival site, even when the band is off stage, and this option seems to me like a good way to be close to the main action, but could deter some patrons from exploring as if they were stuck camping out in one of the more remote areas. Plus, who showers at a Phish festival? (I kid, I kid).

The Great Tent Rent – Now this is, by far, is the most intriguing option. Available in both Glen Close Camping and Gen Pop, this is basically a pre-arranged butler or concierge service of sorts for the concert goer that wants no hassle. I must admit, I thought about going this way this long and hard, but eventually realized that I’d rather stay in a hotel if I was going to shell out $500 (plus a $200 security deposit). Sure, they give you a few cots and sheets in a”weatherproof” tent (I would have like to see these suckers stand up to Coventry or The Great Went), but also feel that those who opt this way are going to have a different (albeit admittedly, more comfortable) experience than most of the others in attendance.

It also eliminates many of the concert-goers from the jump because of the price tag. As I mentioned, Phish is offering a lay-away plan of sorts for buying tickets, yet they offer a camping option that is almost four times the price of the ticket and does not even include the $200 ticket price? I see the business side of this on one end, but also feel that the true feeling of a festival will somehow be warped here, unless of course you do nothing but sleep in the tent and rage elsewhere at all hours. It’s almost like the penthouses of the hotels – great to hang out in, but you may miss running into some old friends in your 20 trips up and down to the lobby throughout the night to the bar, car or pool.

Overall, I also find myself defending each of the three options and eventually offering the conclusion that I am indifferent to all three options, as I will probably have friends that I will visit in all three scenarios (not to mention RV’s and off-site houses and hotels). My younger, broker self would opt for the cheapest and most adventurous option of GA car-camping. Meanwhile I could see myself choosing Glen Close Camping if  was working or covering the festival, as to avoid unwanted distractions, or if I did not care one lick about the festival grounds and simply wanted to get as up-close to the stage and music as I could each day.

As for The Great Tent Rent, I find my present day self drawn to this choice, as my camping days are behind me at festivals in general, but this seems like a nice compromise for more of the older crews, who work hard and spend some of their vacation days on festivals and want a no-hassle experience to kick back and relax. My older self also realizes that this is smart business on the part of Red Light and Phish, and maximizes some new options for more income. Hey, let’s face it, after all, this is the music/concert business.

Phish is just exploring new ways to capitalize on the fan experience, much as they invented the modern day music festivals that have seemingly sprung up a dime a dozen now. They are simply trying to hold true to their event being the best option during the summer season.

Regardless of your stance – which I ask you to share below in yet another PFPS poll – I feel that more options for fans is overall a good thing. After all Phish are pioneers in the concert and festival business and evolving and catering to the wants and need of an aging fan base and offering options is something that will only garner more praise for them…almost as much as for the music they are sure to create on stage, the true attraction at any Phish festie.