lazy locomotives Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Hey all - not sure where to post this, so I figured I'd start here. Heading to Solid Sound and kinda curious as to logistics etc...so I'm just gonna post a bunch of questions and would greatly appreciate any of my VC bretheren's (who ere at last year's event) responses! THX! Expected crowd size? Just curious... Can you come and go from the museum grounds, or is it best to get your spot for seating early? If you do have a said spot 'staked out' can you leave non-essential stuff and not worry about losing your spot? Do they sell refreshments (as in anything like beer etc) - I would assume they do, but at a museum wasn't sure...can you take in picnic stuff etc? is it possible to actually run into one of the guys, or are they routinely mobbed? I've seen the dunking machine vids on youtube so it seems Jeff and the gang do stroll around some... anyway those are top of mind questions...i have more but I just wanted to see if anyone could address these... I am SO looking forward to this event...not to mention the new album... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
knotgreen Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Hey all - not sure where to post this, so I figured I'd start here. Heading to Solid Sound and kinda curious as to logistics etc...so I'm just gonna post a bunch of questions and would greatly appreciate any of my VC bretheren's (who ere at last year's event) responses! THX! Expected crowd size? Just curious... Can you come and go from the museum grounds, or is it best to get your spot for seating early? If you do have a said spot 'staked out' can you leave non-essential stuff and not worry about losing your spot? Do they sell refreshments (as in anything like beer etc) - I would assume they do, but at a museum wasn't sure...can you take in picnic stuff etc? is it possible to actually run into one of the guys, or are they routinely mobbed? I've seen the dunking machine vids on youtube so it seems Jeff and the gang do stroll around some... anyway those are top of mind questions...i have more but I just wanted to see if anyone could address these... I am SO looking forward to this event...not to mention the new album... I'll do my best to answer a few of your questions: You'll receive a bracelet, and the bracelet allows you to come and go as your please. They check bracelets on your way into Mass MoCa and also when you leave the museum lobby to go toward the outside area where the stages are. The Wilco shows are on the field. That line starts to form relatively early, but it seemed to me that once you got near the soundboard and further back it was more spacious. I'm not sure I'd leave a lot of belongings, but I'd probably feel comfortable leaving a chair or a blanket there. Last year I think Magic Hat was a sponsor. I'm not sure what other beer options were, but I recall the Magic Hat being reasonably priced (for a concert venue, anyway). There were some other local vendors-- ice cream, pizza, etc. I saw most of the guys walking around, except Jeff. I spoke with Mikael briefly, and was in line to get a cup of coffee behind Pat. They weren't being mobbed at all, and were very friendly. Two weeks! I can't wait. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lazy locomotives Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 Awesome! Thx for responding so quick...yeah, not that I'm looking for a fully equipped bar or anything, but was just wondering if there were beer sales... the bracelets thing makes sense and I'm thinking we'll probably set up our littl spot early and not leave valuables...if it's a Wilco concert, I'm going to assume(hope) everyone is somewhat respectful and not the typical concert crowd... Hoping to at least run into some of them - that would be awfully cool... Between the upcoming album and this, I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas! LOL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thejokeexplained Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Expected crowd size? Just curious... not sure of actual attendance but it was not overly crowded like most festivals are. I never felt uncomfortable with any crowd Can you come and go from the museum grounds, or is it best to get your spot for seating early? you do have a said spot 'staked out' can you leave non-essential stuff and not worry about losing your spot? Wrist bands get you in and out of the festival, and there is really no reason to have to save a spot at any stage. Last year when Joe's field opened there were no other shows to see except for the one's at Joe's. Although the the lines started forming while other artist were playing around the ground. I guess you could set your stuff early in line to save your spot in line, but to me that's kind of self centered and not very cool. I'm pretty sure if you set your stuff in line early and then showed up right before they opened the Joe's field area your stuff would be trampled on. There was a large crowd gathered about a hour before. All the other stages you could get a good spot with little effort with the exception of the Theater where lines were formed early and there was a occupancy load. Once it filled they closed the doors to any more wanting in. Do they sell refreshments (as in anything like beer etc) - I would assume they do, but at a museum wasn't sure...can you take in picnic stuff etc? Many places to buy good beer and food. Best choice and prices of any venue i have ever been to. All of them seemed to be independently run. (mom and pop) Greek, gourmet pizza, Gorditas. Not your typical over priced bland tasting concert fair. Effort and imagination went into the concessions IMO is it possible to actually run into one of the guys, or are they routinely mobbed? I've seen the dunking machine vids on youtube so it seems Jeff and the gang do stroll around some... I noticed a few of the artist just walking around enjoying the event, and no one seemed to have a problem with being approached. Security was cool too. The only issue i saw involving security was when a body artist was painting a young lady's breast in the breeze way while we were taking a break. He calmly went up to them asking them for explanation for the public display. And when told he was hired by the venue as a roving artist he let them be. If he was in fact hired by Wilco or Mass Moca i don't know, but he continued painting to my delight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Three dollars and 63 cents Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 They seemed to do a lot more marketing this year, so I expect it will be fuller. I hope it's not jam packed and that food and drink prices stay the same, since they were very reasonable. I also like that they have taps where you could fill up a water bottle for free and that they had free wifi all weekend. I hope they offer that again this year, since I had an easier time getting emails and texts than I did voicemail. AT&T service was spotty for me and for some of my friends in and around North Adams. They say no outside food or drink, but I was able to take snacks in last year and didn't get hassled by security. If you're coming and going, remember to leave time to wait in security lines when you come back, and make sure you get a wristband before you try to buy beer. All the food and drinks need to stay out of the galleries, but there's plenty of seating outside. On the main field, everyone was very tightly packed up front (forget about chairs, saving spots, etc., just like any other GA crowd). I was back by the sound board and it was much less crowded. There's also a big hill on one side where a lot of people sat. Last year everything was very clean, the grounds were well-lit at night, and the volunteers were very helpful and friendly. For the most part, the shops and restaurants in town were grateful for the business, though a bunch of us got some attitude from the manager of the bar/restaurant at the Holiday Inn Saturday night and at dinnertime Sunday. That's one thing to keep in mind--last year, the whole town shut down after Jeff finished playing. It was almost impossible to find somewhere to eat. I hope more places stay open this year. If not, there's a grocery store not too far away for snacks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Lazy Locomotives, there's plenty of very reasonably priced (& good!) food to be had within the festival, so no worries about that. I'm beginning to get ridiculously excited. Last year was pure magic. I'll bet it will be again! Can't wait to see you, everybody. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lucifer sam Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I'm so very stoked about the festival! The only bad part is the LONG drive from Indiana! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Three dollars and 63 cents Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 It's also a very boring drive in terms of scenery, so bring good music! Other than Cleveland, the whole drive is pretty uneventful. As I told a friend who might also be driving out from the Midwest, I recommend taking the Thruway across New York rather than I-86. It's a toll road, but if you have an E-Z Pass (or whatever it's called in Indiana...it seems to differ by state), it will work. In fact, it may be worth getting one if you don't have one. The Thruway is better cared for and has nice rest stops, at least some of which have free wifi. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Papillon Parade Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 What about parking around town? We are staying in Williamstown and haven't decided whether to try the shuttles or attempt to find a spot in town. Thoughts? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skybluescott Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 What about parking around town? We are staying in Williamstown and haven't decided whether to try the shuttles or attempt to find a spot in town. Thoughts? I would say that if you arrive early or around the time gates are opening you should be able to park nearby. Last year we were able to park in the same lot, about 2 blocks away, all 3 days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lucifer sam Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I feel bad for complaining since I heard that Kidsmoke is driving from CA! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I feel bad for complaining since I heard that Kidsmoke is driving from CA! Ah, but kidsmoke has insanity as her copilot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Three dollars and 63 cents Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 And jerky Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RaspberryJam Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 And Brennan. Or is that the insanity part? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 And Brennan. Or is that the insanity part? Well it was Brennan's idea. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Three dollars and 63 cents Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I think that must be a testament to how strong of a relationship you two have! I love my mom, but two weeks in the car with her? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
smells like flowers Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 What about parking around town? We are staying in Williamstown and haven't decided whether to try the shuttles or attempt to find a spot in town. Thoughts?The shuttles were great, too, with short wait-times. There were three, at staggered distances away from Mass MOCA. I loved not having to worry about finding parking or waiting forever to get out of some crazy-full festival parking lot. And since you asked about food, here were some of the highlights: homemade ice cream, banh mi (Vietnamese hoagies!) and sweet potato fries. And beers were cheap ($4 for Bud/Bud Lite and $5 for Magic Hat, of which there were 2 or 3 flavors). The food and beer prices were very friendly to those of us who broke the bank on airline tickets, hotel, car rental, etc.!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
u2roolz Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 I was going to ask a stupid question, but was there a schedule/map handed out last year for concertgoers? Then I went on the Solid Sound website and noticed that they added a flip book of what might be handed out this year. It goes in depth on the exhibits and short film titles are listed, but the print is very small. Edit: There's also some special acoustic shows being held in the galleries. Also, a very famous rap trio from NYC will have their star studded music video shown. Flip Book I also made my own schedule awhile ago in my pocket planner. Congrats to me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blue and Green Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 I'm so very stoked about the festival! The only bad part is the LONG drive from Indiana!Me too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lazy locomotives Posted June 19, 2011 Author Share Posted June 19, 2011 Thanks all for the great info...SO looking forward to this...any Via Chicagoer gatherings/meet n greets at the festival? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 Thanks all for the great info...SO looking forward to this...any Via Chicagoer gatherings/meet n greets at the festival? Yes! Take a look here: http://forums.viachicago.org/topic/45647-solid-sound-vc-meetup-round-2-new-and-improved/ Looking forward to meeting you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lazy locomotives Posted June 20, 2011 Author Share Posted June 20, 2011 backatcha L-cat - just joined the f-book SSF page... er...Kidsmoke...I never get the screen name thing right...LOL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jerrycray Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 You're gonna have an awesome time. I've been to a lot of festivals in my time and I have to say that hands down that Solid Sound 2010 was the coolest. Everyone was so cool and respectful towards each other. It's what every festival should be like. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 You're gonna have an awesome time. I've been to a lot of festivals in my time and I have to say that hands down that Solid Sound 2010 was the coolest. Everyone was so cool and respectful towards each other. It's what every festival should be like. Exactly so! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lazy locomotives Posted June 22, 2011 Author Share Posted June 22, 2011 I've seen many posts raving about the quality of the crowds...can't wait to get there! leaving thurs. 6am! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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