Hmm - I wonder if they will sell out. I’m betting no unless there’s some discounting of those corrals which I also doubt will happen. Adding some form of Nightgrass for fully vaccinated would add some demand (ie me) but will logistics make that too tough?
I know some of my friends are waiting it out until 2022 and I’m guessing a lot of people are falling into that category. If you’re not in a big camp then it’s herding cats to commit to such an expensive commitment without having all 10 folks identified.
Nailed it. I believe there are a lot of factors. Here are some reasons I have seen/heard people say why they aren’t going:
Perceived cost/value is skewed (Still a high price for the fest, paying close to normal price for about 1/2 the music/time - I’m happy to do it though, be there both weekends)
Hesitancy to get back into the world/crowds
Anger/frustration towards PB in the way they are handling the precautions at this post. Some legit questions being raised, but the loudest voices are just angry that things are DIFFERENT and they apparently don’t like change.
Too much planning/logistics; mostly folks who go solo or small groups who are having issues navigating how to make it work in such a short time period of time.
With all that being said, I hope PB figures a way to do nightgrass shows. Things seem to be moving in a good direction. Vax %'s still rising, disease burden dropping, masks ordinances are being dropped (Denver Metro/Boulder drops all capacity restrictions on Sunday May 16th!)
Really bummed for Michael Hornick & Bobby Wintringham who have showcased & sold their incredible instruments at TBF for years. Looks like they have been dropped with along with the other vendors this year /no workshops at Elks for them.
Despite all of that - very excited to be back in LESS THAN A MONTH. As Doug Sahm & Freddy Fender used to sing… A LITTLE BIT IS BETTER THAN NADA!
I think you’ve both touched on some of the big reasons.
Personally, I’ve never been one to throw in with larger groups and the commitment to run point on a 10 person coral is daunting; both economically, and in relation, to ensure “outsiders” who are brought in to reach the limit don’t start inviting friends of friends, etc. day of show to swell it beyond its capacity and everyone’s comfort level.
I had a red zone que’d up and just couldn’t pull the trigger … even though my credit card would’ve given me 2% back and effectively made my ticket $320.
The other big issue for me was just not knowing how it’d pan out in reality and there clearly aren’t many officially designated places to “retreat” to if I’m not feeling comfortable. I was willing to take the risk to get Bob Weir and Wolf Bros tickets at Red Rocks because a.) investment / risk wasn’t nearly as much b.) it’s setup with large zones without subdivisions … so at least I’d be able to hang out in the more spacious areas of the zones that will likely materialize in the upper zones due to people likely gravitating to the lower rows. Who knows how it’ll materialize and I’m ready to unload my second day’s ticket if I feel uncomfortable the first day.
I don’t fault PB for their concept (it makes sense in many respects), but it’s just not for me. Having said that, if the back sections were open zones, I’d likely reconsider.
Well said. Yep, having a back section w/ an open zone could have been nice. Space was limited, especially when PB chose to apply for a “minor festival” event with the town AKA under 2,999 attendees. They lost warner field & the back softball field I believe. The challenges seem endless.
Red Rocks has plenty places to retreat according to the pictures, videos, stories I have seen/heard from Salmon & some of the EDM shows that have gone on the last few weeks. RR will increase capacity very shortly here & will likely be full by July if not sooner, which is interesting to me. Not to mention mostly full outdoor stadiums across the country with no apparent spread of disease. (I am not advocating for PB to pack 'em in, but just putting our situation in broad context). Spacing the crowd out every other row is kind of a cool concept and certainly makes you feel less “corralled/closed off” and more free to move as you please. I have noticed a lot of the crowd eventually just cruises their way down closer to the stage while some people choose to hang back. I guess enforcement is tough, especially later in the night when the sun is down & the boogie level is up.
I found last weeks article in the Daily Planet interesting. ""It is a possibility, but at this late notice it doesn’t feel very likely,” Grace Barrett, communications coordinator for Planet Bluegrass, said of the likelihood of being able to increase capacity or do away with plans for social distancing. If it became possible and the town were open to it, we would love to safely increase capacity, but we’re not positive that will be the reality for us,” she said. – I thought when PB chose to go the 2 weekend route aka “minor festival” application through town, that they we’re bound by the application to not raise the attendance capacity. I was a little confused by the statement.
"Ten-person pods won’t be expected to remain exclusively in their original corral, with some flexibility permitting festivarians to intermingle with other friends. Masks may be removed inside corrals, but must be donned when venturing out of the corral. We understand that it’s a lot to ask people to stay inside of a 12-by-12, roped-off space all day,” Barrett said. “There’s flexibility in that, while also understanding that we want to put health and safety first. Safety is the number one priority.” " – With all of the new guidance from health professional saying masks are not necessary in outdoor settings, I wonder if PB will be ready to adopt these new standards? For context, CDC is about to put out guidance loosening INDOOR masks restrictions.
With that wind whipping at 9,000 feet and not a TRUE crowded situation, a voluntary/personal mask choice seems more appropriate than being forced to wear it just to go to bathrooms if you’re walking down your 1-way aisle by yourself. Again, I’m vaxxed and certainly not against wearing my mask/taking appropriate precaution if you need to, but in this situation it seems like maybe there could be some loosening. Interesting that PB hasn’t polled ticket holders on comfort levels or asked for input regarding this. Also curious what/if any rules they will have for mingling in the campgrounds. Besides “you must camp with your corral”, I haven’t seen any information on what they expect us to do in town park. I can’t imagine them actually telling us to not venture to other camps. That would likely be ill-received & enforcement almost impossible, especially with no volunteers this year.
In a way, TBF has almost always been a corral-ish set up, a la group tarps. Of course, as the evening sun drops & people get ready for the night time, tarps are pulled/chairs are put away & the crowds gather towards the stage for nighttime shenanigans (just like I am seeing at these “distanced” RR shows). I wonder how that will play out this year at the festival. We all know how dark it get’s when that sun drops. Will corral ropes be pulled? Or will there be extra lighting to keep people aware of where they are (functional, but definitely a turn off for night sets)? Or will we be expected to stay in our corrals? Even though they are saying we’re allowed to mingle with other corrals.
Should be the last one They modified the last order only to reflect indoor mask polices - Denver doesn’t require masks outdoors & they stated that if you’re in an INDOOR group with 80% of them vaxxed, the masks aren’t required. Workers aren’t required to wear masks anymore as long as 85% of your staff is vaxxed.
San Miguel county has a public health order that expire May 30th and likely will be substantially dropped after it expires. There are 2 active cases in San Miguel county right now. The Town Of Telluride will meet this week to discuss measures as well & at least now they are committed, along with the county, to re-evaluate public health measure bi-weekly. I’d wear a mask for an indoor nightgrass show if PB was able to host them
You’ve raised some great points / questions. I suspect there won’t be too much of a heavy hand in micro-managing that which is not overt or blatant excess beyond the rules. The issue of masks in “common areas” (including the port-o-johns) seems to warrant more strict adherence to masking and such … since there’s greater uncertainty outside of one’s pod regarding vax status and simply stagnet air in the port-o-johns. I suspect the corrals will stay up at night.
It would definitely be cool if they were to somehow increase capacity, but I think we’re doing OK in light of how things could’ve worked out. At least it’s something.
Having said that, I can see how some folks might not want an increased capacity. If those Wolf Bros shows at Red Rocks on 6/8 and 6/9 were to suddenly go full capacity, I’d likely bail. I think 2/3 capacity would be nearing the upper limit of my comfort level. It’s possible some have also bought tickets to TBF with something like this in mind, but at the same time, I think we all know it’s a card in the deck that capcity might change and it’s a risk when you buy your ticket.
I’d be curious if anyone who’s been to Red Rocks during pandemic knows if you’re still allowed to hang out on the tree pads or if they shoo you away?
Based on ticket prices for Bob, I don’t think those will move to full capacity. I know quite a few people going to both nights at RR & then beelining it straight to Telluride. My GF was at the Salmon show last Saturday & said she hung out under the trees on the pads & they didn’t make her move.
Town council meets today & will discuss their mask ordinance in the context of
San Miguel’s move from Blue to Green last week (San Miguel’s Pub. Health Order expires in 2 weeks)
The State’s revised mandate stating if 80% of people in a group are vaccinated no masks required
I camp with a big group and could have had a single spot in a corral, but will likely skip this year. My reasoning is just the last minute logistics. Having gotten into early spring without really hearing anything I assumed it would be unlikely they would go forward with it. I planned as if I wouldn’t be going and then when TBF materialized it was hard to make it work. I have already have plans for solstice weekend, and would be coming from almost 1000 miles away so just a long way to try and come for the weekend and get back. Still haven’t completely ruled it out, but not looking likely. Just all happened on too short notice. If we had known around the first of the year I definitely would have planned on coming for a weekend. Probably wouldn’t be able to afford both.
Yep, a lot of folks have that same sentiment, sadly. I tried my best to update everyone as early as possible because I could see the logistics issue coming (esp. those that come from all the way across the country, etc.) By late Jan/early February, Ferg. was already saying in local (Lyons & KGNU) interviews that PB would be doing spring grass & that TBF would exist this year in “some capacity”, which I tried to convey here on the forum & on the fb groups to help keep people in the know. They had an email in mid-Feb stating “We are excited to tell you that we are seeking approval for three weekends of music in Telluride this June! As part of this plan, we are anticipating drastically reduced daily capacities and comprehensive safety measures to keep you healthy.” All of their plans and applications with town + meeting/agenda minutes spelled out everything they wanted to do and it was all technically public information, but held back by PB (I’m sure they had their reasons? No clue.). I felt a little bad by posting the info I was seeing because I didn’t really want to get ahead of them & I certainly don’t SPEAK for them. By mid-March, it was clear that they were moving ahead with the festival with the 2 possible scenarios & I did my best to get it out in the open (see posts from March 15th/16th when they got approved by parks and & rec. to move forward). However, as we all know, PB didn’t announce anything until very recently and that makes it really tough especially this year because of ALL the logistics to work through.
You’ve been great about keeping everyone informed on here, Alex. Really appreciate it. Have to admit I was also skeptical about anything happening that was really worth it (lineup logistics, TP camping, etc.), but couldn’t be more excited to be back.
You did a great job keeping everyone posted with what was going on. Without that honestly I wouldn’t have even known there was a possibility. I made my commitment towards the end of January and plans for the 1st week in June back in December. Just didn’t really want to change plans until there was concrete info and that just came too late. It’s all good and it all is what it is. It’s been a crazy year for everyone. Wasn’t really expecting to be able to go this summer anyway so at least it doesn’t feel like I’m missing out on something I was SUPPOSED to be at. Got my tickets all rolled over and ready to go for next year. 2022 will be the year of epic epicness!!!
It’s funny, I was kinda wondering if you may have been a new official PB social media spokesperson :lol … for real, but I don’t think it was anything where you overstepped your bounds. It’s the nature of these type of boards for us to find and publicly expose “leaks” (i.e. an artist has a TBF date prematurely published on their website). Maybe this is a little different, but it’s the nature of the beast.
Thanks for the intel on the tree pads at Salmon @ Red Rocks. You didn’t go?
Yesterday was kind of an interesting day for me, Phish announced their tour is on and I’m still not ready to commit … especially for indoor shows such as Halloween in Vegas (as much as I’d love to go). It’s the first year in a very long time I don’t have Dicks’ tickets in hand, but am OK with rolling with however it works out. I feel like TBF this year is an unexpected bonus for those who get to attend. If it expands into something more by day of show(s), it’s gravy on top of a bonus.
Alex, you may not speak for Planet Bluegrass, but you do speak for the festivarians. :flower
It seems that Planet Bluegrass has abandoned the forum for a while with all official updates being sent through e-mail or on Facebook, and nothing here on the forum.
I’m wondering how much longer the forum will exist if this keeps up.
Maybe it’s just too much for Planet Bluegrass to handle at this time, what with all the pandemic has brought to the table.
I’ll try to remain confident that we’ll continue to have this family of festivarians to keep us going. :cheers
To be honest, I didn’t even listen to bluegrass or know about TBF until 2017, when I drove myself up solo from Baton Rouge, LA on whim. Needless to say, my life has changed & I went all in. I now currently live in Denver & love the history, spirit, & people involved with TBF. I do my best to keep up with the festival updates & I am good at scouring public records to find official happenings haha. The silence from PB was too much for me, so I took things into my own hands. I don’t mind doing the work the get the word out, esp for all of the fine people here.
Skipped out on RR Saturday because I got a last minute catering event + gig with Extra Gold (cosmic/honky tonk) that I couldn’t turn down. I’ve got tix for both weeks of TBF so, I wasn’t TOO sad to miss the happenings at RR.
Thanks for the kind words, Tom! Looking forward to seein’ ya in a few weeks in TP. I hope PB uses the forum in the future. The e-mails are great because not everyone has time to spend on here, but I believe the forum is incredibly helpful, not only for us to plan out our shenanigans, but for newcomers to get a good feel of the festival. The depth of information found here is astounding. I will happily help with the forum in any capacity. ALSO, some people on facebook bring so much toxicity & negativity to the threads there it makes it impossible to be a productive source of reliable info. It’s not worth reading through 50 negative comments to find 1 piece of information. I would really hope PB is not ditching the forum. It could maybe use a facelift with the UI, but even that’s not even totally necessary.
They modified the last order only to reflect indoor mask polices - Denver doesn’t require masks outdoors & they stated that if you’re in an INDOOR group with 80% of them vaxxed, the masks aren’t required. Workers aren’t required to wear masks anymore as long as 85% of your staff is vaxxed.