This is kind of a new thing at festivals. Festival-Promoter Hell must be full of endless headache-y issues like this, but still, these things seem a bit over the top to me and I believe it’s time to open the dialog.
I noticed a few of them at Telluriude last year - right behind the low-back chair Mason-Dixon line, of all places (give folks an inch…). There’s no doubt this chair doesn’t meet the low-back requirement, but what about the area between the sunshade line and the low-back chair line? If it were up to me, we’d still have the low-back rule in place all the way back to the sun shades, but these hybrid shade chairs are giving me conniptions.
Good question. A topper’s a topper. Should go to the shade area, same with umbrellas. We don’t sit in the front area 'cause we don’t usually arrive that early with the kids, ya know, little green room runs and that sorta thing, but we still wanna see something other than somebody’s topper. If we wanted to see a topper we’d sit behind the shade area. Maybe push the shade area up a couple rows to accommodate these folks. Hope that doesn’t sound like too much of a hard butt, but, I’m over half a century old and we use low back chairs without toppers no matter where we sit.
Hi folks…we have used the shade chairs for a few years and I can understand your gripe, so we’ll put them back with the tents in the “shade” area.Question…what if we just leave the shade in the down postion and only put it up if it rains.Is that cool? They really are awesome in foul weather…you can put a piece of plastic over the top and…voila! instant tent! Thanks! :wave
I didn’t see too many of the shade chairs at the fest. <whew!>
Although, in the future if there is an explosion of chairs that becomes a problem for folks, then I agree that they should be relocated to the back as well. Now that there is oodles of shade space (thanks for moving the fence line back!), then complaints should be to a minimum.
I agree with giving these folks a special area, but not in front of those of us who are just trying to see the stage in the low-back chair/ just sit on your tarp area. Trying to see Brandi Carlile through an umbrella was a little frustrating. :lol
I saw a two shade chairs a little ways up in front of my group but luckily they were not blocking my view. But I’m sure the people behind them were displeased.
We were by a group of Topper-chair folks on Friday and Saturday. They had a blue tarp with a big green star on it. Had the chairs strategically assembled in a line parallel to the white line of the center aisle … by the center sound tower … I felt bad for the folks in line-of-sight of stage behind them. I thought of saying something to them … but thought that might me misperceived as unfestivarian since none of the badged PB’ers I saw suggested to them that they move. As was alluded to … I guess that jury is still out. For the record, tho … I consider those chairs a Festivarian Foul.
We use umbrellas from time to time, between sets, maybe while sitting down and nobody is in back of us. So why do you want to make us move tot he back? I wouldn’t say that is very friendly, maybe you should just move back and avoid us.
The original idea for low back chairs was for the sake of those behind you and “their view”.
We have all lived with this standard as long as I can reamember (well back into the early 90’s for me)
It was always the policy that IF a basketball would go under it was NOT OK.
Simple, Umrellas/shade should be in the back like always.
I spent more than a decade, up early, in lines, then racing to get a shade spot to accomidate my small kids. No complaints from me, it’s just what you have to do if you want shade. Just because something NEW, fits the rules, the principle hasn’t changed.
I don’t think Planet Bluegrass needs any new rules just make sure people don’t streach the existing one’s to far.
There is a version of the shade chair that does sit low… I think it is the Kelty three legged sling chair… and it has a topper thing on it. I have noticed these in Lyons at RG and Folks but have never had to sit behind one to experience the VBF (that would my new acronym for View Blocking Factor!) Now, I have to admit that my little low cahri has a puchon the back and I keep an umbrella in there most of the time but only get it out for RAIN when I put it down way low over my head in attempt to stay dry and when everyone else seems to be doing that same thing. I don’t use it for shade … though maybe just putting it over legs would be a good way to prevent some sunburning… ah but I digress.
The thing is … we don’t “slf police”… we just grumble… and I have seen people put tall lowe backed chairs up front… meaning chairs that sit tall… higher than a basketball but that have a short back… which is really a moot point once a big person sits on that chair… but no one says anything to them. Again, this is one of the things that is lost by not having an emcee who can keep track of making those kinds of announcements.
So… one more thing. Its those people who stand up… They have a very high VBF… and can’t they just dance on the side or in the back of the sound stage during the day? The tarp dancing when we want to see… and whcih is why we worked hard to get up front is kind of a bother. Okay… i am getting old… but really.
They are great for the feet when it’s too hot for shoes. But per the umbrella police we can’t have them at all… never mind if we never block somebody’s views with them.
I know, I have said this before but umbrellas and shade chairs are inpolite to others…
I just want to thank Craig, Big John, Steve, Brian, Dustin and all the rest for working so hard to iron out the small issues. I know that I notice ALL of your efforts each year to strive to improve.
But you are the best of the best…and I feel like I want to take you all to dinner for keeping me sooooooooooooooo happy all these years…I’m lovin you guys :medal :flower :medal
Thanks for all your effort it does not go unnoticed! :kiss :kiss :kiss :hug :hug :hug