Locals' Tickets Sell Out at 11:45 this morning

[thomsd66]

Boo hoo, boo hoo. You all know it is called the "telluride bluegrass festival" so how dare all of us unworthy outsiders want to come spend our hard earned money at their festival. I bet Durango, Cortez, Montrose or any other town in the area wouldn't mind taking our cash. What a bunch of entitled jerks you locals are. There was a post before about a volunteer being bitten. They failed to mention the incident at the road block at the edge of town where a prominent citizen (her words) tried running down a police officer because she didn't want to show her pass. Maybe they should move the fest so we don't have to put up with you locals.

[Rob_from_Ohio]

I hope your friend in Cleveland can talk me down from that ledge.
[/quote]

My theory, which I admit was developed over the course of several IPA's and Harpoon Winter Warmers, may be more wishful thinking than something based on emperical evidence or rigorous market research, but since you asked...

The dramatic increase in demand for TBF tickets is a direct result of social media sites and online message boards that promote bluegrass and other types of music/bands, as well as festivals (see JamBase, Phantasy Tour, etc.).  So, people that have been attending many of the other larger festivals around the country are now learning about TBF.  At the same time, bands like the Stringdusters, Greensky, Trampled, YMSB are growing in popularity, specifically with the younger crowd that attends all of these other fests, like All Good, Waka, Bonnaroo and even EFF and the annual Phish fest.  OK, so that's not earth-shattering news.

But here's where my "this too shall pass" may come into play.  These other fests feature other "elements" that are not a part of TBF, or are at least not present in such large amounts.  TBF doesn't offer the late night or all night electronic dance party that a lot of these other festivals now include.  Sure, we have Nightgrass, but it's not DJ's and light shows and kids in fairy wings and glitter and glowsticks and all that comes with that scene.  I think a lot of the folks that enjoy that scene will come to TBF once, and then return to the other fests that cater more to their crowd.

Along those same lines, I think some folks will come to TBF not expecting the number of familes and kids that attend.  I can see this being a turn-off to the crowd that looks at the festival as just a 4 day party.  Do a bunch of 20-somethings really want to hang out around my 4 year old son and his 9 year old brother?  Maybe the Kelty's are enough to drive them away!

Like I said, maybe this is just wishful thinking.  Maybe all of these new folks will fall in love with the valley, the town and the festival, just like I did at the 24th TBF.  Maybe they'll come back every year.  But then again, maybe TBF is just the "cool" thing to do for some of them and they'll experience it once and be done.



 Listening to: YMSB @ Cleveland HOB 11/3/2011

[FaceOnMars]

But here's where my "this too shall pass" may come into play.  These other fests feature other "elements" that are not a part of TBF, or are at least not present in such large amounts.  TBF doesn't offer the late night or all night electronic dance party that a lot of these other festivals now include.  Sure, we have Nightgrass, but it's not DJ's and light shows and kids in fairy wings and glitter and glowsticks and all that comes with that scene.  I think a lot of the folks that enjoy that scene will come to TBF once, and then return to the other fests that cater more to their crowd.

^^^^^ = "spunion factor"

I think your general assessment is well on the mark, at least with respect to a "new component" to the equation regarding social networking and how we're simply more interconnected on this front.  As to how much this element factors into the equation is anyone's guess.

By the same token and with some overlap, the Phish shows 1.5 years ago was probably another steriod shot of sorts.

Perhaps the TBF will resonate and change some of the more negative aspects of those who are just in it to "rage" in such ways 24/7 & not the reverse where such behavior becomes accepted as the norm.

However, I don't think the latter is going to happen so long as the lineups aren't radically adjusted to cater to such a new "element".   Take it from someone who likes their face stolen right off their head, only RRE late night last summer did the trick on this front.  This is not to say the festival was not magical and stacked with the best of the best, it's just not 100% on target with what this other element might be seeking if one had to generalize.

[Iriecycle]

"Bummer" for every local that doesn't get a ticket and wanted one.  pERHAPS THEY'LL BE ABLE TO VOLUNTEER, damb caps lock.  Hopefully, they will enjoy Elk's park more.  Perhaps they'll attend more late night shows.  Maybe they will have more conversations with festevarians from ___________ .  My wife and I missed our opportunity to pick up tickets.
In more than twenty years of TBF.  I've missed one against my will.  I spent time with my kids at the playground, turns out they like that spot better than in the fest.  We also listened to music in Elk's park, and caught acts we/ I would certainly have missed.  Perhaps The Telluride Bluegrass Festival is outgrowing Telluride, I am quite sure PG has considered this already.  Those of us who have traveled for music know there's no better venue, though have heard Byron Bay isn't bad.  Certainly there is sufficient talent in Telluride to produce another festival on the same weekend, then again so could PG.
From my extensive breadth of perspective you make the most out of every situation, or not.  Sometimes the most is sitting emptying one's mind.  Having walked through the town campground prior to festival, and throughout, it is the best use of that facility all year, every year.  Sure Blues and Brews is a'ight, TBF is better in the campground.  You that make it what it is range from employee to volunteer through participant.  The biggest deal about TBF is more participants than tourists, i.e. ticket holders, patrons, or any other entitlement, than any other event I've been to, accept perhaps The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, yet there the participants are far more diluted by the tourists.  The "festevarians" was a term among us long before it was in the schedule/ program, probably before Shawn Colvin wore dreads.  Reading the program last year it came to my attention that there was a coolest hippie development going on.  Festevarian = ) Genuine, beyond labels, SERVING, willing to be a problem for a larger solution, not correct, right, and certainly not PC, except by chance.  I really like the idea of Local's Tickets going on sale first, seems implemented for next year.

I mentioned Pat, Pat Morris, passing away last Saturday night under tragic circumstances.  There was another Topic established for him by Hope Lin.  I decided to delete or edit previous info/ thoughts for him from this topic.  I apologize for any confusion.  Now listening to Jerry and the band tear it up from GD Live, Goin Down the Road Feeling Bad.

 Listening to: speakers hum, realizing music sounds better; Tim McGraw - Blank Sheet of Paper

[Auntie Hope]

"Speaking of festevarians, Pat passed away last night, if you've been up front allot at TBF you've seen Pat dancing."

This is, sincerely, the saddest news. Pat was a beloved member of the Festivarian Nation. 

Auntie Hope 

[Hippie]

What sad news, another true festivarian passes  ...

Dancing Hippie
RIP

[Auntie Hope]

What sad news, another true festivarian passes  ...

Dancing Hippie
RIP

That was actually my first exposure to Pat, that exact dance to Jerry Douglas. Right after that tune someone brought back four beers in a drink holder and Pat made a mask out of the drink holder within seconds, placed the mask over his face, and off e went, dancing to Jerry's next tune. >sigh< I need to find that picture. 

Iriecycle, you also bring a wonderful vibe to this place, and I thank you very much. 

[TellurideTom]

Hope Lin, always appreciated your vibes in this forum.  Truly sad news, I figured the right folks would find out if dropped in the midst rather than some header Topic.  Perhaps after the info disseminates a Subject/ Topic dedicated to Pat, in all his glory would be appropriate.  There are a few You Tube videos I've seen w/ him gigging.  I love honest characters.  Some would say one could be honest to a fault, I think they've got something to hide, or are not willing to confront.      peace

Well, Pat never had anything to hide and was an honest to God true Festivarian.
He will be missed.

[landshark]

I loved that energy. Sunburned to a crisp and danced all 4 days. LOVE em and he will be missed for sure!

[FaceOnMars]

Hadn't heard, that's very sad news Iriecycle!

I did not know Pat very well, but definitely sensed a kindred spirit in him at musical events around the area over the years ... still can recall him "dancing" by running around that big cobblestone circle to the music of Joint Point last year on (ski area) closing day in the TMV plaza.   He had a huge smile on his face while almost sprinting around this 20 yard diameter circle of stone, very much like a kid playing in the snow ... just having fun.

[completejohn]

I really think that this discussion of Pat needs to move to its own post topic.  It's important that people who may not care about his locals' tickets topic know about this tragedy.

Pat was iconic.  Everyone know of the "dancing guy" up in the front of the stage.  I never knew him well, just had a beer and a pick with him once, but he was really a nice guy.

I also think that we festivarians who watched with awe as he shook and shimmied in the early afternoon sun should honor him with a dance of our own at a pre-planned time and day.  What say you?

[Lisa Delia]

Oh no!  He was a staple!  Will definitely be missed.   

[Cindy Lou]

Oh no! That is awful about Pat! I danced with him many a time, in the festival grounds, at the opera house for various shows over various years, and up on the mountain a couple of years ago on the last day of ski season.  Oh my gosh, that just breaks my heart. May I ask, where did this happen?
RIP my dancing friend.

[Cindy Lou]

I really think that this discussion of Pat needs to move to its own post topic.  It's important that people who may not care about his locals' tickets topic know about this tragedy.

I also think that we festivarians who watched with awe as he shook and shimmied in the early afternoon sun should honor him with a dance of our own at a pre-planned time and day.  What say you?

If I am there, I will most certainly dance for Pat.

[FaceOnMars]

Didn't intend inflame, rather just comment on the recent and very broad trend of high demand for the TBF over the past couple of years.

I must've been near the very end ... since I was there around 10:40.  One of the TMC's owners said they opened up early at 9am when they saw people waiting early in the morning ... didn't want to see them wait in the cold.  I had actually picked up a regular rate ticket at the end of Dec ... didn't want to take a chance, nor wait in the cold.  Already have a few people asking for that one (for face) & I'll hold on to the slightly discounted local's ticket.

I know it won't help for those who don't have, but any local could've bought the tix earlier when they went on sale in the general pool.   The only contention I have (which isn't very big) is to suggest simply putting the locals' block on sale first ... this way, once they're gone they're gone, and locals without locals' tickets will know what they have to do vs. being dependent upon a somewhat misguided notion that they'll be "looked after" on the ticket front.

   I think it will save a lot of headaches by doing it this way (although would be one to suggest considering adding single day tix to this pool in the future ... since it's a big commitment to take off 4 days of work).

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/10/18/news/doc507de2c1484ef621421591.txt

Bluegrass begins preparing for 40th

Hoping to get ahead of the curve this year for locals tickets, crowd size
By Katie Klingsporn
Editor
Published: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 6:06 AM CDT
Last year, organizers of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride officials and long-time festival-goers were caught by surprise when an unprecedented demand for tickets fueled a record-breaking sell-out of the annual music festival.

Planet Bluegrass was forced to react to the demand with last minute measures and tweaks in its processes. It moved its annual locals ticket sale a month earlier, parceled out single-day tickets via an online lottery for the first time ever and even released 400 more passes for residents of San Miguel County, pushing its crowd capacity up to make room.

With its 40th Anniversary coming up and the experience under its belt, Bluegrass is hoping to get ahead of the curve this year and has already begun preparing for another big demand.

Planet Bluegrass was given permission by the Telluride Town Council last week to increase the maximum crowd size in Town Park from 11,500 to 12,000 for its 2013 festival. In addition, Planet Bluegrass is changing its local ticket option — it will be selling locals passes at a holiday discount price in November this year, much earlier than in years past.

*
“If next year’s anything like last year, it’s likely these tickets will be gone before Christmas,” Craig Ferguson, president of Planet Bluegrass, told the council last week over a conference line. He said Planet Bluegrass hopes to avoid a re-run of last year, when many locals accustomed to waiting until the last minute to buy their passes missed out and then were upset.

This time around, Planet Bluegrass is addressing the issue in a couple ways, according to Brian Eyster, director of communications for Planet Bluegrass.

First, it will be offering nearly three times the number of locals discount passes — 2,500 four-day passes will be available at Telluride Music Company. Second, these passes will be available in a special pre-sale during the month of November. (Tickets for the general public will be available on Dec. 5).

“We realize that purchasing tickets in November is a significant change that will require pre-planning,” Eyster said in an email. “But we feel it’s the only way to avoid last year’s ticket crunch for locals. We can’t predict the pace of this year’s ticket sales, though history has taught us that anniversary years typically generate a large initial ticket demand.”

The details of the sale are as follows:

• Planet Bluegrass will sell up to 2,500 four-day passes to residents of San Miguel County. These tickets will be available from Nov. 1-30, while supplies last.

• Tickets will be sold in-person only, exclusively at Telluride Music.

• No single-day tickets will be sold during this pre-sale.

• Residents of San Miguel County must present a proof of residency (local ID, utility bill) at time of purchase. Each San Miguel County resident may purchase one four-day pass for him/herself, as well as a second four-day pass for a guest (who need not be a San Miguel County resident).

• If the allotted 2,500 passes are not sold during the pre-sale they will be sold to the general public (at the regular price) beginning on Dec. 5.

• These passes will sell for $180, which includes a $15 discount from the regular price. (Planet Bluegrass is not increasing four-day passes for 2013.)

The town council was in support of the measures.

“I think this makes all kinds of sense, particularly given the celebratory nature of the 40th anniversary,” said council member Ann Brady. “I’m all for this. I think all the preplanning is excellent.”

Town Manager Greg Clifton said he really hopes the word gets out.

“The message that needs to get out is: This is an opportunity for you to purchase your local tickets early … but it will not come back this year,” he said.