Just to play devil's advocate
....
Some people who have either never been to the TBF or are simply motivated to attend (any festival) by the music lineup alone are put at a disadvantage ... since they're competing with:
1.) A large segment of attendees who WILL attend year after year, regardless of the lineup, simply because it is the TBF and all that it entails.
2.) The "hype" surrounding the festival generated over recent years has caused an influx of new people who are purchasing tickets in the same ways as #1, but without having experienced the festival ... just going on word of mouth.
3.) Ticket hoarders / scalpers ... the degree of activity can be affected by #1 & #2.
Telluride Blues & Brews also puts tix on sale before announcing their lineup, but I've typically waited until the last minute with them (aside from last summer due to Phil's presence). One could have a bigger beef with B&B in so far as their VIP tix selling out before the lineup is announced ... especially with the way the VIP section was a bit more obtrusive this year. I suppose one could extend on this to look at the fact that it's a municipal facility (Town Park) which is being leased. Even though everyone has an opportunity to gain access via a ticket purchase, it is nonetheless a glorified game of "Lets Make A Deal" (i.e. What's behind door #2?).
Breaking out of devil's advocate mode, one could easily look at past TBF lineups and note who's a "regular", semi-regular, and also figure out that there will be some joker's in the deck. See HF's for full set of logical possibilities.
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