Marshmallows

[coleman]

Fellow Festivarians...I/we returned to Telluride this year for Bluegrass Festival after taking last year off due to our wedding etc.  I have been to the festival now 8 of the last 10 years, so somewhat of an experienced festival goer.  Off all the positive experiences I've had over the years, I must say that one negative experience has dominated my head since we have returned home...believe it or not, it has to do with silly marshmallows.  Not sure when this stupid act made its way to Telluride, but this was the first time I have seen it and unfortunately we were positioned right in the middle of what turned into a war b/w 2 groups of "meat heads", sorry connot refer to these select individuals as festivarians.  Over an hour after the marshmallows were tossed about, these 2 groups began to hurl them at each other as hard as they could throw them and we were caught in the cross fire.  Unfortunately this escalated during Emmy Lou's set, a festival favorite, and as a result, we completely missed the end when apparantly Sam Bush joined her on stage b/c we were dodging marshmallows buzzing by our heads.  These 2 groups completely disregarded the fact that they might be ruining the festival experience for the many that surrounded them.  We are there to see music, esp the likes of Emmy Lou and Sam, the King and Queen of Telluride, not to dodge flying objects (no matter how soft they might appear to be).  If anyone has a copy of ELou's set, I would greatly appreciate a copy as I completely missed her last 45 mintues or so.  I would further encourage Planet Bluegrass and all Festivarians to discourage this immature idea of fun for the festival in the future.

Marshmallows are only good roasted and placed b/w 2 graham crackers with a hunk of hersey's chocolate....peace, Coleman.

[MDonovan]

So, there's been a lot of mallow hatred going around the boards.

Personally being involved in the "war" (which is such a negative connotation for people having fun with food products) more by chance than choice, I would like to clear the air about a few things. I spoke with the gentleman responsible for bringing them in.

1. The intent of the mallows was purely fun.  Nobody intended to "ruin" anyone else's time.  Apologies to those who didn't enjoy.  People's faces were full of joy and kid-like wonder when they began to take flight.

2.  Nobody once approached anyone partaking in the "war" to my knowledge about stopping or being annoyed by the mallows.  Telluride is a very open atmosphere and maybe if you would have said something, the situation could have been changed to enhance your experience instead of taking away from it. If people don't know your being bothered, they have no reason to stop. Find your voice.

3. Emmylou loved it.  She called them "ghost turds" and was smiling and seemed to be enjoying HERSELF.

4. Granted you establish a spot and would like to enjoy that area all day, but seriously, you're in a festival, and if you are bothered in THAT spot by the mallows, relocate.  What were you doing for 45 minutes that you could have stop focusing on mallows and started focusing on Emmylou?  There's a festival full of amazing people waiting to be met, and new angles on the stage that you may have never seen before.

5. Attending a festival X number of times gives you no right to judge who is and isn't a "festivarian." Does this mean that everyone enjoying the mallow war is a "meat-head?" I would like to think that "festivarians" would be a little more open-minded.  But, since you seem to possess the true knowledge on who makes the cut, maybe you could enlighten some of us.

6. Marshmallows have a diversity of uses and for you to say the "only" good use for them is s'mores shows how isolated and narrow your point-of-view is.

7. I will personally seek out, for you Coleman, a copy of Emmylou's set to display to you that the festivarian spirit does live within said "meatheads," and would appreciate you re-evaluating your post a little.

8. Chill out, man. A whole lot of people, kids especially were stoked on the mallows.

That being said, you are completely entitled to continue being disgruntled about something that's in the past and can't be changed.  Sorry you were so deeply affected by it.

Matt




 Listening to: "Why can't we be friends" by WAR, just for you Coleman

[lalagay]

I didn't originally intend to take part in this debate, since it's my core feeling that this forum is about sharing the love rather than the discontent. I hate arguments, and I wish we could all just get on, I mean, we all love bluegrass music right?!? We should be at peace with each other!

Anyway, I've decided to share my side of this experience, just because I don't like someone being so fully put down for expressing and honest opinion.

For my part, I experienced the marshmallow fight during the Tim O'Brien set on the Sunday. I was lucky to be seated on a tarp right center, about one tarp row from the front, and was thoroughly looking forward to this set of one of my favorite musicians, accompanied by Bryan Sutton and Stuart Duncan no less, who I regard to be one of the most talented fiddle players around. I might add, for historical purposes, that I had seen Tim play previously in London, but I'd never seen Stuart Duncan, and when I discovered he was part of the Tim O'Brien band, well, it set my heart racing, because I've been listening to his music for probably 18 years of my life, and the thrill of seeing such a great musician live for my first Telluride and first bluegrass festival, it was almost too good to be true.
So there I am, sitting comfortably in prime position, ready to enjoy a particularly special set (I must have got there 20 min before to ensure I was as close as possible to the stage), and the music kicks off. Well, for the first 15 min or so, all was well, the music was good, the rest of the audience was at peace. And then, the marshmallows start to fly.
I'm not against fun, I don't despise adults behaving like kids, I think everyone is entitled to amuse themselves as they see fit. In fact, I'm pretty sure, under other circumstances, I would find myself taking part in this kind of mock fight with soft missiles (pillow fight anyone?). But surely, during a set at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the fun is about enjoying the amazing music, right?!? I mean, what you want to do back at camp, or in the kids area, or anywhere else apart from in front of the main stage is none of my business, and by all means, a festival is about having fun and enjoying yourself.
All I want to say is that I came to that particular spot at that particular time to enjoy the music, and I expected the rest of the audience that showed up to be there for the same reasons as me, after all, I did part with a certain amount of money to be able to be there in the first place, and that's not even mentioning the fact that I flew all the way from London, UK, to be at the festival. Also, just for the record, that I've been saving up for the past 2 years to be able to afford the trip, and finally, that making it to a bluegrass festival has been a dream of mine for perhaps 6 years now, and I've been a bluegrass fan all my life, just to give you a perspective.
So when the marshmallows start flying, I think, yeah, whatever, if they find it fun. But when fully grown men start standing up in front of me and taking part in the fight, throwing them across the audience, and finally end up standing there, with their back to the stage and the music, cheering on their opponents with jeers and shouting grunts of victory when they managed to get their target, I felt I had to say something. I mean, I was as close to the stage as I could practically get, and I couldn't see and hardly hear the musicians. I didn't feel it was my right to ignore the thousands of festivarians seated behind me and go and stand in front of the stage and block their view as mine was being blocked right now. When I expressed my feelings to the above mentioned guy in front of me, by simply voicing the fact that we were right in front of the stage, and if he didn't care about the music, could he possibly continue his fun somewhere further back, he seemed hurt and put out, and muttered something about being aloud to have fun, before moving away. Sadly, that didn't really solve the problem, as there were many others like him out there, in the front rows, still taking part in the fight. The fact that he was hurt by my comment I found pretty rich, and I wonder if he stopped to think how I felt, or how the rest of the crowd who weren't taking part felt, or how the incredible musicians felt, playing to a crowd to busy to pay attention to their music because the audience are either too busy launching marshmallows or have out right turned their backs on them.
Now tell me honestly, if you were on stage, from the musicians point of view, how would you feel if you were playing to an audience like this. Are you sure you'd find it gratifying, would you take it as a compliment to your music that half the supposed audience is throwing things about with their backs to you? I personally would take it as a sign that the audience was bored and I'd obviously done something wrong. That's why, on top of being pissed off that I was having to miss half the set by no fault of my own, I was feeling increasingly bad about the lack of respect such amazing artists were being shown, and I truly hoped that they weren't taking it too personally. After all, it's perhaps just me being paranoid, I didn't ask Tim O'Brien when I saw him what he thought of the marshmallow fight, but did any of you bother to ask him?
And the bottom line is, I came from very far and waited a very long time to be in Telluride and see these amazing musicians play, and I was sad to experience this kind of thing at what I expected to be one of the best festivals for bluegrass lovers in the world, which it was, albeit this particular moment.
So if I had to vote, it would certainly be against this kind of practice at the main stage, as I honestly don't feel like it adds anything positive to the experience.

[BillyBeru]

I didn't originally intend to take part in this debate, since it's my core feeling that this forum is about sharing the love rather than the discontent. I hate arguments, and I wish we could all just get on, I mean, we all love bluegrass music right?!? We should be at peace with each other!

Anyway, I've decided to share my side of this experience, just because I don't like someone being so fully put down for expressing and honest opinion.

For my part, I experienced the marshmallow fight during the Tim O'Brien set on the Sunday. I was lucky to be seated on a tarp right center, about one tarp row from the front, and was thoroughly looking forward to this set of one of my favorite musicians, accompanied by Bryan Sutton and Stuart Duncan no less, who I regard to be one of the most talented fiddle players around. I might add, for historical purposes, that I had seen Tim play previously in London, but I'd never seen Stuart Duncan, and when I discovered he was part of the Tim O'Brien band, well, it set my heart racing, because I've been listening to his music for probably 18 years of my life, and the thrill of seeing such a great musician live for my first Telluride and first bluegrass festival, it was almost too good to be true.
So there I am, sitting comfortably in prime position, ready to enjoy a particularly special set (I must have got there 20 min before to ensure I was as close as possible to the stage), and the music kicks off. Well, for the first 15 min or so, all was well, the music was good, the rest of the audience was at peace. And then, the marshmallows start to fly.
I'm not against fun, I don't despise adults behaving like kids, I think everyone is entitled to amuse themselves as they see fit. In fact, I'm pretty sure, under other circumstances, I would find myself taking part in this kind of mock fight with soft missiles (pillow fight anyone?). But surely, during a set at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the fun is about enjoying the amazing music, right?!? I mean, what you want to do back at camp, or in the kids area, or anywhere else apart from in front of the main stage is none of my business, and by all means, a festival is about having fun and enjoying yourself.
All I want to say is that I came to that particular spot at that particular time to enjoy the music, and I expected the rest of the audience that showed up to be there for the same reasons as me, after all, I did part with a certain amount of money to be able to be there in the first place, and that's not even mentioning the fact that I flew all the way from London, UK, to be at the festival. Also, just for the record, that I've been saving up for the past 2 years to be able to afford the trip, and finally, that making it to a bluegrass festival has been a dream of mine for perhaps 6 years now, and I've been a bluegrass fan all my life, just to give you a perspective.
So when the marshmallows start flying, I think, yeah, whatever, if they find it fun. But when fully grown men start standing up in front of me and taking part in the fight, throwing them across the audience, and finally end up standing there, with their back to the stage and the music, cheering on their opponents with jeers and shouting grunts of victory when they managed to get their target, I felt I had to say something. I mean, I was as close to the stage as I could practically get, and I couldn't see and hardly hear the musicians. I didn't feel it was my right to ignore the thousands of festivarians seated behind me and go and stand in front of the stage and block their view as mine was being blocked right now. When I expressed my feelings to the above mentioned guy in front of me, by simply voicing the fact that we were right in front of the stage, and if he didn't care about the music, could he possibly continue his fun somewhere further back, he seemed hurt and put out, and muttered something about being aloud to have fun, before moving away. Sadly, that didn't really solve the problem, as there were many others like him out there, in the front rows, still taking part in the fight. The fact that he was hurt by my comment I found pretty rich, and I wonder if he stopped to think how I felt, or how the rest of the crowd who weren't taking part felt, or how the incredible musicians felt, playing to a crowd to busy to pay attention to their music because the audience are either too busy launching marshmallows or have out right turned their backs on them.
Now tell me honestly, if you were on stage, from the musicians point of view, how would you feel if you were playing to an audience like this. Are you sure you'd find it gratifying, would you take it as a compliment to your music that half the supposed audience is throwing things about with their backs to you? I personally would take it as a sign that the audience was bored and I'd obviously done something wrong. That's why, on top of being pissed off that I was having to miss half the set by no fault of my own, I was feeling increasingly bad about the lack of respect such amazing artists were being shown, and I truly hoped that they weren't taking it too personally. After all, it's perhaps just me being paranoid, I didn't ask Tim O'Brien when I saw him what he thought of the marshmallow fight, but did any of you bother to ask him?
And the bottom line is, I came from very far and waited a very long time to be in Telluride and see these amazing musicians play, and I was sad to experience this kind of thing at what I expected to be one of the best festivals for bluegrass lovers in the world, which it was, albeit this particular moment.
So if I had to vote, it would certainly be against this kind of practice at the main stage, as I honestly don't feel like it adds anything positive to the experience.

What LalaGay said. 

Everybody's definition of fun will differ so the Planet has basically said we will provide you 4 days of music, beer, food, vendors, and the Telluride 360. Do with it what you will. No other items are needed (well, except for hooch, woof, and bacon. Oh yeah, other festivarians!).

[Hippie]

 

Thank you La La...

I too have slayed flamingos, thrown things, dipped my head in the San Miguel, and done all sorts of interesting and exciting things at Festival. They happened in the campground or on the various hiking paths around Telluride.

We all make this pilgramage to the valley for the same thing..... MUSIC.

I too experienced an "eeeewwwwww" moment while dancing on a tarp during Tim's set. A marshmallow had become attached to the bottom of my sandal; I scraped it off with my right foot and the residue rolled right down on top of my neighbors sarrong (probably brand new, purchased from a TBF vendor). I stopped immeadiately and extracted the offending piece of white corn sugar and continued dancing.

I too fall in the camp that NOTHING should be thrown during a festival set, except for Love and Admiration for what the performers bring to us. We are there to Listen to the music not to express our individuality as selfish humans in the early 2000's...

I'll gladly hug you, share some hooch, sit or stand, and enjoy the music. We all share these tarps, let's show the musicians and our fellow festivarians a little respect.

Pay Attention Folks.

<<<End of rant>>>>

&

[John R]

It was a novelty last year during the Swell Season.  When I heard it happened this year, I thought to myself that I hope it doesn't become a regular occurrence.  It's about the music.

[bluegrass bill]

marshmallows wars suck...It's such a distraction to the performers and the audience...I hope this does not become a tradtion every year at TBF, and does not transfer over to Rockygrass...

[BGBG]

marshmallows wars suck...It's such a distraction to the performers and the audience...I hope this does not become a tradtion every year at TBF, and does not transfer over to Rockygrass...

 Singing along and dancing in my seat is all I'll be doing during the performances. There is time and a place for food fights and frivolities.       

 Listening to: More Love - Tim O' n Darrell Scott

[dawgwannabe]

.
2.  Nobody once approached anyone partaking in the "war" to my knowledge about stopping or being annoyed by the mallows. 

I was going to stay out of this, but...

I asked the people with a bag of them who were two tarps away. I just said: "I wish to listen to Tim, it's why I am here.". They told me to "get a life" and "learn how to have fun". They didn't understand why we just picked them up and put them in a bag to throw away. It took some will power not just to steal their marshmallows and toss them into the compost. Part of me wishes I would have.

Fun for me is listening to music, not whipping things at people. You folks didn't give me a choice, and that is not kind. Period. End of story. I don't see how getting hit 30 plus times unwilling by any object can be considered "fun". I won't go to any event that involved throwing anything at people. It's not me. What gives you or anybody the right to put me in the middle of such behavior?

If you wish to really apologize offer to pay 1/4 of my ticket.  To me that day was ruined by those actions. Last year I vowed not to stay in Town Park again because "fun" for me isn't forcing people to listen or be part of your own actions, and I didn't. I had a nice hotel with a couple friends and got good sleep.  Unless I hear Planet Bluegrass is going put an effort to stop people throwing things there is no way I will come back again. I love the music. It is why I go. I don't go to be caught up in the middle of infantile behavior. You couldn't pay me to be involved in such a war, and I was paying to be there. 

Hopefully it doesn't happen at Rockygrass; Planet Bluegrass puts on the world's best festivals but they need to make sure the music stays the focus.

Have fun, enjoy. But make sure the others involved are willing participants. Since we all paid to listen and watch music, I think it's only thing you can assume we all want to be involved in.

[nfire]

 i can't see how little tiny marshmallows can affect your ability to listen to the music, and i seriously doubt that it affects the artists.  i don't partake in this, never have, but if i got hit by a marshmallow, i'd pick it up and toss it in the air!  it's like being at a show where there's a beach ball bouncing through the crowd or the crows holds up lighters during a slow song. 

one time i was at a leftover salmon show and vince kicked a giant stuffed chicken out into the crowd.  i must have got hit in the head with that damn chicken 3 or 4 times, but i always just picked it up and tossed it along, always enjoying the music and all the good people having a good time.

and i remember people here loving the marshmallows during the swell season last year, not too sure what got into everyone's britches all of the sudden.

i have no idea why it could be such a big deal that it ruined an entire day of the festival for someone.

no clue why you can't toss a marshmallow and listen to a song at the same time.

anyway i hope you don't hate me for expressing my opinion!

 

[apollo]

i can't see how little tiny marshmallows can affect your ability to listen to the music,

Guess you never had one hit your eye.

Or chuck so hard at such a close distance it cause you gasp for breath

or had 50-100 of them come at you in a 15 minute time period

One marshmallow gently thrown in the air that hit wouldn't be big a deal

But people were throwing them like fastballs into people faces... it was not fun

[connielv]

ok......It's getting close to GO time for my rant.......it's coming!

All marshmallow throwers have been warned........wait for it........

[nfire]

wow, i lost all my festivation rating.  sorry for having the wrong opinion guys! 

[BillyBeru]

i can't see how little tiny marshmallows can affect your ability to listen to the music, and i seriously doubt that it affects the artists.  i don't partake in this, never have, but if i got hit by a marshmallow, i'd pick it up and toss it in the air!  it's like being at a show where there's a beach ball bouncing through the crowd or the crows holds up lighters during a slow song. 

one time i was at a leftover salmon show and vince kicked a giant stuffed chicken out into the crowd.  i must have got hit in the head with that damn chicken 3 or 4 times, but i always just picked it up and tossed it along, always enjoying the music and all the good people having a good time.

and i remember people here loving the marshmallows during the swell season last year, not too sure what got into everyone's britches all of the sudden.

i have no idea why it could be such a big deal that it ruined an entire day of the festival for someone.

no clue why you can't toss a marshmallow and listen to a song at the same time.

anyway i hope you don't hate me for expressing my opinion!

 

I can't speak for what happened to your rating but in reading this post here, there is a tremendous amount of irony.

In one breath, you say "don't hate me for expressing my opinion" yet you show a similar intolerance just a few sentences prior with the following comments:

"I have no idea why it could be such a big deal that it ruined an entire day of the festival for someone."

and

"i can't see how little tiny marshmallows can affect your ability to listen to the music, and i seriously doubt that it affects the artists."

Well, nfire, how can you? It's not your opinion - it is others who are expressing their opinion and you can't understand it. Sounds like some people on this forum don't understand your opinion either.

The bottom is some people didn't like the marshmallows. It's their opinion.

[lalagay]

Just a note: there's quite a big difference between a few marshmallows flying around and a full blown fight that takes the participant's and non participant's focus away from the music and the enjoyment it's providing to those who care to listen.
The analogy with the beach ball being tossed around in the audience seems pretty inaccurate, since the beach ball wouldn't be forcefully thrown at specific members of the audience, who'd retaliate with their own set of beach balls, until half the crowd is more interested in how to dodge or hit rather than the amazing music coming from the stage.