This is for day one of 2022.
First, the performances were overall amazing. Lord Huron and the Avett Bros, in particular, turned in amazing sets. But I'm reviewing the event, not the performances.
Though we were on time, the shuttle bus situation on the Island was a mess. After waiting about 25 minutes in line, a bus pulled into the taxi lane instead of the bus lane and loaded the people who were at the end of the line first, which caused us to have to wait for the next bus. No big deal, but we were excited to see The National Reserve -- the first band on the schedule. We were leaving in the bus about 30 minutes before they were supposed to take the stage, so this seemed adequate. Nope. The driver was literally learning the route as he went and we missed more than half of their set before getting off the bus and we STILL had to wait in line to get our chairs. Those lines had absolutely no indicators to tell us which line was correct for the chairs. A half-dozen other people were confused about which line was for wristbands, which for chairs, etc. There were just lines and no one explaining them.
OK. National Reserve missed, but our spirits were still high. But with no shade available and no cooling stations, things quickly turned miserable. There WERE plenty of port-a-potties, but they were like easy-bake ovens and -- again -- NO COOLING STATIONS to ease my near heat stroke after my single visit to the toilet. We were further back since we were in the designated "chair-areas" (not that it appeared chairs were being restricted further forward), so had to rely pretty heavily on the big-screens. The screen nearest us had a large "black" area on it (I'd guess 2' by 1'), which often obscured the band's faces. Also, the screens would often feature crowd shots which is silly since those of us looking at them are doing so because we can't see the band clearly.
But the last two acts (the aforementioned LH & AB) came on and turned it all around. We were so happy... until it was time to leave and fewer than half of the exit lanes were in use. We were a sweating mass of people crowded together, miserably shuffling toward the exit. But we knew that the water taxis (which is our only option to leave the island) were a 10-minute walk away. Well.... that walk was extremely dark, with lots of traffic, and no signage or event staff to guide the way. We had to use google maps to get us to the dock. It took us 15 minutes and we weren't positive we were in the right place until we got there and saw a sign that said "this way to water taxis," at which point I said "it would've been nice to get signs BEFORE we were here" to which a guy walking ahead of us replied "there are signs on the other side of the street. We're not supposed to be on this side." Um. What? I didn't see those signs and I'd been on the other side of the street for a few blocks. If we have to be in a certain place to see the signs, a member of staff should've made it clear to us where we needed to walk.
So, now we're at the water taxis and it was 8:30. Our taxi wasn't scheduled to leave until 9:00 and we were told to wait in a different area until the earlier taxi left. There was almost no light there and it was a literal PEN. Like metal barriers in a rectangle that we had to wait in like cattle. It was funny enough that we were laughing about it. Until the lightning started. And then the driving rain. We were soaked through in minutes. Why no shelter? But, 10 minutes later, we were climbing aboard the boat via narrow ramp at -- no joke -- a 45-60 degree angle. It was so perilous and slippery that two crew members were having to hoist us up it and one of them had to ask for relief because it was such hard work.
Though the ride was scary due to the storm, it was effective and delivered us to the mainland. Once we disembarked we had another very dark walk to the waiting bus which, luckily, was ours. There were at least a dozen not-so-lucky passengers who were told they would have to wait (the rain was still going strong). We could hear the driver during a series of calls say that someone needed to go back and pick up the people who were still waiting because -- as we overheard her say a few times -- no one informed them of back-to-back arrivals.
Though I'm dying to see some of the remaining acts, I just cannot imagine putting myself through that again. It was more than stressful; it was dangerous. The conditions in the venue were medically questionable for children, older attendees, and anyone with a tendency toward heat stroke. Exiting the venue was a fire hazard. Getting to the water taxis was perilous due to the traffic, darkness, and lack of guidance. I'm truly shocked at the level of ineptitude on display in the execution of this event.
More signs (at ferry terminals, at the entrance, at the exit), more knowledgeable staff strategically placed and willing to help, and more focus on safety. The bands and your patrons deserve this respect. read more
