Nudles23:

MuppetCoat:

TinaCap:

That's too bad, Golden Ager. I can skip seeing CL at Irish 2000 if I have to brave being kicked in the head by a dumb ass or coerced to make way by overly aggressive and manipulative fans pushing to the front in the 11th hour. I don't need to stare full frontal at CL to enjoy their music. If what Muppet Coat says above is true and CL fans are typically dumb asses at Irish Festivals, and it's *shrug* no big deal to them, I'm happy to skip their act.

I hate crowds like that. Idiots.

 

It's not CL Fans - it's drunk people at an outdoor festival full of beer. But thanks... Honestly, If you weren't expecting that sort of crowd, I have to wonder if you've ever been to a festival like that ever before. No one said you have to be in the thick of things, my friends' kids watched from the back/side and had a great time.

 

 I'm going have to disagree to some extent on this one...I like Carbon Leaf a lot..and the Tosser (hometown band) who played before them...It was an ideal lineup to me...three bands I really like playing back to back to back...But the Carbon Leaf fans ruined it for a lot of people...I was there ALL day and the body surfing ONLY happened during CL...I also thought it was tacky that while the crowd was chanting "Great Big Sea" before their set and before encore the CL fans to my right were chanting "Carbon Leaf" and the guy next to wouldn't stop saying (I know some of it was beer talking), "They don't suck as much as I tought they would...but CL sould have been the headliner."  I go to several music fests a year and they was by far the most rude crowd that I've ever encountered on several levels. 

 If the woman who stomped on the guy's "private parts" when he was dropped right behind us is reading, "Cheers!" 

On a positive note...the GBS set was GREAT...old favorites, new stuff that will be, "coming out in early June" and the typical high level of energy. 

 

I don't even know how to respond to that. Not a single person crowd surfed for anyone other than CL? What show were you at? There was definitely crowd surfing for the Street Dogs - and a circle, egged on by the band. And most of the more hardcore local acts I avoided had moshing/surfing too. But whatever, it's not worth arguing about. I had a great time, sorry you didn't.

TinaCap:

amyjustamy:

 You could look at it that way.  Or you could look at it another way and say that GBS has various kinds of audiences and some of them mix very well together and others, not so much.  There are plenty of the drunken-a-hole crowd that wouldn't be caught dead at some of the tamer GBS venues I've been to (smaller concert halls) and it's not "a shame" that they can't go, it's just that it doesn't hold any appeal.  I think holding onto the idea that all GBS shows will be the same regardless of venue is a bit over-idealistic. 

One of my first GBS "shows" was seeing them in a local record store with about 40 other people. Will anything every match that? Probably not.  But that doesn't mean that I don't appreciate each GBS show for what it has to offer me, you know?  And when I have kids -- I will not be exposing them to this sort of venue.  I will take them to the nicer venues with the lawn seating and the mostly middle-age/more mature sort of audience that I prefer and think of as better with kids.

Yeah, GBS totally welcomes all kids to shows and they themselves run a pretty kid-friendly show (in terms of lyrics, stage banter, costuming, etc.) but they can't control who comes to the shows and how they behave and they *certainly* can't control the madness that is the pushing/shoving that is part and parcel of a GA show.
 

Yes. I get you. I've been to every kind of GBS show imaginable over the past 10 years like many others. Some are fun, some so-so, some unspeakably exciting. Bottom line is, I still and always hate seeing the physically weaker among us get trampled. It pisses me off at the very core of my being. I'm overly idealistic that way, as I said, as you repeated.

Never said anything about expecting GBS to control the fans--LOL!--although, wow, THAT would make a delicious fly-on-the-wall tour bus conversation, non?!

And look at that, here's me still preferring one type of show experience over another, one type of energy over another. As you say, how I look at this is my choice. :)

 

And I *TOTALLY* get you :)  GA + Beerfest-stravaganza is definitely NOT my preferred venue.  I've seen them in all sort of places over the past 10 years as well (that makes the both of us lucky!) and I absolutely prefer assigned seating with some regular old standing up and jumping and a little jigging in the aisles and some Newfie flag waving etc.

 I think the only thing I found a touch ridiculous is that someone would come to a messageboard to complain that this particular venue (Shamrock) was not kid-friendly. 

For me, more to the point would be that GA pushy/shovey crowds perhaps ought to have a H-Cap section, with a barrier to keep them from getting trampled on -- no one should miss a show do to a disability.  But bringing kids is NOT a disability -- it's a CHOICE.  It's a choice to bring them with you.  Equal access to a venue regardless of ability is a civil right; being an able-boded parent does not afford you *more* civil rights than anyone else.  Sure, it would be nice if it afforded you more consideration from your fellow adults (i.e. people who would respect your wish that your kids not get trampled) but I don't think a beer-rock-station-sponsored rock concert is the best place to test this theory.

In this case, I guess I am lacking in sympathy for someone who CHOSE to bring stroller-aged kids to this sort of a venue (and whether she was surprised because she didn't properly research the venue is beside the point -- having kids requires preparing in advance and not "winging it" when you get there) and then had to whine/complain that the venue was *exactly* the way general-admission venues ARE (really loud, disorganized, pushing, shoving, crowd surfing, people not being considerate of other people's personal space, etc.) 

P.S. Crowd surfing happened all day at all stages. I didn't get there until 5ish and I saw much crowd surfing at the main stage as well as at the other stages I passed.  I wish there was some sort of law that stated that bands could not have their name used in association with the absolute minority of a-holes who do bad things at their shows.  I saw two, TWO people crowd surf at the CL show -- I don't think that's really what I'd call cause for alarm.
 

---

"Wouldn’t it be great, if the band just never ended
We could stay out late and we would never hear last call ..."

Well, a girl can dream :)

In an entirely non-awkward attempt to change the subject, did the Tossers actually make it? From what I was told, "the band that was supposed to go on right before Carbon Leaf" had backed out. Not saying they didn't play, just that if they were indeed the band with the electric bagpipe, they were good. If not, who was that band, cause they were good. :D

amyjustamy:

I saw two, TWO people crowd surf at the CL show -- I don't think that's really what I'd call cause for alarm.
 

What's your take on Irish2000 in Albany at the end of September? I don't know the festival first-hand, but from the sounds of the set up, with a designated kids area, it will be child-friendly. I might like to bring my stroller aged boys along--at least for part of the day. They love music and people and fun. :)

Does anyone have experience with the environment at that festival?

---

Free Cruise Clocks

Only two? Wow, you must have been on the opposite side from us, then because we had at least six or seven people come our way. 

 

Really?  Have you never been to a largely-free (I hardly call $15 "admission") to an all-day rock concert, outdoors, on stadium PARKING LOT?  Or do you not get the gist of what happens at these things?

 Er, not really?  Should I have? Like I said before, I've been to two Celtic festivals in Bethlehem  several years back (that I think were alcohol free), and when I was in college we had the big Movin On' thing each year (which were also alcohol free).  oh,and HORDE and Lilith Fairs, but those hardly count.  The Barenaked Circus in 2001...*thinking* yeah, that's about it.

 

I still had fun, regardless.

 

I'm also amused at the CL fan bashing, since there's a lot of overlap in fans!
 

---

Becca ~ The Girl with the Kitty Ears
S&DIII: 1283
http://www.flutterbydesign.org ~ http://annaonthemoon.livejournal.com

annaonthemoon79:

I'm also amused at the CL fan bashing, since there's a lot of overlap in fans!
 

Psst. We're over it.

---

Free Cruise Clocks

MuppetCoat:

In an entirely non-awkward attempt to change the subject, did the Tossers actually make it? From what I was told, "the band that was supposed to go on right before Carbon Leaf" had backed out. Not saying they didn't play, just that if they were indeed the band with the electric bagpipe, they were good. If not, who was that band, cause they were good. :D

 

That was the danny mcllaughlin band. 

---

Becca ~ The Girl with the Kitty Ears
S&DIII: 1283
http://www.flutterbydesign.org ~ http://annaonthemoon.livejournal.com

TinaCap:

What's your take on Irish2000 in Albany at the end of September? I don't know the festival first-hand, but from the sounds of the set up, with a designated kids area, it will be child-friendly. I might like to bring my stroller aged boys along--at least for part of the day. They love music and people and fun. :)

Does anyone have experience with the environment at that festival?

I've been to Irish2000 twice - 2005 & 2006. In '05, I left in the early evening due to the company I was with wanting to leave (I had to leave and therefore miss the Young Dubliners, as my companions were my ride). In '06, I stayed til the end. Those same years, I also went to an Irish festival they have down here on Long Island in Patchogue, the Slainte festival. Both were fun, with interesting booths and good music. Neither one of those festivals prepared me for Shamrockfest.

It turns out that even reading the posts in here about last year's Shamrockfest and adjusting my expectations a little bit was nowhere near enough to prepare me for Shamrockfest. If I ever go again, I will have to remember adjust my expectations a LOT compared to other Irish festivals I've been to. (Not to stir things up again, but I was 2nd back from the barrier during Carbon Leaf. By the time I thought to start counting, I counted a minimum of 15 crowd surfers. Some to my left, some to my right, several over my head. And, at least one was a repeat, possibly even a three-peat, surfer.) The rowdiness that I encountered during the Carbon Leaf set far exceeded what I was expecting. Not being from the DC area, I didn't fully understand how Shamrockfest was marketed. Plus, I hadn't factored in it being St Patrick's Day weekend, which I'm sure ratcheted things up. Next time I'll know better.

As for Irish 2000 - I found it to be very pleasant both times. Waaaaaay fewer people than Shamrockfest. Or, at least it felt that way. And it had a very different vibe. It totally seemed more family friendly to me, and was definitely more about the music and merchandise than it was about beer. The main stage at Irish2000 is even under a tent. And in the back there are folding chairs. There are also tents that have long folding tables and chairs set up so you can sit down and eat the food that you buy. And, I'm pretty sure you can come and go throughout the day if you want to leave for a little while. Don't quote me on that, though.

The first year I went, my group included two little girls - a 6 yr old and a 7 yr old. They had a great time looking at the stuff for sale, eating festival food, and watching the bands play. We had a lot of fun dancing around to Enter the Haggis in the afternoon with no worries about people crushing us or soaking us with beer. The following year, I had my 18yr old cousin with me and felt no worries about him being in a different area of the tent from me while we watched Seven Nations at night.

So, to sum up - Unless it's changed in the last couple of years, Irish2000 should be a nice afternoon out for you and the kids!

---

- Michele, from Long Island

MuppetCoat:

In an entirely non-awkward attempt to change the subject, did the Tossers actually make it? From what I was told, "the band that was supposed to go on right before Carbon Leaf" had backed out. Not saying they didn't play, just that if they were indeed the band with the electric bagpipe, they were good. If not, who was that band, cause they were good. :D

Willow - We ran into Terry wandering around early in the day and he told us the Tossers missed their plane.  He also said there was a possibility CL may go on early and play more songs so we kept hanging around the stage hoping to get some confirmation.  Someone finally told us that The  Danny Mcllaughlin Band was moving over from the Tenon Tours Stage to the Bud Lite Stage and taking over the Tossers slot.

** quick note, the Tossers didn't play, another band had to fill in because they couldn't make it in time. it was the "Dave -something' band i think...

this is all interesting discussion. i think the main problem is that hiball entertainment (the company that organizes shamrockfest) advertises this as a 'kid-friendly' event. the website advertises a carnival area for kids, and maintains that the event is family friendly. YEAH RIGHT.

i was really reluctant to go this year, based on what i saw last year. however, great big sea's performance cinched it for me. having been, i am glad that i went, and i really had a great time. it's all about being smart, and recognizing when one maybe shouldn't interfere with others. now, i can sympathize with the idea that parents should realize that a drinking festival may not be an appropriate facility for young kids, however the event was advertised differently, and i know that i was kinda in the same boat last year, as my freinds and i went with my mom, and my friend's mother. i was mortified to be around such idiots, in front of my mother!

i am definitely a carbon leaf "newbie", but honestly find it interesting that folks were more obnoxious during their set than GBS's, since GBS was not only the headliner, but actually played drinking songs.

the truth is that the REALLY obnoxious people had no idea who was playing, and just bought tickets to drink. there were folks behind us screaming, "come on stage great big sea! whoever you are!"

---

it's not so bad.

**before you get mad at someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Because then you will be a mile away, and you will have their shoes**

Paulawalla:

i think the main problem is that hiball entertainment (the company that organizes shamrockfest) advertises this as a 'kid-friendly' event. the website advertises a carnival area for kids, and maintains that the event is family friendly. YEAH RIGHT.

Thanks again, Paula.  You were one of the people who suggested that this is not a great festival to bring the kids too.  I am very happy we decided to sit this one out.  You are absolutely right about the advertising.  According to the website, it looks like a great place to bring the family.  If not for you and others who were familiar with the Shamrockfest, we probably would have gone and people would be questioning my sanity.  I hope that all of the people who had kids with them made it home unharmed.

So far it seems that the Albany festival will be entirely different.  Let's hope so!

Did anyone have a chance to catch Jefe's band?

---

~Life will be all that you make it~

We were right in the middle of the crowd -- and the security guys could hardly get them over our heads and down on the ground before they had to get back up on the fence to deal with another surfer.  Some of them enjoyed the experience so much they went right back to the end of the line and started over again.

 Carol

annaonthemoon79:

Only two? Wow, you must have been on the opposite side from us, then because we had at least six or seven people come our way. 

 

Really?  Have you never been to a largely-free (I hardly call $15 "admission") to an all-day rock concert, outdoors, on stadium PARKING LOT?  Or do you not get the gist of what happens at these things?

 Er, not really?  Should I have? Like I said before, I've been to two Celtic festivals in Bethlehem  several years back (that I think were alcohol free), and when I was in college we had the big Movin On' thing each year (which were also alcohol free).  oh,and HORDE and Lilith Fairs, but those hardly count.  The Barenaked Circus in 2001...*thinking* yeah, that's about it.

 

I still had fun, regardless.

 

I'm also amused at the CL fan bashing, since there's a lot of overlap in fans!
 

 

Mmm nope.  I was two people to your right, Bob-side.  I was the one who got the nasty drunk removed out of our area and found the cell phone for that girl who dropped it. 

---

"Wouldn’t it be great, if the band just never ended
We could stay out late and we would never hear last call ..."

Well, a girl can dream :)

Sounds like an absolutely amazing time.. I wish I could have been there! Great Big Sea is definately a band like no other.. and Russell Crowe???? When does that ever happen! lol.

 A few friends and I drove out to Atlantic City from Toronto to see them at the House of Blues on Friday night and I'm kicking myself in the butt for not going the extra 3 hours to Shamrock Fest.AHHH!  Whats another 3 hours when you've already driven 10? lol.

All that for $15-. Can't beat it!

---

"Move along I believe there's something beautiful to see"

Read and post cruise reviews