What exactly does a VIP 3-day pass get you?

[sidsjiff]

I've searched and can't find this answer so I'm hoping some of you know ... sorry if it's redundant.

This is my 3rd Coachella and because I'm an idiot I had to get a VIP 3-day pass thru Amex Gold Card. I've always simply gotten the regular (2-day) pass before.

From what I recall people saying in prior years it gets you access to the tents that are on the slope near the Main Stage -- correct? Is it really that special?

I've occasionally seen people mention better booze? What does that mean exactly? Free water?! Johnny Walker Blue Label?

Last year I noticed that at some of the stages (i.e. Outdoor, Mojave) there seemed to be people watching the bands from the side pretty up close in an area divided away from the crowd -- does VIP get you that?

**Sigh** Just hoping there's some decent reason for me to have spent an extra $200 and having to deal with picking up at willcall. Would have preferred getting hard tickets ... at least I'm going ...

[amyzzz]

Yes, those are the VIP tents.
I think you get hard alcohol over there as opposed to beer. They have food over there, couches in shade tents, a "powder room" tent for girls to put makeup on, and more bathroom trailers. You might see celebs, but I didn't really see any. Not terribly special, although there is a lot of shade and shorter lines for food and bathrooms, which can be nice. The "sidestage" VIP is different from normal VIP bracelets.

[vinylmartyr]

Backstage access is different than V.I.P..

[C DUB YA]

The VIP is shitty

[sidsjiff]

Hmmm .. care to elaborate on why it's so shitty?
is it because it's a bad deal?
or is it that it's actually worse when you're in the special tents?
or is the water laced with a laxative?

[C DUB YA]

Well if you pay for it - yes its a very bad deal.

1. You're not really close to anything other than the main stage and youre not very close to that.
2. You'll have to deal with stupid fuck Hollywood types who are just there to pose with their new fucking handbag.
3. the food is the same.
4. While there is more alcohol choices, it ain't free and time drinking is time NOT watching great music.
5. Its fucking crowded in there after 5pm (when everyone VIP, decides to show up)
6. Cell phone talkers everywhere
7. sticky sofas
8. Did i mention you can't see anything really?

[woogie846]

For $200 dollars more it doesn't sound all that great.

[C DUB YA]

It ain't. save the $200 for band shirts and other swag at the merch booth - cuz you'll look stupid just wearing a VIP braclet.

[DblMintGum]

Andy Dick

[ivankay]

C Dub Ya's assesment of VIP is pretty right on from last year. Why the VIP was so crowded last year? Got me (conterfeit wrist bands or overselling?). i'm sure GV heard plenty of complaints and will more than likey make changes to make the elbow room a little roomier. Before last year it was a cool place to not wait long for water, food, or the bathroom. Last year wait times for both didn't differ at all. There were more shaded areas (in 2004 that was a God send) until the intorduction of the themed tents around the grounds. There's a fountain that was nice for dipping my hat in for walking around in 2004 (05 and 06 were much cooler). Food used to be better, but last year the selection outside was yummier. The attitude and vibe got a little crummier last year (Madonna factor?) with a lot more "cool" people than years' past. It is nice to have access so you have the choice to either use it or not. Hopefully the necessary changes will be made so the VIP experience will be a worthwhile one again.

[vinylmartyr]

In 2001 they had free food in the VIP area. It was a catastrophe.

[ivankay]

In 2001 they had free food in the VIP area. It was a catastrophe.

i can imagine why. But why?

[psychic friend]

free cheese sitting out in the hot sun? you do the math.

[ivankay]

free cheese sitting out in the hot sun? you do the math.

free cheese + sitting out in the hot sun = gooey goodness (unless you have some sort of cholesterol or lactose intolerance problem).

[C DUB YA]

haha

Unless they are given to me - I won't make too much effort for VIP this year - last year spent min time in there anyways due to the crowds.

I was having more fun "out in it" as they say.

[SWEETSHIVERBURN]

free cheese sitting out in the hot sun? you do the math.

SWEET!!!! instant fondue...where is my french bread and veggies

[deersarethenewwolves]

Back in '99-'03 VIP bracelets were A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!!! My girlfriend and I would get them, and watch all of the acts during the day up on the stage with the artists (after the sun went down - security got tighter for the bigger acts and they woudn't allow us up). It was so great, we had all access back then... Then 2004 came around and Radiohead and the Pixies ruined it. I assume the festival just became so big that they coudn't really afford to have posers (like me) frolicking around with all the celebs and sound equipment back stage. After that year VIP bracelets only gave you access to a tent off to the side of the festival, while backstage access was another bracelet and on-stage access was yet another bracelet. (You can now judge how important, or pretentious, someone is at coacella by the number of bracelets they have). For me 2004 was a bittersweet experience - the loss of being a rock star for a weekend, yet also seeing Coachella blossom into a world renowned MEGA-festival.

[C DUB YA]

yep, that defintely happened.