Jazzfest VIP Package Review - 2007

When I go to most music festivals I usually buy the VIP package if it is offered not because I am snobby, rich or a pain in the ass but I do very well in my day job and after all these years in the work force it is my way of rewarding myself. I am not married, have no mortgage or car payment and my only daughter is off to college and I have to spend my money some way, so this is what I choose. I find that most people that buy these packages do it for the same reasons I do, they love music and if you can do it comfortably, then so be it. You do have the high maintenance ones that think they are all that and more since they are used to attention, we choose to ignore them or point and laugh.

The Jazzfest version of VIP treatment is called the Big Chief Experience, so called I assume because of the influence of the Mardi Gras Indians in New Orleans. It cost $600 for the weekend and if I remember right when I went for both weekends of Jazzfest two years ago when they first offered it, it was $500/ weekend so there is inflation everywhere. You get covered seating, bar that sells beer, wine, soft drinks and water and air-conditioned bathrooms at the two main stages as well as seating that is cordoned off at the Jazz, Blues and Congo Tent. You also have a hospitality area next to the grandstand area at the Fairgrounds that you can go to anytime. The hospitality area is air-conditioned, has a bar and an area with other refreshments such as ice tea, lemonade, fruit, local snacks such as Zapp’s potato chips and Hubig Pies, ice cream bars and comfortable chairs and couches. Great place to chill out between sets and figure out where to go next.

If you have ever been to Jazzfest you know that the weather can be a bit suspect at times as it was on Friday.  The covered seating at the Gentilly stage kept me from deluged with rain, just got a bit damp from the wind blowing it sideways but it was fun watching the kids have their own mud slide into the the swimming pool that formed in front of the stage. The air-conditioned bathrooms were nice but I am sure the ladies enjoyed them more, but not standing in line I can deal with. Having the bar in the tent area was nice also since you did not have to stand in line, but I don’t tend to drink  much beer during the day due to the heat and humidity will kick your butt and alcohol doesn’t help. Learn from my bad past experiences that moderation is your best friend.

The seating at the Gentilly and Acura stages is not right next to the stage but probably about 50 yards away, but the Jumbotron screens more than make up for that. They have 3-4 camera guys working the stage and you can see more on the screen than you can if you were right in front, which I believe was fine for most of the people that I talked to ( except for the ladies when John Mayer came on). You have side stage seating at the other tents with the sight lines not so bad, but you can walk down front and kneel down and take pics if you desire.

I know some VIP packages I have bought in the past have had catered meals brought in, but none here and for very good reason. The food in the booths is OUTSTANDING!!!  This is not your typical festival fare with hamburger and hot dogs, this is lots of local and ethnic delicacies. The list is too long to go into, but every one of these vendors had to go before the Jazzfest Board to get taste tasted before they set up operation. Once you get in I think it is a done deal unless they get complaints but just like the restaurant scene, if you serve mediocre food you will not last long. Pick a booth, any booth and you will have a happy stomach.

Overall, I thought the VIP package was worth it, I got to see great music and meet some funny interesting characters in the meantime. If you had to buy tickets to see ZZ Top, Joss Stone, John Mayer, Harry Connick Jr. and many other others over a weekend at a venue in your city, how much do you think Ticketmaster would charge you?????  Not to mention, this supports the Jazz and Heritage Foundation, which provides lots of great programs for music education in New Orleans as well as promoting Louisiana music.  So there, get to New Orleans next year for Jazzfest .