Peace. Clean. Green. These were words and symbols we saw all weekend at the Gathering of the Vibes. And overall, there was a lot of all three. But of course, we all know, there were plenty of problems as well. Some unavoidable, some extremely sad, and some just a matter of taste.
For everyone who has complaints, suggestions, questions or is sure that they know how it all should have gone down, I invite you to ask yourself the following question: “Aren’t you glad that you were not in charge of and responsible for everything that took place this weekend?”
Let’s talk about the part of it that you were in charge of and responsible for.
YOUR CAMPSITE:
photo by Chad Anderson
YOUR GRILL:
Photo by Chad Anderson
YOUR BALLOONS:
Photo by Chad Anderson
YOUR GARBAGE:
Photo by Chad Anderson
So before you begin your diatribe about how it was better last year, how they should have had different headliners, how the order should have been different or what else the organizers should have done differently, ask yourself how much better could the whole thing be if you had done your part differently.
Green peace, love and cleanliness.
Saint B
SB –
i will offer this, as far as the main field goes – usually after the final act each night the MC gets up and asks everyone to grab a bag, (which they are happy to provide) and clean up around you. People are usually really really good about pitching in.
With everyone sent scattering off the field 2 nights this year due to electrical storms, the last one having the most long lasting effect, i think you are seeing far more litter than ever before.
That is NOT to say it is excusable… but i think that is contributing to why it is worse than ever.
Otherwise – I echo your comments 100% – be part of the solution, not the problem Vibe Tribe!
Comment by Black Rock Rocks — July 28th, 2009 @ 1:01 pm
I went there two years ago and it seemed okay for the amount of people and the mess left and no serius crimes or injuries or trouble.The secuity/police presence was perfect . The police ambulance staff was’nt overworked by any means. The show was great . I enjoyed myself and thought it was well worth it . But if I had known I was camping 3.2 miles away at west beach with the amount of rain and lack of potolets and showers and overpriced concessions and people that were there to sell unavorable items I most certainly was not going! I have been to 50+ camp shows . The tickets should be limited to 50000 ? I think terrapin sold many more tickets than they planned to acomodate . I stayed at west beach most of Saterday because the beach/campsite was a better enviornment to be in plus I could listen to the live music on the radio . I had more fun talking to other people/campers at the beach then going onto the terrible muddy hay filled and smelly main stage area.Bottom line ,overcrowded !!!!Terrapin made millions more than they planned even with the rain factor . Im sure the maoyor is happy with the revenue derived from the show . But this year I seen 12-15 people leave by ambulance , drunk drivers,people that were there to not help people but trying to start trouble . Ieven saw a police incedent that I dont wish to write about . Terrapin and the city need to have better crowd management to ensure the people that pay 2-300 to go for 2-3 days of camping have fun . At west beach there wasnt enough garbage bags ,garbage cans, toilets, security ,and bus shuttle delays . I wanted to leave early because of this and am never going back . I picked up every morsel of trash at my campsite and left no mark as most usually do . This year there were too many people and not enough garbage containers for the amount of people . Hopefully terrapins mega profit will go to next years show better with less headaches . The signs leading us in had us driving in circles ???? 3 dollar waters and you cant bring non alcoholic beveages to the hot muddy field that was overcrowded . Saturday night I was under the only tree luckily and sat in the shade and it was’nt toobad but the rain shut down the main peformer . I thought Moe could of finished there set with State radio’s Sunday time slot . Many people agreed with this thought but just like the weather no dice . All in all I am going to the much better smaller shows were you can go to the stage easily camp in the shade witm tens of thousands less people and have the time of my life and pay much less . Not pay top dollar for problem after problem and not having much fun at all . The garbage cans were not enough . The security was’nt clamping down on alot of troublemakers . There should be water fountains for this many people and somwhere you can wash your muddy self fairly easily when you pay this kind of money . Terrapin means well ,Bridgeport means well but the equasion forgotten was the amount of people vesus the amount of security and enough free essetials . Hopefully Terrapin and the city can figure this mees out so next year will have less tickets and the 10-20 thousand less people would be much easier . And the lesser amount of people that werent there would probably be most of the trouble makers . The serious nice people that usually go buy there tickets way in advance and the side shoe people usually come late to see if they can sell items not allowed and those are the same that don’t clean there campsite area and throw trash on the ground and could care less about the rules that 90 percent of people follow . This is my comment that someone high up should read but probably never will . Terrapin made way more money than anticipated and surely had more tickets than they should of sold . But who in ther right mind is goin to stop a line of people shelling out high dollars to pay big mark up concessions with filthy toilets . Only in Bridgeport CT you could pull off a stunt as this . So I laugh abit , fool me once shame on you , fool me twice shame on me . I will listen to the show for free on the internet 89.5 fm and have all the ammenities of home . Thanks for reading this if someone actually does . These are true comments could seiously help the bad events there . Thanks Brian Kowalczyk 2039 John Fitch Blvd South Windsor, Ct. 06074 tel: 860 436 9342 . Good luck or better luck next year . Thank you Bridgeport for hosting , I know the problems were’nt the citys fault and you should know who to point the finget at . Thanks again
Comment by Brian Kowalczyk — July 28th, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
I say no more vibes, this isn’t excusable, and is the city having to foot the bill for the clean up? Does anyone in this city actually benefit from this besides the delis selling illegal beer after hours? The vendors are mostly from out of state, and how many times does some kid have to od or how many birds and fish have to die so that grandma and grampa can pretend that the 60′s weren’t a failed generation, wasnt the 70′s and 80′s were proof of that…lets stop living the myths of our parents as an excuse to do illegal drugs while the kids in actual streets of bridgeport, get arrested for non-violent drug offenses…the vibes pretty much suck i couldn’t even call it music culture its only drug culture…and if it isnt let cops walk around the festival the whole time next year..see how nobody comes again…
Comment by not gregg — July 28th, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
Maybe if they booked some decent bands instead of the same old hippie stock there would be no issue with declining attendance, I mean seriously what was different this year than last year? Crosby Stills & Nash? how about some more progressive music for people who are NOT just going there to inhale nitrous and ingest psycedelic drugs for 3 days? Then you would have a music festival and not a party full of people you would not want to hang out with anyway.
Look at events like ATP in upstate new york, Their ticket prices are twice that of the Vibes but they sell out.. Why? Because it is about the music and not the culture of getting F*#ked up.
Comment by just a thought — July 28th, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
I knew this would open a can of worms and Saint B is happy to hear your thoughts. As I said before though, if you all know exactly what should be done and how it should all go, you should definitely plan your own festival some time and see how it goes.
I can assure you that nobody made millions off anything – putting together these types of events is always a labor of love, no matter what you all think. And this is America after all, so there is no sin in making a profit on doing what you love, if you can, and sometimes, unfortunately you can’t.
I personally love the late 60s and 70s and a lot of the music – had a pretty great moment listening to old Neil Young records after spending a day at the Vibes. I even bought what I thought was a pretty cool handmade necklace and purse and the young woman who made them – http://www.elementalthreads.com/ – even gave me a deal.
Thank you everybody for all your comments! Live music in Bridgeport can be really fun – it’s just a lot harder than it looks.
love love love,
Saint B
Comment by Saint Bernadette — July 28th, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
not gregg, Thumbs up! you nailed it!
Comment by just a thought — July 28th, 2009 @ 2:22 pm
I want to echo those comments that the tribe is not excused from responsibility for itself.But I saw a lot of great things this weekend, love and sharing, everyone is quick to be down on Ken, but I saw a lot of things he did right, educational, environmental, letting the youngsters in;and I love all these self-righteous drinkers so quick to hate stoners,oh yeah, now I remember, no social problems from alcohol,nobody ever crosses a line there…a lot of things to be worked on, certainly,(like complete broadcast permission),but should stay in Bridgeport, please, Ken, Mayor Finch,Bridgeporters,
Comment by terry hopper — July 28th, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
I agree that there seemed to be many problems this year. Most of these problems are not created by the ‘Hippies’, a group that I think I belong. The problem is the people that come for the drugs and the party and don’t care about the music. I’m not saying I didn’t have a psychedelic experience, but I bothered nobody, and cleanup up after myself.
I think the solution is to move the Vibes to a very Rural area, where it is more difficult for beggers and thieves to get too. Mariaville, NY is a great spot. It’s too far for most people without transportation. I can’t recall having these problems at Indian Ranch Lookout. The bikers at Indian Ranch do not tolerate the Nitrous Mafia. Bridgeport is located too close to many inner citys… and has easy public transportation… factors that invite uneducated, unresponsible, criminals.
I’d like to personally apologize to the City of Bridgeport for any problems at the Vibes. I love Seaside Park and the support Bridgeport has extended to us. Unfortunately, a festival like this needs to be located far from the inner city, with limited access, where attendees must drive too, and stay for the entire weekend.
Thank you
David A. Pirrello Jr.
Comment by David Pirrello Jr. — July 28th, 2009 @ 7:11 pm
Hippies I don’t Think so, That was my Generation , Now all are Old.
This was done by the next Generation- Y This new generation does not
care about anything. they have no respect for anything or any one. and
its only going to get worse. I feel sorry for the previous Generation who brought Children into this world. I for I am So Glade I never
did.. (Bad Mouth, undisciplined , No where to go except Down. I thank
( The United States Marine Corp, Air Force, Navy, Cost Guard ,and the
Army) for taking the undisciplined Kids and Making the Boys and Girls into MEN and WOMEN any one could be proud of.
Comment by Diana C. Schneider — July 29th, 2009 @ 12:30 pm