Concerts: the great outdoors?

May 29, 2008
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This week, Sheryl Crow launches the season for the Lawn at White River State Park and Eric Clapton plays Verizon Wireless Music Center.

It seems an appropriate time for you to offer what you see as the pros and cons of Indy's outdoor music venues.

And while these two offer the biggest acts, feel free to also opine on the facilities at Conner Prairie, the Indiana Historical Society, the IMA, the State Fairgrounds, and the various parks, wineries, and whatevers that are offering music under the stars.

Your thoughts?
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  • DoeMay 29, 2008 8:50 AM
    With DST in the eastern time zones, the sunsets are usually right in many viewers eyes for the beginning of show at both WRSP and VWMC.

    VWMC, as most anyone who has been there knows, is a nightmare to get in and out of. Would like to ride a bike to the show, but leaving at dark, riding on those narrow country roads with a bunch of drivers in altered states is not such a good idea!
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  • FirewomanMay 29, 2008 9:05 AM
    I love outdoor concerts! My favortite thing to do in the summer is to go to Symphony on the Prairie. It's so wonderful to sit out and hear that beautiful music with a glass of wine.

    I haven't been to the Lawn yet. There haven't been any shows tempting enough.

    Also ticket prices are getting really absurd! I am really selective about who I'll pay to see. Especially since Ticketmaster has such high convenience fees. I used to work at a Karma many years ago. The TM fee was around $2-3 per ticket. It was convenient because you didn't have to go to the box office. When the Eagle reunion concert came around and they were charging $75 I think for lawn seats, the TM fee was NOT disclosed on the ticket. I really think the higher fees started there. The last concert I went to, I saved over $20 on two tickets by driving to the box office.

    We're debating on a concert at Verizon this summer. The fee per ticket is around $15! I think those fees are really going to effect how many people are willing to shell out the money to go to shows in the future, especially if they get any higher.

    Sorry, for the tangent, but those fees really bug me!
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  • JoyceMay 29, 2008 11:26 AM
    The parking lot at Verizon is keeping me away from shows there nowadays. When I used to go, sometimes it would take over an hour to get out to the road. I didn't get to any shows on the lawn at WRSP last summer, but I hope to this year.
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  • BryanMay 29, 2008 11:58 AM
    With all the road construction down out at Verizon the time to get in and out is much better this year. I was at Tim McGraw and stayed until the last song. Was out of the regular parking lot in 45 minutes. I had some friends go to MayDay the next day and for that sell out show they waited no longer then an hour to leave the place. I'd say much more improved then in past years for a sell out show. Too bad the City of Noblesville hasn't expanded more of the roads around this great outdoor venue.

    I agree, the ticket prices and fees are getting way out of hand. Makes it very hard to see any concerts at any venue.
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  • ddbMay 29, 2008 12:04 PM
    Yes, many of the concert fees are high. However, there are free concerts all summer at the MacAllister Center, with real seats, don't have to sit on the grass unless you choose to, in Garfield Park. The free Indy Parks Pops Series takes place every Thursday at 7:00. May 29, June 5, 12, 19 - Indy Philharmonic Orchestra. June 26 - FREE - AMERICA WE REMEMBER with Indy Jazz Orchestra, Gordon Pipers, the Wright Brothers and spectacular fireworks, July 10 Anthenaeum Orchestra. On July 15 the Indianapolis Symphony will give their free concert. July 17 Municipal Band, July 24 Pride Band
    July 31 Municipal Band, Aug. 7 Indy Jazz Orchestra, 14 New Horizons Band,21 Athenaeum Orchestra and 28 Indianapolis Symphonic Band. So there are FREE CONCERTS IN INDY. ENJOY.

    Also Music in the Gardens takes place in the Sunken Garden in Garfield Park - also free - June 14 - 6:30 Brenda Williams, July 19 - 6:30 Indy Jazz Orchestra, August 16 at the Mac 7:00 Cathy Morris
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  • JohnMay 29, 2008 1:13 PM
    We may not have Verizon Music Center to complain about too many more years,
    but there will always be those pesky convenience charges indoors or out.

    Outdoor summer concerts can be great events but we go to few of the major
    attractions anymore because of the steep prices and other fees. We got to really
    like the concert. Glad there are some affordable alternatives.
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  • LindaMay 29, 2008 1:33 PM
    I saw Allison Krause at WRSP last summer, it was our first trip to the venue for a big concert. The weather was perfect and I was pleasantly surprised at the accoustics. The big downer was the port-o-potties which are vile even when they are clean. Otherwise it is a wonderful venue with plenty of places to visit on foot before or after the show. I also saw a few shows at Verizon last year and I'm not a fan. The parking, the waiting, the drive, the prices..... Not unless Led Zepplin plays there will I be making another trip to Nob City to visit that venue any time soon. I will make an effort to visit the smaller, local music scene this summer, I promise.
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  • MikeMay 29, 2008 3:28 PM
    This year I think if you car pool with at least 4 people in a car - you get first priority parking and first priority to leave. This is what I read in an article about Verizon wireless going more eco/envio friendly. In addition to having recycling bins, recycled paper, and I think the deal applies to hybrids as well. Not sure about that.
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  • KevinMay 30, 2008 9:55 AM
    My wife and I went to Tim McGraw last week and had a great time at Verizon. We got right in and right out. It seems like all of the new roads and construction over the past few years really helped. If you haven't been out that way lately, you should check it out. There has been a ton of improvements.
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  • DoeMay 30, 2008 11:22 AM
    Mike: are you sure that is the case for any show? I read that is the case for Radiohead but haven't found where it applies to other shows.

    For Radiohead's Aug. 3 date at Verizon, the U.K. rock band is setting aside preferred parking spaces for fans who arrive in hybrid vehicles or in vehicles carrying five or more passengers.
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  • CreamCrimsonMay 30, 2008 2:36 PM
    Doe,

    Speak for yourself. As far as DST, that is one of the best decisions Indiana has made in recent years. A little sun in your eyes for a few minutes is nothing, throw on some sunglasses or be thankful the sun is shining in the first place. Verizon is cake to get into if you go the right way (hint: it is NOT I-69 to the 238 Exit, that is the last way to go).

    You can buy those parking packages for most shows I believe, but as far as the hybrid thing that might be unique to just a few bands.

    Verizon needs to be saved. It is a great landmark for Indy and a solid place to see a show.

    Same for White River. Nice to have options and 2 unique venues of different size and layout.

    To Bryan: Um, 238 to 146th had a major multi-million dollar expansion and the 238 exit just finished off a huge upgrade as well. The back entrance to Verizon was also upgraded. Because they haven't upgraded all roads, doesn't mean they haven't put a lot of money into nearby roads.
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  • LeeJune 2, 2008 1:56 PM
    If you have never done Concerts on the Prairie--this is the year to try it out. They have something for nearly everyone's taste and the price is right for the entire family to go and experience great music. Buy tickets ahead and save a few dollars! Most evenings are beautiful weather, you can take your own refreshments as complicated or simple as you prefer. People watching is almost as much fun as the concert, and the Fisher's police force gets you in and out in a jiffy. We've been season ticket holders for many years--for less than $200 you can see all the concerts with a friend which is a fraction of the price of most live music and you're hearing (and supporting) a world class orchestra. Parking is free!
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  1. liek the rest of America

  2. These quaint,obsessed musings by the stalkers are certainly entertaining, but I'm trying to figure out what, if anything, all the yelping below has to do with Zak Brown.

  3. It's evident that Moffett was pushing the right buttons and corporate America is now trying to squash him. He just wanted to withdraw the free pilot services provided to the company by the pilots to try and put some pressure on a company that has not been interested in negotiating a contract in over 5 years. The company does not provide a contract because not having one has saved them a bundle of money. Shame on any Republic pilots not standing behind their union leader just because things are getting tough, can you not see such strategic moves by the company as putting the last union president in a corporate position and into THEIR pocket. Do you really believe the last union president is so appalled at the attempts by Moffett, do you not remember his oppositions to the company? We stood behind him. It has been proven over and over again for thousands of years without fail, a man cannot serve two masters. Anyone that believes people vote contrary to their paycheck and livelihood deserve to be taken advantage of, the recent statements by the former union president are laughable as he denounces the current union president from his new corporate position. Have you ever seen a drafted sports player score points for his previous team, it cannot be done, he is not on the pilots side anymore, he gets his money a different way now than you and I do, and he should not be allowed to remain on the seniority list. A drafted player brings strength, credibility, tactical knowledge, and a strategic advantage to his NEW team, he would not be drafted or paid were it otherwise. We are all forced to choose only one side to play for and support, not doing so has many references in life such as insider trading and shaving points, all illegal for good reason. This basic fact is why corporate moguls, scientist, and engineers all sign non-discloser agreements and non-compete clauses, as protection in case they are lured into switching sides as our former union president has done. No NFL coach ever drafted a player so that both teams could benefit and better understand each other, they are recruited to win the game against that former team, period. Likewise the company does not recruit the former union president by accident or mutual understanding, its strategy. Don't confuse playing the game with good sportsman-like conduct in support of common business and prosperity goals, with the requirement to only play for one side. Good men we all love and favor fall subject to this manipulation, often without their knowledge, and it is not a betrayal of their friendship to oppose them when they switch sides. If we did not love and trust them, they would not have been chosen and lured to the other side in the first place. The deception by the drafted player is not made at a conscious level, it's just human nature and it's all about money and power which corrupts our ability to be objective and loyal to two masters. This is why our court system created the defense attorney, and why our military created counter intelligence. Its strategy and its propaganda, and it works, and that's why the "powers to be" manipulate the chess pieces by sometimes changing their colors. Some players know they are being manipulated when their color is changed, but it brings them more money and power so they do not care. The rest have good intentions but do not even realize they are being manipulated. This tactic is also known by another name, Divide and Conquer. In battle sending an imperfect message with an imperfect team is obviously not ideal, but it's still being sent by YOUR team, your union leader, a leader that has common goals and common rewards with you, they are the best, because we have elected them to do a job for us. If you are not backing Moffett but believing the spin by those that have recently switched sides, you are taking food out of your own mouth. Showing unity and backing an imperfect situation still results in taking just as much ground, it's about unity and bargaining power. It's not necessary to wait around for that perfect attack because it will never come, the company will spin and attempt to destroy anyone that gets in their way. Ultimately it's not about any specific attack anyway, ASAP or whatever it makes no difference, it is and always has been only about power. If this company cared about safety it would not build pairings with 8 hour overnights, come on, are you that naive? Besides, do you really think Hoffa cares, no, he got a call from corporate America and was squeezed into denouncing Moffett. If he didn't they would spin the safety card against him and the Teamsters National with implication for truckers, future contracts, insurance rates etc...saying something like the Teamsters use safety as a bargaining chip, blah blah blah... Do you really think any pilot is going to do something unsafe for the contract, absolutely not, the only ones threatening safety here is the company with reduced rest, fatigue, and poverty. Do you not find it odd that Hoffa and the Teamsters are opposing a Teamster president publicly? Would the Teamsters National not normally support and work with one of their own? Why did they not sit down and help him strategize, correct any mistakes, and charge ahead? Would the Teamsters National not normally support and leverage a contract for all those pilots that have been paying Teamster dues, isn't that why we have all been paying Teamster dues in the first place? I sure haven't been paying dues so that the Teamsters National could come along and write this kind of an article undercutting our union leader and our unity. Whose side is the Teamsters National really on, it's obviously not the Republic pilots side.

  4. No matter what Moffatt does the company is going to spin it like he is the terrorist and brainwash people like you into believing it, wake up, back your players that are trying to change things for you and your livelihood. Where has Hoffa been for the last 6 years, except collecting our dues. Seriously, do you really think an FO going for upgrade, signed off by a checkairman ready for the upgrade, who then fails, is not even capable of returning as a First Officer.

  5. whoa!

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