First timer questions

yep I am a first timer to Lockn. Flying in from California. Looking forward to hearing all the music but def Phish driven. Also really looking forward to seeing TTB again.

This first timer is mostly driven by the WEEN, though I like Phish also. Ween fans have been pent up since they've been broken up and now that they're back together want to see them wherever they go.

It will be an interesting fan dynamic. I think the tension between the two styles will be interesting.

I don't think their has to be any tension.  I am also ready to become a new fan of some of the bands I've never heard live!

This is my first year as well. Honestly never heard of Lockn until last year and couldn't believe such a kick ass festival was so close that I had been missing out on (I live in Charlotte). Big Phish fan however that's not the main reason I'm attending, just a plus. I'm excited for the majority of the lineup! I know it's different than years past but there are some killer bands lined up to melt some faces off!

I've seen the mounted police making their rounds, so the horses are already accounted for. On top of that, it's Lockn', man. Anything can happen.

That is awesome!

Flattery will get you everywhere

I can't speak for every first timer, but for myself I just couldn't go, I worked two jobs non stop 6 or 7 days a week a lot of the time both jobs in one day. This went on since about 2012 till my promotion at one of the Jobs in August of last year. Tried to take a swing at making it last year, it just wasn't going to work. I needed to replace my former position so we were short at work, and the hiring process wasn't going to be done till mid to late September. I did festivals in the 90's usually would camp off site, as fests got into on site I went to Gathering of the Vibes and a few others, but I was younger so the scene and festy rules were different to an extent and I was more resilient. I love music in general, Phish has gained a following and they were gaining ground at the time that our lord and savior Jerry Garcia went into the next existence. Heads were bitter and grieving Phish just kept playing shows and the internet made it possible for a rigid debate over the bands and legacy. I think Phish just wants to be Phish and play. Ween broke out in the 90's too, cult following with a strange and different kind of music, Ween reuniting for an official tour and playing Lockn' seems to me like good fit, they put on a fun show. I think maybe social media & promotion might be opening up some more interest and when someone comes from far away to Virginia and sports the shirt, and great stories about a real good time I am sure the inevitable growth follows. By Lockn' 2023 we'll be a bigger family for sure, picking up all along the way... Personally I never got to see Phish live. Was in line for the New Years Eve show at MSG 97/98 ticket line and it sold out as we were next for the window. I am just speculating but when Phish Phans are checking out tour dates online and see a festival with 2 nights and 4 sets of Phish & Trey coming off the FTW shows, I am sure Lockn' got put on a lot of radars.

I echo what you said. I literally was entering the lottery for Phish tickets when I googled Phish and saw the announcement had just been made about Phish and Ween playing Lockn'. Immediately abandoned our Gorge plans and hopped on the Lockn' train. We've been starving for Ween and their solo shows were starting to be a drag...

We couldn't believe our luck though because many of the bands/acts playing we are huge fans of. Husb loves Umph, I'm obsessed with Brandi Carlile, we both love Keller and anything bluesy (Gary Clark FTW!). We basically just love to listen to live music all day and meet new people! 

Our kids are now sophomores and juniors in high school and extremely responsible and self sufficient (not to mention wanting nothing to do with us anymore), so we've really been branching out and getting back to what we did before we had the little shits.

That being said, when discussing our summer concert/festy plans with the kids the other day my daughter said "Damn, my parents are having a more lit summer than I am..." 

This has come full circle for us. The kids have gone from needing our attention every minute of every day to being self sufficient where we could leave them and go do our own thing to now realizing that "hey the parents are not so bad after all and they really do some fun shit". That being said my kids (16 and 21) will be with us at the Charlotte show. Took them to see WSMFP a couple of times and UM a few months back and they loved it.

I have never used any bug repellent and have never been bitten by any mosquitos at Lockn IIRC. I don't know what they spray those fields with but it works. Still, better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it...