Small umbrella shade tents

That doesn't solve shade, though; we all bake together, separate but equal.

Also, there is tons of room for GA in front of both stages and you can see each stage even if you are in front of the other. The VIP area is on ground level from the soundboard to between the stages; there is more GA room in front that VIP in front. VIP does not interfere with GA viewing.

Then, VIP has an elevated platform back from the stages. It creates a little shade on the sides for GA, but no shade for VIP.

SVIP has the aisle along the front of the stages, maybe 10' wide? Doesn't interfere. No shade.

Back from the stages there was an artsy tent that was more decorative than functional, but still gave a little shade.

The beer and food tents are solid shade, and you can hear the music from there, but not see too well, so time your breaks from the sun, just as VIP has to.

I had VIP but spent most of my time in GA with my less fortunate family members. So I can speak first hand to it all.

The reason for the rule? Last year, several selfish GA holders set up all kinds of tents in the viewing area and left them there until way after dark. A real PITA. Most were vacant for most of the time, too.

During the daylight hours the stage area is not very crowded. I suspect that if you were cool about it, and set a small structure far from the standing crowd (just like the "picnic blanket" crowd would do), and took it down in the late afternoon, it won't be an issue or a problem. (Hint: bring a luggage lock and fasten your gear to a fence when it's folded up and not in use). And there is lots of room back from the stages for blankets and shade tents and you can see the 'trons and hear very well (I had good sound, and could see the screens, a mile back on the VIP hill.)

BTW an umbrella is a shade structure.

Now, they need to keep the selfish ones from setting up lines of chairs in the front of the stage--again, not a real problem early, but a major one in the dark. The blanket people are not a problem; when it gets crowded, I ignore the blankets and walk all over them, despite their baleful looks from below.

It's shady in the beer tent.  Everywhere else, Slim Shady.

BTW, last year I was sitting in my permanent spot under the pseudo-shade tent in the middle of the field on Thursday afternoon. A couple sat near me with little umbrellas attached to their chairs, and one of the staff came by and made them take them down.  Def they were not blocking anyone's view as they were sitting up against the front of one the tent poles.

Now that I look at the rules, I think this was the same rule as last year. One thing consistent at Lockn is inconsistent enforcement of rules and restrictions (the VIP borders were porous, as ICE would say).

Official Rules:

◦Blankets and low-back chairs are allowed, but only behind or even with the FOH/Soundboard
◦Small umbrellas are allowed, but only behind or even with the FOH/Soundboard

"Chairs behind the soundboard" would have been a good rule and would havce worked out OK; they were a big problem too far up.

I hope they police VIP better than last year. Pretty annoying to have a GA wook ooch it's way directly in front of you and start dancing in your face. 

Don't think that's special to VIP Smosey.  They trashed the ADA bathrooms too.  Sometimes I wonder if wandering out to the far reaches of car camping would yield me a clean porta potty...

Dont forget they mentioned some kind of "'lumni lounge" in the main field for this year. That could help some of us.

I just bring an umbrella in if its super hot and/or seek shade like everone else. In the beer tent, alongside of platforms, vendor tents and wherever else I can find it.

A wide brimmed hat can really help too.

Last year Starr Hill had a tent and viewing area with decent stage view, beer and snacks, shade--but it was invitation only, like a meet and greet set-up. I don't see Starr Hill being involved this year (yet) and it's going through some changes. Maybe that tent or something similar for lumni?