Speculation on the Future of Lockn

No worries, I knew that you were not calling me out but I do like to source my material. I appreciate the fact that you think that I could write an epic post .

Oak Ridge has hosted the Jeep Jamboree nine times since inception. I believe the October event is a club event. But, I don’t think any of this spills over to Infinity Downs.

Very nice. I was chatting with the president of a local 4X4 club at the Richmond 4wheelparts store. He indicated they were planning an event at Oak Ridge. I’m happy to see this event at Infinity Downs but a bit surprised it can compete with Oak Ridge with its 30 miles of trails, water crossings and rock gardens. Good news I think.

musicfests365.com/2019/03/25/suwannee-hulaween-will-not-be-returning-for-2019/

The end of this article points to where the money and probably the future is. Small boutique, luxury focused festivals for people of means who want VIP treatment and personal contact with the entertainment. Previously related threads on this forum pointed out how important VIP sales are to the financial health of festivals. GA folks with their inherent frugality (you can look at me) tend to suck the bottom line dry, (hence the heavy searches) so this new trend of just eliminating GA tickets altogether and setting up exclusive events for people who see, "the value" might be the only sustainable model in the near future.

Costco didn't grow huge by making it a place for working class people to get deals on consumer staples. They grew huge by going high end and making it a destination for coastal elites to buy fresh sea scallops and organic veal. Just look at the cars in the parking lot.

Y’all may be in for a surprise. 

Actually that is exactly how they got huge. I think you might mean Whole Foods, or need to visit a Costco. However your point stands, there is more margin in premium products and we are increasingly in a have and have not world.

This article was from 2017 ... probably not relevant anymore  

I don’t post much, but do appreciate the perspective everyone seems to offer – I especially appreciate the sense of humor shown on this forum – everyone just seems to be good people.

I have had 5 months to digest the initial lineup from LockN – and while I do plan to attend this year – I do believe it will be my last. The reason – the value of LockN versus the competition.

My wife and I attend many festivals in any given year. In the past two years alone we have taken in The Peach, Telluride Blues and Brews, Telluride Ride Festival, Trondossa, Sweetwater 420 in Atlanta most years, Floydfest for the past 3 years, ACL Fest in Austin and many, many smaller festivals. We are not campers – wish we were, but bones don’t allow us to…. We have always purchase VIP tickets to any festival we attend – it’s probably our only vice.

My issue with LockN this year is not the lineup – per se – but it’s the money charged for the quality of the lineup. When I compare what we get with VIP tix at the other festivals versus what is offered by LockN – what I get is this… on average LockN costs roughly twice what the others cost – and we get almost nothing for it, compared to other festivals… last year, I reconciled that the extra money was in the lineup – this year – that is simply not the case. Last year at Peach – we had covered seats, meal vouchers, discounted beverages, two VIP lounges, and a great lineup for half the cost of LocKN. Floydfest is comparable in price to LockN, but still less, and you know you have a VIP ticket the minute you arrive. Anything you want to drink is included in the price and the meals served (two a day) are better than most you would find in restaurants – golf car taxis and shuttles – the bling bags, etc. make Floydfest special… Our Sweetwater 420 tix included drink vouchers for 6 drinks a day – each… and, both VIP tickets were less than 1 LockN VIP ticket

My wife and I have seen TTB twice this already this year – never paid more than $50 for a ticket.. . heck, we just caught three Dead and Co shows for less than half what we paid for our VIP ticks to LockN.

Just my thoughts – but my disappointment this year is that - for the money – the value is simply not there.

I believe LockN began their early bird ticket sale so early last year due to cash flow issues… I assumed – wrongly – that their reason for doing so was due to a killer lineup on the way – (i.e. Dead and Co again – or Neil Young, etc.) … I was an early bird purchaser – and was completely shocked at the lineup announced in February. I have waffled back and forth for months about going. In the end.. I decided I liked the vibe there and, well, why not…. But, I will not be an early bird purchaser again… and I will not buy another LockN ticket until I see the lineup… and if the pricing is not in line with other festivals, I will take my money somewhere else…

Sorry for the long post… just thoughts and a contribution to the dialog. Not meant to be negative – its simply an opinion rooted in dollars and cents… in my opinion, there are other festivals that offer the same or more for less cost – much less in some cases…..any festival or business cannot survive operating in that manner – I hope LockN leadership will take note and right the ship. .. I hope to buy another ticket there… but the ball is in their court.

I also hope each of you have a great time at LockN this year – be safe going and coming…. I will be the guy spilling my beer while hunting for a shade tree… LOL

I felt spoiled with last years line up being my first Lockn. I was kinda disappointed with the line up when it was announced this year but still planned on attending. Now with the collabs announced I'm excited to go. I bought early tickets last year, this year I still haven't purchased mine and will get them onsite. I'm driving from Florida so really only crazy weather situation would stop me from coming up. I get it that the Mid-Atlantic states have soo many more festivals within driving distance. I have a soft spot for Lockn and it's people so I plan on making it a yearly pilgrimage. Good news is I found Orange Blossom Jamboree in May about 2 hrs from me and its 4 days $100 w/ camping included and next year they relocating Rockville from Jacksonville to Daytona which is 20 mins from me. So we finally have a couple more options in Florida. Can't believe only 5 weeks to Lockn' Yeah!

I will probably also wait for the lineup announcement before buying tickets next year as well.  See you in the shade.