I’m really glad I saw the posting about the photos link on the band’s fb page. This led me to this forum discussing VIP experiences. I had a couple of issues with my VIP experience. First of all, and I suppose this is the most important, THE WHOLE CONCERT WAS AMAZING!!!! Easily the best rock show I’ve ever seen. Godsmack and StainD are two of my favorite bands. These tickets and the VIP package were a birthday present to myself. While the concert was incredible, the VIP was certainly less than so. I purchased the Gold package for the sole reason of getting to meet the band. I arrived at the venue 30 minutes before the appointed time and waited where I was instructed to. At the right time, a lady came from within the building and said she was there to hand out the VIP materials. You had to show her ID and your ticket. After handing out everyone’s items we were told two specifics of the M & G. There were to be NO PICTURES and you could only have ONE thing that the band would sign. I was not too surprised by this as other meet and greets I had attended had similar rules. But this is all that we were told. As we were brought inside I was chatting with other members of the group and was sorely disappointed to learn that not everyone there had purchased the Gold package. There were people who had purchased Silver packages as well. Several of the people actually showed me receipts and their ticket that said so. According to the MassChaos website, the Godsmack website and Ticketmaster, only the Gold package came with a meet and greet. It seemed HIGHLY unfair that people who paid considerably less were afforded the same opportunity. Good for them that they got to meet the band for less, but very irritating to those of us that paid more for that specific detail. Once we got to the table, we were herded right thru. It was hello, sign, next. I would say that my actual face time with the band was less than 30 seconds. Then we were pointed out a side door to wait back outside where we started for the remaining 2 hours before doors opened to the venue. I understand that the band itself doesn’t control the VIP experience. I also understand that they have many commitments on the day of the show. But the whole process seemed much less controlled than I expected. Anyone could get in, some people who only purchased one ticket got more than one of the VIP items and beyond the no pictures and one signed item, we were not given any other information. Go this way, stand here, out this door. If more attention had been paid to those who actually paid for the M& G, then the short time the band had for it could’ve been spent with those people. Not just hurry to get all 50 or 60 through.
The other distressful thing didn’t come up until tonight. When I saw the fb posting about VIP photos, I was somewhat confused because it said that they were VIP photos from the MassChaos tour meet and greets. During my VIP, I was under the impression that photos weren’t allowed. So I followed the link and realized that these were indeed photos from the M & G’s. My concert date was April 15 in Estero, FL. The earliest date on the link was Apr 17. I was very upset to learn that the fans in FL that paid an equal amount as fans in other cities weren’t afforded the same chance for pictures with the band. Even if was like other posters on this thread have said and it was a walk up, take a pic and go, that would’ve been acceptable. Just to have that souvenir of you with your favorite band would’ve been worth it. From what I could see in the photos, everyone had the same exact items the fans in Estero received. I was originally scheduled to be in Nashville the day of that show and looked into buying tickets and another VIP because I like Godsmack so much. The items listed were the exact same as what I had purchased for the Estero show. There was no mention of a picture. My work plans changed and I ended up not being there. So that makes it even more upsetting that hard earned money I paid didn’t seem to get me what it got others. Why weren’t VIP photos taken at the Estero show meet and greet?? Several of us were talking after we met the guys and we were all wondering, “Is that it?” There was a guy who had tour credentials walking around outside and one of us asked him if that was all for the VIP packages. The items and a quick autograph. We wanted to make sure we didn’t miss anything. He replied that was it. I was very disconcerted to see that photos were taken on subsequent tour dates with people who apparently paid the same price I did and got a much better experience.
For future tours, I would make sure that it is stated very clearly what will and will not be part of the VIP packages. It should be the same for all cities. Then that needs to be enforced. No matter who is in charge of it.
