I thought it would be helpful to start a group so that anyone attending can organize ticket-buying/driving/camping arrangements, as well as see who else is going in general. Please invite anyone you think might benefit from being in the group or is interested in going.
I've tried to get all the info on here correct, but I apologize if I mislead anyone.
I know I'm a loser for writing all this, but I did it while watching TV 'cause I was bored, so don't pity me too hard. I wanted to give everyone who's never gone a decent idea of what to expect, as much info as I can give them about the festival, and generally help convince anyone who's on the fence about going to go. If you've been before, you likely won't need to read EVERYTHING here.
Firstly, thanks to Matt Van Deventer (
www.matthewjvandeventer.com) for the beautiful fish-eye shot of the mainstage at last year's Sasquatch! Festival for this group's photo.
Confirmed:
Foo Fighters
Wolf Parade
Das Racist
Rumored to be playing (I stress, RUMORED):
Daft Punk
Radiohead
Arcade Fire
Pearl Jam
Modest Mouse
The Shins
The Kooks
Sublime w/ Rome Ramirez
Rusko
Deadmau5
Jack Johnson
Ben Harper
Lykke Li
Ziggy Marley
Dark Star Orchestra
Crookers
Twin Shadow
Interpol
Wilco
Death Cab For Cutie
The Decemberists
Fleet Foxes
Spoon
Soundgarden
Chromeo
Strongly rumored (according to
http://sasquatchmusicfestival.blogspot.com):
Twin Shadow - (pic on the internet appearing to show that they have confirmed the date on their myspace
Chromeo
Foster The People
Cold War Kids
Matt & Kim
Best Coast
Wye Oak
Sharon Van Etten
Bright Eyes
Sleigh Bells
Neon Indian
Fitz and The Tantrums
Likely at least 2 of these Greater Seattle Area bands (as has been the case in the past):
Fleet Foxes
The Decemberists
Death Cab For Cutie
Modest Mouse
Spoon
Looks like this year, being the 10th anniversary of Sasquatch! Festival, there will 4 days of concerts, Friday-Monday, as opposed to 3 in the past. PRESUMABLY, this means that camping would run the usual 5 days, Friday-Tuesday.
Tickets this year are also "all-inclusive," meaning that your ticket price will include not only admittance to the grounds but also your camping and parking. In past years you had to buy tickets separately from camping and parking, which were an roughly an additional $100 USD, and each camping spot could accommodate one vehicle and 4 people. No word yet on how they've organized camping and parking, but it appears they've split the cost of these camping/parking passes into each ticket. Tickets for 4-day passes also will likely be exchanged for wristbands. In past years, there has been either no re-admittance to the concert grounds (as they are separate from the camping grounds) or you've had to pay another $10 to get back in. Last year, they cancelled this $10 re-admittance policy and said simply no re-admittance halfway through the weekend because people were coming back too drunk (is there really a too drunk at Sasquatch?). The wristbands this year will likely allow you to come and go as you please, as is common with other festivals.
Accordingly, ticket prices are a bit steeper, but you have to remember you are getting your camping/parking pass AND an extra day of concerts. LiveNation has the tickets listed at $285-295 USD currently, and they go on sale Saturday, November 20 at 10am PST.
I would suggest buying the 4-day pass early-bird tickets for a number of reasons. Most obviously, they are cheaper than buying them later. A lot of people will be hesitant to buy tickets now, because the lineup won't be announced until mid-February, but (for anyone who hasn't already been to Sasquatch), the social experience and beautiful views of The Gorge should be reason enough to go. For anyone who's REALLY hung up on lineup, I read an interview recently with the founder of the festival, Adam Zacks, in which he hinted that there would be some surprises this year, as it is the 10th anniversary. I think it would be safe to say that with increased ticket prices and the 10th anniversary, they're going to try to land some "big fish" bands. As of right now, the only band confirmed is The Foo Fighters, love'm or hate'm. Also, the Canadian and US dollar are almost at parity as of right now, so you're essentially paying $300 Canadian before any charges. I remember last year the conversion rate wasn't nearly as attractive. Another reason to buy them now is that the all-weekend passes sell out every year, and last year it sold out about a month and a half quicker than usual. With all the hype about the 10th anniversary etc, I would think it sells out as quick, if not quicker this year, and then you're stuck buying individual day tickets, likely off of Craigslist which is a bitch.
If you're wondering what you'll need, go with the general camping stuff, however, some key items to bring:
- Off! or other bug spray
- Passport, for obvious reasons
- Baby wipes, to shower with (as George Carlin would say: "asshole, armpits, crotch and teeth"), though last year there were $2 shower trailers
- Flashlights, for navigating between tents while drunk at night
- Cell phone chargers, last year T-Mobile provided a service where you could leave your phone with them at their trailer within the grounds to charge
- Cobra's or other walkie-talkies to keep in communication with friends if you split up to see different bands
- Propane cook-stove
- Chairs for loungin'
Because of the elevation of The Gorge, the wind blows weather systems move in and out very quickly. It could be blisteringly hot in the morning and pissing/hailing by noon. The air is very dry (almost desert-like) and the temperature drops quite quickly after sundown. You'll likely want to bring:
- Sunscreen (duh)
- Warm clothing, like a hoody, sweats or a snuggie for at night
- Shitty shoes/boots in case it gets muddy
- Extra tent pegs in case your tent flies away during the middle of the night (it happens)
- Cheap disposable rain ponchos
- Tarps
I would suggest stopping to fill coolers with beer and ice somewhere just before you get to The Gorge. You might also want to buy anything that you know you can eat for an entire weekend while hung over/drunk. Last year, I found that hotdogs and alphagetti, granola bars and fruit were good to keep me going, while bagels and eggs in the morning was perfect hang-over food. Don't forget gatorade!
From
www.sasquatchfestival.com:
NOVEMBER 18TH, 2010
2011 Is Just Around The Corner…
SASQUATCH! MUSIC FESTIVAL 10TH ANNIVERSARY
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND (MAY 27-30, 2011)
THE GORGE AMPHITHEATRE
Foo Fighters will headline the NEW Friday event. Complete lineup will be announced on February 7, 2011.
Discount 4 Day Festival Passes go on sale THIS SATURDAY, November 20th at 10:00 AM PST. These passes feature convenient “all in” ticket pricing to include festival admission, camping and service fees.
Click here to purchase your tickets to the 10th Anniversary of the Sasquatch! Music Festival, starting Saturday November 20th at 10am PST.
From LiveNation's info for the 4-day passes:
This year your Sasquatch Festival ticket is an all inclusive ticket. No fees are added on top (except for special delivery choices), ticket holders will have access to general camping and parking with no additional cost. However there will be an extra charge should you wish to upgrade to Premier Camping or VIP Parking.
If you purchase the 4 day festival ticket, you will receive just one ticket that will be good for all 4 days. Keep your ticket in a safe place, tickets cannot be replaced.
Remember to take your ticket with you to the Festival; if you forget or lose your tickets the Gorge Box Office will not be able to reissue tickets.
When you arrive at the venue 4-day ticketholders will be required to exchange their ticket for a 4-day wristband Wristbands are non-transferable, non-exchangeable and cannot be replaced. They cannot be removed and must be worn all four days to allow entry. Do not remove, stretch or tamper with your wristband in any way or you will not be allowed entry.
Another good site that usually has good Sasquatch! info:
http://sasquatchmusicfestival.blogspot.com/
From that website, a little piece that made me laugh my ass off. If you went last year, a lot of these will ring true:
(Last year's) Sasquatch! Campground Beer Drinking Game
Not that you need an excuse to drink at the Sasquatch! Campground, but here is the "Often Debatable Semi-Official Sasquatch 2010 Campground Drinking Game" (all rights reserved).
Drink one if.... (dedicated to our northern friends)
- You hear someone refer to themselves as Canadian.
- You hear someone talking about hockey. This would have been huge had the Habs made it to the finals.
- The phrase "washroom" is used to refer to a honey bucket (which is hilarious).
- You witness the game of beersbee.
- You hear someone talking about how they've never listened to one of the headliners.
- You see a Canadian flag (bonus drink if it's in tattoo form).
- You hear "Canadian" used to describe a band.
- You see the honey bucket cleaners (in tribute). It is usually a highlight of the day, especially for the ladies.
Drink two if....
- You see a stupid clever tee shirt that actually makes you laugh.
- You see people dancing on top of an RV or truck.
- Dancing Man or the Decemberists Sex Scene is mentioned.
- You see someone taking a picture of themselves. If you are attracted to the person, offer to take the picture for them. I shouldn't have to tell you this.
- Someone tries to sell you something you don't want. "Hey man, check out this cheerios necklace I made."
- You hear a song/album that makes you think, "OMG, I love this song/album, I haven't heard this in years." You'll know it when you hear it.
- You see someone fall down. Take a bonus drink if they fall down with someone else, and laugh out loud because of it.
- You have to ask someone their name for the fourth time.
- You hear MGMT's hit single Kids.
Drink three if....
- You see someone taking way too long to set up their tent. If you are taking way too long to set up your own tent, pound a beer, start over, and thank me later.
- Someone asks you for directions. If they are obviously lost, but not asking for directions, offer them a beer. They'll need it.
- You see a shirtless man who is a bit too overweight to be shirtless. If the offender is female, refer to the drink five tier.
- You hear the phrase, "I can't believe how drunk I am?" or something very similar. If this occurs before noon, start drinking.
- You see a tent blow away.
- You witness a Frisbee or football hitting a stranger's car, followed by the thrower laughing hysterically while offering an unsympathetic apology.
- The hail storm is mentioned.
- You meet a fan of City & Colour. Give them a hug, and take three drinks of their hard lemonade instead.
- You fall down.
Drink four if....
- You witness someone vomiting. Then offer them a beer. They'll have some catching up to do.
- You hear the phrase, "That show changed my life" or a similar comment. Life changing event is key here though.
- You see someone doing a headstand (just seeing if I can coerce people into performing tricks for the sake of getting their neighbors drunk).
- You hear the pronunciation Dead-mau-five
- You see someone light a cigarette backwards.
- You witness someone blaring death metal. Their attempts at showing everyone how different they are should not be ignored. Offer them a beer, only toss the beer to them overhand with heavy force when they are not looking.
Drink five if....
- You hear two people arguing who are both wrong.
- You see nudity. Take an additional drink for every picture you intend to post online.
- It hails again or snows (you might need to drink more to cope with it).
- A Kia owner is blaring, "How You Like Me Now."
Shotgun/pound a full beer if....
- You meet someone from a different continent who came to the the states specifically for Sasquatch. Have your neighbors join you, because that's just cool!
