Mixtape Festival 2013 (Seen July 27, 2013)
 
July 31, 2013
 
I have mixed feelings about the Mixtape Festival. The second annual VH1 sponsored festival featured NKOTB, Boyz II Men, TLC, the Jonas Brothers, Hanson, among other smaller, newer bands. The festival was two days, July 26 and 27, at Hershey Stadium. While I enjoyed the show, I thought the way the VIP ticket purchasers were handled was pretty poor.
 
In an attempt to get closer to the artists, I purchased a silver VIP ticket. This option allowed me to get just the one day, July 27, for $325 (plus taxes). It should have included a meet and mingle barbecue AND a chance for meet and greets with the artists. In fact, the website stated this when I purchased the tickets. In one of my confirmation emails, it also had the meet and greet times listed for the Saturday VIP Schedule. However, hours later, another email was sent without the meet and greet sessions. After an email to the CID officials, it was confirmed that there would be no meet and greet with the artists, but I might have a chance at the barbecue. Quite disappointing, but still, I was looking forward to the weekend trip to Hershey, PA.
 
The silver VIP ticket also included tickets to a broomball match with NKOTB, Hanson and the Jonas Brothers, tickets to the park, private air-conditioned, flushable toilets, access to the VIP tent and the afterparty. In addition, we got a goody bag with a T-shirt and water bottle, as well as seats in row 5.
 
Sounds fantastic right? Eh. Again, I’m mixed. I was disappointed with the lack of access to the artists, only got to meet Shawn from Boyz II Men after the barbecue. The food was subpar and running low after we waited 45 minutes on line. We were locked inside the stadium from 1:30pm until after the show was over, as we weren’t allowed to leave the stadium after the barbecue like we were told. We found out later, as long as you left before 3:30pm, you would be allowed back in later. We found this out at 3:45pm. Way to go management.
 
After waiting around after the private Jonas Brothers concert, the staff put out a few couches and tables for the VIPs, however within a half hour, the staff came back and removed the couches. It was a mistake, and they needed the seating for the artists’ lounge. Again, way to go management.
 
The flushable toilets started to back up before the show even started, however, they were fixed within an hour, which was good. And the bar in the VIP area didn’t open until after the barbecue, around 3pm. The girl checking IDs stated that they actually opened an hour early, as they were supposed to open at 4pm. Why you would have a VIP section without access to anything to drink, but Gatorade and water bottles, seems a little silly to me.
 
The show started on time at 5pm, but was stopped in the middle of the second act due to an incoming storm. It was then that I was grateful for the VIP access, so I didn’t have to stay out in the rain. But within 20 minutes the floor of the VIP tent was flooded and my sneakers were soaked. Not cool. And I feel while the even was rain or shine, the VIP staff wasn’t really prepared for a rain event, as chairs were only put out once people started trickling in and the VH1 VJ started an impromptu dance contest to whatever was on a Pandora mix. Huh? Yea. My thoughts exactly.
 
Now everything was an hour behind. And while I thought there would be more food and trinkets sold in the VIP area, there was only a bar and a vegetable platter, which some bowls of chips throughout the night. Very disappointing.
 
Once we headed out to our seats, no one escorted us to them. The numbers were almost washed away, but we managed to find them. No one was really checking that people were seated in the right areas, but they sure as hell made sure we didn’t stand outside the white line. Very frustrating.
 
The show itself was fun. The time between the acts was really quick, which saved a lot of time. Boyz II Men was great. Very grateful to be performing in front of such a huge crowd. Sounded great and had a lot of energy. The Jonas Brothers were talented, but I’m not a fan and thought they played too long.