I am about whine for quite a while about corporate greed, so if you are into this kind of story, then continue please.  I am very selective about the shows I see at these big corporate stadiums because of the cost of the evening.

I was entering the Bud Stage with a backpack with a towel and two sweaters. That seemed pretty harmless until I was stopped and told I was not allowed to bring in my backpack because it had pockets. What? As I began to question the security about this, I had to go to her supervisor and ask again. She explained my bag was too big and had to be put into a locker for safe keepings. Again What?

I went to the next level up to head of security where I now had the explanation that I could be carrying illegal items into the venue. Well, isn’t that why you have security checking our bags to begin with?

He then tried to explain, that I may carry out alcohol after the show and that could cause problems. That would mean the person serving me would not open the can that I purchased. That is something the Bud Stage should control, not us. I asked him, if I could bring in a plastic bag or tote bag that would be foldable, I could still take out an unopened can of beer. People are still taking things into to the venue like weed and gummies before the show. That could cause problems as well.

He explained that people complained that other people were bothered by having the backpack next to them in the show. Isn’t that something you should work out with your neighbor at a show? Maybe you can put the bag under your seat or your lap?

Now here is where I began to see how the venue is using these ideas to actually make money from. I had to store my backpack in a locker because of their policy. I spent $15.00 to store an empty backpack. There are roughly 100 lockers, both small and large. It costs either $10-15 per locker. They have 2 sets of these lockers. So if each locker is filled, Live Nation, Bud Stage are making roughly $1000-1250 per locker each night they are open times two. So they are making $2000-2500 per event, just to store a bag that they will not let you in with. I definitely call foul on this policy!

I had lawn tickets to this event, and I noticed immediately that the grass on the lawn area was missing. It seemed to be replaced with a ton of wood chips. Within seconds my towels were covered in dirt and my sweater that I brought was getting covered in dirt.

To my surprise I learned that I could be the lucky recipient of a lawn chair if I rented one for a mere $15.00. So let me get this right, I paid for a lawn ticket that the corporation cannot maintain for our sitting pleasure. They resort the entire space for dirty wood chips so they could rent us lawn chairs for an extra cost. I call foul on this policy!

The next day I had to spend $5 and my time at the laundry mat to clean my towel and clothes. The person at the laundry mat was concerned that the stuff on my clothes may clog his machine. This may not work out so well for the laundry mat business. So, this policy is now spilling into the real world, outside of the venue. FOUL!

So this is the real cost of the evening.

1 lawn ticket- $55

1 Locker to store an empty bag- $15

1 Lawn chair to keep my ass clean- $15

Time to go to the laundry may just to clean a towel and sweater- $5

Total- $90 per person.

This of course does not include any food or drink or merch. That could run another $100 easily.

The last time I went to this venue my cost was $35. That’s it!

My story doesn’t end there. I did call the venue the next day to ask more questions about their policies. I left two voice messages with my number and have not heard back.

I received an email asking me about my overall experience, so I gave them a low score. They replied with you can write about your experience and we will address it. I left them my phone number and said you can call me anytime so we can have a real conversation. I did have some questions I needed to ask them. I never heard back.

My advice to you right now, if you decide to go to Bud Stage. Bring your own lawn chair and a tote bag to bring in extra stuff. Don’t complain about your neighbor, they will use that information to find a way to make more money from you. Remember this is a business. They don’t care about your personal wellbeing, they are concerned with running things smoothly and how to take more money out of your pocket.

Eat a really good meal before you go to the show and drink your drinks before you enter. Eat your gummies and smoke your weed before you enter. BTW, I still could smell weed in the lawn area. Be good to your neighbor and have fun at the show with them!

I really don’t think I would have been as mad if the lockers only cost $2-5.00 to store your stuff. It is just such an obvious money-making scheme that it left a bad taste in my mouth.

I still prefer to go to certain clubs and find up and coming bands that will make it big one day. Those are some of the best shows that you will always remember. It won’t cost you too much either.