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There certainly seems to be a genuine lack of professionalism on this tour when it comes to the soundchecks. And why didn't anyone in PG's staff know about the California curfew laws? Or are these just brand new laws that went into effect between time tickets were sold and the actual concert date? It could be that PG's staff are being asked to do more work than they can handle. And fuck Ticketmaster!

the usual fine is 5000$ for every 15 minutes over "strict curfew" although i have seen many shows that went up to 1/2 hour over curfew.With the ticket prises its not that bad expensive yes but lets not be dramatic.

I have a VIP package for Toronto and I am trying not to get my hopes up (honestly, being in possession of a front row ticket, I really have nothing to complain about if I don't meet Peter). However, at a cost of over $600 CDN for the one ticket (not to mention a $650 flight to get there), I agree it warrants some consistency between the venues. Unfortunately even though Peter is The Big Boss, I'm sure inevitably these things are out of his control. And like others have said, I wouldn't know what to say to him (that would vaguely coherent or intelligible) that would encapsulate the effect he has had on my life if the meet and greet did occur. Luckily Peter knows very well all his fans are raging Lunatics, so I'm sure he's quite used to fans trembling in weakness or speaking in tongues in the presence of His Greatness. All of this being said, a few years ago I did buy a VIP package for another concert (not Peter). The main reason I got the package is my sister is disabled and buying this "package" meant we could get some "safe" seats on the floor in the first 3 rows, a luxury she rarely gets at a concert (we're normally WAY back). For this concert (these tickets were $400) we were ushered into a conference room about 90 minutes before the concert and given champagne, munchies and "goodie bags". About 15 minutes later "the band" arrived. We were not allowed to take photos, but they had a photographer there on hand to do the deed for us. Everyone lined up, and one by one you were allowed to go up, meet the band (briefly.), give them gifts if you wanted, and then pose for 2 photos (taken by the organizers) and then off you went to your seats. WIthin a few days they sent you a link and a password to the photos on line, and you could go in and download your pictures. Not a long meet and greet, but it was consistent over every location in North America, and every single person had the exact same opportunity to meet the band, say a few words to them, and get a photo.

Hi FamiLunies! For Xcalibur - I truly empathize with you and your experience and you have put it to words so eloquently! I can feel your disappointment and thank you for sharing your experience with us here. I, myself, have purchased a VIP package for SPAC (Saratoga Springs, NY) and have purchased a very expensive ticket (not VIP) for the Camden, NJ show. I would be lying to myself and all of you if I said that I am not ever hopeful to have a few minutes of PG's time (not even with me, personally, but with the soundcheck group of fans). It is true that there is no written agreement nor commitment regarding the fact that PG will meet n greet folks. In fact, the package has the very important, all-legal disclaimer statement, explaining that PG might not even do a soundcheck at some shows (although this is highly unlikely, the specific reason this is even written is in the event PG doesn't get to do a soundcheck). When I read the disclaimer (because I do actually read those things - buying a ticket is like signing a contract between you and the artist/promoter - you'd be surprised what you'd learn when you read the back of your ticket), anyway, I read the disclaimer and laughed at the thought of PG not showing up for a soundcheck - I have since talked about this - can you even imagine for 1 second what the people who forked out $550+ for this package would do if PG didn't even show up for a soundcheck?!?!?!?!?! So, if PG doesn't hang out afterwards with fans, he is under no "legal" obligation to do so, but as everyone else has stated, it is disappointing and it would be so much better to have it totally consistent - simply work out the schedule so that it DOES happen as sure as the soundcheck happens, the doors open on time, the show begins on time - it's not that difficult to do (I know they have an already busy schedule, very tight on time, but all of these things should be included in their daily schedule. Period. Plain and Simple. End of story.). For Mags - I think that is often the way in which these VIP deals are done and I'm glad for you that you had such a great experience. You're absolutely correct - this could have been handled the same way. Regarding the curfews - Curfews are regulated individually (per venue, per city, etc.) and are not anything new to any performance. Curfews are included in the contract when the artist and promoters are working out the details of a tour/show. The contract is a very detailed, meticulous legal document that can cover everything from soup to nuts (and massages and pick-ups and all kinds of goodies). An artist (and their promoters/production team) are well-aware of the curfews, fines, etc. My understanding of Dickie's tour diary from the show is that they were off to a late start - right from the soundcheck onward (and hence, PG didn't even have time to meet n greet, etc.). It sounds as if they did everything they could to get the show on and off within the time period, (and cut out a song in order to do that). Although I'm not sure of the fines, it can be a costly thing because it's not just the fine that has to be paid to the local authorities, it is then the cost of paying for every person working the event (from event security, parking personnel, concessions stands, production, local crews (who are usually union workers), etc.). So, it's not simply a flat fine - it can be quite costly. Although the ticket prices might have been extraordinarily high for all of us and it helps to pay for some of that production, PG still has the right to earn money while he's working (and his art is his work and our pleasure). Not to be-labor the curfew discussion, just as an FYI - not only does a performer get penalized if they play past a curfew, but they must open doors on time - if the doors/gates are not opened on the agreed-upon/published time, the artist can be fined for that as well. Truly, there is a whole lot of work involved in getting the show on the road . . . on time! :-] Okay, I think I'll send a note to PG and explain to him that if needed, he can travel with me from Camden, NJ to Saratoga Springs, NY and I will see to it that he gets his rest - he can sleep in my car all the way there (@ 4 hr drive), but he might have to wear ear plugs because I plan on singing to my PG tunes during the entire drive! Once in NY, I'll take him to his hotel and he will not be allowed to do anything except rest! :-] I'm getting so excited about all of my travel plans (I'm going to be meeting up with several of my Philly/Jersey Phriends and Phamily, as well as so many of my FamiLunies!!! :-]

re: VIP In Santa Barbara, we did all our waiting *before* the sound check, due to technical difficulties of some kind. (I heard 'missing cables' at one point.) I believe the sound check was always scheduled to end at 5:30pm, which it did. It just didn't start until after 4pm. From there, we went to a lovely garden spot, where the hospitality suite was set up with food (shrimp, crackers & cheese, hummus, veggies, desserts) wine, beer, soda, etc. It was quite nice, and there were tables and chairs, and benches to sit on. Someone really dropped the ball, regarding the curfew, given the length of the show was already clocking in at over 2 1/2 hours. It sounds like an attempt was made to start the show early. I know I checked out the venue website the day of the show and the time had changed to 7pm on there, but obviously there was no way to notify all ticket holders. They encouraged us to be at our seats by 710pm, so the 'long' wait time between sound check and concert for us, was really only 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Just time to eat, bathroom, stretch legs and check out the merchandise. Not too bad. Warning: They had said at the start that we could leave and come back, but I know one guy ran back to his car and had trouble getting back in. Why, I don't know, since he had his wristbands, and ticket. I'm thinking miscommunication with normal venue staff. Had the sound check happened on time, it would have gone the same way, only the SC would have been longer and we'd have had less of a wait at the start. So those fearing being 'trapped' for 8 hours or whatever, that's just not the case. YMMV of course. It would be nice if all VIPs at all venues could expect the same perks. Having Peter come out and chat at the first show, of course everyone is going to want the same thing. Things happen, of course, but a little disappointed grumbling is to be expected if everyone doesn't receive the same experience.

For Pat.thank you for the kind words, your understanding, and for sharing more knowledge about concert tickets in one message, then I could have hoped to learn in a lifetime. I too had to laugh at the thought of Peter missing his own sound check. For Lrichmtg: My apologies,. When I shared my experience at Red Rocks, I failed to consider how it might dampen one's enthusiasm or at the very least introduce a modicum of anxiety; particularly if you are attending alone. I will try to redeem myself by providing some detail per your question regarding the timeline. The literature was very specific about the arrival window and at least at Red Rocks about the fact that if you missed that window (2:15 to 2:45 ) you were flat out of luck. That point was reiterated at will call as was the fact that once in, there would be no leaving and returning, no exceptions. Sound check began at approximately 3:00 and ended at approximately 4:15 with Peter arriving shortly before 4:00. Appetizers began around 5:00 leaving nearly 3 hours (our show was at 8:00) for chit chat with your fellow VIPs. So while it's not 8 hours, depending upon where your interests lie, it's a significant amount of time no matter how you slice it. I hope this helps you to plan accordingly, as I was there for nearly six hours from arrival to show. Oh, and while I am not a big drinker, chose wisely with your one ticket. I requested a ginger ale and was greeted with a look akin to asking for a Stradivarius or perhaps a Faberge Egg. While surely a minor point, I suppose I just found it curious that the ginger ale had gone missing. On the subject of photographs, I took the literature quite literally, and left my cameras behind, despite being an avid photographer. The documentation would have had you believe that if you showed up with a pin hole camera that it would be confiscated. Such was not the case, as the staff informed us that if we were discrete, photos were fine during soundcheck. During the show, the use of point and shoot and cell phone cameras was prevalent among the audience, which didn't seem to bother Peter in the least. So lesson learned for me. Since I didn't bring a camera or a police sketch artist, the show remains only in my memory." Smash the cameras.cannot steal away the spirits". For "Flyguy": The price differential for the Camden show has to be frustrating and I sympathize with both yourself and Pat. Again we're back to consistency, or in this case, the lack of. I can only hope that you get your moneys worth, as intangible as that sounds. And last but certainly not least. For "Lindzgirl": I don't feel as if my expectation was unreasonable, and if Peter had spent an hour socializing with us at Red Rocks, I would have felt badly that the folks in Santa Barbara didn't share the same opportunity. "disappointed grumbling".I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree, because while "things happen" might explain, in the broadest of terms a failed ICBM intercept for example, I don't think coordinating a concert event such that the patrons across venues leave with a similar set of experiences is too much to ask for.

Hey Mags - well said - I will be one of those tongue tied idiots I'm afraid - see you in Toronto!!

For "Excalibur": I never meant to imply you were being unreasonable. Most of my post was meant to reassure "Lrichmtg" that the wait might not be so bad, depending on how they have things set up. My 'things happen' comment was directed at our show in SB. I was actually trying to agree with everyone else, so I'm scratching my head as to how it came across the exact opposite for you. My apologies.

Thanks Hobo Queen! I got my email last night, it will be memorable not matter how it turns out. See you there!

Had a great VIP experience at the Dallas show yesterday. Here are a few things that are still top of mind in no particular order. - Wow, they really work the orchestra hard during sound check - Ben Foster is a consummate professional and works to get every little but out of every bar. They work at it all day (mostly sans pg) - Highlight was getting to see pg soundcheck Father/Son while he coincidentally held his youngest son Luc (maybe 3 or 4 yrs old?). Very surreal moment and moving nonetheless. In fact, he held him the whole soundcheck, his voice sounding amazing whilst just winging it - Zack, the tour's traveling VIP liaison, is a great, hospitable guy. He has a very interesting story to tell as well - ask him about it (especially you world music fans) - There were vegetarian food options in the hospitality lounge (even in Texas) - Two drink coupons per guest (although. i did watch someone pull off the "my spouse is in the restroom, can I get her's now too" bit) - No pg meet and greet occurred - If you get to the merch table before doors open, there is no line, lots of stuff available. but they only take cash (maybe credit card readers not ready?) - Ane Brun music is available at the merch table on CD and vinyl LP (for you audiophiles, the $20 vinyl is a good deal given its an expensive import otherwise) - We were able to watch and listen to the orchestra continue to rehearse all the way up to about 5 from the VIP lounge area (which was open until 7, when the house opened) - I was surprised by how many VIP purchasers actually didn't show up to experience their investment : soundcheck, etc. Must be no recession down here. Of the 40 on the list, only 25 showed up. Apparently, the lowest turn out thus far. . as like all things in life: YMMV. This was my 8th time to see him, so I was ready for a new experience. All in all, I'd do it again. Good luck, Lunatics. Have a good show. You deserve it. cheers

At Berkeley soundcheck, Peter did his songs, and then went off to the side of the stage. a VIP fan approached the stage and when we saw him successfully getting photos with PG, we all lined up. Peter was gracious enough to meet with us all, but I don't think it was ever intended to be a meet and greet. Hope that helps. (I'd post my photo of PG and I, if I didn't think it would feel like salt in wound to you guys)

Ugh!! So Im very glad for all of you that were able to meet Peter at the VIP packages, but Im exceedingly disappointed to learn that we missed out on this at Santa Barbara due to them being late. I was so hopeful to be able to shake his hand and thank him for all of the years of music he has given me. It was overall a good experience, and I enjoyed watching the sound check but.darn. Well, hopefully he will come back and I'll have another chance some day.

Mt1.by providing context and the circumstances under which the "meet and greet" occurred, yes, it certainly does help. Thanks for the feedback. Oh, and since I've never been a "misery loves company" sort of guy, go ahead and post the photo of yourself and PG. I don't think the others would object. ChicagoKen.from everything I've read, I get the impression that Berkeley was the exception and not the norm per meeting Peter. So while it is little consolation, you are one of many who didn't get an opportunity to share with Peter just much his music means to us on a personal level. As I consider my first post however, I realize that such a meeting would have simply been icing on the cake to what was, by all accounts, a very special event. PS.for those interested, the lightning in the background during the early portion of the Red Rocks show is worth checking out (at least in my opinion) on YouTube. (or am I not allowed to reference another site ?)

For Lindzgirl.no worries. I guess I simply misunderstood your post. From what I've read, your point about there being a variety of different circumstances and timelines between arrival and the show is well supported. I thought your "grumbling" comment was directed specifically at me as if to say "some people are never happy" or "there's a complainer in every bunch". Appears I was wrong; no apologies necessary.

http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z417/smilemt/Snapbucket/ A few photos from Berkeley.