Pre Show Packages

I purchased the Philly and NJ preshows so I received the multishow discount as well as the fan club discount, making each preshow $66.50. The incentives for me to purchase were the idea of being an exclusive part of the creative process - the technical fine tuning and decisions that a band makes during a sound check - and the possibility of winning a photo pass for the show. I usually take around five photos a show and no video, so even by luck, the idea of being allowed for the first three songs (typical) to take photos up close was a pretty cool thing for the band to offer.  Last week I also became excited about the possibility of scoring a red vinyl, which they added as another 'luck of the draw' teaser as the tour kicked off. I personally don't need a laminate, access to merch or even a (disposable) camera to take pix as part of the preshow. Alas, other people want or will like these things, so, very good, something for everyone.


Philadelphia:
They sound checked for at least 30 minutes (maybe more, I don't know, the schedule slid about 75 minutes from when we were slated to enter) before we were brought to the stage. We soon learned it was Atom on drums and not Benny, which made sense given what had been overheard while they were practicing.  Brian said [paraphrasing] "We are doing absolutely anything and everything we can to not cancel a show."  

With the Alexs and Brian on stools ala "VH1 Storytellers" style and Atom on drums, I enjoyed hearing about how some of the songs were conceived. I consider this what I really paid for. My memory is foggy and the order is not correct, but they played High Lonesome, Navesink Banks, Have Mercy, Break Your Heart and She Loves You, that I recall. Three days later it's honestly hard to remember what was part of the preshow and what was part of the acoustic portion of the main show, apologies.

We used our disposable cameras to grab a few shots throughout, where I noticed how much I rely on the ability to zoom with my smartphone the other 23h 40m of my life. The Skyline Stage was a festival like setting, so the stage was a good 10' away and 6'-8' off the ground. I understand the desire not to have digital copies of pix and video out there, very much. Know they were trying to please with offering something versus nothing, but I'm fine with nothing. Other bands during preshows say "no pix" and it's fine, we all survive to live in the moment and document it by visceral experience, which is good enough for me.

After ~20 minutes, we got our Simpsons print (absolutely hilarious and hand signed by the band, a nice exclusive commemorative) and if we wanted, access to the merch tent. Nothing happened that I saw nor heard from others who were in our 30-or-so person gaggle with the photo pass or red vinyl.  I opted to cut the band a break as they were obviously in uncharted territory with the emergency. However, people for whom this was the only preshow they paid for and/or didn't get any discounts from $95, that was an expensive 20 minutes. In several ways, I respect the band's blatant honesty about how frazzled they were due to the day's news. The "show must go on" attitude is missing with many bands these days and I commend them (and Atom Willard) for reacting with the fans in mind.

That said, had the preshow not been previously committed to, they would have had several more hours to a) sit and process the news personally and b) take care of whatever logistical business they needed to in time for the main show.  I feel like their commitment to please the fans - especially after the nasty rash of shit they received with the first preshow proposal - coloured their decision to proceed with it, so as to not disappoint.  If they decided to cancel it and offer a refund, I would have understood because it was extenuating circumstances.


New Jersey:
There was a technical check and one or two songs were sound checked before we were let in (and it was pouring, lots of standing in the Jersey rain), so I'm guessing about 30 minutes of just the band (I gleaned without Benny) and crew doing their thing.  

Onstage were the Alexs and Brian on stools, sans Ben. There were 50+ people but the seats are so close to the downstage edge, it is surprisingly intimate in those first few rows. They all seemed to be in good spirits, joking and laughing, clearly happy to be playing their childhood big stage.

Brian reiterated the VH1 Storytellers idea and we really got great banter and background on the songs. My order is goofy here, but the songs were High Lonesome, Navesink Banks, Old White Lincoln, Senor and the Queen, and Angry Johnny and the Radio which Brian said [paraphrasing] "We haven't practiced this one and hopefully we remember how to play it." Getting Angry Johnny, for me, held a great deal of meaning and I feel like they played it for me (ok, probably half of everyone else felt the same, but sssh!).  

After 25 minutes or so, we all left, grabbed our Simpsons prints from Danny or Kenneth Fletcher and went on our way. The merch tent had less than a third of the stuff out on display, as it was still being unpacked.  Again, nothing on the photo pass or red vinyl. We were not rushed out of either venue, but both Philly and NJ venues were flushed for both security and ticket scanning purposes.


I conclude with the following opinion (<-- key word):  
These experiences were the third and fourth out of the gate; and both preshow groups were larger than DC combined. Clearly all involved are still fleshing out the logistical execution (my ID nor confirmation was ever checked at entry, just rattled off my name and it was checked off the list, there was no "preshow" signage outside the venue, etc). A little frustrating, but not something to hang them for.

Others who participated told me they thought they would at least get to shake the band's hands or ask them a question. I personally don't think it's fair to expect interaction with the band, as that - so far - is not formally offered in the product. Last minute social media fun or an interview inferring such does not count, there is nothing in the website language that says anything about band interaction. Markets where they are less known and the preshows will likely be very intimate, there may be different opportunities. Lucky for those fans.

I am verrrrry much looking forward to receiving the digital download and can only hope they leave it as a board record and don't edit and polish it.

I wouldn't trade either of my experiences, simply because of the history behind the songs and intimacy/vulnerability from the band - that was worth it, to me.  

But, I also personally wouldn't buy another experience as it is sold now, it is an expensive 20-25 minutes.  

I am still very happy I participated and thank the band for offering the packages.

You will just have to decide how/what is worth your money.