I read all the reviews prior to attending the show in Norfolk and began regretting purchasing the VIP package. My wife and I are both broke adults returning to college, so we don't have lots of money to just throw around. With that said, if you truly love Eric and his music, then it was well worth the cost to get the VIP once. I've seen Eric 5 times, and this was by far the best experience. The drinks in the VIP were $4, which is far cheaper than a normal show. At concerts in my hometown, beer is always $7 for 16 oz domestic. Here they were $4 for 16 oz or 7 for 32oz! We received autographed posters that are very high quality as far as the paper. They are very thick. We got shotglasses and shooters, and tshirts. And to top it all off, we got an intimate 2 song set with the man of the hour, Mr. Eric Church. To me, this alone made the $200 VIP price worth it. Having been a fan of Eric since he was signing on a tailgate in Nashville, it really solidified where he came from and how far he has come. To see him in a small dark room with just over a 100 fans, up on a bar stool alone with just an acoustic guitar and microphone--no bright, flashing lights, no smoke or flames--truly transports you to a few years ago before he was a huge star. It was humbling. How many mega stars would even care to perform for such a small crowd? Eric truly cares about his fans and where he came! And knowing in the back of your mind that in less than an hour he would take the big stage in front of a sold out crowd and rock everyone's faces off was very satisfying.
Some people said they didnt get to their seats/pit in time to see all of Brantley Gilbert. I dont know how that is possible...We went from the preshow party, to the bathroom, stood in line trying to make our way through the aisle to the pit, and got there and had to wait a 5 or 10 minutes before BG took the stage. So I have no idea how some people missed part of his show...?? As far as not being there early enough to get a "good spot" in the pit...really? We had a great view! You could stand in the back of the pit and have a great view! I had front row center seats to see Eric and Jason Aldean last year and didn't have the view I did from the Pit in Norfolk. There is just no comparison. And if you really want, you can make your way closer. From the time Brantley comes out, to the time Eric plays, so many people leave to go get a drink or go to the
bathroom.
We all know people in our lives, at work or at school, who complain about every situation. They could be at the best concert in the world, and even get to see their favorite artist beforehand do a private 2 song set, have cheap drinks, and free merchandise, and still not be happy. These people would have complained about the food if Eric took them out one-on-one for a private dinner before the show. take what they say with a grain of salt. Support Eric, form your own opinions, and try to check the negativity at the door. Maybe serving in combat zones in the Marine Corps made me appreciate the little things a more than most people, I don't know, but I was impressed with the experience and happy with the VIP package.
shircliff,
I laughed out loud joyously when I read the title of your post. I'm really glad you offered a VIP review that I can truly appreciate.
Love the honesty and detail you put into it. I am doing the VIP with some friends at the Hoffman Estates show in May...and going to Bloomington to be in the pit in April with my fiance just a few weeks before our wedding.
I have one question, do you think it would be worth it to upgrade our Bloomington to VIP and (for myself only) to do it twice? With our wedding coming up and both of us out of college in the last few years we without a doubt have expenses. I'm just wondering if we would regret not doing it together, or if we would regret my doing it twice as we're talking $600 for all 3 tickets here.
Thanks for your input! :)
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Drew
Thats a tough one to answer. I would not do the VIP again, at least not again on this same tour. I am going to the show in Lexington and will not be doing the VIP. Being that it is the same tour, it will probably be exactly the same both times, with the same merchandise. However, in your case it is a little different. It may mean alot more to you being able to share it with your soon to be wife. If Eric and his music means alot to BOTH of you, than it might be worth it, if not, maybe put the extra cash towards the honeymoon or a nice dinner and hotel the night of the show.
This is exactly what I was looking for! Once I heard about the VIP Package I was sold on it. But then reading the reviews of all the negativity that it was lame and too expensive I was skeptical. I am now pumped that I bought the VIP tickets for the May 17th Minneapolis show. I also agree with the pit. You can push your way to find friends at the very front and get rowdty if you want. Or you can walk around and find a great spot to watch from the floor. With how big Eric Church is getting, I wanted to take advantage of this VIP Package opportunity. People have to realize he is big now and you won't be getting the same experience like you did when her came to play at your local 500 person max bar and rock the place. You should be happy to get this in a 2 song pre show and not take for granted where he came from. He made it the hard way and is head lining his own big time tour. Just be happy you were there along the way and got to experience what you did.
As I said before the VIP is totally what you make it :)...I enjoyed my experience (beer was $7) glad you enjoyed yours.
Although I opted to not purchase the VIP this is such a great review. It really does show what a true fan you really are. I would love to have a two song acoustic set before him coming out on to the big stage. I hope everyone who did purchase a VIP ticket reads this to know that they have something amazing to look forward to. And thank you for serving in the Marine Corps. My brother is a marine :)
Thank you so much for a wonderful review! I was worried with all the other comments about it. I have 3 shows planned Ft Wayne, Columbus & Lexington but did the VIP package for Lexington which is the last of the 3 shows. All 3 are PIT tickets so will experience his show in 3 different spots. Been in lots of pits and even if you aren't up against the stage it is still awesome! So looking forward to each of these shows! I am sure VIP will be awesome!
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Robin
"All you gotta do is put a drink in my hand"
i kinda pushed my husband to get the vip, we never spend money and we ve seen ec 3 times already so when i saw the bad reviews i thought, im gonna hear about this 1 4ever. i am so glad someone loved it! i am a HUGE fan of both performers, this will be good! and just a heads up, i just rented a room in salisbury, had 2 call 3 hotels cause they r mysteriously sold out of rooms for that night, yay!
Sorry to start a war here. I guess I got spoiled back in the day when you put in for a meet and greet and actually got one. I have seen Eric several times at The Norva and The National. These venues only hold like 1500 people and tickets were 20 bucks. These were always intimate shows up close and personal. I did read all of the material on the VIP package so I knew it was only two songs . I guess I didn't realize how huge a following he has now. Sorry to dampen anyones expectations on the VIP. Yall are right I should be thankful he took the time to do this for his fans. I will keep my complaints to myself in the future !
That's awesome!! I was seriously regretting buying tickets to the VIP party after reading the review, but this makes me so excited to go again!
I must have missed all the negativity and complaining about the VIP, but thank you for your review.
I enjoyed my VIP. If you were looking to hang out with EC then the VIP will disappoint you. If you are looking for a pre-party with other people that have a common interest then you will like it.
I have VIP for another show on this same tour - just coz I think I would be mad at myself if I didn't ... LOL
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Carla (in LA)
ECB FAN and Proud Choir Member
Great review and great attitude! Love it...my husband also loves EC but I couldn't convince him to do the VIP. :( The other reviews made me think it was ok, but now you make me bummed again that I'm not doing it! lol
Glad you had an awesome time.
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I carry you in my heart,your memory comes over me like the dark
10-9-10 Dayton, OH
3-4-11 Lex, KY
4-27-12 Lex, KY
10-6-12 Cincy, OH
Thank you for the review!
Can't wait to hit the lottery to experience the VIP! Hopefully, by then he won't be too big to forget about us. Downfalls of 365 24/7 single parenting.
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Jaime
Thank you for the fabulous review!!! Santa Claus brought me & my son (the coolest 9 y/o I know) tickets (well, cash for tickets, since they weren't on sale yet)! We are VIPing @ the Lexington show, but opted for reserved seats...it seemed like the safest bet at the time...from what I understand the view is pretty great! Absolutley can't wait!!!
Thanks again for the great review!
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Shawn
Thanks for the great review. And as was said earlier each experience is what you make it. Just know what you are getting into. I probably won't be getting the VIP tickets. I've been fortunate enough to see every show that Eric and the ECB have done in Seattle. Those were all smaller shows and I was lucky enough to meet him and chat at everyone of them.
I've been on this roller coaster from the beginning and I'm glad to see that Eric is moving up in Stature and I was apart of that rise. That being said I realise that easy access to him is now a thing of the past. That happens it's just not possible for Eric to interact with audiences the way he used to. That doesn't mean he's changed just that his situation has. He still puts out great music and puts on kick ass shows. That will never change. Those of us who've been there from the beginning feel some ownership towards him but we have to realise that we have to share him with a whole lot more people, that is after all why we all spread the word to our friends and family.
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"I never talk to the label. We send in the songs and, if they don't like it, I don't really care. That's the album we're making." Eric Church
I love this review :-) What you wrote was pretty much how I was expecting it to be based on how it was described before I bought it. Other genre artists charge about $400 for something like this. I'm a little nervous about being able to see with pit tickets, but I figure I can stand back so I can see if needed. Just had to try pit once.thanks for a positive review!!!!! Can't wait for March 2nd in Lowell, gonna be a gooooooood time!!!!!!!!
I love this review :-) What you wrote was pretty much how I was expecting it to be based on how it was described before I bought it. Other genre artists charge about $400 for something like this. I'm a little nervous about being able to see with pit tickets, but I figure I can stand back so I can see if needed. Just had to try pit once.thanks for a positive review!!!!! Can't wait for March 2nd in Lowell, gonna be a gooooooood time!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the great review. And as was said earlier each experience is what you make it. Just know what you are getting into. I probably won't be getting the VIP tickets. I've been fortunate enough to see every show that Eric and the ECB have done in Seattle. Those were all smaller shows and I was lucky enough to meet him and chat at everyone of them.
I've been on this roller coaster from the beginning and I'm glad to see that Eric is moving up in Stature and I was apart of that rise. That being said I realise that easy access to him is now a thing of the past. That happens it's just not possible for Eric to interact with audiences the way he used to. That doesn't mean he's changed just that his situation has. He still puts out great music and puts on kick ass shows. That will never change. Those of us who've been there from the beginning feel some ownership towards him but we have to realise that we have to share him with a whole lot more people, that is after all why we all spread the word to our friends and family.
Thank you for the fabulous review!!! Santa Claus brought me & my son (the coolest 9 y/o I know) tickets (well, cash for tickets, since they weren't on sale yet)! We are VIPing @ the Lexington show, but opted for reserved seats...it seemed like the safest bet at the time...from what I understand the view is pretty great! Absolutley can't wait!!!
Thanks again for the great review!
Thank you for the review!
Can't wait to hit the lottery to experience the VIP! Hopefully, by then he won't be too big to forget about us. Downfalls of 365 24/7 single parenting.
Great review and great attitude! Love it...my husband also loves EC but I couldn't convince him to do the VIP. :( The other reviews made me think it was ok, but now you make me bummed again that I'm not doing it! lol
Glad you had an awesome time.
I must have missed all the negativity and complaining about the VIP, but thank you for your review.
I enjoyed my VIP. If you were looking to hang out with EC then the VIP will disappoint you. If you are looking for a pre-party with other people that have a common interest then you will like it.
I have VIP for another show on this same tour - just coz I think I would be mad at myself if I didn't ... LOL
That's awesome!! I was seriously regretting buying tickets to the VIP party after reading the review, but this makes me so excited to go again!
Sorry to start a war here. I guess I got spoiled back in the day when you put in for a meet and greet and actually got one. I have seen Eric several times at The Norva and The National. These venues only hold like 1500 people and tickets were 20 bucks. These were always intimate shows up close and personal. I did read all of the material on the VIP package so I knew it was only two songs . I guess I didn't realize how huge a following he has now. Sorry to dampen anyones expectations on the VIP. Yall are right I should be thankful he took the time to do this for his fans. I will keep my complaints to myself in the future !
i kinda pushed my husband to get the vip, we never spend money and we ve seen ec 3 times already so when i saw the bad reviews i thought, im gonna hear about this 1 4ever. i am so glad someone loved it! i am a HUGE fan of both performers, this will be good! and just a heads up, i just rented a room in salisbury, had 2 call 3 hotels cause they r mysteriously sold out of rooms for that night, yay!
Thats a tough one to answer. I would not do the VIP again, at least not again on this same tour. I am going to the show in Lexington and will not be doing the VIP. Being that it is the same tour, it will probably be exactly the same both times, with the same merchandise. However, in your case it is a little different. It may mean alot more to you being able to share it with your soon to be wife. If Eric and his music means alot to BOTH of you, than it might be worth it, if not, maybe put the extra cash towards the honeymoon or a nice dinner and hotel the night of the show.
Thank you so much for a wonderful review! I was worried with all the other comments about it. I have 3 shows planned Ft Wayne, Columbus & Lexington but did the VIP package for Lexington which is the last of the 3 shows. All 3 are PIT tickets so will experience his show in 3 different spots. Been in lots of pits and even if you aren't up against the stage it is still awesome! So looking forward to each of these shows! I am sure VIP will be awesome!
Although I opted to not purchase the VIP this is such a great review. It really does show what a true fan you really are. I would love to have a two song acoustic set before him coming out on to the big stage. I hope everyone who did purchase a VIP ticket reads this to know that they have something amazing to look forward to. And thank you for serving in the Marine Corps. My brother is a marine :)
As I said before the VIP is totally what you make it :)...I enjoyed my experience (beer was $7) glad you enjoyed yours.
This is exactly what I was looking for! Once I heard about the VIP Package I was sold on it. But then reading the reviews of all the negativity that it was lame and too expensive I was skeptical. I am now pumped that I bought the VIP tickets for the May 17th Minneapolis show. I also agree with the pit. You can push your way to find friends at the very front and get rowdty if you want. Or you can walk around and find a great spot to watch from the floor. With how big Eric Church is getting, I wanted to take advantage of this VIP Package opportunity. People have to realize he is big now and you won't be getting the same experience like you did when her came to play at your local 500 person max bar and rock the place. You should be happy to get this in a 2 song pre show and not take for granted where he came from. He made it the hard way and is head lining his own big time tour. Just be happy you were there along the way and got to experience what you did.
shircliff,
I laughed out loud joyously when I read the title of your post. I'm really glad you offered a VIP review that I can truly appreciate.
Love the honesty and detail you put into it. I am doing the VIP with some friends at the Hoffman Estates show in May...and going to Bloomington to be in the pit in April with my fiance just a few weeks before our wedding.
I have one question, do you think it would be worth it to upgrade our Bloomington to VIP and (for myself only) to do it twice? With our wedding coming up and both of us out of college in the last few years we without a doubt have expenses. I'm just wondering if we would regret not doing it together, or if we would regret my doing it twice as we're talking $600 for all 3 tickets here.
Thanks for your input! :)
Great positive review. I wanted to go to the Norfolk show (my hometown), but am going to the Greenville, SC show. (can't wait!!). My husband & I have VIP tickets....and I am so looking forward to it!
Great positive review. I wanted to go to the Norfolk show (my hometown), but am going to the Greenville, SC show. (can't wait!!). My husband & I have VIP tickets....and I am so looking forward to it!
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~~Shelly~~
♫ "Funny How a Melody Sounds Like a Memory" ♫