Have confirmation of 2 gold badges and am staying at the luxury villa aptly code named "Super 8". Nothing in the way of flight reservations yet although Dallas to Atlanta routes have lots of options.
This will be my first ProgPower festival and I'm looking forward to it immensely!
Any advice for a festival first-timer is appreciated!
Welcome to the wild, wacky world of PPUSA! "Come for the bands....stay,
and keep coming back every year, because ProgPower attendees are so damned cool."
1. Bring LOTS of cash. Predict what you think you'll need, and then multiply it by 125%. You WILL find things you'll want to buy.
2. Pace yourself. This has been covered in detail in prior threads, but remember that you'll have to deal with two full days of metal, lots of standing and walking back and forth from the venue. If you're coming in for the Thursday Showcase, then it's three days. Don't push yourself too far too fast early in the weekend. Wear comfortable walking shoes or boots.
3. Bring earplugs. Even if you decide you don't want to use them, it's better to be prepared. I won't go to a show any more without them.
4. Bring a Sharpie.
Everyone should know where their Sharpie is.
5. Bring a small fanny-pack to put CD liners in to get autographs. Use something stiff, like a thinline CD jewel case, to keep them from getting messed up.
6. YMMV, but I avoid eating too much before a show. This is particularly critical if you plan on being on the front barricade all night, which, judging from your comments, might be the case on Friday.
7. Bring a camera.
Any film camera is allowed, so if nothing else, invest in a disposable camera or two. There will probably be moments that you'll want to capture forever, and not necessarily during the performances, either. Digital cameras are allowed
only if they DON'T take video. Ye hath been warned.
8. We're a pretty fun bunch of folks. Don't be afraid to say 'hi'. There should be a photo montage of Forum members at the venue, so some of us will be recognizable. I may try to do name-tags this year again, if there's enough interest.
Anyone else?
