Venue Spotlight: The River Stage at Great Plaza

The River Stage at Great Plaza is located on the Delaware River Front at Penn's Landing. Located at Chestnut and Spring Garden Streets, it is a premier outdoor venue for summer concerts in Philadelphia. With it's unique location right near the waterfront, it definitely deserves more buzz than it's getting. Afterall, there's nowhere you'd want to be when it's the peak of the summer than next to a large, cool body of water. So allow VC to break down the pro's and cons of this venue. 

Pro: The setup of the venue is that the stage is right in front of the river with ascending smooth concrete stairs acting as seating.

Con: The stairs do make it harder to see the stage because some attendees prefer to sit while others prefer to stand. Depending on the show, one might be more considerate and make more sense than the other.

Pro: At night, this is a really cool and open space. You're not worried about shoving or moshpits or someone sweating all over you unless you're closer to the stage. Then it's like any other concert but with more spontaneous bursts of wind.



Childish Gambino, Aug 2012
photo credit: Jess Dooley



Con: You're outside. Any of the elements can have an effect on your experience. And this venue does cancel concerts while you're in line due to rain.

The concert pricing is moderate. On average, you'll spend $35/ticket. Buying from the box office is always the best because you won't pay as many service fees as online.

Another general rule of thumb is to arrive and wait in line for at least an hour and a half. It sounds crazy but the majority of concert goers arrive anywhere from 15-30 minutes before the doors open. You do not want to show up and get mixed up in that throng.

It. Is. Awful.

For more information, check out the venue's website, Ticketmaster or Livenation.

--J

Shows Ahoy!: The VC Guide to Outdoor Summer Music Festivals.

It's summer so the only thing on your mind besides the latest blockbuster smashing through the movie box offices is what concerts you're going to.

Of course, with the humidity doing that horrible thing it does, the last thing you also want to be doing is going to shows outside.

But traditionally, this is the time that the best concerts and festivals take place and where else would they be but allowing bands to soak up the sun? That's why we're providing you with a 5-point plan to beat the murderous temperatures and enjoy all the bands you love on tour this summer.

1. Sunblock Is Your New Best Friend

You need to know that sun cancer is a real threat if you're spendinng upwards of 6-8 hours in the sun. So the best way to protect your largest and most sensitive organ is with a very powrful sun shield. I prefer any sunblock with an SPF above 50. Coppertone Ultraguard is what I nearly drowned in last summer. Same rules for "sport" sunblocks--which work in aerosol form for quicker application, dry with a less greasy feeling than traditional sunblock and don't ruin your clothes. 

2. There Is No Such Thing As Drinking Too Much Water

Hydration. Hydration. Hydration. Unless you want to wake up in the Warped Tour Medical Emergency Tent sweating nearly to death, you will drink water periodically throughout the day--like while you're rushing between each stage. The best way is to bring a reusable water bottle because lo and behold, most summer shows in outdoor venues allow them now! It only took them half a century but at least it happened at all.

3. Eat A Large Breakfast and An Even Larger Dinner

You wouldn't believe how many people pass out from dehydration at summer shows. Moshpits are the worst place on earth if your body isn't  fully rested, and fully prepped for the onslaught of all those 250-plus dudes throwing their full body weight at you. So do yourself a favor and eat a breakfast high in energy building nutrients.

Cereal, pancakes, waffles.

Anything grains goes.

And at night, replenish with vegetables and protein. You gotta get home still, right?

Besides, the prices for food at venues is astronomical and the food tastes like crap. Save money, and your tastebuds in one move!

4. Go With At Least 2 Friends

Safety in numbers is a really stupid phrase. But in a show, it totally applies. It's impossible to find one person in a crowd, especially if their phone dies, or they don't hear it or it breaks/gets lost in the pit. That third person could be the difference between you being stranded and making it home with a rad story to tell. 

Always have a meet-up point.

It should be somewhere you all know how to get to just in case anyone gets lost. Plan specific time to meet there and most importantly, DON'T MOVE FROM THAT SPOT.

No matter how many friends you bring, that is the key to not panicking. No one wants to watch their favorite band alone. It's no fun.

5. Take Breaks: Your Knees Will Thank You

Most venues are on their A-game in the summer and have special areas where you can sit shaded from the blinding sunlight. Find these places and sit there when there is absolutely nothing else going on you want to do. Fifteen minutes of sitting every two hours could be the difference between getting kicked in the face and making it out of the pit alive and with all your teeth.

You body can't handle all the things you want it to all the time. But this is the way to make sure you don't miss anything and don't get hurt trying to have the time of your life.

--J