Festival Assaults: Volume 1

Last night, my sister Sarah bestowed upon me the gift of a VIP-esk pass to the Quebec City summer music festival (Festival d’été de Quebec) to see the Lumineers (Lord Huron and City and Colour also made their respective appearances on stage).

We arrived around 7:05pm to the smaller area close to the stage that can hold up to 3000 fans (or so-called fans) within its perimeter.

As is always for open acts, and even more so in this specific area, people are scattered about amicably with ample space between them. Enough for anyone (of all shapes and sizes) to squeeze in and claim that empty space as their own.

Strangely enough, there was even a space large enough to fit a sumo wrestler located beside the gate. The gate extended into the crowd for press, photographers, and the artists if they’re bold enough to descend from the stage. This space is usually claimed first by those who rush in as the entrances open.

Sarah and I, perplexed by this, started to analyze the possible causes for such an empty space.

In our mind, it could either be because:

1. Someone had gone on a beer/food run and people were respectfully leaving their space vacant, or

2. No one had dared to claim the spot yet.

So naturally, we waited an appropriate amount of time before venturing over to the spot.

BIG (supposed…) MISTAKE.

A man in approximately his late 40’s who was there with his three daughters immediately began aggressively pushing us out of the space.

Puzzled, Sarah and I began asking why he was attempting to monopolize the prime-viewing spot RIGHT in front beside the gate?

His reasoning: because his daughter needs to be able to see.

Our response: we’ll stand behind his daughter.

His second reasoning: they have been there a lot longer than us.

Our response: regardless of how long anyone has been there, it’s an open space at a festival.

His decision: he will move into the space then.

Our decison: then we will take your spot in the crowd.

His response: that wouldn’t be fair to all the rest of the people who have been there longer.

Our (and others around us’) response: IT’S A FESTIVAL, you can’t monopolize a space!

This went back and forth for a while….

Skipping ahead a bit to avoid the repetitiveness.*

I proceeded to move into a neighbouring spot beside the gate when the man, and another man behind him who was significantly older, move 2 meters from their original standing area to squish me into the gate.

At that moment, they made it their personal agenda to make my festival experience miserable. With their elbows digging into my neck, cutting off my circulation, and my ribs, I had no way out even if I wanted one.

Of COURSE security, who were only a short distance away, weren’t looking in the direction of the scrum.

People in the crowd started to call out worried, but the men were quite determined to prove their so-called point. After they finally let me out of their imprisonment, they proceeded to block my view and push me away from the area.

The dad’s daughters, obviously embarrassed, tried to get him to stop, but he continued to make comments about me to those around and block my view. I didn’t give him the reaction he was looking for, and just let the crowd laugh at his immaturity.

One girl summed it up quite nicely by saying: “Bin, Monsieur… c’est un festival.. c’est la vie..” then followed with a (translation) “Clearly, this guy has never been to the Bell Centre.”

After the Lumineers started kicking into gear, Sarah and I were (what a SURPRISE) the only two people in what seemed like the whole area who knew majority of their lyrics. As the dad looked down at me singing my lungs out, I made no effort to meet his eyes.

No effort, what so all.

He, I’m assuming, felt bad at that point when he realized we were true fans of this band, yet it’s important to mention he did not apologize for being an obnoxious individual. Although, he began smiling at us ever two minutes and trying to join in on our fun.

When Sarah touched the lead singer’s hand on two separate occasions during the concert, he cheered with us and told her how lucky she was.

Who-are-you?

Ironically, as the band threw the first set-list into the crowd after their show ended, guess who caught it?

Me.

The dad screamed out a “nice catch!” and looked as if he was going to go in for the grandest high-five of his life.

Still, no eye-contact was made.

I think it’s safe to say that holding our ground and sticking up for our equal right to be in the VIP zone, was worth the half an hour of adrenaline rush I had to mellow down from during City and Colour.

At least, it makes for a good story.

I hope those people thoroughly enjoy the rest of their festival and I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

You know what they say, crazies get hit by karma harder than anyone.

#music