Is VIP Worth It For Chicago Open Air?

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If you follow me on social media (I am @blm03 on all platforms) or are a regular reader here, you will know that I attend Chicago Open Air last summer at Toyota Park in Bridgeview IL. If you are new here, I did quite a few posts about my experience. Yes, I plan on heading to Chicago Open Air in 2017.

The #1 question I have been getting is if the VIP tickets are worth it. Now, if you don't know yet, here's the lineup for 2017 Chicago Open Air:

Now that you've calmed down reading that list of amazing bands, you have to decide which tickets to buy: single day, weekend bowl, weekend field, and VIP. Now, single day tickets sold out last year, so if you want to go to this festival, get your tickets now. (After showing my Lyft driver this lineup last week, he went and bought a ticket!) These are all different price points (which I'm not listing because as it gets closer, the prices go up). Now, before you go into sticker shock, let me tell you why VIP is worth it.

First, if you are a girl, you will never stand in line for a bathroom. Seriously. I've done festivals before and missed bands, because I had to pee. I never once had to stand in line ever.

Second, no/or really short lines for food. You don't want to stop jamming for food. However, you have three days of bands so you really have to eat or you aren't going to make it. The VIP section has its own food people in there. We stood in line no longer than 5 minutes to get food. The food was good too. Super filling, super delicious food was had by all the vendors they had there. We did try some of the food in the regular venue, and it took forever to get and you are waiting in the sun the entire time.

Third, there is a place to sit down and eat. Best of all, it's under a huge tent so you sit in the shade and eat. There are TVs in there, so you don't miss a thing from the main stage. The other fun part of this is that we got to meet some really awesome people who sat at our table.

Fourth, watching from the VIP area is pretty sweet. Great views that you don't have to stand for hours to get. (** that being said, if you want front up against the fence spots for the headliners you will have to stand there from about 4-5 pm. General admission people were lining up and staying there from the time the gates opened in the morning. ) Also, if you are like us and watch both stages (they stagger the start times so you can see all the bands if you want too!), you only have to walk over to the second stage. If you have bowl tickets, you are walking up and down the stairs a million times. It may be because we are older (we both turn 40 this year), but for us this alone makes it worth it.

Fifth, you never know who is going to climb into the VIP section. (Yes, that's Marilyn Manson. I did get to touch him. That isn't zoomed in either. I had one hand on the camera and my other hand outreached.)

Sixth, the VIP had so much less of the “stupid” people. If you ever have been to concert, you know who I am talking about. These are the people who get so hammered they can't stand. They act like idiots. The majority of the people in VIP were behaving themselves and it did swing to an older crowd. For the most part, we met some of the most incredible people. My favorite was the 60ish reporter who flew in from Seattle for Rammstein. She is exactly how I want to be when I grow up.

I could go on and on. Chicago Open Air is one of the best festivals we've gone too. As you can see, I think the VIP tickets are well worth it. If you head out to Chicago Open Air this summer, let me know so we can Rock On together. (Is it bad that I am still in love with the shirt Bill bought there last year? It still makes me laugh.)

Lisa Martin

In April 2006, Lisa began blogging to stay connected with distant relatives and friends. As she delved into blogging, she discovered the potential to assist others by sharing her experiences. Lisa has actively engaged in numerous exclusive media ventures. Notable among these are her participation in events such as the Sony Mommy Bloggers Event, the Pampers Mommy Bloggers Event, the Epson Event in Chicago, the Stouffers Event, a memorable yacht excursion with Lands End, collaborations with 1-800-Baskets, an exclusive tour for bloggers by Mrs. Prindable’s, partnerships with Hallmark, PopCap games, Chicago Cubs Mastercard Priceless Events, and Rug Doctor. In addition, she has collaborated with Nutrisystem on a weight loss initiative, teamed up with Buick and Chevy, and served as a brand ambassador for Sprint. Lisa's collaboration portfolio also extends to Disney, where she has participated in press trips for significant movies such as Frozen, Guardians of the Galaxy, McFarland USA, The Good Dinosaur, The BFG, and Cars 3. Notably, for projects like Frozen, The BFG, and Cars 3, she was granted the privilege of walking the red carpet and conducting interviews with celebrities. The impact of Lisa's blog has gained recognition, with The New York Times referencing her content. Moreover, she has been featured in interviews by respected publications such as the Southtown Star, The Chicago Sun Times, and inside.

This Post Has 22 Comments

  1. robin rue

    It sounds like a great music festival. There were a lot of great bands at this mega concert.

  2. candy

    We live close to Chicago and know this is a big thing there. You get to see tons of different performers. You never know what will happen. Have fun.

  3. Christy Maurer

    Festival food is the bomb! I haven’t been to a huge concert event like this in years. Have a great time this year!

  4. Jeanette

    Sounds like getting the VIP tickets are definitely worth it. I am totally with you on the whole standing in line for the bathroom. You had right there! LOL

    1. Lisa

      My bladder is worse than the kids. I need easy quick bathroom access. LOL

  5. Katie Kinsley

    I’ve never heard of the Chicago open air before and I used to live really close to there. It looks like you had a fun time at the concerts!

    1. Lisa

      This is the 2nd year!

  6. Tamara

    Not having to wait long for both food and bathrooms makes it worth it to me. Cool experience you had!

  7. Sarah Bailey

    Wow now that is the most amazing line up. I would so love to go myself and see it with my own eyes! Have an amazing time.

  8. Franc Ramon

    I think it’s ok to make the most of the experience by going VIP. It’s not common that all these performers go together in an event.

  9. Betty

    Haha looks like you had an awesome time! No lines are the best, I hate going to events because I just hate waiting in line!

  10. Anita Anderson

    The list of bands performing is totally awesome. I have a few fave in this genre. From the pictures it’s worth it for the VIP.

  11. Pam Wattenbarger

    It sounds like you had a great time at Chicago Open Air. I bet VIP is worth it just so you don’t have to wait in line for bathrooms.

  12. Emily

    Woah, that line up is amazing! I have heard great things about Open Air in Chicago. Also, that food has me hungry now! I love good music and good food, great combination.

  13. Rebecca Swenor

    The Chicago Open Air festival sounds amazing. I would love to go to one of these some day. The VIP tickets I think would indeed be worth it . Thanks for sharing your experience.

  14. Maurene Cab

    Those are popular bands! I’d truly love to have the VIP ticket and get up close with my fave band.

  15. Tessa Smith

    This looks like it was a lot of fun! Seems like you had a blast! Sounds to me like VIP tickets are way worth it!

  16. My Teen Guide

    I think it is worth it to pay more to get VIP passes. The perks you get are just awesome. I can’t believe you even have a VIP hang-out area.

  17. Terri Beavers

    If I didn’t live so far away I’d go for sure. I love the bands and I think it sounds like it’s worth it to me. A fun time for all.

  18. arki scot

    What an awesome experience sounds like a fun music festival and should get the VIP tickets

  19. rika

    I would get VIP passes to avoid long wait at registration/gates. I have never been to Chicago Festival, sounds pretty fun.

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