What should I expect of Werchter?

bertan

Hello all,

I have a quick question for you. I've seen PJ live 3 times now (Athens, London 2007 and 2009) and they were all great. However, I've never seen them play a festival. If everything goes according to plan, I'll see them at Werchter this week, and I don't know what to expect. Should I lower my expectations? Are festival crowds less fun? (less people know them by heart) Does the band play a short "all-hits" setlist and get out? I really don't know how it usually is with PJ and festival crowds, and I highly doubt that it's like Pinkpop'92

So I would really appreciate to hear from some past experiences. Thanks for the help

-bertan

PhillyCrownOfThorns

25-27 songs. The setlist will be awesome... Don't worry about their catalog. The only bummer is it is less PJ. Fans are fun... Going to be a blast. My 2 festivals I caught were Made In America where I got a full WMA (w percussion!) into 99 problems. I saw Voodoo Fest last year and the set was insane (thanks Steve Gleason!). You never know what you are going to get... It's going to be great.

So... What's my best bet for scoring a pair of tix? I am on the wait list for the festival. Is there another forum to work off of? I heard the tickets are electronic? I just made the decision to go... Get to Brussels in the morning of 7/5.

aurelgugus

The official schedule is 22pm-1am so we can expect a "full" show.
They play a festival in Gdyna on thursday, the setlist will tell us if it will be a full show...

DandelionSeed

Will be there and I've been wondering the same thing. Hopefully it will be the whole show!

As for the tix, my friend just bailed, so I might have a pair for you, PhillyCrownOfThorns (and yes, they are electronic). PM me, and we'll see what we can work out!

edit: tickets sold, sorry!

cyrielbuysse

I always liked the festival shows they played, but for some reason, the Werchter shows are my least favorite. Mainly because of the very one sided setlist (mostly harder songs, only quiet ones played the three previous times were elderly woman and just breathe).

I think the setlists from 2007, 2010 and 2012 were influenced by the band playing before them (not the most sing along type of bands: arctic monkeys in 2007, arcade fire in 2010 and deus in 2012) and the band still has to find their own direction.

I am certain that when they would play more singalong stuff, the crowd will be awesome. The band is very well known in Belgium. Every album was on top of the charts.

TigaSefi

Werchter is a great place but can be very hot during the day so be prepared to drink lots of water. They came onto the stage very late at night around 11pm for me in 2010 so hopefully the 22.00 start time is accurate.

bertan

Thanks for the help people.
Btw, I don't think "playing few quiet songs" will be a problem this time. With them doing this whole "opening the show with 3-4 quiet songs" thing going on.

PhillyCrownOfThorns

Is viagogo safe to purchase from for this show? I know it will be expensive but I am running out of time.

Any help is appreciated.

PhillyCrownOfThorns

bertan said:

Thanks for the help people.
Btw, I don't think "playing few quiet songs" will be a problem this time. With them doing this whole "opening the show with 3-4 quiet songs" thing going on.

I think the show will resemble Australia, but who knows... Eddie changes it up quite a bit!

Spiritual_Chaos

Werchter in 2010 was great! First time I heard RVM I think

Nice festival! Not the easiest to get into Brussels again at night and expensive beer. But nice festival!

PhillyCrownOfThorns

I am staying at the airport. Is that going to be a problem getting a transport on Saturday night at 01:00?

cyrielbuysse

PhillyCrownOfThorns said:

I am staying at the airport. Is that going to be a problem getting a transport on Saturday night at 01:00?

It will, busses will take you to the nearest town (Leuven), but then there are no trains to Brussels at that time. A taxi is possible, but it will cost. Ealiest train or bus is at 4.20 am. Staying zt the campsite will be your best pick i m afraid...

http://www.rockwerchter.be/en

PhillyCrownOfThorns

I think I have tickets secured. Now on to ground transportation… Is there a taxi line and how insane is it for those who have been? Unfortunately, camping is out of the question.

Also, is there any update as to the Belgium game being televised on site? Game would conveniently lead into the Black Keys...

PhillyCrownOfThorns

Last annoying question, I could always rent a car… any thought on traffic nightmares getting out of there on Sat night?

cyrielbuysse

Game will be shown in one of the tents on site, since we (belgium, yes yes) are in the quarter final this will be awesome! There will also be screens in one of the many tents on the main road that lead to the festival ground.
Renting a car is a good idea, there is some traffic going out of there on saturday night, but no real traffic jams (those are for sunday night and monday morning when the festival ends). A taxi will cost as much as renting a car i think and problem with going by cab is there wont be many for getting out of there on saturday night.

PhillyCrownOfThorns

Congrats on yesterday's win. Was an epic game almost stolen by Tim Howard. Belgium is the much better team and will be an amazing game v. Argentina.

OffSheGoes76

PhillyCrownOfThorns said:

Is viagogo safe to purchase from for this show? I know it will be expensive but I am running out of time.

Any help is appreciated.

I wouldn't do that if I were you. The re-selling of tickets in Belgium is prohibited. Viagogo isn't the official channel for buying Werchter-tickets, so they buy and re-sell. There can always go something wrong. Tickets like that can be confiscated at the entrance.
There are always people in the street trying to resell tickets. But I wouldn't call that safe. Last year, I saw seller and buyer being taken away by security at the entrance.

Funkez

PhillyCrownOfThorns said:

Is viagogo safe to purchase from for this show? I know it will be expensive but I am running out of time.

Any help is appreciated.

DO NOT BUY ANYTHING EVER FROM VIAGOGO!!!

It's a roll of a dice - maybe they have the tickets that there selling, maybe not. They have even been spottet at venues, buying off other scalpers, to get tickets to distribute to pre-paying customers.

dimitrispearljam

will get 3 hourz show..and will be aweskme as a normal show

PhillyCrownOfThorns

Well... I am rolling the dice with viagogo. Actually more worried about the weather. I will dispute my charge if I don't get in. I have never had an issue with stubhub... It's not the same thing?

PhillyCrownOfThorns

dimitrispearljam said:

will get 3 hourz show..and will be aweskme as a normal show

Totally agree... It's going to be awesome. Plus, we are going to get Black, Red, Yellow! Well, u guys might see it while I am on the phone with viagogo customer service!

DandelionSeed

Normally, I wouldn't be worried about Viagogo, but in this particular case with e-ticketing system I feel it's quite a risk. I mean, you can print out as many copies of it as you like, but only the last one printed will be valid - the only way to know if you have a valid ticket will be at the gate. I personally printed out my tickets three times already because of different reasons, and now I am paranoid about accidentally taking the wrong copy with me on Saturday :-D, so I'll probably print out the 4th version of it just before I go. But most probably everything will turn out fine and you'll enjoy the great show!

Regarding the weather - I'm worried too. I mean, we've been having ridiculously nice weather lately, and off course it's going to turn just in time to ruin the experience :-( I'm getting a poncho and a pair of rubber boots, but still hope it won't rain:-D

bluegrace

Have a great time, everybody!