Hi all,
Here's another update on the meetups etc... Feel free to comment or ask if something is unclear or if I missed something!
Because I'll have to meet a lot of people before the first concert (Sun Aug 12), I have decided to start the meetup that day sooner than on the other dates.
I'm counting on you all to pay me a visit at the early meetup (2-3.30pm) to collect your goodie bag and tickets if necessary. More info on that further down this post.
Some general information first:
GreenHouse Talent (local Belgian promotor) has sent out a letter to everyone living in Ghent close to the St Peter's Square where the concerts are held. I'm listing some of the most important lines here:
- Wed Aug 8: start of the stage build, which means the Square will be closed for trafic from that day (pedestrians and bikers are allowed)
- Sat Aug 11: 11-11.30am: PA will be tested (noise)
- Sat Aug 11: somewhere between 2pm and 5pm: short soundcheck (by the band?!)
- On concert dates:
---> 11-11.30am: PA testing
---> somewhere between 2pm and 5pm: soundcheck
---> 8-11.30pm: concert (ends between 11.30-midnight)
Free buses will be available from and to Flanders Expo (details:
http://www.leonardcoheningent.be)
Meetups:
In 2010, the soundchecks that took place on the concert dates were from 4pm until 5pm. I have inquired about this with Roscoe Beck and he didn't think it would change for the upcoming tour. Also, the letter of GreenHouse Talent suggests soundchecks somewhere between 2pm and 5pm, so I'm assuming 4-5pm for soundchecks will be correct. Because the St Peter's Square is an open air venue, we will be able to listen to (not see) the soundchecks and I'm sure many of our forum members/concert goers would like to take this opportunity. I've taken this into consideration to organize the meetup schedule.
Sun Aug 12 (first concert):
2pm-3.30pm: meeting at De Gruut (
http://www.gruut.be) to pick up nametags, goodie bags and tickets
3.30pm: walk to St Peter's Square for soundchecks for those that want to go there
4pm-5pm (approx): soundcheck
5.30pm-6.30pm: back at De Gruut
6.30pm: split into smaller groups for dinner
8pm-11.30pm: concert
11.30pm-...: back at De Gruut (?) for drinks (
IMPORTANT: De Gruut is closed on Sunday evening and they didn't particularly like the idea to re-open the place for us after the concert... I'm still trying to convince them that there will be plenty of us after the concert. In case this doesn't work out, we would need another place to meet or we could meet at the venue somewhere and then walk together until we find something nice. Will keep you posted on this!
UPDATE: De Gruut has agreed to open for us on Sunday evening! Thx!!!)
Aug 14, 15, 17 & 18:
Same schedule as mentioned above, except for the pre-soundcheck meetup. De Gruut will be open all day, including after the concert, so all meetups will be there!
Mon Aug 13:
I initially planned to show a movie that evening, but because Adam Cohen will be playing at a festival in Brussels that night, some people would like to go to Brussels. We could watch a movie at De Gruut around 3pm-5pm which would leave enough time to get to the Adam Cohen concert afterwards, but I don't know if that would suit you all... Please advise on the timing...
Nametags/goodie bags:
I'm preparing nametags and goodie bags for everyone on my list. A total package including nametag, lanyard, wristband and a couple of extra's (3 other items specifically made for the Ghent concerts!)will be
5 EUR.
Payment can be done when picking up your goodie bag and nametag. Please try to remember your number on my list (see first post in this thread), so I can easily find your nametag.
De Gruut:
De Gruut is situated in between the St Peter's Square and the old city center. It's about 800 metres away from the venue (10 minute walk) and another 800 metres from the city center.
I will post a small Google Map in the next post:
A = St Peter's Square
B = De Gruut
C = City Center
See you all soon!
Maarten
UPDATE: in case of emergency, you can always call me at +32 473 93 60 59 (cell phone)