Rock the Bells 2010

Duh, Snoop, Tribe, Wutang, and Lauren… of course it was a great line up. You Know that’s not the problem here. The Problem is Guerilla Union made money off us and treated us like shit.
I bought tickets on-​line for will call pick-​up. When I arrived I was made to stand in a 2 hour line to pick up my tickets! They had combined will-​call and Gen admission for those who needed to buy a ticket. This wait was unacceptable alone but paired with the 100+ degree temp and the NO SHADE or water, made me irate!
Not to mention the extra lines inside for those stupid pre-​pay cards and inadequate water, food, and restroom facilities. This event was the worst I’ve ever seen and had nothing to do with the music. I feel violated that they can take my money and treat me this way and I have no recourse except for complaining on some blog sites and facebook. So I decided to voice my complaint with the Better Business Bureau! This can’t be acceptable! Here is the info for the BBB closest to the NOS center.
BBB of the Southland
(Colton, CA)
315 N. La Cadena P.O. Box 970
Colton, CA 92 324‑2927
Phone: (909)825−7280
Fax: (909)825−6246
Email:
Web:

I have a lot to say, so bear with me.
Rock the Bells 2010 was definitely not short on entertainment. I felt like my $ 90 for a ticket was only worth the music/​entertainment portion.
The artist selection this year was phenomenal. Snoop Dogg, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-​Tang Clan, KRS-​One, Murs & 9^th Wonder, Lauryn Hill, Immortal Technique, Brother Ali, Jedi Mind Tricks, to name a few, but there were so many other artists it was impossible to catch them all. I can’t say a single bad thing about all the acts that performed, this was a great line-​up and there isn’t a single part of me that regrets going this year.
The venue selection on the other hand sucked more than a poorly paid amateur porn star. Not only was it in a giant shithole of a city, it was at the ever so unpopular NOS Events Center. I’ve been to a a few concerts here before (Paid Dues and previous RTB’s) but never have I been more disappointed in Guerilla Union.
As attendees, we were expected to exchange our cash or credit cards for «event cards.» These cards gave you access to all of the food and beverage vendors present/​You could NOT purchase a single item to eat or drink without one– which we found out about only AFTER standing in line for half an hour for a simple slice of pizza. We ended up not eating all day, and thank GOD we were able to bring in our own water bottles because there was apparently a very short supply of water to begin with. HELLO, 25k attendees for a 12 hour music festival? You should definitely over prepare, and you shouldn’t make people stand in a never ending line to get a card, only to stand in ANOTHER line to get water, I understand the idea that perhaps the vendors are concerned about their employees are pocketing cash, but seriously, set this up better next time if you think it’s absolutely necessary. Put the event cards in the very front, as you first walk in that way you have the option of loading it up early and don’t end up waiting in a MOB (not a line) to get one later in the day when you’re almost ready to pass out from being dehydrated. To a large handful of the attendees you suck and make lines wider instead of longer — we were all hungry, just because you were stoned and had the munchies doesn’t make you any more important; learn how to wait in line like the rest of us.
The wait times between sets were totally unnecessary; people around us were getting cranky about the wait times, especially towards the end of the night. I seriously doubt it was necessary to take 30 minutes to set up for Snoop Dogg. I’ve read a lot of complaints, and while this is probably redundant, you need to know that more than a lot of people were upset with the planning. Please take this back to Glen Helen; RTB 2009 had the perfect venue, sure there were a few lawn fires, but a few lawn fires I think are a little bit easier to deal with than a whole bunch of dehydrated and passed/​passing out fans. A big BIG thank you to all the artists who performed, your contributions we’re much appreciated.
This was my 4^th year attending, I support GU, and I love Rock the Bells and the Paid Dues festivals, but seriously, the planning committee have to know that NOS Events Center, while it’s big and spacious, is the most miserable place to be for more than 2 hours, let alone 12 blazing-​hot summer hours.
The 2 stars are for the artists, the events center & GU — please thank your faithful patrons & find a better venue, or better yet take this back to Glen Helen for RTB 2011. PLEASE.

The show itself was excellent, but like many others, I found the whole having to stand in line to buy cards to be able to purchase food and beverages to be a huge inconvenience. Only one restroom area. Line was so long I chose not to further patronize the beer vendor just so I wouldn’t have to wet myself standing in it. I’m no fan of port o potties, but with 25,000 people in one place, they are necessary. Next time GU, right?
The entertainment, 5 stars.
The venue organization, 3.
Wu Tang Foreva!