The VIP Topic (What it includes what it doesn't)

[jbracciante]

Every year since they've started this VIP program on Al's website pre-sales, there have been broken hearts thinking it includes a meeting with Al after the show. I figured a topic for this 2011 tour could clear up confusion as to what this is, and what it isn't.

You get a ticket to the show.
You get everything in the picture above which includes:

# An 8x10 Autographed Photograph of Weird Al
# A Limited Edition Set of Weird Al Trading Cards (50 cards per set)
# Three Weird Al Refrigerator Magnets
# A Collectible VIP Tour Laminate.

All of these things are simply "merchandise" and have no actual "VIP" status associated with them. The autographed picture has a real autograph, not a printed one, but everything else is simply made in the same way any other merchandise is. Possessing the "VIP Tour Laminate" has no effect on whether or not you get to meet Al.

That is all.

[Jigawatt]

I'm making this topic a sticky so as not to leave a trail of tears and broken hearts behind. Good idea for a topic.

[Alinite27]

I think this topic is great. It never failed. At every one of the 32 concerts I attended last year someone tried to utilize the "VIP" Pass as a "Backstage" Pass.

Looks like the management at Tickets.WeirdAl.com found it useful, too. They now include James picture alongside the VIP items description.

[rangerbob]

I think its great you cleared it up with the VIP laminate that it doesnt come with a meet & greet.

[Alinite27]

You know, one of the most surprising things about the VIP Laminate...is that some venues actually honored it for a meet. I think just to avoid a confrontation or having to check with management to see if it was valid.

[Orthography Enthusiast]

I really can't figure out why they still include that troublesome VIP pass in the package.

[minnick27]

It makes people feel important

[Alinite27]

That's exactly it, Mike. I'm not going to lie. I've worn the VIP Pass from the packages last tour, as well as, the ones that ArtistArena issued in their VIPs. If you pay that much extra money for a show, you deserve to feel important. I just wish there was some non-confusing item they could issue that would still bring forth that same essence. Anything that's exclusive to the VIP Packages would do it.

[minnick27]

I just don't understand the confusion. It says VIP, not backstage. People need to read things and not assume

[CatraDhtem]

I just don't understand the confusion. It says VIP, not backstage. People need to read things and not assume

Correct, but that would involve people taking the time to learn the difference. Nobody stops to think, "But if the package includes meeting Al, then why would it already include an autographed photo?" Instead, they see the word "VIP" and think that it's somehow going to entitle them to more than just a choice seat and some swag. And also, you know as soon as someone sees a laminate they suddenly think that they're going to be like Wayne and Garth.

The laminate from the one VIP show I went to has become a part of my usual concert attire. At the last Cleveland show, I was wearing both that and my AlFest/"Al's Brain" laminate just to be in full Al regalia. At least two random people accosted me for passes without any warning or reason to think that I had access to any (I in fact did, but they didn't know that). I didn't make a big deal out of my laminates; in fact most of the time they were tucked between my t-shirt and the Hawaiian shirt I wore over it. It became a very humorous sociological experiment.