*** Official Columbia, MD 2021 ***
 

Saturday, July 18, 2020

RIP JLL TAILGATES! LONG LIVE JLL TAILGATES!

That said, for me, commuting to, and parking at, MPP is so, so much easier that it’s hard for me to be too sad. I’m still confident that with this fantastic group of folks we can continue our tradition of the best tailgate on tour.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

Any hotel recommendations that are close to the venue? Never been here before. Anything to know about the venue or surrounding area?

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

So pumped they are playing MPP. One of, if not my favorite, venues.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

Good tailgating scene?

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

I can’t believe DMB has played one headlining set at MPP. 2004. Of course we got Dave and Tim there in 2017. But I’ve been hoping for this for years.

Does anyone know if lawn tickets get you access to the skylawn/balcony? I went up there during a show last summer but forget if they checked my ticket. Having a spot on the rail up top would be a great place to watch from.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

I think so. Recently they changed the parking situation. So you have to select your zone/lot number when you buy tickets or at some point after and have to park there on the day of the show. Not sure how that’ll work with WH tix. I’ve only ever parked in Zone A which is the venue lots. All over zones are across the street by the mall.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

That’s different. Never seen that before.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

I'm in for this.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

This will be an extremely hard ticket to get. Saturday show and with no Camden show all those folks are gonna travel down to see them play on the weekend. At least I know I am.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

Letting go of my bitterness toward the death of bristow, I think this will be a good time. Gorgeous venue, awesome show experience, but gotta be quick on the draw to get a tailgate spot and not get stuck in the garage.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

I booked at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Columbia / Fort Meade a couple of weeks ago for $120 total for the night. It seemed to have the most decent reviews for the most decent price. If anyone has any better recommendations, please let me know.

I think it's just MPP and Spac for me this year. MPP is only 3.5 hours from me. I've never been before so I am looking forward to it.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

Will you be hosting the normal JLL tailgate here? I attended your (ants) Bristow tailgate a couple years ago and it was a real good time.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

You’ll love the venue itself. Great place to see a show, especially with the recent renovations.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

Any idea how they’ll do parking with WH tickets? I’ve only selected parking with TM tickets before.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

Oh, you mean the year we got a little sprinkle in the lots? :lol:lol

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

I’ve gone ahead and set up a tailgate spreadsheet in my signature. It was sad deleting the info about the Target meetup from Bristows past. But I am excited for MPP. Especially not having to deal with the Bristow lot.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

Are you able to see the stage from the lawn with the recent renovations? Last time I was there, you couldn't see the stage at all from the lawn unless you were up front.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

I fully plan to as long as everyone else is on board. The tailgate is one of the things I most look forward to every summer, so I really hope the tradition continues.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

While Bristow was the "home" venue, it was still about an hour drive west for us. This is a little longer (mere minutes) north bound drive...close to "home" venue. We've never been and are looking forward...unless we ditch it and do the Raleigh/VA Beach 2-fer instead. Hard to pass up a new to us venue though, especially when it's "local"...no hotel and such.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

Whoops. Apparently the spreadsheet in my signature wasn't editable by anyone but me. Should be fixed now.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

Definitely come!

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

At Phish last year, anyone could access the skylawn. You had to go in fairly soon after the doors opened (maybe within 30-45 minutes?) in order to get along the rail up there. Although, by night 2 last year, more people knew about the skylawn, and so it looked crowded enough I didn't try to go up there.

I'm thrilled to not go to Bristow this year. Every time I go there, I swear it will be my last. I think I could walk to Bristow from Baltimore more quickly than I can drive there when there's a show. It's also nice to go to a show where it doesn't take an hour and a half to go through the gates.

The tailgating at MPP is definitely more subdued after they've changed the parking around. It's not going to be like tailgating at Bristow, especially if a lot of the crowd doesn't really know their way around.

Folks say that the sound is better on the lawn since the renovations. The view is a little bit more obstructed in the corners of the lawn.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

Well not with that attitude ;)

But seriously, I know the tailgate may take a hit, but as I said before, hopefully with enough foresight and planning, we can still have a fantastic time, even if it's not quite what we're all used to.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

Do you guys really think this is the end of the road for Bristow, or is it just a year off like they did with Va Beach last year?

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

They raised the roof height so the view from the lawn is better then it was.

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I don't think anyone will be able to say with any certainty, it would only be conjecture. But if anyone works for (or has any connection to) JLL or LiveNation, I'm happy to listen.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

Two years of bad luck in a row. Little in the way of flexibility re: curfew, so the fans got kinda screwed (esp. 2018). If things go well @ MPP, I wouldn't be surprised. Despite being the last venue they played w/ Roi, there's no real indication that it's important to them to play there. BUT, I don't what they're thinking, mere speculating. It's just as (if not more) likely that it's just a logistical thing. The dates they could get weren't lining up with their itinerary.

If it sold well, they'll likely be back UNLESS they make more $$$ @ MPP...

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

I have never been to this venue. Sorry for any stupid questions in advance, but I rely on ants advice prior to going to new venues. Will the lawn section be difficult to get? Is this a nice lawn with a good view? I know the lawn at spac and fiddlers are less than desirable. Are there any recommendations for nearby cities for hotels? Thanks so much for any local ant advice.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

They’ll have even less flexibility with curfew at MPP

I’m thrilled for this show but I’m worried it’ll be a tough ticket to get.

Re: *** Official Columbia, MD 2020 ***
 

I LOVE the MPP lawn. It’s pretty, has a chill vibe and isn’t too crowded. Easy to get a beverage and find your group again.

MPP is one of my favorite pavilions. The lawn will sell out so if you’re on the fence I wouldn’t wait on tickets.

The view is pretty decent from the lawn, better if your centered and closer obviously. They added a sky lawn, so if you get there early, you’re essentially above the rear pavilion seats with a great view of the stage.

As for hotels - what do you want to do? It’s in the suburbs about half way between Baltimore and DC. If you don’t want to do touristy things, there’s a lot of great breweries in the area, but not a real night life. If you’d rather be in one of the cities, you may want to stay closer to that.