Here’s what it looks like.
By Charles Layton
Bamboozle, the giant music festival, comes to Asbury Park the weekend of May 18-20, so the question is, how will that affect us?
“We’ll probably be seeing a lot of drunks” — Neptune Mayor Randy Bishop.
“”We are going to have quite the little disaster on our hands” — Neptune Committeewoman Mary Beth Jahn.
“A nightmare” — The triCity News.
That’s the scary scenario. The promoters and Asbury Park officials paint a happier picture: Safe and under control is their prediction. But even if they are right, the tens of thousands of young music fans will surely clog streets and make parking much more of a headache than usual.
Jahn thinks Ocean Grovers should expect to be “trapped in your homes with only the Parkway Market to sustain you.” She suggests that everyone who has a parking space in the Grove should stay put throughout the weekend. Don’t drive to the supermarket for ice cream and expect it not to melt before you can get home, she says.
Crowd estimates have been lowered in recent days. Original estimates were for 110,000 to 120,000 people over three days. At the Tuesday night meeting of the Neptune Democratic Club, Bishop said between 140,000 and 175,000 might come. But this week, based on advance ticket sales, the promoters are predicting only about 90,000 total — 20,000 on Friday, 40,000 on Saturday and 30,000 on Sunday.
It’s mainly a teens and 20s scene, but there’s also something for the old timers: Bon Jovi
Some 80 musical acts are expected to perform, including Foo Fighters, Skrillex, Incubus, The Gaslight Anthem and, for the old timers, Bon Jovi. One of the most popular bands, Blink-182, canceled this week because its drummer had to have an emergency tolsillectomy.
The annual Bamboozle event began in 2003 as a jam-band weekend at the Stone Pony, but moved to the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford in 2006 because it had outgrown Asbury Park.
This year marks its return to Asbury, an indication that our neighbor to the north has truly arrived as a leading music venue. Most of the action will be on seven stages along the boardwalk between The Paramount Theater and Eighth Avenue. The main stage will be right on the beach.
Police will barricade the boardwalk area north of Convention Hall, and no one will be allowed in without a festival wristband. The promoters will provide some 9,700 parking spaces at Monmouth Park, with shuttle buses hauling people in from there. Others will arrive by train at the Asbury station. Still others will be dropped off by their parents and picked up later.
Neptune officials say several hundred out-of-town security and emergency people will be coming into Asbury to help out. The Neptune PD will help with traffic in and out, costing a considerable amount of police overtime. But the Township will be reimbursed for that and other expenses connected with Bamboozle.
Band performances begin each afternoon and run late into the evening, but after the performances there will be “after parties,” which doubtless will run for hours past midnight.
Bishop predicts that people who miss their buses out of town will end up sleeping on the beaches.
“What’s going to happen,” he asks, “when you have people passed out all over the place, and when you have people trying to take advantage of people passed out all over the place?”
We’ll find out, won’t we.
Bishop predicts that people who miss their buses out of town will end up sleeping on the beaches. “What’s going to happen,” he asks, “when you have people passed out all over the place, and when you have people trying to take advantage of people passed out all over the place?”
By “taking advantage” does the Mayor worry that Nick WIlliams will register these people to vote in the June primary?
I have seen more consternation, gnashing of teeth over this event than is warranted. Everyone is freaking out over an event that is going to be restricted to the north end. The show ends at 11, nj transit runs till 2 am. Emergency Services have been planning for months, bringing in county and state EMS units specifically designed to handle mass casualty events, the entire county is planning and prepping for the worst.
Our elected officials are doing the public a great disservice by being so negative about this event and are causing panic amongst the residents. I can’t believe they could act this way. We have some of the best resources in this state, who have provided service to this event and other music festivals in the past, they know what they are doing.
The people who should be “gnashing” are those who live and work in Asbury Park. There are more than enough issues with crime, drugs, and gangs on any given Saturday night in AP to keep the police force hopping. Add in all the activity surrounding Bamboozle and there could be a BIG problem.
Does anyone remember the angst about the annual fraternity reunion that used to be held in Belmar, but later moved to AP? Turns out there were legitimate concerns, which included some drive-by shootings by party crashers (not the college kids).
I agree with Bullets…calm down everyone! Elected officials should be more positive and stop being such alarmists.
Forget waiting for Bamboozle to experience parking problems. Was in OG a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t find a parking spot on Asbury Avenue. Was mid week and felt like a Saturday evening during the Summer. Asbury Park “fans” are parking in OG to avoid paying for parking. Will be a mess when the season hits.
“By “taking advantage” does the Mayor worry that Nick WIlliams will register these people to vote in the June primary?”
Very funny. Love it.
Yeah, gotta love the Neptune TWp powers that be deciding against parking regulation in OG-I live on Asbury Avenue and I can sit on my porch each day and watch people walk past my house to cross the bridge into AP…
As for the Bamboozle, well hey, this ain’t 1969 and we’re not at Yasgur’s Farm….
@Sal – He probably will try to register them. He also won’t realize that they aren’t residents and can’t vote here. But it is something that he can claim as an accomplishment.
Sal and Nancy Mc Manus- maybe if the mayor and Council worried more about Neptune instead of what one person was doing or not doing we would have a better town. Hiring an Asst BA at 60.000 for a part time position working 3 days a week to train him just in case he gets the position down the line. Mayor Bishop called it a “test run.” Well your tax dollars are paying for this so-called test run. Now think about that, now see how funny things are. Taxes went up 3 cents and they use it on an example of a home worth $239,000,00 all the time. What are your homes worth and how much tax increase did you see. Think about that, now thats funny but just lets all keep laughing at the jokes. Next time you call the shared services for a policeman. see how long they take to get there.
I say let the kids (& adults) rock & roll. It will be fine. Maybe an inconvenience for some. Wish Asbury would bring back on a regular basis concerts on the beach like they used to have with the WNEW sponsored ones. I also wish that the OG Auditorium would stop booking boring oldies & re-union concerts and get with it and book some more current, interesting, rocking bands. It is 2012 after all, not 1975.
I agree with Frank S, I though I’d say they are stuck in ’55 or ’65! Much of the entertainment is aimed at the senior citizen crowd, with one or two exceptions. I haven’t been to an Auditorium show in years because nothing they offer interests me. And a Springsteen tribute band that already plays everywhere down the shore doesn’t cut it for me.
The B Street Band is playing at the Auditorium June 23. (Bruce Springsteen tunes). I’ve seen them play and they are great for all ages.
right frank!
Bullets – I remember Bamboozle in ’05. I remember the kids sleeping on the beaches, the cars vandalized all over Asbury Park, and yes the havoc that was wrought. Also, I know quite a few people who are coming from as far away as Europe with no hotel reservations. They moved it up to the Meadowlands for a reason. If you think this is all gonna be sunshine and peaches, well, you’re far more of an optomist than I am.
Also, I suggest you avoid Skrillex. I suggest you all avoid Skrillex.
Chuckie B, you got that right. I apppreciate all types of music, particularly alternative and techno, but Skrillex’s sound reminds me of nails on a chalkboard.
Chuckie-05 became a problem due to the actions of the AP fire marshall, who forced bands to move, closed venues, and caused major problems. The guests became frustrated because they spent time, money and travel for something that never materialized. If the event was allowed to continue as planned this wouldn’t have happened. Also the county OEM/EMS was not involved like they are this year, AP realized that mistake.
Warped tour has been at Monmouth Park for 2 years, while the track did its normal business, and besides a few kids being dehydrated, it goes smoothly.
Bamboozle has happened at the Meadowlands with little issue to the surrounding community. Meadowlands Hospital got a little busy.
Dave Matthews brought a music festival to Atlantic City last summer. Nothing major to report out of that event.
Who cares if people sleep in the beach?
I completely agree about Skrillex. Hard to see anything of interest in that guy’s music. But — I guess he’s not trying to appeal to me.
A Bruce Springsteen cover band at the auditorium is lame. So 1975. Didn’t Born To Run come out in 1975? How about a really rad yet Christian band? Actually I think Stryper really did play the auditorium. Lol !
My only concern with people sleeping on the beach would be them getting robbed and/or attacked. I think others are more offended by the outright youthful, hippie-esque nature of the whole activity, even if it really is just someone that you’ll never see again sleeping for a few hours. Anyway, there really isn’t anywhere to sleep except for under Convention Hall, and you may have some kitties to snuggle with under there, but even I’d be kind of afraid. Otherwise, you are quite visible on the open beach. Doesn’t sound very appealing. I imagine most people will find their way home and get out of town. Come All Tomorrow’s Parties, I’m thinking of renting out a room.
What I don’t understand, though, is why they have to block off the whole boardwalk. I hate stuff like that.
I would go see Stryper.
I voted for these two in the past. But ya gotta wonder when one is squawking Armageddon and the mayor is wondering about wandering bands of drunks and the trouble they will get into.
Wouldn’t we rather hear that plans are in place and that there will be a zero tolerance rule in effect for nonsense.
Unlike the snowstorm, this event can be planned for.
On Monday May 20th I don’t want to read any letter that starts off with “Dear Folks” and tells us why any events of the past weekend couldn’t be averted.
I’m not doing anyone a disservice – I’m familiar with LiveNation and their handling of festivals, because I’ve attended quite a few. When a promoter has bypassed the neighboring governing bodies (not police, fire, or OEM, mind you) who could have helped them acquire parking lots for attendees that are much closer than the Wall Township Garden State Parkway Park and Ride and the Monmouth Park parking lots, especially when train service hasn’t started from Monmouth Park Station. Because the governing bodies were not included, the potential for a traffic nightmare has been created, because concertgoers are not gong to want to take a bus to far-flung parking lots.
If the promoters had come to the governing bodies, or at least to Neptune, we could have worked with them regarding parking and doing something to protect the residents’ parking in Ocean Grove. Here’s the thing: that has to come from Live Nation, and they didn’t approach us. Asbury has metered parking, so perhaps they did not want to shut down their street parking, and Live Nation presumed we were the same. Whatever the reason, it would have been nice to at least speak to Live Nation. They, however, did not feel the same about the Neptune Township Committee.
They will be closing off the boardwalk to casual foot traffic without concert wristbands, but will they also be closing off the footbridges as well like they did duing the last street fair?
Re : Concern about people being robbed or attacked who sleep on the beach or under convention hall. Police/security (lord knows there are going to be plenty) should & could patrol & protect these people. Yes I know that would be condoning illegal loitering but really it’s not like these folks are bums or criminals. Someone being robbed/attacked is a far worse thing to happen.
Again I say: Let the kids (& adults) rock & roll. To that I add: Let them sleep on the beach too. There are no affordable rooms left in area and it would be inconvenient (if not near impossible with expected traffic) to leave area at night only to come back next morning. Besides a new generation will have fun & hopefully lasting Asbury Park memories.
P.S. – Wish Stryper were playing Bamboozle. Guess The Promise Ring will have to do.
Heard on news 12 that concert goers in cars will be diverted to other towns to park when AP gets full.
I’m a former summer resident who spent many years working as a lifeguard on Middle Beach. Although I’ve had a successful career in the newspaper business, the “passion to protect” brought me to Giants Stadium many years ago to work security. I’m still at it at the new building. Let me tell you….this event is horrific.I won’t lay it out here, chapter and verse. But, for those who think this is simply a music festival…you have no idea…I hope I’m wrong, though I doubt it.
As an addendum, the one thing at which LiveNation has become very skilled is rounding up their intoxicated/under-the-influence/left-behind-by-their-rides stragglers and getting them to their cars or hotels. They are importing hundreds of security guards fron outside the area to work this event and keep things calm.
There can be a positive effect on Ocean Grove from the Bamboozle. When day visitors are not able to visit the beach and boardwalk in Asbury Park, that can be a boost to Ocean Grove businesses and restaurants. Every potential black cloud has a silver – or green! – lining.
I simply wish, as a member of the Township Committee and Ocean Grove Parking Committee, that the Township Committee could have had the opportunity to work with LiveNation to mitigate the potential negative effects on Ocean Grove.
(And someone thinks if telling folks you’re locked in place with the Pathway Market to sustain you and that this is not the weekend to buy ice cream at Wegman’s and look for a parking spot is taken as I’m promoting Armageddon, well, whoever took it that way has never lived in Ocean Grove on a 100-degree Fourth of July holiday or when Choirfest was held in the Grove and Greekfest was in Asbury. I wasn’t promoting Armageddon; I was speaking from 13 years’ experience of living in the Grove.)
Mary Beth-ditto!!
As far as the great unwashed attending Bamboozle-I bought my son tickets, and let me say that I have been quite impressed with the amount of emails I’ve gotten about lodging, transportation, etc. As a long time resident of OG, Bamboozle seems no worse then the other events that AP and OG support. Anybody remember WNEW days in AP? This is no better, no worse.
So the short answer is that you have done nothing because you weren’t contacted?
PS: I’ve been here 57 years.
The short answer is that the promoters only wanted to meet with Neptune’s first responders and were not interested in discussing parking concerns with the Township, as they felt they had that angle covered.
Stryper?? That’s funny.
I always enjoyed seeing Garrison Keiler at the Auditorium…wish he’d come back.
GDY- I was a former OIC of the Meadowlands Security force for many years at both Giant Stadium and the Old Brendan Byrne Arena. As you stated and are aware, the concerts at the arena were enclosed in a building which made it somewhat easier to control as they were more or less in an contained building. The stadium concerts and football games are a little more difficult as it is harder to get to some areas when emergencies or fights develop ( field)trying to get through the crowds to reach what is going on. Any outside venue such as the parking lot concerts and the State Fair were always the most difficult because of the openess of the area and when muliple things are going on, it always creates a chaotic situation. Now you throw in the scalpers and illegal venders working the roadways and lots, tying up traffic for people looking to buy tickets or shirts and again this just adds to the already routine problems. I was hoping that the Bamboozle promoters hired the Meadowlands guards as they are trained and proficent in these settings but recently saw a ad for part time security guards to work the weekend for about $10.00 pe hour. I guess that people untrained will be hired to fill the numbers and never worked anything like this in their lives. This will not be an easy show to work because of all the movement and also the lack of trained personnel. When you are talking about 80 groups in 3 days there will surely be a number of problems but with the proper supervision and SOP’s being enforced from the start theres a possibility that some of these situations avoided. I was there from 1976 to 1991 before relocating to the shore but will always have a place in my heart for the great people who work there. Say hello to Jack C, Tony and Charlie M. from Nick.
Franks S,
Just to be clear, I have no problem with anyone sleeping on the beach. I wish society was more down with something like that. I was just saying that if I were going to worry, that’s what would worry me. I know that there will be a large security presence, though, which brings me to..
What about all of us walking through Asbury this coming weekend? If we can’t go on the boardwalk, will we be discouraged from the area? How’s that going to work? Are we not allowed on the beach, either? It seems pretty ridiculous to keep people from the boardwalk.
It is my understanding that the only part of the boardwalk closed off will be north of convention hall – so you can still go to the restaurants. Am I correct?
Walker — From the site map on the Bamboozle website, it looks like you are right. I’m trying to get some clarification about that.
My problem with people sleeping on the beach has to do with where they will go to the bathroom, especially if public bathrooms are locked up for the night. I know this is probably a distasteful topic of conversation, but let’s be realistic.
Chuckie B : Very simple practical answer/solution – Don’t lock up the public bathrooms. Treat these people as human beings/paying guests and allow them to use the bathrooms overnight.
OIC- No chance of the Meadowland guards working Bamboozle since the Electric Daisy carnival is going on the same weekend at Metlife. I hope NJSP have enough officers to cover both events. The show at the stadium attracts a different crowd than Bamboozle. The ecstasy crowd will be at the stadium. They need to be protected from themselves. The booze, speed, coke crowd will be at Bamboozle. They need to be protected from each other. I can’t even imagine the logistical nightmare that Bamboozle will be. Just read on app.com that there are no hotel rooms available within 10 miles of the event. The traffic will be intolerable. (Tony the retired principal?)
There must be no hotel rooms available. Which accounts for the ridiculously greedy prices people are asking on Craigslist for rental of their homes and apartments for this Bamboozle weekend.
All the more reason to allow people to sleep on the beach (protected and with bathroom facilities as already mentioned). Not only would this be a needed service it would also lessen expected traffic in area.
Asbury Park or promoter could even sell official Bamboozle beach blankets for some outrageous price and only allow those people with these blankets to sleep on beach.
GDY- Good luck over the weekend at Met-Life. I’ve never been there but the people I know still prefer the old stadium better. Maybe one day I’ll have the urge to get there. I’ve been involved in over 500 concerts working throughout my 16-year career and I would assume that they are not any different now. I remember doing a Frank Sinatra concert and wouldn’t you know it that a fight broke out over seats and too many drinks before the show. As you know, the younger crowds will have more problems, but lets hope that between the police presence and a good plan by all this weekend will pass with just a few minor problems. Only one can hope for sure. (Yes, Tony, the retired Principal and Jack Cip) Tell them Nick from Neptune said hello. They will know who it is for sure.