I want to apologize for this being so late. I’ve had this written for some time because I didn’t want to forget everything, but my schedule has been a bit hectic with lots of driving. As you may know, I’ve been posting a lot about this event as I happened to be in Atlantic City at the time. I posted the trailer because when I saw it, I was instantly brought back to New Year’s Eve 2013 Life in Color event. I even wrote up a preview of what to expect as I was psyching myself up for the event. I attended the event with three really good friends. They were new to the whole experience while I was a veteran. What happened at this year’s events would live down in one great night with ups and downs. I can’t deny that. With a lineup of Sebastian Ingrosso, Krewella, TJR, and Dyro, I kickstarted the New Year properly.
Because I got there with girls, they liked to show up fashionably late. I think that was their excuse for getting ready, but I truly had no complaints. We arrive at Bader Field and it looked like a line for as long as I could see. We got there right as Dyro was ending and it looked like most of the crowd was outside. Thankfully, I could listen to the end of Dyro’s set despite being outside and freezing. I, unfortunately, had to pick up my tickets at will call. I don’t know if there was any issue, but I must have waited at least a half hour to get my pass to get in. I immediately ran inside because I was so cold. My friends had already disappeared into the crowd. Let me tell you this, compared to the year prior, this crowd was much bigger. The setup was slightly different. From memory, I remember a VIP stage on the right side of the tent, a large merchandise tent inside the main tent, and a lot easier to get food / drinks. This year, there was a smaller merchandise area, and multiple beer 21+ sections. I stayed in there before I went up front and eventually backstage. I didn’t see any other section.
Each performer was absolutely amazing. They each put on quite an awesome show that left me astounded. Each time a major banger came on, the crowd went absolutely insane. Everytime, the timer hit zero and paint blasted out like a fire hose, people were going nuts. Even Krewella decided to get soaked. The whole show was well done. Hearing the variety of bangers made me so excited. new stuff. With that, having this lineup was absolutely amazing. Krewella played all their awesome songs. Sebastian Ingrosso blew me away by playing older music such as Miami 2 Ibiza. I finally got to experience TJR who left me raging my face off and wanting more. Dyro and the openers from what I am told absolutely killed it and made me regret missing it.
I am going to leave my pros and cons for the event because unfortunately, nothing is perfect and we are all entitled to our opinions.
Pros:
- Absolutely astounding lineup. For those who don’t know, this event took place the same night Tiesto had an amazing performance at the Borgata and Afrojack tore up HQ with plenty of
- More paint than last year. It is hard to say this for sure, but from memory, I remember there to be a lot more paint at this event than the year prior. This is of course, a paint party and that is the key factor.
- Being prepared definitely had me ready for what to expect. Also going with friends who don’t disappear on you help.
- This is the most major pro in my book. I know a lot about Jersey Shore Children’s Museum and how they have been struggling to stay afloat. I saw that the beer garden stations were ran by volunteers from there to help raise money for the museum. Whoever helped with that, THANK YOU! They are a great nonprofit that are trying to help the children and I thought that was amazing.
I hate to write a cons list, but as I was taught in high school and quote Hamlet, “I must be cruel only to be kind.”
Cons:
- Security/staff. Like I stated, this crowd was much bigger than last years. That is awesome to see, but it seemed like there wasn’t enough security. I waited over a half hour just to pick up my ticket from Will Call and the line wasn’t that long. My friends, from what they told me, walked into the event without even having their ticket even scanned or checked. I know that for a fact because one girl left her ticket at my house accidentally. When in line to get my ID checked to get a beer, I watched people hop the fence which caused the people ID’ing the crowd to turn their attention to them. Consequently, this allowed people to walk right in without being ID’ed. I know that people were just grabbing the 21+ bracelets and handing them out to others in line. I even received one despite the fact I am of legal age.
- The crowd. What happened to PLUR – Peace Love Unity Respect? I know this isn’t Life in Color’s fault nor LineRocket, but this irked me a bit. I, as well as the three girls I was with was thrashed around in the front. I remember this being the same last year. I’ve been to many festivals and concerts and been up front numerous times, but never had such a harsh time. It reminded me of being in a mosh pit back in the days of when I went to Warped Tour. I had to leave and go backstage to not be violated beyond belief. I wanted to bring the girls I was with along with me, but they didn’t have a pass which they accepted and stayed near the barrier.
Before, I do my overall, I want to share a few things with you. Here is some photos I took of the crowd:
Here is a video of footage I took from the event. I had more, but for some reason, some came out very badly.
THANK YOU LIC for a great evening last night in AC.THANK YOU EVERYONE for being there for me and showing me exactly why I keep coming back to LIC shows in my paint suit.
My friends and I agree. We drove in from Pittsburgh for this show & I must say, it gave us a TERRIBLE impression of how ppl in NJ act at shows. So, I hope that wasn’t the normal behavior. We were constantly changing locations to avoid being pushed and shoved. Creepy men randomly grabbing some of us girls (and we were not dressed provocatively at all), kids freaking out all over the place bcuz they couldn’t handle their shit, & ppl (kids) basically having sex right there in the open… & not one person seemed to care. I give much credit & respect to the EMTs who were doing laps checking on ppl!! AND THE WORST PART OF ALL….that ridiculous shit making us wait outside for an over an hr in nearly freezing temps & then the absolute chaos tryin to form organzed lines after letting 100 or more ppl make a mad dash to the entrance…. better get shit together fpr next year, I think we’re gonna pick a different city to drive to….
CRAZIEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE CANT WAIT TO SEE THE PHOTOS AND AFTERMOVIE
Next time don’t let stupid kids in your show. Its sad how immature and rude everyone was. Nothing like getting pushed and shoved the whole fucking time. Not to mention the stupid kids who can’t handle drugs. Get it together lic. The worst show I’ve ever been to..stick to 18+ or better yet 21 +
The crowd did suck. I was closer to the front and thought I was going to be trampled to death because stupid kids were shoving everyone. Not to mention the fight that broke out next to us.. Idiots.
If you thought this LIC was amazing you’ve never been to a rave or other LIC event before. Awesome performers and everything don’t get me wrong the DJs were outstanding. But the majority of the CROWD fucking sucked. Dumb ass KIDS. If I knew it was 16 and up I wouldn’t have went.
24 hours later and i still can’t hear! My first LIC, certainly not my last!
I’ve been to a lot of these LIC events and this was an uncharacteristically violent crowd. That is a shame. I think it is telling that the PLUR shoutout in the beginning was transformed to drop the Unity and Respect. I do think that an older crowd would be better but I also think there are better solutions (to be explained later).
I think the artists were unbelievable (and therefor still say this is the best LIC I’ve been to). I didn’t find the wait outside to be bad at all (we got there at 7ish and got in by 7:30 which is more than reasonable). Tips to improve:
1)Advertise the survivor station better. I knew about it because I’d been to LIC before but a lot of people did not. That way people can dress warmly and won’t worry about the wait outside. 2) Water is a big money maker I get it but if you for example sold commemorative bottles for more money and then provided free refills the EMTs would appreciate it since you’d have fewer drugged idiots dehydrating. 3) Slalom style lines in the parking lot area with at very least a canvas wall around it. That condenses people and keeps out wind thus reducing how cold people get. 4) **Put people paint guns throughout the tent! This worked great last year** I know you want paint-free zones but put those to the side or back and raise them on a platform to improve visibility. As it stands now people in the front get VERY painted and people past the first 8 rows of people get next to nothing. THIS IS ONE MAJOR CAUSE OF PUSHING. People want to get painted at a paint party and thus push into the front center more than they would otherwise. People off the the side by even a margin get no paint because the support pole is in the way of the shooting. Last year there were people with buckets and simple guns firing randomly into the crowd. This was great and I felt no need to venture too far in. 5)More colors. I love pink and green but most intriguing were the splotches of blue and orange. Why no orange/ blue paint cannons or hoses? Even the small pump guns of other colors would be nice. Otherwise? Just keep on being epic!! I had an awesome night and will def keep coming
Overall
The event was crazy and I mean that in the good and bad ways. I feel that once you became situated and found a solid place to be, you thoroughly enjoyed the concert. Every artist poured their soul into the concert and you could tell because they put out pure quality. Krewella faced a hard technical difficulty but that didn’t stop them from keeping the crowd from losing the excitement. TJR and Dyro’s drops were so hard that I felt it from outside and in the back. Sebastian Ingrosso made me remember why he is a force to messed with. Unfortunately, the crowd lost the ideals of PLUR and went a bit nuts. Couldn’t blame anyone besides the people themselves for trying to get messed up instead of enjoying the music. Despite that, the event was great! It is an event I recommend everyone going to at least once because it is an experience you must partake in. Was the event good? Yes. Could it be better? Always, but thats what next year is for!
I want to thank LineRocket and Life in Color for the event. I want to especially thank the volunteers from Jersey Shore Children’s Museum and the donations that went to them. I especially want to thank the security, EMT’s and police I talked to and helped try to contain this event.
[…] went to the event or be slightly envious. If you haven’t had a chance to do so, check out my review of Life in Color: Atlantic City. I am sure that you will want to attend next year or at one nearest you! Check it […]