From the official Fest site news section here: http://www.thefestfl.com/fest8/news/1/366/

I would like to apologize to all the hard working folks from Anthem tattoo that helped with security of our main stage at the Venue this year. Regrettably a situation went down between them and the security for the Venue and at this time we are looking further into the actions that where taken by the security of the Venue that evening and will aid in any way we can to help bring action against the parties that caused this incident that ultimately led to one of the Anthem staff being pepper sprayed in the face. The Anthem Crew made the stage at the Venue a safe environment for not only the bands performing but also the fans enjoying the show. They worked it in a professional and gentlemanly fashion. This was the best job I have ever been a working part of and I strongly believe that their presence added to the overall fun and spirit of a scene joining forces as a community dedicated to friends helping friends which is the backbone of how this festival has run for years. I would embrace their help and support of any future projects I am involved with. As for The Venue, we will never work with their security team again and are considering alternative spaces for next year. This should not be an issue within our community and I deeply feel apologetic that the members of the hard working Anthem Staff had to experience such an ordeal after two days of hard work and good times.

-Tony Weinbender- Southern Lovin' Press Wrangler/ NO IDEA RECORDS/ THE FEST- Written November 2008 regarding an incident at THE VENUE Saturday November 1st 2008.

This is wicked old though...

And The Venue is on for this year. But I heard about that and it's still fucked up.

"Written November 2008 regarding an incident at THE VENUE Saturday November 1st 2008."

It doesn't say the Venue won't ever be used again. it say the Venue's security won't ever be used again.

So . . . it's story time now, right? That why I hang out on this board - to know about Fest's seedy underbelly.

"As for The Venue, we will never work with their security team again and are considering alternative spaces for next year."

and it says it was written concerning Nov 1st last year, not written on Nov 1, 2008.


So what I take this to mean is that The Venue will be used this year, but not their in house security. But NEXT year, they are going to try to find some other big place.


I kind of liked the place across the street from The Venue (it's been through many different names). They'd still need somewhere bigger, but it is bigger than Common Grounds, so it would be good for some bands that pack CG too tight.

The place across from the Venue has the most horrible sound as far as space goes in Gville and the very worst asshole bouncers (or did, when it was open last)

I just re-read, and it does say "written Novermber 2008"

but my guess is that The Venue is still on for this year. Unless they are having all the biggest bands play at UF, there's really no where else to hold them.

Yes, absolutely horrid sound. Saw Hank III there and he was literally giving them hell about it during his show it was so bad. And watched many people get kicked out at the same show because the security didn't "get it". Hank III demanded they be let back into the show, and they did. Man he was pissed.

Not to mention that place has got to be one of the single hottest places i have EVER seen a show!

i reread that before my post replying to Josh and i understood it as replacing "security spaces" as in new bodies to be security. But i reread it again and yeah it doesn't really make sense posting this if the Venue was meant be replaced this year. I'm going to assume the security the Fest uses won't be theirs.

Not to mention all they have is shitty beer.

This one security guard at the Venue was a complete ass to me last year. Friday night, I forgot that the shows were 18+ and accidentally left my ID at the hotel. I understand why they wouldn't let me in without it, so I went back and got it, but then the security guard when I handed it to him said to me "Oh so you finally found your ID, how convenient, I bet its not even real". Dick either didn't believe I really left it at the hotel or just didn't care.

In the last three years, I have encountered a lot of total shitheads working at the Venue, including bartenders, security, etc... The people who run that place clearly hate Fest folk, and if that wasn't enough the Venue is the crappiest place to drink out of all the Fest locations...

So what exactly is the story behind this apology?

Seems like a mixed bag to me- I've also run across some really chill staff there.

I wouldn't take it personally, though- I'm sure the shitheads there are pretty consistently unpleasant, regardless of the crowd.

All in all, the place is just ghetto as hell, which has its upsides and its downsides.

They really do have a terrible beer selection. Someone gave me a Heineken for free last year and I couldn't even drink it.

Necessary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snhiofL2Rh4