Shakedown is a way of life and has been for the last few thousand years. People have always gathered near saint shrines, mosques, temples, churches, and sold things that could be marketed and sold by the location they are near. But they dont because thats bad for business, simple as that. If the catholic church put up an official vending location at every single church, monastery, and saint shrine in Europe alone, AND kept people from selling their own creations, it would be bad for business and turn people off
can you tell i researched that one? wrote a big essay on it for the book 
“But the sellers and merchandiers at concerts have always been a negative influence in my mind”
how is this negative? do we only have to support the band? why not the fans supporting each other? Phish makes millions of dollars off of ticket sales, do they need our merch and food and beer money too?
“the introduction of commercialism into the community defeats one of motivations that I attend Phish concerts in the first place, ie, to get away from those realities, if only for a couple of hours.”
you can take the person out of the commercialism, but you cant take the commercialism out of the community. its an unbreakable cycle, simple as that.
Roger Waters vs. Phish is a good point, but you forget that Waters doesnt tour like Phish does, he’s old, and the fanbase is scattered. Phish’s fanbase is intact and growing. keeping tickets at $50 (before fees) is a marketing decision.
If you dont like the marketplace’s ‘intrusion into (your) experience’ than simply park in the VIP lot, walk right into the show, and ignore all of us who are trying to make it from show to show. you dont have to like it, but being respectful of those who choose to do this is polite as well.
If you saw it from the bigger picture, you would see it as something that adds to the show, rather than diminishes it.
you make some valid points, but i have to ask - how long have you been on tour to have this cynical a view of the lot scene? i dont ask rudely, just as a point of fact


… like because you can paint the most beautiful pen15 ever that makes you special or something you arty farty lol ikidikid
Anyway the whole art/brunch thing sounds fun… maybe I’ll find myself there…