It's a big year for Free Press Summer Fest, which celebrates its fifth milestone with an all-star lineup and collaborations with the likes of Bun B and Uchi's Philip Speer (tickets to the exclusive event will be released to qualifying ticket holders at 12 p.m. on May 27) — and a festival that sold out nearly a month in advance.
The promoters say that General Admission passes for FPSF 2013 are completely gone, and that there will not be any sold at the gate on June 1 and 2. As for StubWire, all that's left are a handful of Fancy Pants tickets (for $289.50 each), which include rapid entry, access to a "semi-baller air-conditioned tent with semi-good-looking people," a private bar and private viewing areas over the course of the festival's two days.
Or, if you like to live large, a High Roller Package for two (for a cool $1,900) includes premium side stage viewing area at state level, Saturday night hotel stay nearby with shuttle service to and from the grounds, complimentary food and drinks, a commemorative cup, full access to all level tents, two official FPSF T-shirts and hand-signed silk screened posters, rapid entry, after-party access and "Wizard status."
For an out-of-towner with an appetite like Pac-Man and a penchant for drinking others under the table, the latter option could be a damned good deal.
Having last-minute regrets? Try your hand on the black market that is Craigslist, where ticket-holders and -seekers are posting with increased frequency, or look around for ticket giveaways (we saw that the Blaffer Art Museum has a pair up its sleeve).
Emilia's Havana offers a retro spin on the holiday bar, with the 1950s-inspired speakeasy decked out in tinsel and trees. Photo by Hasan Yousef