Oft regarded as the ultimate bad boys of rock 'n' roll, The Rolling Stones' performance at Burl's Creek next weekend comes with a laundry list of things you can and can't do, some dictated by the band.
The June 29 show at Burl's Creek Event Grounds, located in Oro-Medonte Township between Barrie and Orillia, is the only Canadian stop on the No Filter Tour for the legendary British rockers.
How many people will be in attendance depends on the configuration of the festival grounds.
"For the Rolling Stones show, we can accommodate up to 70,000 people in this setup," said Lisa Zechmeister, director of booking and development for Republic Live, the live entertainment company which hosts events at Burl's Creek.
Zechmeister said she was not permitted to release the exact number of tickets sold for the Stones.
It's still expected to be a huge summer draw, though.
"While it can’t be said for sure, this could be the last time fans have a chance to see The Rolling Stones on Canadian soil," Zechmeister told BarrieToday. "It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are seeing three and four generations of families attending together."
Concert-goers will have a litany of do's and don'ts to sift through before they can enter the festival grounds.
Notably, there will be a clear-bag policy in effect, which is one of the demands of the band and its representatives.
"The clear-bag policy, and therefore any items that are and are not permitted in the venue, are mandated by The Rolling Stones management and security team," Zechmeister said. "They have used the clear-bag policy on other tours across the world to ensure the safety of all patrons, staff, and the band with crowds of this size.
"They are experts at executing their shows and we are compelled to follow their lead in this regard," she added.
The clear-bag policy is not in place at the Boots and Hearts country music festival, for example, and is specific to the upcoming Stones concert.
Fans heading to the Stones show are being "strongly encouraged" not to bring any type of bags to the concert, but the following items will be allowed:
* Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12 x 6 x 12 inches
* Small clutch bags, 4.5 x 6.5 inches, with or without a handle or strap, can be taken in along with one of the clear plastic bags
* One gallon (10 inches) clear plastic re-sealable bag(s); Ziploc bag or similar.
Organizer says exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after proper declaration or inspection.
As one of the biggest bands in the world for decades now, a Rolling Stones show brings its own challenges.
"Every event is different in its own way," Zechmeister said. "By nature of the band and the scale of their production, as well as the size of the crowd, this is certainly the largest undertaking at Burl’s Creek.
"From the enormity of the custom-built stage, to the security protocol, to the access and egress in a single day and night for our guests, this event requires all staff and contractors to be at the very best of their ability to execute," she added.
The Burl's Creek show, which is being billed as Canada Rocks and coincides with Canada Day weekend, will also be "100 per cent cashless" and there will be no bank machines on site. So, in short, bring a credit card or two, or use your debit card.
Zechmeister said they went 'cashless' for the first time in 2016 for the WayHome Music and Arts Festival, followed by Boots and Hearts.
"It’s not new for Boots and Hearts customers or the venue, but may feel new to those who have never been to WayHome or Boots and Hearts," she said. "Cashless allows faster transaction times with the vendors which means quicker service and shorter lines for the customer. Vendors and customers also don’t need to worry about bringing or having cash on-site."
Also on the bill, as part of the SiriusXM Kickoff Party, are several Canadian bands, including Sloan, One Bad Son, The Glorious Sons and The Beaches, as well as a late-night party with Dwayne Gretzky.
The Rolling Stones tour was announced in February, but in late-March singer Mick Jagger tweeted that the North American dates were being postponed for medical reasons.
In early April, the 75-year-old front man underwent surgery to replace a heart valve.
Shortly after, it was announced that the 17-date North American tour had been revived.
The North American leg follows shows in the United Kingdom and Europe where the band — including longtime members Jagger, guitarists Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, and drummer Charlie Watts — received favourable reviews.
Zechmeister is looking forward to the June 29 show.
"Not only is this band one of the greatest and most loved rock 'n' roll bands of all times, but the fact that we are hosting them on Canada Day long weekend with a lineup of some of Canada’s favourite rock bands makes this show extra special," she said. "It will be a difficult event to follow, that’s for sure!"
Burl’s Creek Event Grounds is located at 240 Line 8 South, halfway between Barrie and Orillia.
The local event will include both tent and non-hydro RV camping for the evening of June 29 at Burl’s Creek.
Campers will be allowed into the grounds at 7 a.m., followed by day parking admittance at 11 a.m. Box offices will open at 9 a.m. in advance of parking gates for will-call pick-ups and ticket purchases.
VIP parking is sold out.
The general admission parking lots can be accessed off Highway 11 at Line 7 or Line 9.
Food vendors and washrooms will be available in the parking area before doors to the venue open.
There is no overnight parking and tailgating is not permitted. Any vehicles parked overnight will be towed beginning at noon on Sunday, June 30. Anyone who wants to stay overnight must purchase a camping pass.
The event doors open at 2 p.m., with the music scheduled to begin around 2:45 p.m.
The concert is all-ages. Children two years old and under are permitted for free with a guardian. Proof of age will be required at entrance gates.
List of no-nos:
- Purses larger than a clutch bag, briefcases, backpacks, bum bags, cinch bags, luggage, computer bags, camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size
- No coolers of any size, soft- or hard-sided
- No weapons of any kind, or anything that could be considered a weapon
- No outside food or beverage, including alcohol
- No glass, including perfume or cologne
- No sprays, deodorants or aerosols of any kind
- No flares, fireworks, pyrotechnics or laser pointers
- No megaphones or air horns
- No studded jewelry or long chains on wallets or purses
- No audio or recording equipment such as iPads, tablets, computers, etc.
- No professional cameras or cameras with detachable lenses
- No drones
- No umbrellas – small, medium, or golfing
- No selfie sticks
- No balloons, balls, Frisbees, and/or any other projectiles
- No drugs, illegal substances, legal highs, nitrous oxide, psychoactive substances, etc.
- Any item deemed to be inappropriate or offensive, including clothing
- No chairs of any kind (in the entertainment space)
- No animals – service animals are permitted. For the safety of our fans and their service animals we require them to be seated in an accessible viewing area.
