Regardless of how young or spry you are, music festivals take their toll on your body. Running around between stages, battling the merciless Australian sun, avoiding constant pedestrian collisions, lining up for toilets, food, and everything else, not to mention all of the moshing.
Even if you’re some kind of super-athlete, you’re bound to be exhausted by the end of the day. Especially if it’s a two-day festival, a format Australia’s own Soundwave is adopting for the first time ever this year. But despite the extra day, Soundwave’s concern for their fatigued patrons has an age restriction.
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Promoter AJ Maddah recently took to Twitter to confirm that this year’s instalment of Australia’s premier hard rock, metal, and punk festival will feature the debut of a ‘Comfort Zone’, where punters can go to relax after a hard day of rocking out to the likes of Slipknot, Soundgarden, Faith No More, and Marilyn Manson.
The catch, though? It’s for over-30s only. Punters who haven’t yet reached the big 3-0 will need a fake ID if they wish to enter this exclusive area, which will reportedly feature some lush accoutrements, including “[a] massage service, good coffee and cake, good wine” and, perhaps most importantly, “lux serviced toilets”.
The idea was first proposed by one of Maddah’s many loyal Twitter followers, initially as an area for those over the age of 35 to receive some respite from the troublesome youths that normally swarm Soundwave, this “reverse daycare but with more amenities” will now be open to everyone 30 and up.
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According to Maddah, the ‘Comfort Zone’ is still in the works, but the promoter’s estimate is that it will cost those approaching or currently enjoying middle age about “$15 or $20” to enter. Maddah plans to meet with site staff on Monday to discuss the zone’s implementation and hopes to get feedback and suggestions from punters.
While some will likely throw their arms up in protest over this ageist corral that the festival wishes to implement, like one Twitter user who wrote, “Basically sounds like my dream for a festival, but why only over 35s?”, Maddah has a solid retort for their outrage: “That’s who needs it?”
So @sorryitsonlyme has given me a great idea: A space for fans over 35 at #SW15 to relax & take a rest throughout the day: The Comfort Zone
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 14, 2015
Comfort Zone is happening! Announcement next week. Thank you everyone for your ideas and feedback!
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 15, 2015
@jus_wil That was fucking shite. Absolutely shameful.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 15, 2015
@dave903 @sorryitsonlyme yes. You'll need fake ID.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 14, 2015
@Heyabands of course. People can access all day!
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 15, 2015
@TheMarto35 @matthewsmith510 @sorryitsonlyme i'll develop idea a little further, budget then announce details.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 14, 2015
@benjamin_small @sorryitsonlyme OK. Done!
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 14, 2015
@PerthMusicKid @sorryitsonlyme Yes! Like. Reverse daycare but w more amenities.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 14, 2015
@polypep We'll provide all that as part of service.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 14, 2015
@Pewtster @sorryitsonlyme Genius. LET THERE. BE MASSAGE!
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 14, 2015
@Silent_DesigNZ we're budgeting it now. It incurs a bit of extra cost, so whatever is needed to recoup. Probably $15 to $20.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 15, 2015
Ideas so far for #SW15 COMFORT ZONE: No kiddies allowed; massage srvice, good coffee & cake; good wine, lux serviced toilets. Keep'em coming
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 14, 2015
@12al_alice that's who needs it?
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 14, 2015
#SW15 Comfort Zone meeting w site staff Monday afternoon. Will tweet from meeting to get your feedback. We'll design this fucket together!
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 15, 2015