Though "Parrotheads" taking in the first show at the newly renamed and revamped FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island on Saturday were treated to a lively set from Jimmy Buffett and even a cameo from Blackhawks star Patrick Kane and the Stanley Cup, the party that ensued was far from "paradise."
Fans at the show were dismayed when the venue's lawn section, newly expanded to allow the pavilion's capacity to increase from 9,000 to over 30,000, transformed into a massive mud pit due to heavy rains and newly laid sod, CBS Chicago reports.
And that wasn't the only problem at the Saturday night show: According to various reports from concertgoers, the acoustics were poor, the sight lines were often obstructed and the beer stands were not only few and far between but were also serving up libations that were both warm and overpriced, according to DNAinfo Chicago.
The widespread complaints, which the venue-operating Live Nation blamed on the record-breaking heavy rain the city has experienced over the first half of the year, prompted the concert promoters to offer those impacted by the muddy, swamp-like conditions of the lawn free tickets to another Live Nation outdoor show later this summer.
The offer "is based on availability and will be subject to expiration" and is good for any show at FirstMerit Bank Pavilion, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre or Alpine Valley, where Buffett is playing another show on August 24.
But the offer is still not likely to satisfy some fans, based on comments on the venue's Facebook page:
"Why in the hell would I want to have another s****y night in that venue? I'll take a refund for my ticket."
"The mud was bad - but the sound was awful! Getting in/out was a mess as well. The in/out thing I chalk up to first show issues, but the sound has got to be addressed. You couldn't tell if it was Jimmy Buffett or Warren Buffett up there."