Rock the River Tickets

This was my second year attending RTR via the VIP ticket route and staying at the Bessborough hotel. It’s the only way to go IMO! Early entry to get chair set up on hill, grab food/drink tickets and hit the merchandise stand before everyone else! Bands were great all weekend. Personal favorites were 80’s Men without Hats & Flock of Seagulls! Much more crowded than last year. Noticed the line ups to get food tickets were really slow on north side. One day, only one booth was open with a long line with a security guard standing by the booth which was new from last year. (Not sure how south side lines looked!) Limited, expensive food options which is really surprising considering it’s provided by the hotel. Hamburger tasted like it was microwaved! Barely edible! Nachos were delicious! Didn’t see hot dogs, popcorn nor lemonade this year? Only got bottled water as my drink preference (Corona) isn’t available. Went to my room for the restroom, but I fully understand others concern with only South lot porta potty placement due to the city road construction right out front during the festival! Obviously, more ticket/drink staff needed to accommodate the large crowds.

Fantastic venue. FANTASTIC ARTISTS!! WHY WHY WHY....did i have to stand in line for 45min to get drink tickets?? Watched Streetheart from the line up. This is NOT your 1st year doing this- but it may as well have been - then it would be understandable & FORGIVEABLE. Not enough ticket booths. Not enough drink booths. A LOT OF THIRSTY PEOPLE. If you're going to insist i buy your ridiculously priced drinks- make them more AVAILABLE- & perhaps more variety. Next year I will just drink at home & come for the show.

Street Heart and Tom Cochran were great. Food ticket sales a mess. Booze tickets are too expensive

Pros: - good lineup - very good sound - nice people - good venue Areas for improvement: - the event is oversold, not enough room or sightlines for the number of attendees - long line to get in, need to add more entrances and streamline the process - single food vendor (the hotel) reduced selection and variety

The 2023 lineup was excellent. Streetheart stole the show - invite those boys back every year!!!! Gowan was a great show. The best surprise was Men w/o Hats - their show was entertaining and hugely enjoyable. April Wine and Chilliwack were a great time. Keep bringing back the classic groups and we will be happy. I want to see Streetheart/Trooper/Chiliwack/April Wine every year. Lets party while we still can - baby!

Again the organizers did a great job of the 3 day event held at a smaller venue. The sound was great, the bands put on a great crowd pleasing show and the weather held up too.

The venue was awesome! Found the drinks and food far too pricey for what you get. We left the venue as did many others to grab food. Took us away from the shows, so not the best use of our time. The Bessborough may want to try something a bit different? Bathrooms on both sides would be far better than just on the one side. Love the bands and look forward to next year.

We had VIP tickets for weekend of great music with a wonderful line-up. Facility is always stellar. I'm not a beer drinker and the cooler selection was limited to a product I'm not fond of, but no big deal. What I WOULD like to see is the coffee truck brought back on site, and a snack booth again (popcorn, ice cream). Such limited food options, though nice to see gluten free for our celiac in the group. I understand porta potties were only on one side due to Spadina Street construction, but it will be nice when they are distributed on both sides again in future.

They could use more ticket booths scattered around or more people mobile with ticket sales. Liquor set up was terrible Friday night but improved after they created 3 lines. Again, a third liquor area would be ideal. Lots of toilets however only on south side, people had to walk a ways if not sitting on that side which created a lot of foot traffic on that side. Spread out to north side as well would benefit attendees. Food was very pricey and limited. Burger was subpar and unsure if it was beef. Would recommend looking at different options and more snack foods with lower price. Venue was great, lineup was great and it started on time as well. I understand this has been going on for years yet there still are concerns to iron out. Overall good first experience and would look to attend again.

Great lineup for whole weekend. I understand why Street heart opened up Friday night. There was an hour and half lineup at merchandise booth for their autographs after! April Wine's new member fit in nicely. Great performance! Very impressed with Men Without Hats new mix on classics. Finally got to see Flock of Seagulls after buying first 2 albums in early 80's. Show was very well organized. Food was good. Washroom set up was very efficient. Nice Saskatchewan people to talk to in lineup before entry each day. Lots of fun and energy! Looking forward to 2024 Rock the River!!!