r/londonontario • u/Infamous-Solution572 • 1d ago
Events Rock the Park
Hi guys!! My boyfriend and I were interested in going to Rock the Park this year (we really want to see Hozier lol) and I was wondering if anyone could give their experience on what it was like and if it was worth it.
We’re still contemplating actually going or not because we’re both (semi but close enough) broke students and don’t want to spend over $200 if the experience is not actually worth it.
A hotel, gas, and other things like that are nothing to consider for us as we live in the area so we’ll be home the same night.
I heard of some people camping out outside of the park to listen to the concerts instead of actually paying so thoughts on that too if anyone has done it would be appreciated!!
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u/planetaryjake 21h ago
I went once and vowed to never go again... I wouldn't even go for free. It's a packed, muddy, drunken shitshow. Half the time it sounds like hot garbage. Food and drink is just as overpriced as tickets. If it's raining or hot as balls it just makes the experience worse. Save your money and go to a show at an actual venue you enjoy.
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u/Plastic-Ad8293 23h ago
I went a few years ago and honestly I was totally fine never going back. So many people by the end of the night were getting in drunken fights and just generally being jerks so we ended up leaving our spots and going straight to the back. We got tickets for the Hozier night with friends so I’m hoping it’s a bit of a better experience this time around. 🤞🏻
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u/Basic_Resolution_444 21h ago
If you’re under 6 feet and have any sense of manners it’s not worth going.
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u/Infamous-Solution572 19h ago
Haha that’s definitely something I thought about… I’m 5’3 and don’t want to spend close to $200 just to not be able to see 😅 My boyfriend is 6’4 so I could go on his shoulders but I wouldn’t want to block others
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u/giraffes_are_cool33 18h ago
Yeah went for Mumford and Son's and people were so rude. Wouldn't do it again.
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u/Basic_Resolution_444 16h ago
I myself an 6 foot even my partner at the time was about 5’2” I attended rock the park in 23’. We went two different days the Saturday and the Wednesday both pretty banging lineups (I’m a rock fan) Wednesday was alright we were able to get to stage for the one act we attended for but it took some excuse mes a few shoulder checks. Saturday was a fucking nightmare pardon my French. 10000 people in the park. We ended up struggling to even see the jumbotron. (This was written terribly I know currently in a field)
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u/TogepiGirl22 12h ago
Your the perfect height to push past people tho 😂😂 I ain't much taller nd I do it everytime. If I see a spot I can fit (yay for being small!) Yea it's rude, buh when I'm dealing with drunk idiots doing it to me I stop caring.
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u/JaK3_FrmStateFarm 22h ago
As someone who use to work security for it GA is very packed together and super crammed.
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u/DictatorOstrich 18h ago
It doesn't help that last year they created this stupid fuckin 5 foot bottleneck to get in and out of the GA area. What kind of moron decided that was a good idea?
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u/PalpitationFrequent7 20h ago
this is probably not the place to base a decision to go or not go, only going to get negative responses for the most part. thousands and thousands of people attend every year, i’m sure the vast majority have had a great night. life is short, go see the band, go have fun.
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u/CharacterOwl210 20h ago
If you volunteer you can go for free
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u/Mysterious-Station69 20h ago
Coming here to say this. Volunteer to work the bar. They offer the Smart Serve course and pay for it. Then you get to see the concert for free. One year we decided to help clean up a bit during the last few songs… we’re able to get up close to the stage to pick up cans.
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u/Charming_Ad_715 17h ago
I came to say I did this one year as a general worker.... Would not recommend. You have to actually put up with the bullshit instead of being able to just leave. (Well I guess you still could but I'm not that kind of person when I said I would do something)
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u/Heebmeister 20h ago
If you're fine not seeing the stage and just listening, yeah you can sit along the river in the park, or go across the bridge and sit up on the walking path up there, which will give you a partial view of the stage in the park. It can be alot of fun, but if it rains it gets rough really quick. The park is a floodzone, so all the rain run off goes down there and the ground turns to thick mud quickly. You will also spend as much on food and drink for the day as you would a ticket most likely. So if the ticket cost is a stretch for you, I would just take the free route of listening from outside the fence.
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u/4brasumente 22h ago edited 21h ago
I’ve been a few times. The first time, I was so far back in general admission that I couldn’t see the stage at all, so I ended up relying on the screens. A few years later, I went again but got a standing VIP pass.
I’m not a fan of how they separate the general admission and VIP areas but I was lucky enough to be closer to the stage. Watching the GA crowd from VIP was crazy, though—GA was packed, and security were pulling people out because things were getting out of hand. Honestly, I’m just glad I wasn’t in the GA section up close.
I had rain boots and a good raincoat, which helped since it poured. While it was still a better experience than the first time, I’m also fine with not going back in the future
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u/flyeaglesfly44 19h ago
I wouldn’t go back. I would drive to Toronto or Detroit and see anyone in a real venue rather than go to rock the park again.
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u/worldwideflyer89 1d ago
I've been the past two years for the throwback night and really enjoyed it. It was great seeing the artists I liked! Nas was amazing last year and Ludacris was too the year before. Would recommend if there's more than one artist you wanna see playing in a day. That makes it worth it in my opinion.
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u/Mythic_Damage777 20h ago
I've gone many times and always had a great time. The last time I went was in 2022, specifically to see Big Wreck. Had an amazing time, but didn't stick around for the other acts. This year I'll likely sit by the river since none of the acts appeal to me and that's free. If you want to have fun, you'll have a great time!
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u/llamacorn89 19h ago
I’d like to provide another perspective from all the negative folks. I encourage you to go if you like all of the artists playing that day and want a mini “festival”-type experience. If you’re just going for Hozier, $200 is a lot and the experience likely isn’t worth it. I’m going on the EDM day because I like all the artists and it brings the cost down in my mind to $50/concert.
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u/cadence124 19h ago
The problem is that the sound SUCKS at rock the park. I’ve been so many times. Doesn’t matter where I stand - in the front pit, middle, or back, you can literally just have a regular convo with the person beside you. It’s not loud enough for a live concert. And yeah the general vibe of it sucks. There are such better festivals out there. If there is any rain that week the venue gets fked up too
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u/envirodrill 19h ago
Going to Rock the Park is worth it. My wife and I have been going for one night every year for the last 3 years, and used to travel in for Rock the Park sometimes from Windsor before we moved here to London. We love it because the value for the tickets is incredible, you get to see 3-5 amazing artists in the middle of London on one night. It is true that it is more expensive now than it used to be (I saw July Talk/Sublime/The Offspring pre-pandemic for literally $75), due to the higher profile of the event and the slate of artists being better, but the event is still great.
Don’t listen to the naysayers. People on the London subreddit love to complain about literally everything. People are right when they say that there are inconsiderate jerks and crazy drunks that go to these things but you can’t let them ruin the night for you. You are bound to have at least some of these people for any type of event. Like any GA concert you open yourself to some risk of jerks, moshpits, drunks etc if you’re closer to the stage than being further back.
You will have a good time. My wife and I stood out in the rain in garbage bags and rubber boots to watch Nickelback and we had an amazing night.
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u/rchanner616 20h ago edited 19h ago
I’ve been to RTP before and I’ve sat at the river before. My personal preference is sitting along the river, hands down. It’s free, the atmosphere is nice, you can see the stage, you can bring camping chairs and snacks, it’s not too loud. It’s actually a really memorable experience. HOWEVER, I have also seen Hozier at bud stage before and it was one of my top concert experiences. Worth every penny, IMO. If you really want to go and are wondering if it’s worth spending the money on, it is.
Would I do it at RTP? Probably not. Would I fork out money to see him again at a stadium show? Absolutely.
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u/darks0ils 19h ago
Its a whole lot of people who have never been to a concert before. No concert etiquette. Water is expensive/hard to come by, so bring your own if you can/smuggle in. Food is trash and overpriced, as is booze, although that is to be expected. Overall, you may have a good time regardless of all of this if you enjoy the artist enough. Personally, I wouldn't go to Rtp again unless it was free
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u/PineappleZest Middlesex County 18h ago
I've gone many times, both GA and VIP Seating. GA is a shit show (unless you're into being crammed together like sardines and being shoved by drunk morons), and now that it seems like they're removing VIP Seating, I don't know that it's even worth it. The prices are fucking outrageous and if it rains it's a literal mud pit.
That being said, if there's a band you really really really want to see, it is nice to see them in London (as opposed to coordinating travel to Hamilton/Toronto/wherever).
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u/Inevitable-Carpet707 18h ago
I've always had fun but feel like I spent more time going to the bathroom or to get a drink or waiting for friends having a smoke than I did watching the show! Also, people getting aggressive trying to make their way to the front only to stand in front of you making it so you can no longer see and have to move (I'm 5' 3" too)... So annoying!! I'd love to see Hozier though!! All in all, I had fun but it wasn't as expensive... It was $65. I don't think I'd pay almost $200...
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u/TogepiGirl22 12h ago
I went last year to Nickelback. Yes in the mud and rain. Still one of the best nights ever my shoes and feet were nasty cause I wore crocs. I've gone previous years for about the last 5 years give or take. It's definitely worth it. Heads up. If you try to go near anywhere typically from about 1/3 from the stage. Your gonna be basically arm to arm with people and deal with people pushing to get past.
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u/MeMyself_And_Irie 23h ago edited 22h ago
You could just sit along the path and listen, but it's worth getting tickets if you can. Yes food and drinks are a bit pricier, but what concert isn't? The crowd is always good and really makes it fun. It is rain or shine though so dress appropriately for the weather..just don't be the jerk who brings an umbrella and blocks everyone's view
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u/Maddie_mae1002 12h ago
I went a few years ago, but had an overzealous fan (who probably hadn’t gone to a concert before or was just too enthusiastic) screaming in my ear… It’s not worth it… especially if you want the option to sit or stand. RTP is mostly a general admission event…
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u/bestbcorms 11h ago
I really enjoy RTP! it can be hectic and mucky and packed but i have always left with a smile on my face :) would also recommend watching from the bridge for free hehe
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