04.01.07 My Coke Fest
04.01.07 My Coke Fest 098
Originally uploaded by bygeeves. A month or so ago I saw a Coke display at Publix for a contest called "My Coke Fest." All it said was that you'd get VIP passes at a concert (artists TBA.) I entered and never thought about it again. A week ago I found out that My Coke Fest was part of the Final Four celebrations and that M5, LL Cool J, Sugarland, and others would be performing for free at Centennial Olympic Park. I figured I would go, but didn't really feel like dealing with the rain & crowds enough to be down front.
Friday I get home to find a Fed Ex package on the front door saying I was a grand prize winner. I hardly(if ever) win stuff like this. I've been able to talk/maneuver my way into things, but I usually don't out right win. My mom entered too and has a thing for LL and M5, so I too her with me.
The package only said I won and gave me a map and two wristbands, with no info on where to go. We wandered around backstage only to find out our passes were for crappy tent outside that only had free sodas/water. We were able to score better bands that let us stay backstage with the Coke Execs. There was free food and an open bar. The best part was that it provided us access to an area in front of the stage. So I was able to get drinks, come and go as I please and still be first row.
LL Cool J was the first act we caught. Love him. He was asking for people to come up on stage and my mom was one of the first people up. I should be embarrassed, but by the end of his set I wanted to get up there. Other highlights...he threw a bunch of ones out into the crowd, but they didn't make it very far so the security guard collected them and gave them to me(it more than covered my parking!) A low light were all the drunken kids of the Coke kids dancing onstage like they were on Spring Break.
At the end of LL Cool J's set my mom called me backstage. Ryan Seacrest was in the tent. He's a nice guy. He's also a GA native and a UGA Alum. We're the same height(I might even be taller.)
Sugarland was next. They're a country act from area. They're best known for their song w/ Bon Jovi, "Who Says You Can't Go Home."
M5 closed the night. It's been over two years I've seen them. I'm still a fan, but not quite to the same extent. They played a couple of the new songs that I haven't heard. One was meh, the other was good. They didn't play the new single. They were backstage afterwards, but I didn't feel the need to wait.
All in all it was a great evening. Yay to Coke (even though Pepsi tastes better) and Publix for helping provide a great experience.
Click here to see more photos from the day...