That's right, even someone as well known as Tom Hanks has to follow stupid festival policies sometimes.
Speaking on popular British chatshow, The Graham Norton Show, Hanks, sixty-two, told an anecdote about a recent experience that he had at California's country music festival, Stagecoach. Read on to hear more about this crazy story.
"Do you know who I am?"
Honestly, this story whiffs a little too much of entitlement on Hanks' part. I mean, I'm generally a fan of Tom Hanks and I like his work; he comes across really well in his Desert Island Discs interview and I'm sure that those that know him personally think that he's a really neat guy, but c'mon Tom.Hanks was in London visiting a children's hospital.
Never demonize waiting staff.
I don't care who you are, it's not good tact to take out your frustration on workers who have no control over the regulations that their employers set. It's even worse when you use your celebrity or stature as a reason that you should be exempt from following the rules.I once sent David Hasselhoff to the back of the line after he tried to cut the line.
Working at a Christmas Market a couple of years ago, serving cheesy potatoes and frankfurters, an old man with a much younger girlfriend tried to cut the long line, I sent him to the back before being told by a co-worker, "Don't you know who that is? That's David Hasselhoff!"Even if it'd been David Bowie, I wouldn't have let him cut.
Being a successful famous person comes with its privileges and its disadvantages, but so does every ordinary person's life. Maybe I sound like a Communist here, but, unless we treat people equally, there is no equality.I mean, sure, over twenty-one wristbands for over sixties is a dumb idea...
via: Getty Images.
But take that up with festival organizers, take it up with the company that runs the bar, take it up with the guy who's sitting on the money. Don't huff and puff at some kid that's trying to pay off their college debt by serving people privileged enough to afford the $349-$1399 tickets. Heck, I'm sure that Hanks probably got in for free.Tom Hanks' exchange with the server was surprising.
On being told that he needed an ID wristband to purchase his drink, Hanks apparently said: "First of all, you know my name, and secondly, I'd like a beer."Tom, you're making yourself look like a douche.
Hanks, on being told again that they couldn't serve him without the wristband ID, said: "Look, not only am I who you think I am, I'm also sixty-two goddam years old." Jeez. They get it; you're famous and you're old.Eventually, Tom Hanks got his frosty cold one.
via: Getty Images.
Explaining the situation to chat show host, Graham Norton, Hanks said: "I did not have a beer until somebody went over and got me an ID bracelet." Notice that it wasn't Hanks that went and got his ID wristband..."I had to get somebody to go and get me one."
What an ordeal that must have been for you, Mr. Hanks. I mean first world problems, or what?This whole thing does open a bigger conversation, though.
Festivals used to be a place to escape the regimented formality of the everyday world. Now? Well, they're a policy policing nightmare. Herded around like the farm animals that normally turn the land, festival-goers need multiple wristbands, are made to endure constant bag checks, and aren't even trusted to keep hold of their bottle caps. What happened to free love and do whatever? Maybe that was the point that Hanks was trying to make. I think it all just came out a little wrong.Check out Stagecoach Festivals' website for a long list of rules.
via: Stagecoach festival
I mean, sure, don't let people take in guns and fireworks, but frisbees and hula hoops? Talk about joy kills. And that's just half of the things that aren't "allowed" in the venue...The price of festivals is getting steeper and steeper.
A Coachella ticket costs thousands of dollars and, although sister country-music festival, Stagecoach, might seem like a much cheaper alternative, with general admission apparently "only" costing $349 dollars, once you've paid for camping, parking charges, etc. you're actually going to part ways with over $600.Joni Mitchell saw the downfall of "the festival" ideology as early as 1970.
via: Getty Images.
While on stage at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970, hippy legend and folk songstress, Joni Mitchell was forced to momentarily halt her set and argue with the crowd. Watch the clip, in which you'll see Mitchell having to explain to the festival revelers what being at a festival is all about.