We all have our issues ...

To many people, including myself and Lydia, the crowd is PART of the EXPERIENCE ... feeling the vibe, discussing the music and musicians with total strangers, people simultaneously giving standing ovations after a solo or at the end of a tune ... WE LOVE IT !!! ... I will watch it when it is shown on PBS, but it won't be NEARLY the same ...
I'm just glad I spent the major portion of my life in New York City, so crowds don't bother me at all ...
But, to each his own ...

I also have to say, that while alcohol and pot use has been evident in the past, I saw none of that this year - not saying it wasn't there, just saying it wasn't noticeable ...

Heck, in years past WE even sneaked in some vodka and gin to have with our lemonade ...