First, the ticket time said 3pm. We arrived at 2, so we could get on line, go to bathroom, etc. The gates opened at 4:00 to get inside the venue and the show started at 5. I don't know if it is always like that, or if there was a technical issue- no one told us.
Each act played 3-4 songs, (about 15 minutes) and then there is another 15 minutes while they change out the set, instruments, etc. (A rotating stage would move this along faster!).
Some acts realized their audience was mostly 15 and under, and bleeped or changed lyrics accordingly. Others did not, and I was embarrassed for my kids. But if you listen to WBLI, you know that this music is not always appropriate for kids anyway...
The seemed to go on stage in order of popularity, with the larger names and set lists at the end. I knew almost none of the acts, but the kids seemed to figure out that was the way it was organized.
The concert started at 5pm and ended at 11:55pm. It was the longest concert I have ever been to. The kids had a great time, rain and all. It was like listening to WBLI live for 9 hours. In between acts, they played WBLI and the DJ's came out and spoke a little.
It is mostly kids/teens and moms. There were some families with boys and dads, and some 20somethings with dates, but mostly women, so they changed most of the men's rooms into ladies rooms with security, as 90% of the audience was female.
If you like this music, you definitely get your money's worth.
Plan accordingly and bring ponchos, because it almost always rains at Jones Beach!
And be warned, the tshirt booths close around 9, so don't plan on getting a tshirt on the way out. Or do, and save yourself the $40 when they are closed lol.