Thanks for all these opinions. I'll wait and see
As a new guy to country music, when those artists are coming to town at larger venues and the Mrs wants to go and if I don't care about the artist, I just sit on the lawn. It's a party, country music fans like to party, I like to party so it's fine.
The majority of country music artists I want to see are so old that I'm usually the youngest person there so I spring for good seats. They're all dying so this is becoming tougher.
For this particular show, though, and at this larger venue, I would probably do the VIP, either through the artist or a credit card offer and skip the GA. I do this a lot at the Greek theater in Berkeley to avoid the shit show (Chris Stapleton, Belle and Sebastian, etc.). I can usually get the first row or two where the seats are and sit with other fans who are willing to pay a little more for a better experience. It's still close enough to enjoy it and most folks who are willing to spring are there for the artist.
I've been preparing for this with Sturgill for a while. I'm pretty sure the days of smaller venues are over with him for the next few years.