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Post by Pete on Jun 17, 2010 20:26:56 GMT -5
Cancelled shows and tours by usually reliable marquee artists like Christina Aguilera, the Eagles, U2 (due to Bono's back surgery), Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair, Rhianna, John Mayer, Limp Bizkit, and the Go-Go's seem to belie the fact that the live music business is taking a beating this summer. Multi-act festivals like Bamboozle and the Country Throwdown Tour pulled the plug on some dates, while other tours by what were considered hot acts are experiencing slumping sales, among them Jonas Brothers and Kings Of Leon, according to sources.
Rumblings of a tough year for touring began a couple of months ago, with predictions ranging from "mediocre" to "bloodbath." Two main culprits may be at fault in what is shaping up as possibly the worst summer for touring since the mid 1990s: ticket prices and traffic. At the center of the storm is Live Nation, which controls the majority of summer touring, particularly at the amphitheater level.
Ticket prices have been a thorn in the industry's side for years, and ticket prices are a direct function of how much the act is being paid. Live Nation's detractors say the company pays artists unreasonably high guarantees in order to gain market share and keep its amphitheaters programmed and tap into ancillary revenues like concessions, sponsorships and parking. When an estimated 70% of touring traffic occurs during the warm months, ticket prices become more sensitive, as fans are forced to make choices as to which shows they will see.
Another issue created by traffic is heavy schedules make it tougher for each show to get the kind of promotional attention necessary, whether it comes from the promoter's own efforts or media coverage.
Also coming into play is the fact that many if not most Live Nation shed tours are negotiated and booked out of the company's West Coast offices, without a lot of local input about which shows are programmed and how much an act is worth in a given market. An act that's worth $250,000 in Boston may be worth only $50,000 in Cleveland, which should be reflected in local ticket prices.
Another factor cited by insiders is ill-advised touring by artists who either don't have a new album or single out, or have made the rounds too many years in a row. Without a compelling reason to go see an act, whether it's absence from the marketplace or a hot album or single, fans may be deciding to sit this one out.
Finally, there seems to be a level of skepticism from consumers toward the concert industry, much of it relating to numerous ticket add-on fees or high ticket and concession prices in general.
There are live music successes. Coachella, Stagecoach, Jazzfest and Bonnaroo all have done quite well. Tours by acts like Lady GaGa, James Taylor/Carole King, and Roger Waters are performing solidly under Live Nation, as is its entire country roster of tours. AEG's Justin Bieber, Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift and Bon Jovi, are also doing sellout business.
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Post by Trexx on Jun 18, 2010 17:42:27 GMT -5
Easy solution:
Name the Tour, "Final Tour".
It worked great for the Who and the Stones.
...and apparently it's working for the Scorps too!
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Post by kim on Jun 19, 2010 10:42:04 GMT -5
For what it's worth, here in Ontario, Canada, not only has the recession hurt the concert season, but we as residents have also been blessed with another burden that will affect concert goers...and that is the implementation of our new HST or "Harmonized Sales Tax". This new tax combines the existing 5% GST which is the Federal "Goods and Services Tax" along with the existing 8% PST or "Provincial Sales Tax" which ends up being a new 13% tax across the board which now includes everything with a few exceptions such as diapers, meals under $4.00...hahahaha...When was the last time you had a MEAL for under $4.00?...haha. This new tax comes into play July 1st in Ontario and British Columbia as well, although it works out to 12% for B.C. ...ironically, our Canada Day holiday! What a lovely gift! HAPPY CANADA DAY All!!! A few things from the huge list that will be affected... Internet Access Services in Ontario Concert Tickets for events in Ontario Alcohol purchases in Ontario Gasoline/Diesel/Electricity/Natural Gas purchased in Ontario Accommodation in Ontario (Hotels/Motels/Camping) Airline, Bus and Rail Tickets/Taxi Fares in and from Ontario Magazine Subscriptions (Ontario Residents Only) That outta help the economy! HA! However, this new "Harmonized" tax will benefit business and they in turn will be expected to pass the savings on to consumers.......  .........Uhmmm yeah...start that one off with "Once Upon A Time....".........DOH! Thanks Kim |
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Ricky
Club Rocker
Long live Rock and Roll
Posts: 501
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Post by Ricky on Jun 20, 2010 9:53:05 GMT -5
I can see tickets for $30.00...but this stuff with tickets for $200.00 plus parking ...way too much
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Post by kim on Jun 20, 2010 11:31:45 GMT -5
I can see tickets for $30.00...but this stuff with tickets for $200.00 plus parking ...way too much Tickets for $30.00? Those days are long gone. Last time I paid anywhere near that price range was when I caught Deep Purple & ELP at the Molson Amphitheatre back in 97' for about $48.00 ...and that was a steal! Once the world wide web hit during the late 90's and the libraries could be had for free, the music industry appeared to try and recoup their losses by dinging the average concert goer. In their minds, they figured, hey, if the public is going to get something for free in one area, we'll certainly make it up in another area. Worked for awhile, but now it's coming around full circle and economics will certainly dictate, just who is worthy of a $200.00 ticket and who isn't these days. These days...you have to be a die hard fan to fork over that kinda dough and unfortunately, it makes it difficult for the groups that want to tour along with the fans that would like to see them...not to mention the younger generation that wouldn't have minded checking out some of the classic rock artists...but at that price?... I'd be doubt'n er!!!! Thanks Kim |
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Post by IRON BALLS on Jun 20, 2010 12:09:22 GMT -5
There is a huge Recession going on by smart people not wanting to get robbed by high ticket prices...after looking at the ticket prices for our loco DTN concert theater I an see why. APRIL WINE $105 - $299 (this band should have to give oral sex to everybody there for this ticket price - not that I'm gay and would take them up on it.  ) FOREIGNER $138 - $148 (once again this band should just bend over and earn this money) ;D GRAND FUNK (THE FAKE VERSION) $49 - $85 Maybe fake fans will show up looking for one orig member, because Led Zep is still Zep without Page, Plant and Bonham - right? Then everybody gets to pay for their girls ticket, buy that time you're not in the mood because you were just robbed. who wants to see a concert after being robbed? Hey maybe there wasn't enough robbed and the show will cancel a day before it's date. I think I'll just buy the live DVD for 14.99 - call me cheap, but I won't get robbed. ;D |
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Ricky
Club Rocker
Long live Rock and Roll
Posts: 501
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Post by Ricky on Jun 20, 2010 12:52:44 GMT -5
I still see a few show with tickets for $30.00 maybe a little more not the top acts but Ted Nugent is playing Billy Bobs Texas soon we can
get in for $20.00 some of the outdoors shows have lawn tickets for $30.00 $40.00
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Post by kim on Jun 20, 2010 13:39:30 GMT -5
I still see a few show with tickets for $30.00 maybe a little more not the top acts but Ted Nugent is playing Billy Bobs Texas soon we can get in for $20.00 some of the outdoors shows have lawn tickets for $30.00 $40.00 It's a great deal if you can find opportunities such as this. To cash in on a classic act such as Ted Nugent for $30 to $40 bucks is a bonus, regardless of where your arse gets to sit! What I wonder is, who in the hell is ultimately paying for this venue? Certainly not the ticket holders. It makes me wonder if someone owes someone else a favour in the music biz and is fodder for bigger venues to come down the pipes for said "organizer / promoter"  With the ever increasing costs of any artist hitting the touring circuit these days, I can't imagine any artist not being able to profit by selling tickets for anything under $100.00 regardless of your chart status, longevity or current popularity with the fans. I can't imagine that touring comes cheap these days. 10 years ago, people were willing to pay top dollar to see classic rock acts, and at a premium price. That was when a lot of the so called classic acts were coming back out of the woodwork for the first time in many years...so a $125.00 ticket didn't seem so bad. Now, with the same groups thinking that they can get away will filling the house at $250.00 a pop minimum, they really have priced themselves out of the ball park. Speaking of which...some sports venues are suffering the same demise. Second time round however, as Picklehead has mentioned, appears more like a cash grab at this point, especially considering half of the groups are but shadows of their former selves??? $105- $299 for April Wine?...I mean really! These guys go at er every summer and hit the fairground festivals and can be seen, even here in Canada along with Trooper, Loverboy, and quite possibly including a has been header like Frampton as an example, all for a paltry sum of $40.00 for an advance ticket. Like Picklehead, I too do not want to be robbed...even though I have paid some pretty hefty prices for tickets, I'm pretty much done...unless of course one band comes back to North American soil and then, sorry to say, I would be at their mercy...besides I think I still owe them for the first gig I caught...I pretty much got in for free! hahahahahahahahaha.  Thanks Kim |
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Ricky
Club Rocker
Long live Rock and Roll
Posts: 501
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Post by Ricky on Jun 20, 2010 15:22:46 GMT -5
some of these show like the Uncle Ted show it is just Ted and the band...I would guess all the lights and fireworks some bands have would make a ticket price go up..
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Post by cozyal on Jun 20, 2010 20:19:14 GMT -5
I hear ya all on these ticket prices .... I've been lucky to sometimes get review tickets, but these days they're harder and harder to get, since I don't write for a) a major site or b) a major or local newspaper or magazine. With both of us having been through lay off patches and just picking up unemployment for some stretches over the last 3 years, we've only got to about 10% a year of what what we used to go to. Rhonda and I used to catch about 30 or 40 shows every summer or more before kids and mortgage. It was serious party time back in 2001 - 2004 ... Since then for us, with kids and mortgage and lay offs, it all takes a back seat. I go along with Rikki, buy the live DVD and remember when you saw many of these great bands in their prime, right? I ain't getting screwed on some of these ticket prices. The recession may be moving on for some people, but still here for many ..., but ticket prices still go up and up!  What the .....!!! Just have pick and choose the gigs a little more carefully. Sucks, I know! Al  |
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Post by Equinox on Jun 20, 2010 23:11:54 GMT -5
There is a huge Recession going on by smart people not wanting to get robbed by high ticket prices...after looking at the ticket prices for our loco DTN concert theater I an see why. APRIL WINE $105 - $299 (this band should have to give oral sex to everybody there for this ticket price - not that I'm gay and would take them up on it. ) FOREIGNER $138 - $148 (once again this band should just bend over and earn this money) ;D GRAND FUNK (THE FAKE VERSION) $49 - $85 Maybe fake fans will show up looking for one orig member, because Led Zep is still Zep without Page, Plant and Bonham - right? Then everybody gets to pay for their girls ticket, buy that time you're not in the mood because you were just robbed. who wants to see a concert after being robbed? Hey maybe there wasn't enough robbed and the show will cancel a day before it's date. I think I'll just buy the live DVD for 14.99 - call me cheap, but I won't get robbed. ;D Wow, Meadowbrook (US Cellular Pavillion in Gilford NH) has a ton of concerts this year and none of the tix go for more than $75. Top seats/Decent seats (cheaper ones available also) Styx, Foreigner, Kansas - $75/65 Scorpions, Vince Neill - $64/48 Cheap Trick, Squeeze - $62/51 Heart, Guest TBA - $61/51 REO, Pat Benetar $63/53 On the other hand, I was looking to go to a show while I visit my wife's relatives (Ohio/Pennsylvania area) and the Ringo Starr All-Stars are playing. Tix run from $150 to $100. Great band, with Rick Derringer, Edgar Winter, Gary Wright, Greg Bissonette, Wally Palmar (Romantics), and Richard page (Mr. Mister). But too steep a price for me. I used to go see Derringer, Winter, James Montgomery, Thorogood, and Bill chinook for a $5 cover in Old Orchard beach Maine and Salisbury beach Mass back in the late 70's. |
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Post by spacel0rd on Jun 21, 2010 9:29:46 GMT -5
I dunno....
I just looked at April Wine Tickets for a show in Denver and they were 20.00.
Ted Nugent/ Foreigner, here in Columbus, are 30.00.
There are a lot of shows over-priced, tho. I used to go to 5-6 a year and now I got to one, if I am lucky.
So by the time I pay for the tickets, a hotal, parking and some beers...I spent at least 350.00 for my wife and me.
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Post by rtbuck on Jun 21, 2010 10:22:48 GMT -5
I'm with Pickle,I'd rather buy the DVD.
I just can't justify paying over 50 bucks for a concert & really the only bands which I would pay 50 for are Kiss & Alice Cooper. I hated paying $46 for Roger Waters but my wife really wanted to go & after seeing him in the mid 80's I know he puts on a good show. What kills me is the unreal service charge that's attached to the tickets unless you go to the venue to buy them. I seen Kiss in Cleveland last October & tickets were 25 bucks which was cool but parking was 25 bucks also!
Here's another question "What's more of a rip off: The Concert Ticket or the price of a Concert Tee Shirt???!!?"
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Post by spacel0rd on Jun 21, 2010 10:38:18 GMT -5
I know Live Nation has gotten rid of all service fees for...i think...the month of June. I forget exactly how long they are doing it.
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Post by rtbuck on Jun 21, 2010 10:49:50 GMT -5
^^^^Yes they did, & I think it was for June only so that's cool
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Ricky
Club Rocker
Long live Rock and Roll
Posts: 501
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Post by Ricky on Jun 21, 2010 14:49:27 GMT -5
they charge $30.00 and up for a shirt..they can keep them..I can get a shirt off ebay for a lower price
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Post by bluecheer on Jun 21, 2010 14:58:13 GMT -5
Goin to see Sammy Hagar at Ribfest in Naperville Illinois on July 2nd. General admission seating is $12. You can't beat that! Just gonna grab a spot on the lawn and relax. Don't really care how close I am to the stage. The view is pretty much good anywhere you sit for this. Going with my mom and stepfather along with my aunt and her boyfriend. My sister is gonna go also |
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Ricky
Club Rocker
Long live Rock and Roll
Posts: 501
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Post by Ricky on Jun 21, 2010 15:32:08 GMT -5
that Sammy show sounds like my kind of Show..have a good time |
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Post by bluecheer on Jun 22, 2010 6:56:14 GMT -5
that Sammy show sounds like my kind of Show..have a good time Thank you I hope you attend some good concerts this summer as well.  |
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Post by Pete on Jun 22, 2010 10:41:57 GMT -5
I usually go to a ton of conerts over the summer but I'm blowing most of my concert budget on one of the tours listed as doing well Roger Waters. Seats are 250 - 55 but he's selling out all over the place and adding dates. 4 nights in Chicago now.
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