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BlackHat
The simple answer is that people don't like greed.
...when they're broke.
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Hound Dog
My friend in Boston told me that this has been all over the radio stations that so many seats for the show there are not selling. Making the Stones look bad
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flacnvinyl
In complete honesty... not joking... AES needs to come out an apologize for the pricing. Just straightup say 'we got greedy' and then change the pricing model is a big meaningful way. Ultimately Jagger + Co are responsible for the prices as they signed off on them, BUT, they can save face by saying 'see, they fixed it'.
Tomorrow we will find out if the $85 are really 'throughout the arena' or just 'around the upper deck'. We will find out if they play an adventurous set or if its the same old stuff as the limited 2012 run. If there are big empty sections in the arena, it will be reported.
It stands to reason that the initial $85.00 tickets were a result of the Stones insisting on lower ticket prices during tour negotiations. The promoters probably had no intention of setting any ticket prices that low, but they compromised. So at least thank the Stones for that. The promoters blew it! It's their job to know the market. They smugly set the ticket prices with the 2012 shows in mind thinking it was a lock. They simply miscalculated. Of course we would all feel better if we were to get some kind of announcement that the inflated ticket prices were actually the result of an agreement between the Stones and the promoters to block the scalpers with the end result being additional low priced tickets going to the fans.
Really JumpinJackOLatern? The $85 ticket 'promo' was and is a fumbled PR stunt/bait and switch. The press has so far reported that press release almost verbatim 'Stones tickets are as high as $2,000, but look! you can go for only $85!' I'm certain that the negotiations with Dainty/Virgin collapsed when that promoter did their math and KNEW that the numbers wouldn't work in today's economy. MJ & Co. DO ask for a absolutly guaranteed sum, and that's it. Michael Cohl woo'ed them in '89 by doing so, and they've done it ever since. The only reason for the outrageous ticket prices this time is that MJ & Co. (and it is Mick, he still plays naive over what people have to pay to see them,) is the band have demanded an absolute of $XX millions for XX number of shows. They, not any promoter, have set the requirement for stepping on the stage. What DOES amaze me is that my beloved heroes knew what tickets would HAVE TO sell for to get this paycheck, and thought we could pay it! That said, I'm gonna be way up in section 216 here in LV on May 11, $250.00 +service charge and handling fees...
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Hound Dog
My friend in Boston told me that this has been all over the radio stations that so many seats for the show there are not selling. Making the Stones look bad
Since I'm not privy to exactly who the promoters are, it's hard for me to see why the band would look bad. The Rolling Stones were retained by some entity to perform X number of concerts for Y amount. It's not up to the band to determine ticket prices in order to make the promoters a profit.
If they are self promoting (renting the venues, advertising etc) this run of shows then that's a different story.
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JumpinJackOLantern
It's not a reach to envision the promoters offering the Stones the moon if they were confident they could still make a bundle. Which appears to be the case judging by the inflated ticket prices. It's hard for me to imagine the promoters putting that kind of pressure on themselves by offering the Stones so much that they would have to scramble to make a decent profit. Either they miscalculated or they (and the Stones) have something up their sleeves. For the Stones sake, I hope that turns out to be the case. The next 24 hours should be interesting.
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uhbuhgullayew
The Stones made $85 tickets available. I bought some and so did many others on this board.
So why do people (including those that bought $85 tickets) mock them and delight in the fact that the expensive tickets are not selling?
Personally, I am very grateful that the $85 tickets were made available and very appreciative of several people on this board that helped so many people buy tickets for $85.
We're going to see The Stones!
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MRJIMMMY
its a gamble , but i have scored great concert tickets the day of a show on ebay. people have tickets they need to get rid of and put them up on ebay with no reserve. but they have to be local or e-tickets.
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jumpontopofmebaby
Exactly. Too many shows too close together both miles and date. And there was not enough time allowed for tickets to sale.
And they really should have seen how the 1st show in a city would sell before announcing the 2nd show.
Seems like in the past I would by tickets three or four months before the actual concert.
I'd say tomorrows show has sold a little more than 1/2 at best.
Like someone posted earlier. You will not see the Stones at their best in a 1/2 full arena.
The band feeds of the crowd and thats a fact.
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Jah Paul
Of my many friends and family members here in the L.A. area who have regularly attended Stones shows the past 30 years, no one is going...despite FOUR shows coming up in L.A. and Anaheim.
After speaking to several of these folks, price is clearly a huge factor, coupled with the fact that they've seen the band multiple times over the years and feel there isn't necessarily anything new being offered this time around. Some would enjoy seeing Mick Taylor, but it doesn't seem to be a big selling point to them in lieu of the high prices. Overall, there's just not a lot of buzz, but perhaps it could have been different with more affordable tickets from day one.
Just anecdotal stuff on my part, but it may provide some insight into how a lot of Stones fans are feeling right about now.
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stonesrule
Thanks for your pertinent posts CBII.
I was born and raised in LA...have never known it to be SO difficult for people living here...huge increase in population...200,000 plus living in makeshift way particularly in downtown area...homeless, disabled, some mentally ill, drug-trafficking etc.
Most relevant re the Staples gigs, their honchos seem to be unaware that the middle class is not what it was five years ago, including numerous young college students and graduates who can't find a job. Rents are higher, gas is more expensive, etc. etc.
I don't blame the Stones. AEG simply is not in touch with the music audience here the way they should be. They set unrealistic ticket prices and instead of holding the gig in Staples Center, which they own, it would have been far easier to sell 3 nights at the 18,000 seat Hollywood Bowl. MANY people do not want to go downtown with its new "big business" skyscrapers in a place which started out as a "pueblo." No matter how many new hotels, restaurants, etc. downtown LA is relatively charmless.
Hollywood Bowl is a place music lovers look forward to going.