Okay, that article is a little too “hey kids get off my lawn” for my tastes. I’m going to go all M. A. Turner on this one.
#s 1 and 2: Valid points about Ticketmaster, but not about shows themselves. Plenty of smaller bands don’t use Ticketmaster. Oftentimes a local record store or box office will sell tickets without a lot of the fees. As for those smaller shows:
#3: I’m no expert, but I would bet the reason that smaller shows are cash-only is so the band can be paid with a portion of said cash at the end of the night. Merch tables are usually cash-only too. Big deal.
#4: Some shows run late. Sometimes the venue is lazy. Some venues are prompt. I’ve been to shows where they can’t start because the band hasn’t pulled into town yet. But hey, Ticketmaster-sized big-money shows often start right on time.
#5: “Standing room only” is usually because there aren’t chairs in a bar. There are tables and chairs, but shows generally have more people in attendance then that. Unless you want to make everyone sit on a musty bar floor so that you can see the show from your chair, you’re going to have to stand up at any venue that doesn’t have built-in seat rows.
#6: Fortunately, as you’re standing up, you can use your feet to move elsewhere.
So Mr. Murray’s ideal show is where you sit down in an assigned seat, there’s a card-scanner at the door, the show starts right on time, and nobody makes noise to interfere with the performance. Hey, symphony season is starting up, you could throw down on some Beethoven. Or just head over to the Regal 24-plex.
[ M.A.Turner mode off ]
As for what can be fixed: I don’t go to shows often either. The primary reason for me is ticket prices. The bands I used to see for 5-12 bucks are now playing for 18-30 bucks, and often with other bands I care nothing about (or prefer to actively avoid). Although that is arguably my problem.
Also, I’m married now, so any ticket price is x2.
More than anything, it’s the fees that turn me off. It’s one thing to value a band and think to yourself, “self, they’re worth $20 to see live” – but then you start the order process and come out the other end with another $25 in fees tacked on. That’s usually when I bitterly close my wallet. There are few acts (usually vetted with first-hand accounts from friends who have seen them before) that get me bast this point.
Local music is a different thing though. Most shows are $5-$15 and the quirkiness of the venues/schedule is just part of the night out with friends. I haven’t found any venues in my area though that don’t take credit cards at the bar…
whatever. live music rules. homeboy should get out more.
it’s because you’re going to the wrong venues silly.
pssst, go here for good shows: http://www.930.com
. . . and get over the standing room only tirade . . . legs are awesome!!
I love live music. I am also tall. I love it when people standing behind say something just loud enough for me to hear about how much they wish I would go stand in the back… That’s what keeps me going back.
About The Author
I'm a graphic designer and sometimes writer living in Anderson, South Carolina. I serve as the Design Director for NewSpring Church. I love Jesus, my wife, Levi's Jeans, good Tex-Mex, and 8oz glass bottle Coca-Cola Classic. On good days I love them roughly in that order. Email me.
Why Live Concerts Kind of Suck
Tue 09/30/08
Quote, “The concert system is, as far as I’m concerned, totally broken and stupid.” Garrett Murray offers some reasons why going to live shows just ain’t what it used to be. I’d love to hear some solutions, because I love music, but I rarely go to shows anymore.