AC/DC concert tickets and 1hour+ clicking F5

[Nando Vallart]

Just want to share... I'm clicking for more than 1 hour the F5 button to refresh the ticketmaster site, trying to buy a AC/DC ticket.. They'll play on ONE concert in brazil... I'm on 100% hate and 100% sadness mode

 

[hannaugh]

Aww sorry man.  That sucks.  I hope you get to go?

 

[Wana_make_a_guitar]

Sorry man, that sucks bad.

You're more than welcome to my sisters ticket if you can somehow come to Australia (I don't think she likes acca dacca very much anyway)  :laughing7:

 

[OzziePete]

Sorry man, that sucks bad.

You're more than welcome to my sisters ticket if you can somehow come to Australia (I don't think she likes acca dacca very much anyway)  :laughing7:

I kinda guess you are a very popular lad, all of a sudden, with your 'best' friends. When is the concert btw?

@Nonsense. Bad luck mate. Any chance of finding out if any friends have a ticket or two to spare? Empathise with your frustration, I've been there in the past with something similar too.

 

[Nando Vallart]

It start selling 00h01AM, I tried untill 01h40AM and went to sleep... woke up 3h30AM and tried (site still out) and then now 6h35AM and it's still down, but for the only time that appeared listed "data expired"...

Unfortunately, all my friends "would see if could get a ticket today or tomorrow" when I call 00h30AM (well, it's really selling in 15 min around the world I was already desperated)

I'l go back sleep and try later, but I guess I won't be able to buy it... Seems will be eBay or go the stadium at the day, there is always people selling... But at a out of the world cost, if it's R$250 now, I'd expect pay something like R$500 (something like US$280)

Thanks guys... I just wanted to know who are the genius who decide to book only one concert for the whole country (we're 180millions)... AC/DC came in January 1985 (I was 2months old) and in 90-something (didn't even know what was rock) and that's it...
Everytime that comes a big band here is the same, they book few concerts and the website selling it can't work with all people desperatly clicking F5 and go offline...

Not a happy burger today...

 

[m4rk0]

It was like that with Van Halen a couple of years ago..
It's the f$*&#@(ng Scalpers!!! I hate them
I don't know if Ticketmaster is just giving them away to those auction sites, or if the use special software to overload the system..
either way, they're evil.

on the bright side, AC//DC is kinda boring anyway, so it's not that you are missing something really exciting.

 

[Nando Vallart]

¬¬
AC/DC kicks major dutch ass :laughing7:

Well, seems like there is only tickets for 2 places in the stadium for 60+ years old people (they pay 50% of the ticket, so is sold separate)
Will try to get with these guys who buy a lot, rent a bus and make a caravan...

 

[OzziePete]

Fernando, the problem with huge tour shows like AC/DC is the expenditure to ship all their gear to South America, and recouping those costs from the promoters. Australia has a similar problem in that it is 'out of the way' from the main earning areas like North America and Europe.

The issue is mostly with the band's management and your country's promoters. IF they can get away with recouping their costs and making a profit from one gig, jamming 250K people into a stadium and calling that a show, then they will. In Australia, they do stadium shows for about 60 - 80K the most, but that is because MOST of our stadium is built to that size. Only one stadium, The MCG in Melbourne, could hold safely any more than that. I think some of your Football Stadiums would be massive, compared to ours.

That will mean they only have to pay accommodation for the whole crew and band etc. for one week at the most in South America (including stage & stadium set up time and load out).

My guess is, once the band's management & the promoters hear of a complete sell out in minutes, that they'll try and sneak in a second show (or more maybe) at the same venue if at all possible to their schedule and contractual obligations elsewhere. Acts do that a lot in Australia.

I'd keep your eyes and ears open for an announcement of more shows in the same week.

Are they doing other shows in other South American countries? Maybe you could get tickets to nearby countries & make a trip away of it. I know some die hard fans of bands have travelled from New Zealand to shows in Australia, because they couldn't get the act to do shows in little NZ.

But I am quite annoyed that the hype exceeds the real value of any Act, even AC/DC, to the point that the average fan has next to no chance of ever seeing them live in a decent venue and has to resort to such extreme measures as travelling to another country just to see them play. It may make the actual show a bit of a let down after all of those expectations.

 

[Nando Vallart]

I forgot to post here, I could get with this guy who organizes caravans to watch concerts... it was a little more expensive, but what the hell, I GOT TICKETS FOR AC/DC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seems that they'll make a 2nd concert, on the other day... I think they have confirmed a concert in Argentina too

 

[jackthehack]

Fernando, the problem with huge tour shows like AC/DC is the expenditure to ship all their gear to South America, and recouping those costs from the promoters. Australia has a similar problem in that it is 'out of the way' from the main earning areas like North America and Europe.

The issue is mostly with the band's management and your country's promoters. IF they can get away with recouping their costs and making a profit from one gig, jamming 250K people into a stadium and calling that a show, then they will. In Australia, they do stadium shows for about 60 - 80K the most, but that is because MOST of our stadium is built to that size. Only one stadium, The MCG in Melbourne, could hold safely any more than that. I think some of your Football Stadiums would be massive, compared to ours.

That will mean they only have to pay accommodation for the whole crew and band etc. for one week at the most in South America (including stage & stadium set up time and load out).

My guess is, once the band's management & the promoters hear of a complete sell out in minutes, that they'll try and sneak in a second show (or more maybe) at the same venue if at all possible to their schedule and contractual obligations elsewhere. Acts do that a lot in Australia.

I'd keep your eyes and ears open for an announcement of more shows in the same week.

Are they doing other shows in other South American countries? Maybe you could get tickets to nearby countries & make a trip away of it. I know some die hard fans of bands have travelled from New Zealand to shows in Australia, because they couldn't get the act to do shows in little NZ.

But I am quite annoyed that the hype exceeds the real value of any Act, even AC/DC, to the point that the average fan has next to no chance of ever seeing them live in a decent venue and has to resort to such extreme measures as travelling to another country just to see them play. It may make the actual show a bit of a let down after all of those expectations.

Caveat; although I was in the concert promotion biz, it was long ago and in Europe and the whole scene has really changed a lot, although some thing never really change...

Generally, if an act is traveling internationally, it's usually some sort of logistical nightmare. Unless the local promoter can pay a guarantee upfront for add'l shows, they're pretty hard to add unless the show is booked and tickets sold out well  in advance. There can be add'l dependencies on venue availability and the rest of the tour schedule.

The economics are a LOT different these days... Back when I was in the business, the labels would actually subsidize/provide "tour support" and write it off as an advertising expense to promote album sales. If an act could break even on the ticketing and make a few bucks selling t-shirts/other concert swag, it was a "success".

These days, a lot of bands, in particular older established acts like AC/DC, can earn more real profit dollars touring than they do on a new album, with most people buying the one or two tracks they like for 99 cents instead of shelling out for an album/CD. In many cases they'd rather sell out a venue at a higher avg. ticket price than do multiple shows at the same venue and dilute the avg. ticket price to sell out.

 

[OzziePete]

I forgot to post here, I could get with this guy who organizes caravans to watch concerts... it was a little more expensive, but what the hell, I GOT TICKETS FOR AC/DC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seems that they'll make a 2nd concert, on the other day... I think they have confirmed a concert in Argentina too

THAT is excellent news, Fernando!  :hello2: :hello2: :hello2: :headbang1: :headbang1: :headbang1:
Very happy for you. Enjoy the show!

Caveat; although I was in the concert promotion biz, it was long ago and in Europe and the whole scene has really changed a lot, although some thing never really change...

Generally, if an act is traveling internationally, it's usually some sort of logistical nightmare. Unless the local promoter can pay a guarantee upfront for add'l shows, they're pretty hard to add unless the show is booked and tickets sold out well  in advance. There can be add'l dependencies on venue availability and the rest of the tour schedule.

The economics are a LOT different these days... Back when I was in the business, the labels would actually subsidize/provide "tour support" and write it off as an advertising expense to promote album sales. If an act could break even on the ticketing and make a few bucks selling t-shirts/other concert swag, it was a "success".

These days, a lot of bands, in particular older established acts like AC/DC, can earn more real profit dollars touring than they do on a new album, with most people buying the one or two tracks they like for 99 cents instead of shelling out for an album/CD. In many cases they'd rather sell out a venue at a higher avg. ticket price than do multiple shows at the same venue and dilute the avg. ticket price to sell out.

Yes, I have read that acts are now striving to earn most of their career income 'on the road' rather than relying upon royalties from music sales. Which is what being a muso was all about before the corporates got involved... But in doing so, the acts probably have to drive the price of each ticket up so they profit rather than break even.

Seems the days of large record companies ruling the roost are nearing the end, save for the people who sell their soul to them just for the privilege of being tagged as a 'recording artist', or ripped off via some reality TV show.

 

[hannaugh]

Seems the days of large record companies ruling the roost are nearing the end, save for the people who sell their soul to them just for the privilege of being tagged as a 'recording artist', or ripped off via some reality TV show.

And it's about friggin time.

 

[OzziePete]

Seems the days of large record companies ruling the roost are nearing the end, save for the people who sell their soul to them just for the privilege of being tagged as a 'recording artist', or ripped off via some reality TV show.

And it's about friggin time.

Right on Sista! :laughing7:

I seemed to have always gravitated towards an anarchist's view of the music 'business'. I get quite excited about the technology now available for home recordists and the rise of the artist webpage where you can buy their music direct rather than through a record label.

 

[Nando Vallart]

The pigs are dying and I ain't crying
Viva la revolution!!!! :laughing7:

Serious, I never liked the record companies... Really...
And I think people with something on the brain will make it better now than before, but it'll be really workfull... You'll need to do the music, the business, the marketing, etc... in short lines (trying to make it understandable too) musicians won't be only musicians anymore, will NEED to be business men, like a guy who is the owner of a restaurant or pub or any company...
I'm not sure if most musicians are ready to this, but it'll be the Darwin way: addapt yourself or die...

 

[OzziePete]

Musicians have had to be business people too,  for many years Fernando.

Some who aren't good at business or who do not want the hassle of dealing with the corporates all day long, often employ some very strong and heavy people to mess with them.

I have been reading 'Shakey", Neil Young's Biography, and his business minders (David Briggs, Elliot Roberts) were absolute corporate terrorists! Let alone Young's own Mama being a hustler too.

That's what some kind hearted musos need to keep those leaches away from them, so they can be head long into creating music instead of long lunches arguing about points of royalties in a contract or whether there's a dunny near the dressing room at all venues they play at. But you have to find people to trust - a lot.

Mind you, if you were someone like Jagger or McCartney, you'd just employ a stack of very aggressive corporate lawyers to deal with matters and no one would be game to try and rip you off.

In the end though, some make it and others don't.....look at what happened to Badfinger (do a search on You Tube for the doco about their misfortunes, it is trully sad).

At least now, the artist can get a following by using the modern media and even make some money with song sales via internet, before they get too big to manage it all themselves. And even then, they can choose to keep all the rights in their hands and keep on recording their music and putting it up on their website exclusively. That day is fast approaching, and all that's needed then is a PR manager to push the songs onto radio.

 

[kboman]

I have been reading 'Shakey", Neil Young's Biography, and his business minders (David Briggs, Elliot Roberts) were absolute corporate terrorists! Let alone Young's own Mama being a hustler too.

I own that book and read it twice, it's a good one! Neil is pretty savvy himself too (that "eat a peach" note is brutal) but in a different way. He does what he wants, and pretty much never what he doesn't want. I had no idea he was a miniature train tycoon!

 

[dmraco]

did you ever get your tickets???

That web site is CRAZY (Ticketmaster).  I got mine for the Philadelphai PA show.  12th row center on the floor.  Amazed to see all ticket prices are the same...$95 no matter where you sit.

 

[Nando Vallart]

I bought it from a guy who make a caravan to watch the concert in other cities... paid more, but I GOT IT!!!!


Pete, I meaned, yes, the big bands always have some big lawyers to take care of their business... But I'm saying more about the bands that are on beginning of the process, trying to find a place under the sun... Don't know how to explain, there is some guys with knowledge and taking care of their carrers, but I see the most bands not taking care of it very well...

 

[Mor Paul]

...Jagger or McCartney, you'd just employ a stack of very aggressive corporate lawyers to deal with matters and no one would be game to try and rip you off.

Dear Allen Klien...

 

[OzziePete]

Pete, I meaned, yes, the big bands always have some big lawyers to take care of their business... But I'm saying more about the bands that are on beginning of the process, trying to find a place under the sun... Don't know how to explain, there is some guys with knowledge and taking care of their carrers, but I see the most bands not taking care of it very well...

Yes, I understand what you mean.

But the day is fast approaching where the new acts can hold onto things much better, and start their public career still maintaining a lot of their rights themselves. Things like royalty rights for recorded music can be a gold mine if they hold onto it, or only lease the 'product' to a record label as distributor instead of selling the whole recording and just getting the royalty they negotiate.

It's hard for the new guys on the block to know what the normal situation is. Everyone gets approached and no one knows if it is correct for them to negotiate this, or that, away to someone in order to get a better contract? With all the emerging digital rights issues, and copying etc. I would be hard pressed to know what a 'good deal' looked like, let alone when I was in my 20s!

I guess it would be good if someone in the band was a lawyer, or they went to Uni with one, who would do some work for the band for nothing. And an accountant too. But those type of people could only tell you what is in the contract, not whether it's a good contract for this business or not.

The classic I heard was about Midnight Oil. They didn't sign any contract with a recording company for a few years until they had developed a huge following. By then, Peter Garrett (singer) & Gary Morris(manager) had finished their degrees & when they went in to sign a deal, they simply TOLD the recording company what the deal was! :laughing3:

Usually, with a new band, there's quite a few good meaning folks around them lending a hand. But those helping them are basically amateurs, and even if they hold some sort of professional degree, they wouldn't be dealing with the music business on a regular basis. That does put the new band at a disadvantage, and I guess if you just assume that some where along the line you will make mistakes, then just try and learn from them. Or, not sign anything until you can afford an entertainment lawyer and accountant, although that's where the likes of Allen Klein came from! :sad: