Tangent 21 - Live events and tickets

Posted by
Incandenza

Posted on
10:45
Jun 19 2003

Live events and tickets

Booking tickets for Eddie Izzard got me thinking (I know, I know) about this...

It seemed to me a little elitist to have one expensive price only (I think Â£30 for a stand up gig is expensive) and that many devoted fans would miss out due to expense whilst those who are better off but less interested would benefit.

At the same time, popular events like Glastonbury now sell out overnight as touts seek to take advantage of scarce supply and lets wait to see how long after the Izzard tickets sell out the first ones become available on Ebay.

So what do you think? Is there a good way to ensure tickets get to fans first and is it something that bands etc should even worry about?

Football clubs use hierarchies to determine which fans get to go to the top games. Maybe bands/comedians etc could make tickets available to fan club members first or something?

One example that I thought worked well... I saw Bowie at Hammersmith Odeon last year and the only way to get tickets was to queue up for them (maximum of 2 per person). Some people queued overnight and got great tickets, some arrived first thing in the morning and got good tickets... the more effort you made, the greater the reward or chance of getting in and not a tout to be seen.

15 Replies and 1484 Views in Total.

PictureOfFlowers "When things are at their darkest, it's a brave man that can kick back and party." - Lt. Tuck Pendleton, Innerspace

I agree that concerts can be far too expensive, and also that touts are complete scum (OK so this may be just my opinion rather than agreeing with yours

) that drive the prices even higher and stop a lot of the true fans seeing the bands they like.

The idea of selling to fan club members first I think is a good one, and in fact some bands do this. When I went to see the Manics in December, subscribers to their mailing list got to buy their tickets a couple of days earlier than they went on mass sale.

The idea of the queuing system is flawed as not every fan is able to queue over night no matter how much they want to. Some people have to work, some people might be away when the tickets go on sale. And there's some people who travel long distances to see bands. They would have to travel to the venue twice, once to get the tickets and once to see the band. And on the first occasion they'd have no clue how long they'd be there and so could end up stranded in a strange place.

Posted: 10:58 Jun 19 2003

Teresa "So I can come inside of your kiss and just leave you on your knees"

by PictureOfFlowers
The idea of the queuing system is flawed as not every fan is able to queue over night no matter how much they want to. Some people have to work, some people might be away when the tickets go on sale. And there's some people who travel long distances to see bands. They would have to travel to the venue twice, once to get the tickets and once to see the band. And on the first occasion they'd have no clue how long they'd be there and so could end up stranded in a strange place.

What he said.

I do think it's a good idea that people who belong to the mailing lists/ fan clubs get a heads up on tickets. Cliff Richard does this (don't ask me how I know. I just do, alright?

) which is why it's very rare that touts get hold of his tickets.

I have bought off touts before and have not really ever paid over the odds for one. In fact I've seen bands at Milton Keynes Bowl for Â£10 before (Metallica, G N'R, R.E.M. ) which I thought was a great deal. So they don't bother me. They'll always be there no matter how many times people get told not to buy off them.

I've just paid Â£38 for tickets to see Ozzy Osbourne at Wembley and this is the most I have ever paid to see someone I like.

P.S. If anyone has any spare Wimbledon tickets that they need to sell I would like to raise my hand first

Posted: 12:22 Jun 19 2003

In a State of Dan That's just, like, your opinion, man

Leaving aside the issue of pricing for the moment, I'd just like to point out that fans signed up to the website did get advance notice of Eddie Izzard tickets going on sale.

Posted: 12:50 Jun 19 2003

Incandenza It's not a zero-sum game.

by In a State of Dan
Leaving aside the issue of pricing for the moment, I'd just like to point out that fans signed up to the website did get advance notice of Eddie Izzard tickets going on sale.

Advance notice is not the same as a window of opportunity however.

Posted: 13:14 Jun 19 2003

In a State of Dan That's just, like, your opinion, man

by Incandenza
Advance notice is not the same as a window of opportunity however.

Well, as I understand it, there was an allocation of tickets, in good seats as far as I can tell, available at a location which was only given to people signed up to the website. That would certainly seem to be a window of opportunity. In any case, so far only one of the dates has actually sold out.

One thing I have noticed is that for any given venue, all tickets are the same price. For Nottingham, it actually says some are restricted/side view (here). That's definitely something I disgree with..

Posted: 13:43 Jun 19 2003

CJL Don't be sad, don't be blue, Scotland can win in '82 (earliest childhood quote)

I'm a member of the R.E.M. fan club, and at EVERY gig they allocate space and tickets to fanclub members.
We get an email send to us with a URL allowing us to buy these tickets a few days before they go on sale to the masses.

However, I still managed to miss the pre-sale for the 2 Brixton gigs next week (I was up in Edinburgh when the email was sent). When I got back to London, all the fan club tickets were sold even before the general public sale had started.

Touts are getting clever. I've found messages on fan bulletin boards requesting/advertising these 'pre-sale sites'.

The best solution would be still to have the pre-sale sites, but only allow the tickets to be sold if I typed in my fan club membership number. Unfortunately I thnk this would be an administrative nightmare.

Sorry, that doesn't really answer your question.

I do think Ebay should not be allowed to sell tickets for more than the asking price.

I'm sure I read somewhere that the Glastonbury organisors pursued folk that were selling their tickets on Ebay a day after the event sold out.

Posted: 14:15 Jun 19 2003

bipolar "Aurgh! Arugh jeeez!! NO! NO NINA! BAD NINA!"

by In a State of Dan
Leaving aside the issue of pricing for the moment, I'd just like to point out that fans signed up to the website did get advance notice of Eddie Izzard tickets going on sale.

fan of eddie and member of official site and i had also signed up to recieve the text saying when the tickets go on sale i never recieved one and when i checked the site the day it was announced in the eddie thread there was nothing on there about the uk tour hence why i was so upset to be missing it as with some notice i could've convinced my dad it was a good idea to lend me his credit card.

so *hugestbiggest"fank ooo"hugs* to PoF

[EDIT] just found this on the site:

HUGE APOLOGIES Tuesday 17, June 2003

Please accept our sincere apologies to all the registered users who didn't receive the email informing them of the link to the special allocation of tickets for members only by 10am this morning. The messages were sent out early this morning but due to unexpectly high traffic on the site the speed of delivery was drastically reduced hence the delay. To try and speed up this delay the site had to be taken down temporarily which I know caused further frustration to you all. However, the tour dates are finally up on the site and there are still a number of special allocation tickets available in selected venues. And of course, there are still plenty of tickets available in all venues via the usual means.

(Edited by bipolar 19/06/2003 15:06)

Posted: 14:59 Jun 19 2003

Incandenza It's not a zero-sum game.

by In a State of Dan

Well, as I understand it, there was an allocation of tickets, in good seats as far as I can tell, available at a location which was only given to people signed up to the website. That would certainly seem to be a window of opportunity.

It certainly would, and sounds like a good idea in theory if not (as pointed out by Bipolar) in practice.

by CJL
I do think Ebay should not be allowed to sell tickets for more than the asking price.

Having just bought an REM ticket on Ebay, I can't really criticise. I don't really have a problem with *some* tout activity... inevitably some people miss the tickets when they are first on sale or plans change or they find out about their favourite band playing at the last minute. The tout premium is sometimes a price worth paying.

Posted: 15:23 Jun 19 2003

JtB If someone gives you freedom it is not freedom, freedom is something you take for yourself.

[quote]by Incandenza
(quotes)

It certainly would, and sounds like a good idea in theory if not (as pointed out by Bipolar) in practice.

(quotes)

Yes but what about the fans who dont have access to the internet is it then fair on them.

Posted: 18:05 Jun 19 2003

In a State of Dan That's just, like, your opinion, man

by JtB
Yes but what about the fans who dont have access to the internet is it then fair on them.

No, it's not.

However:
Anyone who truly has no way of accessing the internet (bearing in mind libraries, internet cafes, etc.) is unlikely to be able to get to a show anyway.
Is there a better way? I certainly can't think of one.

Posted: 18:59 Jun 19 2003

Taz Extra medication for all - Pilz-e

by bipolar

fan of eddie and member of official site and i had also signed up to recieve the text saying when the tickets go on sale i never recieved one

I got a text the day before, but I didn't have a chance to check the website until the day they went on sale.

I do think that a standard rate where there's a possibility of a restricted view is out of order though.
People have paid to see whatever it was, not a post!!

Posted: 19:42 Jun 19 2003

JtB If someone gives you freedom it is not freedom, freedom is something you take for yourself.

by In a State of Dan
(quotes)
However:
Anyone who truly has no way of accessing the internet (bearing in mind libraries, internet cafes, etc.) is unlikely to be able to get to a show anyway.
Is there a better way? I certainly can't think of one.

So what you are saying is people who dont have, or use the internet dont go to shows which is plain rubbish, just over 3 Years ago when I had internet access I used to go to concerts, comedy that ended up sold out.

Internet users shouldnt get priority over non internet users thats just snobbery.

A solution is for the venues not to sell to ticket agents and sell direct as im sure some of those for agents go to touts.

Posted: 23:28 Jun 19 2003

In a State of Dan That's just, like, your opinion, man

by JtB
So what you are saying is people who dont have, or use the internet dont go to shows which is plain rubbish,

No, read it again. What I said is that someome who has no means of accessing the internet whatsoever is very unlikely to be able to get to a show. They may not actually use the internet, but that's a different matter.

Internet users shouldnt get priority over non internet users thats just snobbery.

Is it? How about that people with telephones (or, with the rise of SMS, mobiles) get priority over people without? That people with credit cards get priority over people without? Whatever means you use, there are bound to be some people left out, and I would argue that the internet is about the most inclusive way we have of communicating to large numbers. No, it's not perfect, it doesn't reach everyone, but then, what does?

A solution is for the venues not to sell to ticket agents and sell direct as im sure some of those for agents go to touts.

A solution to large-scale touting, sure.

Posted: 09:29 Jun 20 2003

Jayjay "I may be scattered / A little shattered / What does it matter / No one has a fit like I do / I'm the only one that fits you"

Bipolar, I know you signed up on the Eddie Izzard site before me, so did you get a text from 'Eddie' about being at a Yankies game, and on father's day wishing you dad a happy father's day? I only ask because I got both these and a warning of the tickets going on sale the Thursday before. As well as an email saying the same (which seemed a little frivolous). I also remember you saying you didn't have to go through the same rigmorole as others with sending texts and stuff.

Basically, just wondering if something went wrong with the process when you signed up.

Anyway, back no topic.

I'm paying roughly the same to see Eddie as I did to see Audioslave and Julian Clary. However, the Audiosalve tickets were standing so I could get as close to the stage as I wanted (could cope with). And the tickets to see Julian were the usual set up with the better the seat the higher the price. I don't mind the price of the Eddie Izzard tickets, and I am satisfied enough was done to prioritise fans. What I don't agree with is someone with front row tickets to Wembley paying the same as someone at the back. That just seems stupid.

Posted: 21:31 Jun 21 2003

Linz Â‘this is a song about somebody that i really used to like a whole lot, and i donÂ’t know if i like anymore. itÂ’s not about me.Â’ -ryan adams

I don't tend to go to anything that costs more that Â£15, but since I don't like big venues and festivals anyway, this isn't really a problem.

I do like it when bands give special opportunities to fan club/street team members, however. Especially when it comes to street teams, because it's a good way of showing appreciation to the fans who work hard to promote the band. I believe tickets to Brand New's album release show were ONLY available to street team members, which I thought was excellent.

Posted: 23:25 Jun 28 2003

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