Gig Plans - 2022
Discussion
I see Blur have announced a one-off gig at Wembley Stadium with predictably hefty prices.
I don't begrudge them that - I expect every frontman or woman secretly yearns to walk out and say 'HELLO WEMBLEY!', I know I would, but what annoys me is this 'Gold Circle' s
t they pull - a 30 quid premium on a regular pitch standing ticket, to get near the front - which is more akin to your 'Rolling Stones at Hyde Park' style gigs.
They are effectively segregating the front of the standing area for the most well-heeled, or rinsing their dedicated fans for a 30 quid uplift on an already pricey ticket, for the privilege of getting down the front.
Personally I'm not bovvered by being down the front, I'm a middle-aged bloke who doesn't massively like people invading my personal space and like to hang our near the bar for 8 quid a pint refreshments, and the bogs for the inevitable beer/middle-aged bladder visits.
However, I know a lot of people who are front row barrier merchants, dedicated fans who've been there, done it, bought all the albums etc, it just smacks of massive corporate wedom for bands to rinse them for all they can. It's just not very 'indie', is it?
I know this is all likely down to he promoters but I'm surprised that noted 'men of the people' Dave Rowntree and Graham Coxon have sanctioned this. They might not have any say in the matter.
Consequently I'm giving it a swerve and hoping they play Glastonbury, which although corporate with a small 'c' these days, doesn't have these segregaed areas based on ability to pay.
(Yeah, I know its 340 quid a ticket, but you get 5 nights of camping and hundreds of bands for that, can take in all your own food and beer, it's great VFM by comparison)
I don't begrudge them that - I expect every frontman or woman secretly yearns to walk out and say 'HELLO WEMBLEY!', I know I would, but what annoys me is this 'Gold Circle' s
t they pull - a 30 quid premium on a regular pitch standing ticket, to get near the front - which is more akin to your 'Rolling Stones at Hyde Park' style gigs. They are effectively segregating the front of the standing area for the most well-heeled, or rinsing their dedicated fans for a 30 quid uplift on an already pricey ticket, for the privilege of getting down the front.
Personally I'm not bovvered by being down the front, I'm a middle-aged bloke who doesn't massively like people invading my personal space and like to hang our near the bar for 8 quid a pint refreshments, and the bogs for the inevitable beer/middle-aged bladder visits.
However, I know a lot of people who are front row barrier merchants, dedicated fans who've been there, done it, bought all the albums etc, it just smacks of massive corporate w
edom for bands to rinse them for all they can. It's just not very 'indie', is it? I know this is all likely down to he promoters but I'm surprised that noted 'men of the people' Dave Rowntree and Graham Coxon have sanctioned this. They might not have any say in the matter.
Consequently I'm giving it a swerve and hoping they play Glastonbury, which although corporate with a small 'c' these days, doesn't have these segregaed areas based on ability to pay.
(Yeah, I know its 340 quid a ticket, but you get 5 nights of camping and hundreds of bands for that, can take in all your own food and beer, it's great VFM by comparison)
DodgyGeezer said:
worsy said:
DodgyGeezer said:
Just saw Nightwish & Evanescence last night - very good indeed, though, IMO, Nightwish were better
Snipped Photos
Nightwish? you mean Within Temptation.Snipped Photos
Saw them both at Brum Tuesday night. Big fan of both bands but hadn't seen Evanescence since about 2005/6. Amy Lee's voice is still top top, and their drummer, Will Hunt can certainly hit. Thought they were great.
WT, as ever were really good although a little disappointed with the sound mix as the guitars weren't nearly as heavy as they should be.
WT finished the show at Brum, I think it was the other way round for London. Interesting to note quite a few left after Ev, not so many that it was noticeable in the hall though.
... for some reason I always conflate the two 
(I'll amend that now thanks!!). You were correct that Ev finished in London (interestingly I did see people start to leave about 1/2way through the set - maybe the fact it was a school night was the reason?MissChief said:
Saw WT and Evanescence tonight in Glasgow and would agree, WT were better and the singer was much better too. Pics are on my phone and I’m on my iPad typing this but while evanescence were good even my son said The Pretty Reckless a couple of weeks ago we’re much better. Not sure if it was the venue size or what, but TPR were much tighter and Taylor has a much better live voice than Amy.
saw TPR a few years (actually I couldn't remember when so I was trying to look it up - turns out it was probably 11 years ago 
supporting Evanescence!) back Momsen (as an aside I couldn't remember her name so I googled 'Momson' - believe me that is a mistake I'll NOT be repeating!!!! 
) has got a terrific voice We've got Placebo at Brixton academy this Saturday 26th November, went to book train tickets and there is a bloody rail strike on. I'm in Rochester, Kent - anyone got any ideas how to get there? Going up the day before and staying over is not an option due to childcare. Fuming, as Ive never seen them and missed out on tickets last time they toured, a million years ago and had this booked for ages.
Speed Badger said:
We've got Placebo at Brixton academy this Saturday 26th November, went to book train tickets and there is a bloody rail strike on. I'm in Rochester, Kent - anyone got any ideas how to get there? Going up the day before and staying over is not an option due to childcare. Fuming, as Ive never seen them and missed out on tickets last time they toured, a million years ago and had this booked for ages.
Drive? I know, you can't have a beer ..... I see Brian has got a bit precious on FaceyB, asking the audience to stash their phones away in their pockets and live in the moment etc. THere's a mixed range of comments about it. Lots of people hitting back that he should try interacting with the audience etc,
PurpleTurtle said:
Speed Badger said:
We've got Placebo at Brixton academy this Saturday 26th November, went to book train tickets and there is a bloody rail strike on. I'm in Rochester, Kent - anyone got any ideas how to get there? Going up the day before and staying over is not an option due to childcare. Fuming, as Ive never seen them and missed out on tickets last time they toured, a million years ago and had this booked for ages.
Drive? I know, you can't have a beer ..... I see Brian has got a bit precious on FaceyB, asking the audience to stash their phones away in their pockets and live in the moment etc. THere's a mixed range of comments about it. Lots of people hitting back that he should try interacting with the audience etc,
Last thing you want to see from the stage is a sea of phones , look back at live videos from the 90's-2000's pretty much every band would have crowds jumping and moshpits.
egor110 said:
PurpleTurtle said:
Speed Badger said:
We've got Placebo at Brixton academy this Saturday 26th November, went to book train tickets and there is a bloody rail strike on. I'm in Rochester, Kent - anyone got any ideas how to get there? Going up the day before and staying over is not an option due to childcare. Fuming, as Ive never seen them and missed out on tickets last time they toured, a million years ago and had this booked for ages.
Drive? I know, you can't have a beer ..... I see Brian has got a bit precious on FaceyB, asking the audience to stash their phones away in their pockets and live in the moment etc. THere's a mixed range of comments about it. Lots of people hitting back that he should try interacting with the audience etc,
Last thing you want to see from the stage is a sea of phones , look back at live videos from the 90's-2000's pretty much every band would have crowds jumping and moshpits.
Yes I saw the 'guidance' issued for the Placebo gigs, I don't mind it to be honest, the amount of gigs I've been to lately where the Muppet in front has both arms raised and a phone in the way. I usually take one photo for posterity and that's it, but hate these numpties videoing the whole concert, enjoy the moment and hold it in your memory!
PurpleTurtle said:
I see Blur have announced a one-off gig at Wembley Stadium with predictably hefty prices.
I don't begrudge them that - I expect every frontman or woman secretly yearns to walk out and say 'HELLO WEMBLEY!', I know I would, but what annoys me is this 'Gold Circle' st they pull - a 30 quid premium on a regular pitch standing ticket, to get near the front - which is more akin to your 'Rolling Stones at Hyde Park' style gigs.
They are effectively segregating the front of the standing area for the most well-heeled, or rinsing their dedicated fans for a 30 quid uplift on an already pricey ticket, for the privilege of getting down the front.
Personally I'm not bovvered by being down the front, I'm a middle-aged bloke who doesn't massively like people invading my personal space and like to hang our near the bar for 8 quid a pint refreshments, and the bogs for the inevitable beer/middle-aged bladder visits.
However, I know a lot of people who are front row barrier merchants, dedicated fans who've been there, done it, bought all the albums etc, it just smacks of massive corporate wedom for bands to rinse them for all they can. It's just not very 'indie', is it?
I know this is all likely down to he promoters but I'm surprised that noted 'men of the people' Dave Rowntree and Graham Coxon have sanctioned this. They might not have any say in the matter.
Consequently I'm giving it a swerve and hoping they play Glastonbury, which although corporate with a small 'c' these days, doesn't have these segregaed areas based on ability to pay.
(Yeah, I know its 340 quid a ticket, but you get 5 nights of camping and hundreds of bands for that, can take in all your own food and beer, it's great VFM by comparison)
I guess it seems cynical because it's (relatively) new but TBF is it any different from pricing other sections by desirability which has always been the case? If the floor was allocated seating you'd pay more for the front.I don't begrudge them that - I expect every frontman or woman secretly yearns to walk out and say 'HELLO WEMBLEY!', I know I would, but what annoys me is this 'Gold Circle' s
t they pull - a 30 quid premium on a regular pitch standing ticket, to get near the front - which is more akin to your 'Rolling Stones at Hyde Park' style gigs. They are effectively segregating the front of the standing area for the most well-heeled, or rinsing their dedicated fans for a 30 quid uplift on an already pricey ticket, for the privilege of getting down the front.
Personally I'm not bovvered by being down the front, I'm a middle-aged bloke who doesn't massively like people invading my personal space and like to hang our near the bar for 8 quid a pint refreshments, and the bogs for the inevitable beer/middle-aged bladder visits.
However, I know a lot of people who are front row barrier merchants, dedicated fans who've been there, done it, bought all the albums etc, it just smacks of massive corporate w
edom for bands to rinse them for all they can. It's just not very 'indie', is it? I know this is all likely down to he promoters but I'm surprised that noted 'men of the people' Dave Rowntree and Graham Coxon have sanctioned this. They might not have any say in the matter.
Consequently I'm giving it a swerve and hoping they play Glastonbury, which although corporate with a small 'c' these days, doesn't have these segregaed areas based on ability to pay.
(Yeah, I know its 340 quid a ticket, but you get 5 nights of camping and hundreds of bands for that, can take in all your own food and beer, it's great VFM by comparison)
As for Glastonbury small c corporate - have you seen what the corps all evangelise on about today?
Speed Badger said:
egor110 said:
PurpleTurtle said:
Speed Badger said:
We've got Placebo at Brixton academy this Saturday 26th November, went to book train tickets and there is a bloody rail strike on. I'm in Rochester, Kent - anyone got any ideas how to get there? Going up the day before and staying over is not an option due to childcare. Fuming, as Ive never seen them and missed out on tickets last time they toured, a million years ago and had this booked for ages.
Drive? I know, you can't have a beer ..... I see Brian has got a bit precious on FaceyB, asking the audience to stash their phones away in their pockets and live in the moment etc. THere's a mixed range of comments about it. Lots of people hitting back that he should try interacting with the audience etc,
Last thing you want to see from the stage is a sea of phones , look back at live videos from the 90's-2000's pretty much every band would have crowds jumping and moshpits.
Yes I saw the 'guidance' issued for the Placebo gigs, I don't mind it to be honest, the amount of gigs I've been to lately where the Muppet in front has both arms raised and a phone in the way. I usually take one photo for posterity and that's it, but hate these numpties videoing the whole concert, enjoy the moment and hold it in your memory!
Teddy Lop said:
I guess it seems cynical because it's (relatively) new but TBF is it any different from pricing other sections by desirability which has always been the case? If the floor was allocated seating you'd pay more for the front.
The markup has risen far above the odd percentage. It is pricing hardcore fans out of what is traditionally their domain - in front of the stage. Peter Gabriel has done similar at the Arena. Upper tier £130, lower tier £200. Huge leap in cost. You could argue bands could charge what they like - and I suppose they can - but music/gigs isn't like paying for petrol, there's often an emotional involvement. at this price I'm not surprised idiots record the gig on their phones, might be worth something in ten years, lol.Ronstein said:
Planet Claire said:
Tomorrow night, Bellowhead in Cardiff. Never heard their stuff before and not usually my kind of thing, but going with a friend.
They're superb, but will be sadly missing Paul Sartin who died recently :-(worsy said:
Nightwish? you mean Within Temptation.
Speaking of Nightwish, I was so glad to finally get to see them last night, the gig having been postponed three times since 2020. Floor is amazing! I hope she manages to keep going for a while yet as I would definitely see them again.Belle & Sebastian gigs now rescheduled (again), except the Southampton one I was going to, so I've given up on them and got a refund.
I did, though, get to see Skinny Lister again at The Old Fire Station in Bournemouth - Not mad about the venue (although it looks very cool from outside and I'm old enough to remember it as THE Fire Station when I was at college in the area), but they were great as always.
I'm not sure I've ever seen such a good band live, they really get a crowd going, even in a chilly venue on a November Wednesday.
Part of me thinks they should be far more successful, but another part likes the fact they're still playing smaller venues.
I'll go and see them again - I had a quick chat with Lorna, one of their lead singers, as I left and she seemed lovely, very friendly.
Great band - Go see them if you get the chance - You'll have a great time.
M
I did, though, get to see Skinny Lister again at The Old Fire Station in Bournemouth - Not mad about the venue (although it looks very cool from outside and I'm old enough to remember it as THE Fire Station when I was at college in the area), but they were great as always.
I'm not sure I've ever seen such a good band live, they really get a crowd going, even in a chilly venue on a November Wednesday.
Part of me thinks they should be far more successful, but another part likes the fact they're still playing smaller venues.
I'll go and see them again - I had a quick chat with Lorna, one of their lead singers, as I left and she seemed lovely, very friendly.
Great band - Go see them if you get the chance - You'll have a great time.
M
Skinny Lister are playing my local venue (Tunbridge Wells Forum) next week, but I already have tickets for First Aid Kit on the same evening. Shame.
I am seeing Steve Mason (ex Beta Band) there the day before though, so a good week for gigs coming up and my final shows of 2022 I expect.
I am seeing Steve Mason (ex Beta Band) there the day before though, so a good week for gigs coming up and my final shows of 2022 I expect.
wibble cb said:
Suede and manic street preachers in Toronto last night, both were excellent, Brett Anderson surprised me, lots of enthusiasm and crowd invading.
Suede
Manics
I'm not a fan, but husband is, I didn't mind Suede back in the day.Suede
Manics
With that in mind I agreed on the House of Blues gig in California earlier this month. It. Blew. Me. Away. It helped that for reasons I don't understand the crowd seemed to dissipate after Suede opened and I found myself right at the front, in a slightly elevated spot within an inch of the stage. They were absolutely amazing that night and have firmly cemented their place as one of my favourite gigs ever. It also helped being within winking distance of Nicky Wire
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