Comments on: Concerts Don’t Have to Suck: The Rules http://thebillfold.com/2012/06/concerts-dont-have-to-suck-the-rules/ Everything About Money You Were Too Polite To Ask Sat, 25 May 2013 03:59:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Myrtle http://thebillfold.com/2012/06/concerts-dont-have-to-suck-the-rules/#comment-8534 Myrtle Fri, 29 Jun 2012 10:32:27 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=6884#comment-8534 I disagree with #5. I've bumped up the shows I really want to see to being deserving of paying for better seats. The last show I went to was Orchestra seating and it was a transformational experience to see the artist up close. Also, older venues like the Hollywood Bowl have much better sound below the center walkway than above it. I'm still watching to see how this site evolves. The writers are a big part of that. I didn't enjoy this post's writer- it's too "Tiger Beat." I disagree with #5. I’ve bumped up the shows I really want to see to being deserving of paying for better seats. The last show I went to was Orchestra seating and it was a transformational experience to see the artist up close. Also, older venues like the Hollywood Bowl have much better sound below the center walkway than above it.

I’m still watching to see how this site evolves. The writers are a big part of that. I didn’t enjoy this post’s writer- it’s too “Tiger Beat.”

]]> By: Lindsey Weber@twitter http://thebillfold.com/2012/06/concerts-dont-have-to-suck-the-rules/#comment-8532 Lindsey Weber@twitter Fri, 29 Jun 2012 07:13:17 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=6884#comment-8532 @Mike Dang Seriously, I thought Phish fans were naturally ~mellow~ @Mike Dang Seriously, I thought Phish fans were naturally ~mellow~

]]> By: alpacasloth http://thebillfold.com/2012/06/concerts-dont-have-to-suck-the-rules/#comment-7913 alpacasloth Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:27:17 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=6884#comment-7913 @bronwyn Fact: Obnoxiously drunk people can ruin a concert. Fact: I have been an obnoxiously drunk person at a concert. Fact: I no longer drink (there are plenty of people who can drink moderately and handle themselves -- I am not one of those people!). @bronwyn Fact: Obnoxiously drunk people can ruin a concert. Fact: I have been an obnoxiously drunk person at a concert. Fact: I no longer drink (there are plenty of people who can drink moderately and handle themselves — I am not one of those people!).

]]> By: mlle.gateau http://thebillfold.com/2012/06/concerts-dont-have-to-suck-the-rules/#comment-7854 mlle.gateau Mon, 25 Jun 2012 13:36:26 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=6884#comment-7854 Here's the thing about festivals, there's more to it than just the shows. I went to Glasto a few years ago, and I had a great time- I saw a ton of really great bands AND I got to do a lot of fun things (Silent Disco, Tranny Disco (actual title, not being a jerk), circus acts, etc) that I would have had to pay for separately anywhere else. Yeah, it's expensive, but it's an experience. At the same time, festivals aren't for everyone, and I think it's unfair to write them off as a waste of money just because it's not your idea of a good time. By the same token, if you don't enjoy live music, maybe it's not a great idea to write an article bashing it. I feel like I'd get better advice from someone who really enjoyed going to shows. Here’s the thing about festivals, there’s more to it than just the shows. I went to Glasto a few years ago, and I had a great time- I saw a ton of really great bands AND I got to do a lot of fun things (Silent Disco, Tranny Disco (actual title, not being a jerk), circus acts, etc) that I would have had to pay for separately anywhere else. Yeah, it’s expensive, but it’s an experience. At the same time, festivals aren’t for everyone, and I think it’s unfair to write them off as a waste of money just because it’s not your idea of a good time. By the same token, if you don’t enjoy live music, maybe it’s not a great idea to write an article bashing it. I feel like I’d get better advice from someone who really enjoyed going to shows.

]]> By: bronwyn http://thebillfold.com/2012/06/concerts-dont-have-to-suck-the-rules/#comment-7814 bronwyn Sat, 23 Jun 2012 09:21:39 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=6884#comment-7814 And "always show up drunk"? Sure, if you want to spend the whole gig throwing up on your shoes. And “always show up drunk”? Sure, if you want to spend the whole gig throwing up on your shoes.

]]> By: bronwyn http://thebillfold.com/2012/06/concerts-dont-have-to-suck-the-rules/#comment-7813 bronwyn Sat, 23 Jun 2012 09:20:13 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=6884#comment-7813 I totally agree that ticketing fees really are no fun, but you know what? There's lots of things we pay for where the parts of that price go to different companies beyond the one actually providing the core service and we don't moan about it. The difference with ticket fees is that we see where our money goes. What most people don't realise is that the bulk of ticketing agencies are also charging the promoter or producer as well through an "inside charge" on each ticket. The main issue is that the business model for ticketing services hasn't really evolved to be able to just charge one ticket price that takes in ticketing services and credit card fees; it's still a crazy mess of sliding scales, percentage fees etc. Also, you can usually get tickets at the box office on the day of the show for sold out gigs. BUT sometimes there might only be two tickets out of 2000 available, so it's not the greatest option, but completely worth a shot if you are desperate to see a band. When tickets are allocated to particular seats, all venues keep a very small number of tickets reserved in case there are problems with tickets (double bookings etc) - and if by the time the show starts these haven't been used, they can be released for sale, so it's worth being front of the line for these. I totally agree that ticketing fees really are no fun, but you know what? There’s lots of things we pay for where the parts of that price go to different companies beyond the one actually providing the core service and we don’t moan about it. The difference with ticket fees is that we see where our money goes. What most people don’t realise is that the bulk of ticketing agencies are also charging the promoter or producer as well through an “inside charge” on each ticket.

The main issue is that the business model for ticketing services hasn’t really evolved to be able to just charge one ticket price that takes in ticketing services and credit card fees; it’s still a crazy mess of sliding scales, percentage fees etc.

Also, you can usually get tickets at the box office on the day of the show for sold out gigs. BUT sometimes there might only be two tickets out of 2000 available, so it’s not the greatest option, but completely worth a shot if you are desperate to see a band. When tickets are allocated to particular seats, all venues keep a very small number of tickets reserved in case there are problems with tickets (double bookings etc) – and if by the time the show starts these haven’t been used, they can be released for sale, so it’s worth being front of the line for these.

]]> By: josh http://thebillfold.com/2012/06/concerts-dont-have-to-suck-the-rules/#comment-7801 josh Sat, 23 Jun 2012 01:38:58 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=6884#comment-7801 @Daniel Siegal@facebook Other benefits of printing (or better, having tickets mailed) is that if you end up with a spare ticket it's much easier to sell it. Also, not having to wait in line at will call. NOTE: this assumes that you can keep track of a ticket and remember to bring it to the show. Which is a major assumption. @Daniel Siegal@facebook Other benefits of printing (or better, having tickets mailed) is that if you end up with a spare ticket it’s much easier to sell it. Also, not having to wait in line at will call.

NOTE: this assumes that you can keep track of a ticket and remember to bring it to the show. Which is a major assumption.

]]> By: Esther Goh@facebook http://thebillfold.com/2012/06/concerts-dont-have-to-suck-the-rules/#comment-7796 Esther Goh@facebook Sat, 23 Jun 2012 00:28:09 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=6884#comment-7796 Word. Festivals are always a crapshoot - it's luck of the draw as to how many of the bands you'll want to see will actually be within your capability to see. I know that these days there's no point queueing for tickets when often those outlets are competing with everyone else to click 'buy' online when tickets are released. It's those compulsory Visa/booking fees that really hurt, though. You're paying nearly $200 to see the Foos/Metallica, and you wanna slap on another 3%? Word. Festivals are always a crapshoot – it’s luck of the draw as to how many of the bands you’ll want to see will actually be within your capability to see.

I know that these days there’s no point queueing for tickets when often those outlets are competing with everyone else to click ‘buy’ online when tickets are released.

It’s those compulsory Visa/booking fees that really hurt, though. You’re paying nearly $200 to see the Foos/Metallica, and you wanna slap on another 3%?

]]> By: Mike Dang http://thebillfold.com/2012/06/concerts-dont-have-to-suck-the-rules/#comment-7787 Mike Dang Fri, 22 Jun 2012 21:40:36 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=6884#comment-7787 @Marissa Yes! I don't get the hostility. I had a roommate who was a huge Phish fan. He followed the band around the country, and disappeared for three days around Halloween to see them live in Atlantic City. The nicest, most mellow guy ever. We also had a bunch of random guys who my roommate would meet on Phish forums drop by our place to carpool to concerts, and they were all really chill too. None of them cared that I didn't listen to Phish! These hostile commenters actually seem really out character to me. <a href="http://articles.dailypress.com/2003-01-03/news/0301030067_1_trey-anastasio-parking-lot-phish-concert">Live and let live, as they say.</a> @Marissa Yes! I don’t get the hostility. I had a roommate who was a huge Phish fan. He followed the band around the country, and disappeared for three days around Halloween to see them live in Atlantic City. The nicest, most mellow guy ever. We also had a bunch of random guys who my roommate would meet on Phish forums drop by our place to carpool to concerts, and they were all really chill too. None of them cared that I didn’t listen to Phish! These hostile commenters actually seem really out character to me. Live and let live, as they say.

]]> By: Robin http://thebillfold.com/2012/06/concerts-dont-have-to-suck-the-rules/#comment-7786 Robin Fri, 22 Jun 2012 21:40:14 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=6884#comment-7786 @Thomas Lenly Weathers@facebook Hi Thomas, this isn't youtube, no need to act like a dick. @Thomas Lenly Weathers@facebook Hi Thomas, this isn’t youtube, no need to act like a dick.

]]>