Rising fuel costs are having a ripple effect on everything. Consumers are no longer purchasing trucks or SUV’s; instead they are buying more fuel efficient vehicles. This is causing the individuals who work in the plants that produce gas guzzling vehicles to close, which makes for more unemployed and impoverished individuals.
On the flip side, the increase in fuel costs is causing food producers to either take a cut in their profit margin or pass the difference in cost onto the consumer. And the cycle will continue until it effects all consumer and industrial products as well as services.
I suspect that the lay-offs and hiring freezes will continue in our country, it’s happening to my employer now (and honestly, it’s a little scary to think about.) Now — couple that with corporate, state and federal ‘belt-tightening’ budget cuts. All these factors combined will cause inflation, poverty and unemployment rates to rise.
So when and where will it end? I’m not sure anyone can predict that. But one thing is for sure — our dependency on one product (oil) is certainly shining through. And wouldn’t you know it — the Middle East just happens to have a stranglehold on that market (things that make you go hmmmmm.) Too bad though, for the sake of Ford, GM, and other American auto makers — Japan is now finally taking over. And I don’t know that Bob Seger can come to the rescue again.
So Jennifer, what the hell does this have to do with music?
Well, where do I start?
- Touring. As gas costs increase, bands will tour less and less and play markets closer to each other or artists will look to use alternative fuel sources, like Hot Buttered Rum, Neil Young, and Bio Willie.
- CD Manufacturing. Even though this medium is getting closer and closer to death like Beta Max, I think we will see an increase in digital only releases and a decrease in the production of physical products.
- Ticket Prices. Because of increased traveling expenses bands will be forced to charge promoters more money, and so it doesn’t cut into their profit margin — promoters will then turn around and pass the price increase onto consumers. We are already seeing this with festival ticket prices, for example for the inaugural Bonnaroo I purchased a ‘Tier 1’ ticket at a cost of $100. This year the ‘Tier 1’ allotment ran $209.50 each.
- Discretionary Income. Not the band, you silly. As fuel and food costs begin to soar, fans of music are going to have to be careful what they pick and choose as far as going out to a show or festival. Perhaps 1 for $3/2 for $5 will now be 1 for $5/2 for $8?
But I digress on the downward spiral of the U.S. Economy and my favorite hobby of touring — back to the issue at hand, hunger. Luckily for you, there are some ways that you — the festival goer can help the less fortunate.
Conscious Alliance is a non-profit organization that works with musicians, artists and festivals to help collect non-perishable food donations to distribute to local food pantries and impoverished communities across the country. This weekend, they will be at Wakarusa, then the next weekend at Bonnaroo, followed by Sound Tribe’s summer tour and several other festivals this summer. You can check out their complete tour schedule here. Last year at Bonnaroo over 10,000 pounds of food donations were brought for Coffee County. This year their goal is 15,000 pounds. And if your one of the first 2,000 festival goers that donates at least 10 non-perishable food items (do NOT bring ramen noodles) you will receive a free limited edition Bonnaroo poster, created by artist Justin Hampton.
Conscious Alliance is joining forces with Whole Foods Market to set a Guinness World Record at Rothbury. They also recently worked with Weezer to create a ‘virtual food fight’ in support of the release of “Pork and Beans”.
So, as I prepare my camping gear and camera this weekend to make my annual trek to Bonnaroo (a full 30 minutes down the road) and since I’m lucky enough to attend Rothbury as well, I’m going to make a contribution to Conscious Alliance at both festivals and I challenge the 100,000 or so other individuals that will be in attendance to do the same. After all, people everywhere are in need.
Speaking of Bonnaroo, I will be making on-site HT posts (as long as there is no rain) so be sure to check out my daily reports and updates.
4 Responses
bands shouldn’t tour anymore. they should pick a city to call home and hold it down. the fans will move to the city and every weekend a spontaneous circus would appear. this could be a big city i suppose but it would probably be easier to take over a smaller one. it would save on travel and all its implications for my wallet and mother earth. like you said, with this economy i am being forced to see less music, meaning i am being exposed to less new stuff. at this point i would rather save my money for what i know is sure to get me off. so find your band and together find yourself a city to live in.