When Wilco and Neil Young announced their joint tour, there was no way I wasn’t getting tickets. We settled for seats in the 300 level at Madison Square Garden because that’s the best we could pull 35 seconds after they went on sale. Had we known about the second show, we could have rolled the dice for better (and granted more expensive) seats.
I know this will never change and promoters and venues will do whatever it takes to sell as many tickets for as many nights as possible. I just wish there was some way to give the loyal fans a heads up. “Hey dude – don’t bust your ass trying for Thursday tickets, there’s going to be a show on Friday, too.” That’s about as realistic as reduced service charges from the world’s worst monopoly.
On their own, Wilco further complicates their ticket situation by usually announcing their shows a few at a time rather than all at once. That makes it tough if you live somewhere like New York City. You see that Red Bank, NJ or Philly show pop up and you instinctively want to buy tickets because at the time, it’s the closest show. Then two days later they announce something in Manhattan and you’re of course buying tickets for that one too. Now you’re Craigslisting your Philly tickets and eating the shipping charge.
I guess sort of like dating, you want as much information up front as possible. Here’s to hoping the music industry starts opening up a little bit more. – Luke Sacks
One Response
Consider that travel, load in, and load out are big costs. That means second or third nights can be very lucrative. Of course, you don’t do it unless you sell out the first night.
If you know you’ll sell, you’ll announce them both but many times and especially these days, that’s a huge unknown. Wait and see how the first night sells.
In terms of reserving with the venue, it’s tough. It all depends on the schedule already in place. You will have it pre-negotiated out with them but if someone else is a hard date for the same night — say the third possible — you’re out of luck.
Past history of that artist in that venue is the best indication. Also look to see if the venue is already booked the next night or two with another headliner.
If you see Madonna booked at MSG for one night then no one else booked until three nights later, you can be sure another date or two will be added. If she sells out. Just an example.