garyg7133

I do agree that the ticket prices are completely out of control. I'm sorry, but $197 for anything past the first 10 rows is completely insane. It's also technically scalping by charging more during presales and having "auctions" for the best seats. What a lot of people do not know however is that a) the artist no longer receives such a huge cut of the ticket and the COST to put on a show has gone through the roof.

As for the first part, what is happening more and more is that teh artist receives a lump sum up front based on the number of shows and then a percentage of the ticket sales and higher percentage of merchandise sales. By dong this the artist insures that they receive a firm number up front that will put money in their pockets and cover costs. Now the promoters have to cover THEIR costs and the initial payout to the artist AND try to make a profit.

Part B is simple. the band has to pay their crew which, over the years has risen more than 20fold as the shows have gotten bigger (Rio anyone?) and more complicated. I seem to remember a few people complaining during the first leg of this tour "they didn't have any lasers". Well, guess what, lasers cost money. The Time Machine Tour, while simple in appearance, the 3-D effect that they went for is pretty tough to pull off. The sound system, aside from Alex's frequently failing gear, ain't cheap. Add in the all important cost of (ready?) INSURANCE. It can cost anywhere from $3000 to $20,000 plus to insure the VENUE (not even the people ). Given that RUSH tend to use pyro in their tours it's likely a LOT more....

Just curious about the various ways we're all getting tickets. This was the first time since 1986 that I'm not buying tix during the presale/fanclub/1st day sale. For the first time I'm taking my chances with the MSG show (or Hershey depending on $$) and trying for a good seat day of show. Has anyone had luck doing this?

I've also noticed that over the past days of the presale that I've gotten closer to the stage just looking up tix once the 1st day was over. Had some really nice seats online today but kinda balked at the price and am waiting to see what changes are in the set. There are still some great seats for MSG floating around TM though.

Rip off. Nowhere near the stage for that price? Talk about a cash grab...

MSG is, outside of Canada, the greatest place to see Rush. That said, and be advised, the arena is not going to be "sold out" per se. They are not, at this time selling the 400 level seats at all so the place is going to look empty. Last time they played there they only sold up to the 300's and it didn't sell out.

 

I would advise the following - Buy a cheaper seat and bring $20 per person for an usher closer to the stage. Blue jackets are the guys you are looking for.

 

The tix for this show are insanely expensive but seeing as they aren't getting any younger.....

I guess it makes business sense for them to continue touring (although to a lot of empty seats.). They're making some cash and keeping their brand out there. My concern is that CA will turn into one of those albums that gets remixed and remixed and remixed until it's a hunk of crap. I like the new tunes, especially Caravan, but I can easily see it turning into an album full of "dog years"....

Hi all. Not sure if it applies with the overseas promoters but there has been a big change in the way they do business in the US.

What's happening here is that it's no longer the band making as much on the ticket sale as it is the promoter trying to recoup their outlay to the artist. Artists are being paid huge sums of money, usually up front to tour now. This is why promoters and ticketmaster have auctions for the best seats and sell these idiotic "packages" where you get some trinkets along with your overpriced ticket or, you can buy "official platinum steats. Sure, the artist makes a percentage on the tickets, but the promoters are trying to cash in.

Yeah, I actually had shut it off after about 10 pics because the security goon was giving me the eye. He had to apeak to a couple of people around me because they were very obviously shooting pics and taking vid. Funny that they concentrated on that when the GA ticketholders were all standing in front of those of us who had purchased seats and were now unable to see. Allentown = worst venue ever.

That's a great piece you got back. Nice job.

Funny, I took 90 or so pics and 5 videos at the show. Then I picked up Roadshow and feel kinda bad for taking such a volume of pics knowing that it annoys Neil....

Thise are some REALLY nice shots. Don't knock em'!

For anyone who intends to send items to be signed, Here's how mine was sent -

 

Priority mail USPS to the venue. Address it to Liam Birt/Rush Tour Management c/o the venue.

 

I enclosed a return USPS priority envelope with postage attached. I also enclosed the following :

 

The pic that they signed, a letter to the guys describing my "fandom" and asked if they would be so kind as to sign the picture. I also enclosed several pics that I had printed FOR them and explained them.

http://www.rushisaband.com/tourgallery/det...php?id=6898&i=0

This came in the mail yesterday.