Aikenrooster

Please Atlanta, Greenville, Charlotte, or Columbia!!!!!!

The venue does not invite the band. The band rents the facility.

 

Inflation has little to do with prices; it's just a small factor. The major factors are the band's status and record sales. Touring is the primary revenue stream, because artists sell significantly less units than before.

I have to disagree with this. I agree with you that inflation is just ONE factor, but I disagree that it's not a major factor. I think maybe you should contemplate the 'EXPONENTIAL' or "domino effect" that inflation has on EVERYTHING.

Thank you, upstateNY and Thunder Bay. I never knew that a band rents the venue.

 

So...let me see if I have this straight. A band puts out the word that they are interested in touring. Local rock concert promoters pick it up and invite the band into their designated area. Then the band rents a venue at which to perform. Do I have it right?

 

One last thing that I have always wondered about since I was in high school (back in the stone age).

 

Has anyone here ever wondered what it must be like and how it must feel to be up on stage and look out at ten, twenty, forty or sixty thousand fans going wild just for you?

Brother, I think we all have. The first time I imagined this was back when I was a teenager and we got cable TV and MTV played that video of Guns n' Roses' "Paradise City," and I thought, "Man, that would be awesome!"

I agree with upstateNYfan.

 

I think the band rents the venue for the day, not by the hour. And, since the internet really got moving around 2000 - 2005, bands don't sell nearly as many CDs as they used to. For example, all of Rush's albums previous to Vapour trails in 2001 went either platinum or gold. But, none have since, as far as I know.

 

Clockwork Angels was on You Tube, entirely, almost immediatley after it was released to retailers. People just go on line and get it for free. This is something I just don't understand and why bands allow this to happen is beyond me. Hey, didn't Lars Ulrich start something about that at one time? If I was in a band I would NOT allow my product to be stolen from me. This is ridiculous. When someone goes to work in the morning, they get paid, whether they work as a plummer, a waitress, a doctor or a teach... a musician should be treated the same way.

 

So, today, bands go on the road and the bigger acts that can charge top dollar, do. At one time, the main reason bands toured was to promote their latest album with hopes people would buy it. They rarely made any money on the road, if any at all.

 

If you're watching a concert DVD and it seems to be "rushed" between songs, it's likely that the editing process removed some of the "dead air" that would make the concert drag on for longer than necessary. Personally, I like to see the WHOLE concert they way it really happened. But, maybe time limits on DVDs give reason to look for dead spots to eliminate some time.

 

Good luck!

I agree with this post. But, some bands have played it correctly, I think Trent Reznor of NIN released several entire albums for free digital download and told everyone to tell their friends to steal it off the internet, because the record companies were marking up the price of the CDs too much. Personally, I like getting free music from Slaker and Grooveshark and then paying a little more to go to the concert, BECAUSE, I am only going to pay to see acts that are THE BEST. I have a lot of albums that are "one hit wonders" because there was no internet back in the old days.

 

I think the best acts can still make it big today, with concert revenues, merchandise, BlueRayDiscs, etc, The only beef I have today is finding good music. Gees, there is so much junk out there, particularly County/Western music: that genre has really gone to heck.

99% of these forums lament how Rush is at the sunset of their careers and question how much longer Rush will tour and hoping that they'll be able to just go to one more show, and then we get these threads whining about ticket prices. Maybe Rush should just quit now and save everyone their precious Dollars and Euros that will be so damned valuable when they take them to the grave. I'll bet the same people, on here, whining about ticket prices, are driving H3 Hummers, or F350 Diesel trucks, that get about 15 mph, with fuel about to go back up to $4, per gallon.

Definitely Neil: I don't have to tell my life's story when I meet someone, although I am very courteous and I have good manners when I meet strangers; I 'd prefer to sit in the back of the room and read; I drive 5-6 days out of the week; I am very cynical of religion and I hate proselytizing people; also, I am a libertarian. What I don't have in common with him is creativity and musicianship. I couldn't drum my way out of a wet paper sack to borrow that cliche.

I often hear people complain about the price of rock concerts these days. Not just Rush, but many bands. I heard that U2 was charging $300 for basic seats last year for the 360 Tour. And, Paul McCartney shows go for about $400 - $600 in some venues.

 

Here's a way to make yourself feel a bit better about shelling out more than $100 for Rush or your other favourite bands. First, realize the enormous costs of keeping such a huge show on the road for months at a time. I honestly don't know how they can do it for the prices that they charge... just imagine what Rush's payroll is per DAY (whether it's a show day or not) for their crew. Everyone must be fed (local caterers?) each day... they need a place to sleep, sometimes on a bus, sometimes in a hotel room. Those tour buses must cost a fortune to lease per day. Then, the drivers must be paid... fuel, trucks, security, on and on. That's not even mentioning what is would cost to rent the sound and lighting system... WOW! Don't forget the venue takes a huge chunk of the gate receipts... so does the promotor, agents... managers.

 

Now compare these prices to that of big name stand up comics, such as Larry, the Cable Guy, Chris Rock, Dane Cook, Russell Peters and Jeff Dunham. These guys often charge $80 - $100 a seat. BUT - they don't have a huge stage show, a crew of 40 people, six buses and trucks and food to pay for. They cruise into town with one (1) micophone (I'm exaggerating to make my point), no road crew and no buses or trucks. Very little production other than what is already present in the venue. Dane Cook sold out the hockey arena in Boston... 18,000 people. VERY little expenses to cover.

 

I remember twenty years being dragged into the Pantages Theatre in Toronto to see the Phantom of the Opera. The seats were $120 each. 20 years ago... and they didn't have to tear down, travel to the next city and set up all over again. The place was packed.

 

So, based on my assumptions, who is over charging for their live shows? I don't think Rush is. Or, U2, or the Stones or, or, or...

Yeah, we talked about this yesterday. http://www.therushforum.com/index.php?/topic/79984-clockwork-angels-tour-attendance-figures/page__st__20

There are probably many factors influencing the "non-sold-out" shows but Michigan and Nevada have two of the highest unemployment rates(forget the official figures, knowing people who live in those states and Ohio, I hear the "real" unemployed levels are about 14-16% there), so I guess that is part of the explanation for those cities being less than capacity.

There are a lot of factors. Inflation is rampant for starters. People are borrowing money just to make ends meet, given the high price of gasoline, electricity, and food. I think since a lot of Rush fans have kids now that, if they don't take the kids, then they won't go, because they have to do things with the kids. I think unemployment does play into it. I think there are a lot of other choices, now, obviously, than there were in the 1970s and 1980s.

 

But, the biggest thing was that at a lot of the venues, all of the seats weren't up for grabs. We talked about this during the tour. If you looked at each venue, you could see which seats were available for each upcoming concert/event, and the number of seats up for grabs was different for each artist. I don't know how that is determined, but, in Charlotte, for example, 3/4 of the upper deck wasn't even available to choose from. So, you can't say that the venue has 25,000 seats and they only sold 12,000, so it's a lousy performance, if, in fact, only 12,000 seats were up for grabs to begin with.

I did not go because I hated the set list and the prices were to high. I am sure I am not the only one. Also Geddy said something that really bugged me the other day on an interview. He was talking about the A-B set lists and saying how it's good for them so fans will go to more than one show. I know this is a business and a big one for Rush, but come on Geddy that's some BIG MONEY to not play songs on one date just to bait the fanatic into spending more money. I know you guys are going to kill me on this, but is there any part of your fandom that can see how bogus this is?

The prices are not high compared to other(and may I say A LOT LESS TALENTED "musical artists") concerts and sporting events. Also, you understand that a lot of people have to get paid out of the price of your ticket, right? Roadies, truck/bus drivers, the venue takes a huge slice, taxes in the ticket, TICKETMASTER fees(bastards), the CA string ensemble, they gotta pay for fuel to get there, they gotta eat, they gotta maintain their equipment, just to name a few things off the top of my head. People don't work for free. You just can't look at the gross sales and act like Rush is raking all that money in.

 

I'd argue that given Rush's level of expertise, number of years together, number of years playing, and other factors, that they're playing on the cheap.

 

If you didn't like the setlist, then you didn't like the new album. Just admit it.

Mountain Dew and Coke. Highly.addictive, worse than crack, seriously. I am from the most unhealthy state, South Carolina, and my parents allowed me to drink it all the time. I would throw a fit if I couldn't have it, and I wish they would have put their foot down and made me do without it. It is the reason I can't and never will lose weight. I can't go a single day without withdrawls. This is terrible, but I would physically harm someone if I couldn't have a soda. I don't know got hard quitting drugs or smoking is, but quitting soda is impossible, if you've been drinking them as long as I have. I went 4 months without a soda, last year, and I wanted to kill myself, because I was miserable. I think you get chemically dependent on them.

 

I drink a gallon of water everyday and try to eat lots of salad to dilute the sugar, and I do drink less, but if there really was a.God, he would answer my prayer to be able to quit forever.

I don't see how anyone who a)has been to the southwest of the US and b)read the history of why it took the Spanish so long to settle that area, couldn't appreciate 7COG. I'm not trying to attack someone personally for their taste in music, but to say that it's the worst song on the album implies a lack of appreciation for Neil's amount of travelling and his amount of reading.

 

Sorry if I come off as condescending, that's not my intent, and I don't mean to be hateful.

The Garden.

It is hard for people who rarely travel to understand why Rush wants a break. But, if you travel a lot, you're amazed that Rush has kept doing it this long. A lot of people here in the US, who thought they wanted to be long haul truck drivers, have quickly found out that being on the road all the time is no vacation, and the novelty of "the open road" wears out quickly.

 

For example: I am in a suburb of Chicago waiting for a load, right now, to go home, and it won't be ready until 2 pm. I've been here since 6pm yesterday. Sure, I got my smartphone, and books, and I am able to keep myself occupied, because I am somewhat of a loner, but don't you think I would have loved to eat supper last night with my wife? Not complaining, but just stating that after 14 years, it's gotten really old. And Rush has been doing it for damn near 40 years, and they did it in the old days, too...no ATMs, no credit cards, terrible roads, equipment that wasn't air ride, etc., sleazy hotels, bad food, etc.

 

We are social creatures and the lonesomeness gets old, even for Neil. Missed birthdays, missed children's plays or ball games, missed anniversaries, not to mention losing loved ones you never got to spend enough time with, can drive you bonkers. It's a real testament to Rush that they've kept it together this long, not died prematurely from drug abuse, and have had the mental toughness to tour this long. Yes, they deserve a break!

Hey Rush Family!

 

What a day eh?

I thought we were all going to perish at 6:11 am PST today and it didn't happen! The Mayans were wrong or simply just miscalculated their prediction!

It is interesting to note that it is also the Winter Solstice. It's the Pagan Christmas right? The Atheist Holiday. Strange how the date is 12/21/12 and Neil who wrote 2112 is indeed and atheist!

 

Crazy!!!

 

Anyway I don't care! I cracked the seal on my 2112 comic book box set and I am playing "2112" right now!

 

What a date! 12/21/12

 

RUSH ON!

 

Oh and Happy Holidays to all of you who read this!

 

RUSH RULES!

 

Earl

LOL, most of the holidays were "stolen" by the Christians, so that their Holiday would have more significance. I don't think Christmas would be a big deal if it weren't towards the end of the year. I mean, Easter should be the bigger holiday, but it isn't, for some reason. I think it's kinda funny how Halloween has become so big in the last 20 years, completely overshadowing All Saints Day, on November 1, accomplishing the same thing that the Christians have done for eons.

 

But, yeah, Happy winter solstice, and I am glad that the days are getting longer now, in the Northern Hemisphere.

Any parent who has their kids listening to Rush is a great parent!!! I couldn't believe all the kids that I saw at the Charlotte show. I kept telling myself how lucky those kids were to have parents who told them the truth about everything up front plus knew what great music was. Rush was the devils music, when I was growing up, along with all other Rock n' Roll, and we were not allowed to listen to it. To make a long story short it took me a long time to see everything for what it was and let go of all the misinformation, but it took a long time.

Yeah, that person has really done a lot of travelling, for sure. Why would they go from chicago to south carolina to kansas and back to louisiana and then florida???

I hope they play Atlanta, again. We had the best time AND it was sold out.

 

Yes! If not it shall be roadtrip time!

I was lucky to see them twice, within 200 miles of where I live, but Florida really got screwed. I am looking for them to bypass the Carolinas, and probably do more Florida dates. I am just hoping that they will stop in Atlanta due to the massive crowd. I mean, that whole hill was full of people. Have they ever played Greenville, Columbia, or Charleston? Usually most groups bypass SC because they can hit Charlotte and/or Atlanta.

If they are going to do a second leg, I hope they put Limelight back into the setlist. I didn't get to hear it when I saw them in Newark! I know it's played all the time, but it's a great concert song, and it deserves a spot in the set!

Yeah, that was one of the songs that was rotated every other stop. Can't remember all of them, but the rotated songs were "The Pass," "Dreamline," "Bravado." "Seven Cities of Gold," "Limelight," and "Wish them well," I think.

The Peddlar is THE WORST song on the album. It's so bad that, in fact, I've NEVER listened to it, not even once. Oh yeah, that's right: The Peddlar is actually listed TWICE in the liner notes, but Rush forgot to make music for Neil's lyrics. They were smoking some good stuff,, I suppose. I sure would have loved an extra 20 minutes of music. What a rip off!!!

I hope they play Atlanta, again. We had the best time AND it was sold out.

...might as well die with your boots, er Rush shirt, on, on the last day on erf...E R F.

'Bravado' and not even close. One of my favorite songs of all time.

"Subdivisions" is my favorite song of all time, so this is easy, but "The Analog Kid" is a great one, too, and close second.

2112, obviously, but I love "Passage to Bangkok."

LOL, my vote for "Limelight" tied it with "The Camera Eye" at 215 apiece.

 

I think "Limelight" is a personal statement from Neil and that is why it is the best song on the album, although my personal favorite is "Witch Hunt," but the question isn't, "What is my favorite song?," it is, "What is the best song?"