We'll Let You Know

This image was taken from the Ticketmaster website just before I logged in to make this post. See, this is funny because this morning Lollapalooza was cancelled, but you can still buy tickets at Ticketbastard as of now.

The spin doctors are in motion: Marc Geiger, co-founder of the tour stated, "I am in utter disbelief that a concert of this stature, with the most exciting line-up I've seen in years did not galvanize ticket sales. I'm surprised that given the great bands and the reduced ticket prices that we didn't have enough sales to sustain the tour. Concert promoters across the country are facing similar problems. Many summer tours are experiencing weak ticket sales."

Funny you say that, because from what I'm hearing, the Curiousa Festival is selling tickets just fine.

Geiger said Lollapalooza's plight is indicative of a summer touring season on the slide.

"Lollapalooza is not alone in this," he said. "Everyone from the Dead to Dave Matthews to Norah Jones is suffering. There's not one explanation for this. It might be that ticket prices are too high, which doesn't account for Lollapalooza, because our tickets were priced between $15 and $25. Maybe it's the sundry add-ons [like service charges] that up the cost? Maybe gas prices are too high? Just like the record industry is suffering, the concert business is not exempt. "

Um...No shit sherlock. Anyone see a $15 ticket in those prices (taken from the first show in Auburn, WA)? And those are just one day tickets. More than one blogger has wondered aloud if they will be refunded those pesky service charges, but we all know the answer. I bet they'll still have to pay Ticketbastard their ticket prinitng charges even though many tickets were never printed.

Does anyone else see the high comedy in Geiger blaming gas prices on his poor ticket sales? It's Dubya's fault I tell you!

Much like Dubya, promoters aren't willing to look at the mirror and admit their mistakes. First of all, while the bill was pretty damn nice, there was no slam dunk on it. We all know how much I love Morrissey, but he does not have the draw to fill up an amphitheater by himself. Sonic Youth were never really a big draw, same for PJ Harvey, and the rest of the bill on day one play clubs when they cross America. The String Cheese Incident was obvs. supposed to pull in big numbers on day two, but I imagine their fans have seen them many times in the last 12 months for much less that $70. The Pixies, Basement Jaxx and Wilco were only playing select dates and other than me, who hasn't seen the Flaming Lips in the last 12 months?

But the biggest mistake they made was making this a two day festival aimed at the 30 something crowd. Most of that crowd (myself obvs. not included) have jobs so they have to take days off from work to attend anything during the week. Ferrell and co. would have been better off making a one day festival with Moz, PJ, The Flaming Lips, Wilco, Sonic Youth and a few bands to round out the bottom of the bill and maybe with a rotating headliner. This would mean less overhead for promoters and lower ticket prices.

But I digress...