Gigs? What is that? An enclosed environment where we can interact with our favorite band? IN PERSON? ALL SWEATY AND INHALING EACH OTHER’S AIR? WHAT!? It feels like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it? Who remembers the days when we could witness a live performance not through a television system broadcasting to YouTube? I do, I think?
It’s been far too long since we’ve had these luxuries and (like most) I can’t wait for it come back! I can’t wait for the atmosphere, anticipation, interaction, the vibration of the noise, SOARING PRICES. Wait… Oh. That. The money – £150 to sit in the corner of a congested stadium crammed with 100,000 people, where you can barely identify the drummer from the front man. Yay! Whoopee! Fantastic! Are you buying my enthusiasm?
Now, I just have to clear the air here. For those infuriated who are about to throw the old “venues have been struggling” hurdle at me. I know that. We need to support our venues. What we don’t need to support is corporate greed. Bear with me here or should I say beer with me? Once they’re reopen, a venue won’t struggle. They’ll earn their keep from the bars, especially the higher capacity ones. Think of the demand. The queues are almost as lengthy as a theme park ride. They’ll be fine. So will the artists that decide to rip you off and probably cover the venue fee after twenty tickets have been sold!
Just to clear the air again, I’ll admit, I am guilty as charged of paying a ludicrous price to sit miles away from a band. When you have no other option other than to wait until they tour next when the price increases even further and their days of touring could be numbered (cough) Rolling Stones (cough) it’s a sacrifice you have to make. Ahem, anyways let’s draw away from that back on to subject…
Here comes the issue – if people keep reluctantly letting these bands rob them then it wouldn’t encourage them to keep charging it. No one wants to pay an excessive price to watch an artist but they’re so desperate they’ll just throw money at them. Some even spend £3000 on a VIP package. Why? Just so you can have Gene Simmons politely tell you to ‘fuck off’ after your life savings have reached his Paypal. Ridiculous.
“Oh, but Mr Jack from Earie Entertainment, the artist has to make a living…” Don’t make me laugh. You think the culprits guilty of kidnapping your money are looking at their bank accounts and creating a budget plan? They’re probably using the notes you struggled to give them to heat their bonfire. They just charge that price because they can. It’s as simple as that. Just look at the merch and VIP sales for these artists. Without fail, they’ll both always sell out. Every night. The steep price you pay to enter the venue is just their pocket money compared to all the other up-charges.
Then there’s Satan in the form of a ticket. Just when you think they couldn’t get any greedier there’s another cash grab that’s been invented by these artists. Can I really say the profanity that offends even the thickest of skins… GOLDEN CIRCLE. Don’t know what that is? Let me explain. Just as you think you’ve secured a ‘standing’ ticket and enter the venue early for a good spot, there’s suddenly thousands of people blocking your view in front of the stage. You also begin to realize the vast majority are bankers who spend most their time chatting at the cocktail bar. Yet they’ve spent £400 on a ticket to stand directly in front of you. Some atmosphere killer. Who doesn’t want to overhear Suzan talking about her accounts whilst Guns N Roses are playing in front of you? URGH… The rage!
Due to this pandemic all the greedy bands are corporations have had a year off clearing your account. Every need to fear though; they’ll be returning with a vengeance when it’s over. Prices will be higher than ever and you can bet they’ve already prepared for the hog roast with your hard earned cash on it. Music is a business at the end of the day, but this is taking it too far. Stop robbing the fans!
Earie Entertainment 