Springsteen VIII - 2014, tour, album, etc.

[Headache in a Suitcase]

non ticket springsteen news

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8BtYV22szQ

[GirlsAloudFan]

I'm currently watching the '79 No Nukes concert DVD. My god Clarence is the fucking best. I'm hoping Bruce will still be bringing Jake Clemons out on tour next year.

[U2387]

Originally Posted by Headache in a Suitcase

It's a bad response to a legitimate issue.

In theory it makes sense that the artist, promoter, ticket vendor and venue are getting screwed by the high prices charged by vendors on the secondary market.

Dynamic pricing and verified fan is supposed to combat that - and it does to some extent, but it doesn't prevent all of it and ends up creating this crazy system where the prices skyrocket immediately because everyone is so used to trying to get in on tickets the second they go on sale.

There have been situations with dynamic pricing where if you just have the patience to wait a few hours, few days or sometimes a few months you can get the same tickets that were a few thousand for face value, or on some cases under face value. But for really high demand artists like Bruce it ends up just screwing everyone.

I don't fault them for trying this - and it does technically work exactly as it's supposed to - but the optics around the prices skyrocketing immediately is really bad.

This is an excellent point re: people being used to logging in the second the tickets go on sale. That's a habit that is going to take a long time to break- lots of people have been doing this since the late 1990s. And of course, it was the most similar, straightforward replacement to lining up at the box office or department store outpost.

We're clearly entering a different phase these last few years, and I think, as you alluded to, one that may work itself out to some extent over time. Even for me, a relatively young U2 fan/concert attendee (I started buying tickets in 2005), it's a reminder.

It's not 2005 anymore. 17 years is actually a long ass time. I'm actually getting really old. Etc, etc. LMAO!

I think/know U2 will employ a form of this, but I do believe it will be better thought out. Along the lines of Pearl Jam or even something more innovative to play with the dynamic/premium structure.

For all the (very legitimate) criticisms I have of U2, unfairly soaking the fan base by design or just not thinking beyond the bottom line is absolutely not one of them. To me, they've always been sensitive to this issue. At least to a reasonable person. There's some people who will just plain never be happy. Others who don't realize what it takes to break even or turn a profit in today's touring dominated music world. The list goes on.

The only relevant comparisons to me are U2 vs Bruce and the handful of other acts (we all know them) who can fill these venues multiple nights across the world. And on that count, U2 have always been a bargain to see live.

I've seen multiple shows per tour since 360. I live in very expensive Boston and have never made 6 figures in a year. I always have to plan for a tour year, but I've never missed a car payment to see U2.

[cobl04]

Originally Posted by GirlsAloudFan

I'm currently watching the '79 No Nukes concert DVD. My god Clarence is the fucking best. I'm hoping Bruce will still be bringing Jake Clemons out on tour next year.

How is it you've not seen him? I'm curious. You're a big fan, you live in a major US city IIRC and you're around my age.

[GirlsAloudFan]

Originally Posted by cobl04

How is it you've not seen him? I'm curious. You're a big fan, you live in a major US city IIRC and you're around my age.

I've never seen him in concert before. Never got around to it. What do you want me to say?? Like, what answer are you looking for here?

[lazarus]

Clearly you need to throw yourself upon the mercy of the Concert Court.

[Headache in a Suitcase]

To be fair to GAF these concerts are always pretty long and that has to factor into the decision making process, having to deal with the stress of getting your date back before curfew and all.

[DeVaul]

[lazarus]

Originally Posted by Headache in a Suitcase

To be fair to GAF these concerts are always pretty long and that has to factor into the decision making process, having to deal with the stress of getting your date back before curfew and all.

I don't know, I think the fact that Bruce has the word "teen" in his last name would have made this an automatic ticket purchase for GAF.

[GirlsAloudFan]

I would date Bruce himself. Or even Max Weinberg.

[cobl04]

Originally Posted by GirlsAloudFan

I've never seen him in concert before. Never got around to it. What do you want me to say?? Like, what answer are you looking for here?

I'm not trying to attack you or put you down or make you feel bad in any way, I'm just really curious.

[GirlsAloudFan]

Originally Posted by cobl04

I'm not trying to attack you or put you down or make you feel bad in any way, I'm just really curious.

I just never pulled the trigger on tickets. Going to a Springsteen concert isn't like taking a fucking stroll down to the corner store. It takes effort. And it's expensive. I just never did it.

Plus, he hasn't toured with the E Street Band in five years. So I literally haven't even had the chance in five years. A few friends and I planned on going to the River Tour but they sold out immediately and I never followed through on secondary market tickets. The tours before that (which at this point were a very long time ago) I was young and broke and I guess always figured I'd see him at some point down the road. Which I am going to now.

I'm confused why you're so curious. You think there's some other explanation other than I just never bought tickets to see him in concert before? Again, what answer are you looking for? There's no possible interesting answer to your question other than "I just never bought the tickets." Which I already told you.

You are one of the single most baffling people I've ever interacted with in my life.

[cobl04]

Ok, I'm sorry I've upset you. I was not meaning to. I love you, and I know you're a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen. You wear your heart on your sleeve, particularly when it comes to music and sport, and so I was just genuinely curious to know what circumstances had meant that you'd not seen him before. I think part of me finds it interesting because I live in Australia, and something like seeing a huge act like Bruce Springsteen is quite different here - they don't come often, it's hella expensive, they very rarely play more than two shows in one city and often only do shows in Melbourne (which I'm very grateful to live in) and Sydney (and maybe Adelaide and Brisbane), and then they piss off.

Originally Posted by GirlsAloudFan

I just never pulled the trigger on tickets. Going to a Springsteen concert isn't like taking a fucking stroll down to the corner store. It takes effort. And it's expensive. I just never did it.

Plus, he hasn't toured with the E Street Band in five years. So I literally haven't even had the chance in five years. A few friends and I planned on going to the River Tour but they sold out immediately and I never followed through on secondary market tickets. The tours before that (which at this point were a very long time ago) I was young and broke and I guess always figured I'd see him at some point down the road. Which I am going to now.

I'm confused why you're so curious. You think there's some other explanation other than I just never bought tickets to see him in concert before? Again, what answer are you looking for? There's no possible interesting answer to your question other than "I just never bought the tickets." Which I already told you.

You are one of the single most baffling people I've ever interacted with in my life.

This is a great answer, tells me everything I was curious about. I consider you someone I know and care about (albeit through the internet) so I wanted to know a little more. I found it interesting to know, more so than "I never bought a ticket". Knowing your passion for Bruce and live music, and knowing that big acts like Bruce tour the US more often (and many of them are American), I was curious as to the circumstances that had meant you hadn't seen him. I'm super stoked you now will, I hope they play every track you want, and I hope you get Jake Clemons, not sure if they were still doing it but the Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out tribute was very special, and I was lucky enough to see him do his father's Jungleland solo on a couple of occasions.

I also don't know the US very well at all. My assumption is that it's easy to see artists live, because they tour often, and they hit all the main cities in the main states, and that it's relatively easy for an American to see an artist they love when they swing through your area, and that in many cases it's cheaper than seeing the same artist in Australia because they live in the country and don't have to organise flights and accomodation and all the rest of it and have easy access to all their crew and gear. I'm sure I'm wrong about all of this.

I am sorry if my initial question came across as aggressive or something. I'm not trying to be a dick or "baffling" dude, so I'm a bit taken aback by your response. You're well within your rights to tell me to fuck off or think my curiosity is invasive, but yeah.

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Originally Posted by lazarus

I don't know, I think the fact that Bruce has the word "teen" in his last name would have made this an automatic ticket purchase for GAF.

It's Bruce Springsteen, not Bruce Sixteen

[DeVaul]

Originally Posted by Headache in a Suitcase

It's Bruce Springsteen, not Bruce Sixteen

Maybe they break out a Benny Mardones cover

[HeartlandGirl]

Originally Posted by cobl04

I also don't know the US very well at all. My assumption is that it's easy to see artists live, because they tour often, and they hit all the main cities in the main states, and that it's relatively easy for an American to see an artist they love when they swing through your area, and that in many cases it's cheaper than seeing the same artist in Australia because they live in the country and don't have to organise flights and accomodation and all the rest of it and have easy access to all their crew and gear. I'm sure I'm wrong about all of this.

I believe you that you're genuinely curious, so I'm just gonna throw this out there. The US is kind of a tale of two countries - cities vs rural America. That's oversimplifying it, but it's a dichotomy that's easy to observe in our politics and other areas.

I grew up in the middle of nowhere. I didn't attend a concert until I was nearly 20, and it was a crappy one. The largest city near me was a five-hour drive away, and even then, it's a small city that bigger touring acts would regularly skip. Even to visit my family these days, it's a three-hour drive to their house after I get off the plane.

I think a lot of interferencers live in big cities, but there's a whole section of our country for whom going to concerts is no easy feat. As an example, if I wanna see The Killers this month, all I have to do is fork over the money for the ticket. If my sister wants to see them too, she's gonna have to book a flight and do the long drive to the airport and all the rigamarole.

Not saying that any of this is related to why GAF never saw Springsteen, but I hope it helps give some perspective.

[lazarus]

Doesn’t GAF live in Chicago tho

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by HeartlandGirl

I believe you that you're genuinely curious, so I'm just gonna throw this out there. The US is kind of a tale of two countries - cities vs rural America. That's oversimplifying it, but it's a dichotomy that's easy to observe in our politics and other areas.

I grew up in the middle of nowhere. I didn't attend a concert until I was nearly 20, and it was a crappy one. The largest city near me was a five-hour drive away, and even then, it's a small city that bigger touring acts would regularly skip. Even to visit my family these days, it's a three-hour drive to their house after I get off the plane.

I think a lot of interferencers live in big cities, but there's a whole section of our country for whom going to concerts is no easy feat. As an example, if I wanna see The Killers this month, all I have to do is fork over the money for the ticket. If my sister wants to see them too, she's gonna have to book a flight and do the long drive to the airport and all the rigamarole.

Not saying that any of this is related to why GAF never saw Springsteen, but I hope it helps give some perspective.

i believe all of this is very much true of Australia as well.

[HeartlandGirl]

Originally Posted by lazarus

Doesn’t GAF live in Chicago tho

That's why I wrote my last sentence. This likely doesn't apply to GAF, but it might help Cobbler understand that the US isn't the land of milk and honey and easy concerts for all.

[cobl04]

It's true of Australia, but a bit different. There are less major cities, and any touring artists will only visit Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth. Sometimes, but extremely rarely, they might visit Tasmania. Most often, it's Melbourne and Sydney. Tyler, who I saw last night, did two Syd shows, two Melb shows and a Perth show. No touring artist will ever do a show outside of the major cities, unless it's something special like A Day on the Green or Hanging Rock, and even those are relatively close to the major cities. For someone in Darwin or Alice Springs or Canberra, or any of WA's non Perth-towns, you're looking at major drives or flights. What I'm trying to say here is that if you're Australian, and you don't live in Melbourne or Sydney, it's very difficult to see touring artists, whereas in my view (which is somewhat ignorant) it's easier if you're in the States.

Originally Posted by HeartlandGirl

I believe you that you're genuinely curious, so I'm just gonna throw this out there. The US is kind of a tale of two countries - cities vs rural America. That's oversimplifying it, but it's a dichotomy that's easy to observe in our politics and other areas.

I grew up in the middle of nowhere. I didn't attend a concert until I was nearly 20, and it was a crappy one. The largest city near me was a five-hour drive away, and even then, it's a small city that bigger touring acts would regularly skip. Even to visit my family these days, it's a three-hour drive to their house after I get off the plane.

I think a lot of interferencers live in big cities, but there's a whole section of our country for whom going to concerts is no easy feat. As an example, if I wanna see The Killers this month, all I have to do is fork over the money for the ticket. If my sister wants to see them too, she's gonna have to book a flight and do the long drive to the airport and all the rigamarole.

Not saying that any of this is related to why GAF never saw Springsteen, but I hope it helps give some perspective.

Yeah it does, thank you! Where did you grow up? It's wild to hear that you were a five-hour drive from a large city but that it was a small one that artists would skip.

I obviously knew a lot of this stuff - you can't look at a map of the US and be like 'oh everyone's five minutes from a major city' haha - but it's a perspective I hadn't really considered.

Originally Posted by lazarus

Doesn’t GAF live in Chicago tho

Which is why I was curious! I imagine if you go back over his last five or whatever tours, whether he's with the band or not, Chicago gets at least one show every tour (and would Illinois get more in other cities?)