Is Buffett slipping??? (re ticket sales)

[spartan1979]

Ah, Jimmy just sold out Riverbend today in 10 minutes-I think that's quicker than last year. He's not slipping-if anything the economy is tanking. Remember the demand for Jimmy tickets is fairly well correlated with East coast shows and summer shows. Mansfield is after Labor Day so that market is a bit softer. Nissan has tow shows this year vs one usual Saturday show. Philly is a tough ticket-Thank God for the BN presale! St Louis and North Carolina area shows in general aren't the strong concert market as other areas. Reserved seats may be a bit less in demend because they cost about $150 per after taxes.

Jimmy still da man and was named top act of thius week for sales. FINS UP!-if only due to the Viagra!

??? Saint Louis sold out completely in 15 minutes. By 10:04 Ticketmaster couldn't give me four seats together, including the lawn. Some tickets were available between 10:04 and 10:15 as people passed on the last rows of the pavilion or had ticketmaster problems.

[changingchannels]

its the economy and the drastic rise of ticket prices over the past several years.two people with decent seats with basic tailgating needs is around 500-600 bucks!!now for those of us who travel to the shows and get hotel rooms,ferry rides,gas,meals,etc.your talking a substantial amount of money for one night.now to me its worth it, but we still have to cut back on the number of shows we'll be attending. he should've done a Recession Recess Tour II and slashed prices in half!

[jiggs(2)]

but doesn't it cost more to do anything? A weekend on south beach costs me more than it did 5 years ago. Hell, a 200 mile car trip costs more. Priceline deals on hotels have dried up compared to years ago. Vegas and other large metro vacation areas are nutty for anything above 'bare bones'...A bleacher seat at Wrigley Field costs over $50 with fees for prime summertime games. Years ago it may have cost you $25. There are shows like the Blue Men that perform in 4 cities, twice a night and tickets are over $70...and people are paying it...

I guess I'm just trying to say, that if you repeated anything over the last 5 or 10 years its more money. The sad/bad news is for most people, the cost of doing things has increased at a much more rapid pace than the money they bring in resulting in many people not doing as much.

[gpblxbeach]

Food for thought!

Lets not forget the people that have more hours
to work at each venue that any artist plays.
I know some and they are glad to have
extra time coming this summer. I for one will
always be glad anytime a artist I want to see
comes to town and I can work it into our family
budget.

Fins Up

[peckfins66]

Took Pittsburgh 2 hours to sell out this year, about an hour and 45 minutes longer than normal.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... rss&feed=6

[Skibo]

I think another factor is the cost of tickets is cutting down on the number of brokers buying. When the reserved seating was $65, there was always someone willing to pay 2X face to get a ticket. Now that the tickets are over $130, there isn't as much room for profit. Not as many people are willing to pay $200 or more for a ticket.

[NY2NC]

Hey, Jimmy said it first.....the definition of a Parrothead is a Deadhead with a credit card. If you wanna play the game you gotta dig up the dime. There is magic seeing him live...it is very special, I cry everytime, but there are some years I just can't make it happen. Family, house payments, food and gas have to come first financially before splurging on concert tickets. You can't be mad at the MAN for ticket prices...it's just a business. But remember the music is still here for all of us. HE has made that happen too. If you can't make it to the concert, there's Sirius, and if you don't have Sirius you've got it on line for free, and if you don't have a computer you can hear it from CD's, and if you don't have CD's, there's those of you lucky enough to have vinyl....please don't make me go to cassettes and 8 track.......

I agree with you on this one...I'm debating about going to the Raleigh concert, even though it would be easier for me to make it there than most (hubby lives there). It would also be my FIRST concert...No JB doesn't dictate the cost of the ticket...everyone needs to get paid for putting on a concert...EVERYONE, including the little people. And with they way the economy is...sometimes real life expenses have to come first before we can splurge on WANTS and FUN... That's my 2 cents...only I think that's gone up too

[z-man]

I think another factor is the cost of tickets is cutting down on the number of brokers buying. When the reserved seating was $65, there was always someone willing to pay 2X face to get a ticket. Now that the tickets are over $130, there isn't as much room for profit. Not as many people are willing to pay $200 or more for a ticket.

I agree.

For all the b*tching about ticket prices,
there seems to be less difficulty getting tickets this year
(but I still need one for Cincinnati )

[moog]

We are doing Philly. That's it, unless a Jones Beach show pops up. Ironically it's cheaper for us to travel an extra 30 min to Philly or Jones Beach then it is to do a MSG show. If he does MSG in the fall, then it's spread out enough to get the cash put aside. Other then that, I'll take the money and use it for smaller bands and venues in my area and have a great time.

[photogal]

I agree with some of what Gypsie Girl said.
Tickets are WAY too expencive...and yes, I am only go to one Greatwoods show because of it. People are hanging on to their money.
You would think that Jimmy would be nice enough not to make tickets so high, and dont tell me he has nothing to do with it, way sick of hearing that. And someone said he charges what someone of his Calibur can charge.....I just say Elton John, floor seats, with fees it was $102. And he is WAY above Jimmy in calibur and talent.

[moeron]

It's the ecomony stupid. I have to ask the question.......Are You better off now than 8 Years ago???? For most of us Including the dead solders the answer would be no.

[ParrotheadPeteNJ]

Spartan-that demand is mostly speculation. You can pick up both lawn seats and reserved seats for St Louis on eBay for cost if that.

[LIPH]

I think another factor is the cost of tickets is cutting down on the number of brokers buying. When the reserved seating was $65, there was always someone willing to pay 2X face to get a ticket. Now that the tickets are over $130, there isn't as much room for profit. Not as many people are willing to pay $200 or more for a ticket.

I agree.

For all the b*tching about ticket prices,
there seems to be less difficulty getting tickets this year
(but I still need one for Cincinnati )

I think it's funny how people are complaining about how expensive the tickets are but for years you always heard "I had to pay a scalper (fill in the blank) for tickets." So it's OK to bend over when you pay a scalper exorbitant amounts of money but when Buffett's getting the money that's bad? Someone explain that logic to me.

[ParrotHeadInThe Making]

Buffett is not slipping. Our economy is slipping big time.

To those people who think that Jimmy is greedy and that he should be ashamed for ticket prices being so high, I respect your opinion, but I disagree completely. The reality of touring is that touring is expensive. The coral Reefer band does not play for free. They must be paid, and they must be insured. They may love Jimmy, but they have grown accustomed to eating. The roadies need to be payed. The venues get a nice cut. TicketMaster or whoever is selling tickets gets a nice little cut. The crew who run the lights and the stage set also gets paid, and that is not cheap either. The reality is that if Jimmy or any other artist for that matter wants to continue to tour in the manner that has allowed them to put on awesome shows for so long they will have to pay for it, thus, the ticket prices go up.

[ClemsonTigersXoXo]

Tickets are expensive...
But I know that he always tours in spring & summer, so fall & winter gives me time to save up money.
I know some people, including true Parrotheads, aren't spending the $130 for tickets much anymore... but I have to say, I will continue to. Buffett's shows are like no other, especially with the tailgating tradition behind it. Apparently, he's not retiring for another 14 years... thank goodness... but I attend Buffett shows like he's gonna be retiring next year. lol. I've been to many different kinds of concerts, & nothing tops to atmosphere of Buffett's, so I live for it & the lifestyle. I can't get enough. I think we all complain about prices & are astounded but when the day of the show comes, us who still bought the tickets are in paradise & feel it was worth the price... & those who didn't buy the tickets are wishing they actually paid up & were at the show.

[fanvan]

Took Pittsburgh 2 hours to sell out this year, about an hour and 45 minutes longer than normal.

Pittsburg lawn may have sold out in 2 hours, but as of about 3 hours ago you could still buy pairs in pavillion.--Tougher economy, lawn becomes greener.

[Gypsie Girl]

Buffett is not slipping. Our economy is slipping big time.

To those people who think that Jimmy is greedy and that he should be ashamed for ticket prices being so high, I respect your opinion, but I disagree completely. The reality of touring is that touring is expensive. The coral Reefer band does not play for free. They must be paid, and they must be insured. They may love Jimmy, but they have grown accustomed to eating. The roadies need to be payed. The venues get a nice cut. TicketMaster or whoever is selling tickets gets a nice little cut. The crew who run the lights and the stage set also gets paid, and that is not cheap either. The reality is that if Jimmy or any other artist for that matter wants to continue to tour in the manner that has allowed them to put on awesome shows for so long they will have to pay for it, thus, the ticket prices go up.

So many of you are so lost, deluded and/or ill-informed

& wow, do some of you like to quote only specific portions of other people's threads to make a nice collage of your own thoughts and rantings. (to LIPH)

I have been in, on and around the music industry long enough to understand exactly how much money it costs to put on a tour and exactly where the money goes and doesn't go.

Roadies get next to nothing.

Sound and lighting guys are next getting almost nothing.

Same goes for guitar and drum techs.

Tour and stage managers come next getting a smidge more.

The musicians get the vast majority of whatever is left after all other expenses....

And that means after Live Nation, Ticketmaster, record labels, agents, managers, venues, publicists, etc. get their slice of the pie.

The point is still the same!

JB prices are very high and he really doesn't need the money.

JB is not the only one guilty of this.

Other musicians, professional athletes, actors, etc.

Of course we all deserve to get paid for our work.

JB included!

All I was saying is that JB could easily afford to lower the ticket prices or even throw us a free tour and still have millions left over.

That was the whole point, which so many of you missed and/or pontificated about.

And as for the entire band not being wealthy...

They are very well off financially. (all of them) (to Schoolgirlheart)

JB for years has prided himself on what I remember him as saying to be "a 3 truck tour"....

Meaning that in comparison to some other tours like Bon Jovi or Van Halen, as examples, who have a tour with 15-20 trucks of equipment, plus seperate tour buses for every musician.....

JB has said in the past they he really keeps it bare bones and as cheap as possible.....

& he still puts on one great show after another!

No pyrotechnics or jumbo screens behind him.

Just an ocean backdrop and the musical equipment.

& no, it's NOT OK to bend over and pay a scalper exorbitant amounts of money. (to LIPH)

& it is not that JB getting money to play is bad either.

The logic is simply that the tickets do not have to be so expensive.

[ClemsonTigersXoXo]

Buffett is not slipping. Our economy is slipping big time.

To those people who think that Jimmy is greedy and that he should be ashamed for ticket prices being so high, I respect your opinion, but I disagree completely. The reality of touring is that touring is expensive. The coral Reefer band does not play for free. They must be paid, and they must be insured. They may love Jimmy, but they have grown accustomed to eating. The roadies need to be payed. The venues get a nice cut. TicketMaster or whoever is selling tickets gets a nice little cut. The crew who run the lights and the stage set also gets paid, and that is not cheap either. The reality is that if Jimmy or any other artist for that matter wants to continue to tour in the manner that has allowed them to put on awesome shows for so long they will have to pay for it, thus, the ticket prices go up.

So many of you are so lost, deluded and/or ill-informed

& wow, do some of you like to quote only specific portions of other people's threads to make a nice collage of your own thoughts and rantings.

I have been in, on and around the music industry long enough to understand exactly how much money it costs to put on a tour and exactly where the money goes and doesn't go.

Roadies get next to nothing.

Sound and lighting guys are next getting almost nothing.

Same goes for guitar and drum techs.

Tour and stage managers come next getting a smidge more.

The musicians get the vast majority of whatever is left after all other expenses....

And that means after Live Nation, Ticketmaster, record labels, agents, managers, venues, publicists, etc. get their slice of the pie.

The point is still the same!

JB prices are very high and he really doesn't need the money.

JB is not the only one guilty of this.

Other musicians, professional athletes, actors, etc.

Of course we all deserve to get paid for our work.

JB included!

All I was saying is that JB could easily afford to lower the ticket prices or even throw us a free tour and still have millions left over.

That was the whole point, which so many of you missed and/or pontificated about.

And to whoever seemed to think that the entire band is not wealthy...

They are very well off financially. (all of them)

JB for years has prided himself on what I remember him as saying to be "a 3 truck tour"....

Meaning that in comparison to some other tours like Bon Jovi or Van Halen, as examples, who have a tour with 15-20 trucks of equipment, plus seperate tour buses for every musician.....

JB has said in the past they he really keeps it bare bones and as cheap as possible.....

& he still puts on one great show after another!

No pyrotechnics or jumbo screens behind him.

Just an ocean backdrop and the musical equipment.

& no, it's NOT OK to bend over and pay a scalper exorbitant amounts of money. (to LIPH)

& it is not that JB getting money to play is bad either.

The logic is simply that the tickets do not have to be so expensive.

I agree... I been on tour with lots of bands because I do freelance work in the industry. Tour crew gets next to nothing while on tour. This might be different with Jimmy Buffett's crew since he is a legend & his shows are more massive & take a lot more work than other bands, even though his shows are a little more simple than some. Most of the people who are employeed in the industry such as sound & lighting guys, drum techs, etc. have other jobs, too, because the paychecks on tour don't pay the bills.
But Jimmy has a multi-million dollar empire... or is a billion-dollar empire?
He is a TOURING act though... the bands I have toured with are also touring acts. Jimmy gets most of his money from touring (& his stores, merch, etc) rather than radio play. He hardly gets radio play on top public music stations, even though his songs are forever famous & legendary. Touring bands rely souly on ticket selling to make their profit, including merch.
But the thing is, his tickets are expensive but he still sells out faster than any other band or solo act. As long as people are buying, it will continue, & I would like to see it continue, no matter how much tickets are.

[LIPH]

The last thing I'll have to say in this thread ...

If you think the tickets are too expensive, stay home. End of story.

[Gypsie Girl]

Buffett is not slipping. Our economy is slipping big time.

To those people who think that Jimmy is greedy and that he should be ashamed for ticket prices being so high, I respect your opinion, but I disagree completely. The reality of touring is that touring is expensive. The coral Reefer band does not play for free. They must be paid, and they must be insured. They may love Jimmy, but they have grown accustomed to eating. The roadies need to be payed. The venues get a nice cut. TicketMaster or whoever is selling tickets gets a nice little cut. The crew who run the lights and the stage set also gets paid, and that is not cheap either. The reality is that if Jimmy or any other artist for that matter wants to continue to tour in the manner that has allowed them to put on awesome shows for so long they will have to pay for it, thus, the ticket prices go up.

So many of you are so lost, deluded and/or ill-informed

& wow, do some of you like to quote only specific portions of other people's threads to make a nice collage of your own thoughts and rantings.

I have been in, on and around the music industry long enough to understand exactly how much money it costs to put on a tour and exactly where the money goes and doesn't go.

Roadies get next to nothing.

Sound and lighting guys are next getting almost nothing.

Same goes for guitar and drum techs.

Tour and stage managers come next getting a smidge more.

The musicians get the vast majority of whatever is left after all other expenses....

And that means after Live Nation, Ticketmaster, record labels, agents, managers, venues, publicists, etc. get their slice of the pie.

The point is still the same!

JB prices are very high and he really doesn't need the money.

JB is not the only one guilty of this.

Other musicians, professional athletes, actors, etc.

Of course we all deserve to get paid for our work.

JB included!

All I was saying is that JB could easily afford to lower the ticket prices or even throw us a free tour and still have millions left over.

That was the whole point, which so many of you missed and/or pontificated about.

And to whoever seemed to think that the entire band is not wealthy...

They are very well off financially. (all of them)

JB for years has prided himself on what I remember him as saying to be "a 3 truck tour"....

Meaning that in comparison to some other tours like Bon Jovi or Van Halen, as examples, who have a tour with 15-20 trucks of equipment, plus seperate tour buses for every musician.....

JB has said in the past they he really keeps it bare bones and as cheap as possible.....

& he still puts on one great show after another!

No pyrotechnics or jumbo screens behind him.

Just an ocean backdrop and the musical equipment.

& no, it's NOT OK to bend over and pay a scalper exorbitant amounts of money. (to LIPH)

& it is not that JB getting money to play is bad either.

The logic is simply that the tickets do not have to be so expensive.

I agree... I been on tour with lots of bands because I do freelance work in the industry. Tour crew gets next to nothing while on tour. This might be different with Jimmy Buffett's crew since he is a legend & his shows are more massive & take a lot more work than other bands, even though his shows are a little more simple than some. Most of the people who are employeed in the industry such as sound & lighting guys, drum techs, etc. have other jobs, too, because the paychecks on tour don't pay the bills.
But Jimmy has a multi-million dollar empire... or is a billion-dollar empire?
He is a TOURING act though... the bands I have toured with are also touring acts. Jimmy gets most of his money from touring (& his stores, merch, etc) rather than radio play. He hardly gets radio play on top public music stations, even though his songs are forever famous & legendary. Touring bands rely souly on ticket selling to make their profit, including merch.
But the thing is, his tickets are expensive but he still sells out faster than any other band or solo act. As long as people are buying, it will continue, & I would like to see it continue, no matter how much tickets are.

Finally, someone who "gets it"!

The point from my original post on page 1, is the same as right here.

JB tickets do not have to be so expensive!

That's it.

JB is a multi-millionaire/billionaire money machine!

I commend him on being such a hell of a businessman.

& he has given so many of us so many smiles and memories.

Point is simply that JB knows what is going on with his ticket sales and he could lower them if he wanted them to be cheaper!

JB knows that tailgating is an expensive deal with parking fees, food, drinks, etc.

& I unfortunately have to agree, that as long as we continue to pay, pay, pay.....

Ticket prices will remain expensive.

I guess it boils down to the fact that just because you can do something, doesn't mean that you should.

JB can charge as much as he wants due to the demand.

But he doesn't need to have such expensive tickets (lawn excluded).

Matter of fact, me and (my) Mick The Pirate, who always comes through with concert info for Phjim to post for everyone here at BN before official info is posted.....

& yes there are other insiders like: Steele.....

But now, due in part to how people are on BN now, coupled with the fact that his father just had emergency open-heart double bypass................

We may be selling all of our tickets.

Alpine (lawn)
Cincy (lawn)
Nissan (lawn)
Philly (14th row)

So, this may be the year we bail on JB and focus on his dad.

I'm still just amazed at how many people on BN have no clue how the finances really work for a band or musician that tours.

But they sure do have opinions.

& everybody deserves that right.