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I'm just curious- was checking out available tickets at different venues, and noticed the concert at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois on August 14th isn't sold out. I know the Alpine Valley concert was, and thought he usually sold out the Chicago area concerts...I was surprised, and am just wondering if this is an unusual occurrence- thanks!

Gotta believe the economy is a part of it.

Not as many people traveling to see shows. Plus, brokers got burned last year buying tickets, they probably didn't purchase as many for resale either.

Skibo wrote:Not as many people traveling to see shows. Plus, brokers got burned last year buying tickets, they probably didn't purchase as many for resale either.

I feel for them, but I just can't reach.

-"BB"-

Sign of the times. For the June shows at Great Woods (Mansfield, MA), the Saturday show sold out quickly, but the Thursday show had good seats available right up until close to the show. I didn't check last minute so don't know if it eventually sold out.

These two shows used to sell out within minutes of going on sale.

The past couple years, the Atlanta show has not sold out in minutes like it did in the past. I was able to score very good seats in 2010 and 2009. Guess the scalpers/brokers/whatever they're called have backed off their acquisitions so more people can get tickets legitimately.

The Nashville show sold out in just a few minutes since Jimmy had not played in TN for several years. Not surprised about that!

I agree that the economy is very much to blame. I also think in some cases, some people may not be able to make weekday shows.

dancastro wrote:Gotta believe the economy is a part of it.

That's my thought.

Toyota Park has never sold out.

Toyota Park isn't a great venue at all. Plus the assine ticket prices don't help one bit at all. Who really wants to spend $180 bucks for a ticket for a sub-par 90 minute show????

Nighthawk wrote:Toyota Park isn't a great venue at all. Plus the assine ticket prices don't help one bit at all. Who really wants to spend $180 bucks for a ticket for a sub-par 90 minute show????

I'm curious, where did you get a ticket for $180?

I agree with the above. Totyota Park never sells out. Part of it probably has to do with ticket prices that are higher for that venue (not sure why), but also that the venue itself is not the most condusive to host a Buffett show considering there is no lawn! My group of friends (we had 32 people for Alpine) doesn't go because for large groups, it is almost impossible to get tickets together without paying some outrageious price. Therefore, we opt out but I might be going with a smaller group this year.

I disagree that it is a bad place to see a show. It is a GREAT place to see a show if you have the right seats and are with a smaller group. The acoustics are fantastic, the bathroom situation is under control, it's easy to get drinks, and they have great tail gating. The only other considerable venues in the Chicago area are Wrigley (DMB is playing there this year) and Tinley Park/Tweeter Center. Tinley Park is a god awful place to see any band. The acoustics are sub par, you can't tail gate without being threatened with a jail sentence, and the overall experience just sucks!

I have been to plenty of shows (Buffett and otherwise) at all of the above venues (including Chater One Pavillion where Jimmy made a cameo appearance at a Jack Johnson show in 2005) and have to say, unfortunately, Toyota Park is the best Chicago venue. I just wish there was a better one.

Glorfindel7 wrote:

Nighthawk wrote:Toyota Park isn't a great venue at all. Plus the assine ticket prices don't help one bit at all. Who really wants to spend $180 bucks for a ticket for a sub-par 90 minute show????

I'm curious, where did you get a ticket for $180?

With fees ticket is darn close to $150, with parking charges and shipping its pretty darn near $180 give or take a couple dollars

and I do not have a ticket.

yes, he has never sold out at Toyota Park, but that is a grand total of 5 concerts over the past 2 years and this year.

I have found ticket prices there to be comparable to other venues. most of us that experience Tinley Park have found this place to work well, despite no lawn. The staff go out of their way to make it a great experience, the acoustics are certainly better than Tinley.

I think it is the economy, the fact that fewer folks are traveling to multiple shows, especially when so many of the midwest shows are spread out and not in the same week as they often have been, and, yes, there are no "cheap" seats because of the lack of a lawn.

Thanks all for the replies... I was rather shocked to see he didn't sell out. I love the Alpine shows, and tickets are usually sold out there quickly, so I was surprised to see so many available for the Toyota Park show. That being said, and given the comments on tailgaiting at Toyota Park- makes me appreciate Alpine all the more! The tailgaiting at Alpine is surpassed by none! Truly an experience, for a Buffett show... the best I saw was an RV with a full sailboat on top. People on the deck of the sailboat (on top of the RV) had a generator-driven blender, mixing drinks, and they were throwing beads as they partied on top of the sailboat! I admire their commitment! Love Jimmy, and was fortunate enough to meet him once- he was everything you imagine he would be to his fans...FINS UP!!!

Alpine is amazing isn't it? People go all out for sure. What I do not like about Alpine is getting out of that lot after the show. Pretty easy out at Toyota Park.
Having been to Toyota for the first time last year the lot doesn't compare to Alpine except for Matt's tailgate. Now there will be some fun under that BIG TOP I can assure you. If you are planning on going PM me and I can navigate you to his site or maybe he will join in here.

Going this year to Toyota Park. We will be on the field. We will see how this compares. BTW, welcome and are you going to Toyota?

Ticket prices are so high at Toyota Park because Toyota has lost hundreds of millions on their junk cars in the last year.....

Just kidding, I just couldn't hold back...lol

That is kinda surprising to me though, because I would pay almost any amount to see him if that was my local venue. DTE up here in Michigan always sells out in a few minutes, but we have a giant lawn.

As a former semi-regular attendee at Tinley, for me it's 1) the economy. I can't afford to travel as much and 2) a stadium venue. Tinley was made for music, stadiums are not. I miss seeing my Chicago area friends but I won't travel for a less-tan-great venue...

HD18JBGuy wrote:I agree with the above. Totyota Park never sells out. Part of it probably has to do with ticket prices that are higher for that venue (not sure why), but also that the venue itself is not the most condusive to host a Buffett show considering there is no lawn! My group of friends (we had 32 people for Alpine) doesn't go because for large groups, it is almost impossible to get tickets together without paying some outrageious price. Therefore, we opt out but I might be going with a smaller group this year

I disagree that it is a bad place to see a show. It is a GREAT place to see a show if you have the right seats and are with a smaller group. The acoustics are fantastic, the bathroom situation is under control, it's easy to get drinks, and they have great tail gating. The only other considerable venues in the Chicago area are Wrigley (DMB is playing there this year) and Tinley Park/Tweeter Center. Tinley Park is a god awful place to see any band. The acoustics are sub par, you can't tail gate without being threatened with a jail sentence, and the overall experience just sucks!

I have been to plenty of shows (Buffett and otherwise) at all of the above venues (including Chater One Pavillion where Jimmy made a cameo appearance at a Jack Johnson show in 2005) and have to say, unfortunately, Toyota Park is the best Chicago venue. I just wish there was a better one.

This is exactly why Toyota Park isnt sold out. I dont buy the economy excuse. Every Aphitheater venue still sells out very fast and its because you dont have to buy tickets at the same time or for someone else.

[quote="SchoolGirlHeart"]As a former semi-regular attendee at Tinley, for me it's 1) the economy. I can't afford to travel as much and 2) a stadium venue. Tinley was made for music, stadiums are not. I miss seeing my Chicago area friends but I won't travel for a less-tan-great venue...[/quote

agreed, but Toyota park is a better tailgate experience, better staff, and much better sound than Tinley ever was!

ejr wrote:

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:As a former semi-regular attendee at Tinley, for me it's 1) the economy. I can't afford to travel as much and 2) a stadium venue. Tinley was made for music, stadiums are not. I miss seeing my Chicago area friends but I won't travel for a less-tan-great venue...

agreed, but Toyota park is a better tailgate experience, better staff, and much better sound than Tinley ever was!

That's good to hear, especially the "better tailgate" part!