He got the message, about being better off sticking with acoustic Options

[jayda]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=101...&type=1&theater

And yep, holding on to his LIVE roots, with his "I Alone" tour.

[Wambangalang]

i gotta say its strange living here in perth which is so far removed from everywhere and where nobody comes that it would be stupid NOT going to see Ed when he does come here considering how much time i spend on these forums. I remember the 3 times i saw Live here were such a huge event for me, i mean thinking about it and anticipating it for months i was younger and stupider then too though. But I did tend to lose myself in the moment when I saw Ed here a few years ago for the solo performance, it was quite magical. I think i can get that excited again about it, its just with the fake band it seems so artificial for whatever reason.

[FishOutaWater]

I have read that Live could quote an appearance fee of $75,000 on a good day. I have also read that Ed can quote $35,000 on a good day. So let's break it down. Live would have to pay their tour manager and road crew. They would have to pay expenses for transporting a ton of equipment, pay for the lighting rig, sound board and people to operate all of that. They would pay for a tour bus. Then they would split the net profit by 4 and Ed would get a fourth. What does that come out to for a show? Maybe $12,000? Now let's say that Ed can get $35,000 for an acoustic show. Maybe that is a little bit high. Let's say he can get $30,000. He get's off a Southwest Airlines Wanna Get Away flight for $150, with his guitar in the luggage compartment. He rents a Chevy Malibu and shows up at the venue that keeps a simple sound board and an overhead spotlight in the broom closet. He probably sells enough "merch" to cover a chunk of his expenses, and he goes home with almost $30,000 in his pocket for the show. It's good business. He has made Live portable and cost effective and he can bring it to he fans in corners of the world that Live could never tour in.

I've seen Ed's acoustic show twice. I enjoyed it. I love Ed's vocals. I would never see him with his Alive Session Groovesters. But even with the acoustic show - I enjoyed it like you would enjoy going back to Disney World as a teenager as opposed to going when you were 6. Seeing Live with old Ed was like going to Disney World when you were 6. Amazing. It was the real experience. When you were 6, you were in awe to see Mickey Mouse and the Magic Kingdom and you fully enjoyed the real magical experience. As a teenager, you go to Disney Land because you are clinging to the memory of the magic you felt when it was real as a 6 year old. Nostalgia. Reliving memories. Honoring the institution. Reliving the experience you had when you were 6 like a pilgrimage. And if you are lucky, some of that magical feeling might come over you briefly while you are there.

This post has been edited by FishOutaWater: Feb 28 2012, 10:19 am