Tour Announcement coming soon, Summer 2018 Options

[Voodoo Lady]

Oooh, lots of inquiries... hopefully I can answer them all for you, Gruno.

I agree with your last statement -- even though it was riddled with sarcasm.

Voodoo Lady, you said: “Live’s spent a lot of the last year and first three months of this year sitting on their hands.” And also: “They currently could still tour mid sized venues with someone opening for them.”

How do you come up with the idea of mid-sized venue? What would you base your claim upon? Just curious.

I base it on my concert experiences. There are small, medium, and large venues. Large venues, of course, are ampitheaters/arenas. Medium sized venues (a.k.a midsized) are ones like Nokia Theater in Grand Prairie, (Dallas, basically--and I think it might be Verizon now), The Pageant in St. Louis, or my favorite, Aztec Theater, San Antonio. Large venues are fine, but of course most fans prefer to see their favorite artists in a medium or small venue because you get a more intimate, up-close, give and take experience. Small venues are your standing only clubs or bars, like Josabi's, The Leaky Barrel or The RockBox here in S.A. where I've past seen the Toadies and FasterPussycat. There's also "classier" small venues... I've been to one in Chicago, but the name escapes me now. If I'm wrong on these classifications, please by all means, educate me.

Do you realize a band just doesn’t decide to book shows in venues they want with the dates they want? They might request certain venues, but those requests may not be met for numerous reasons. Marketing and projections are determined based off of the bands popularity within a country—then wittled down to territories, then cities, which includes previous tour financial returns with regards to profits/losses.

Of course I do. I'm always complaining about how San Antonio doesn't land a lot of bands I wish to see (popularity factors based on demographics, I'm sure) and I have to travel to Austin, Dallas or Houston for them. I'm 99% sure that Live has never played San Antonio in their existence. Ed has, but not Live.

A band decides what time of year they go on tour. That is usually decided between band and management based off of many factors. A booking agent is given the timeframe and desired net income that the band has agreed upon. That booking agent then routes options for the band including their financial guarantees per venue. The band then decides which option works best for them.

Sometimes it is a better financial avenue to do co-headlining/package tours based off of many factors, two of those being promotion and production cost. Do you know what each band asks for as a financial guarantee from promoters? Have you a clue at what the overhead is for all production costs for each band? What is the bottom line for staff wages, transportation (equipment & individuals), cartage fees, equipment supplies, meals, promotion, lodging, graphic design, management, and on and on?

Yes, I am actually aware of the costs/expenses you have just listed off. I had an acquaintance (friend of a friend) who was a concert promoter in the late 80's and early 90's and I actually kicked around the idea of choosing that as my career, but then changed my mind as I did not want to major in marketing. I prefer literature, art, and history (basically everything) over mathematics ... so as for the exact numbers and costs, no, and I frankly do not give a damn. But yes, I'm aware all those things exist.

Would you rather they not have done any shows since their New Year’s Eve reunion performance? Maybe they should not have done that NYE show, in your eyes?

No to both. That would be ludicrous.

Would you rather they not tour, which is a good source of income for Live (and all staff involved) and their well being for their families? It is, after all, their jobs. It's their business.

I have absolutely no qualms about Live touring and making money or even "being in it for the money." I previously have defended Live in this forum when others have complained they are in it for the money. So what? It's their career. They need to pay their bills and they need to eat, too.

You want new music from Live, but you want it when you want it; not when Live is ready to deliver – no, that’s not good enough for you. So they played "10.000 Cups" as a new song. Does that mean it is ready to be released? Have you any insight into the creative process from songwriting to production? Demoing? Rewrites? Mixing, remixing, mastering? Don’t you want them to deliver some kickass songs? Would you rather half-assed tracks because “the fans want something new”? Do you know if they have secured a record deal (if that is their intent) or united with a distributor? Any idea if they have those in place, what that company is requiring as far as timeframe? What about their publishing legalities – is all of that finalized?

I am not going to answer the above ten questions because no, I don't know the answers to all of those things because I do not work for Live and am not a fly on their wall (which I often wish I could be). But I'm sticking to my guns here on this one-- Live has had plenty of time to deliver new music.

As a footnote in general: one can’t compare bands such as Stone Temple Pilots with Live and expect them to mimic the same design.

.
Um, okay.

You also said: When as someone else said, they are too great of a band for that; the best band from their time. -- That's pure opinion (one that I agree with as far as great band from their time), but that does not exactly translate to what the general public agrees with. Go to the Bush message boards, STP boards, etc, and I'm sure those fans will proclaim the same for their band they are championing.

You got me there.

There are many more factors involved with touring and releasing music, I just outlined a portion of it. You can be snarky about it in return, or understand the difference between knowing the way things are within the music industry/music business vs. fantasizing about what your favorite band should do.

I honestly tried my best not to be snarky. It's my nature to dream (fantasize sounds so negative). I'm an INFJ (Myers-Briggs). I've had the determination and independence to make many my dreams a reality. I won't change that.

Trust me when I say that I fully understand your passion for Live.

Awesome. Thanks.

[mattyeagles]

I agree with your last statement -- even though it was riddled with sarcasm.

Voodoo Lady, you said: “Live’s spent a lot of the last year and first three months of this year sitting on their hands.” And also: “They currently could still tour mid sized venues with someone opening for them.”

How do you come up with the idea of mid-sized venue? What would you base your claim upon? Just curious.

Do you realize a band just doesn’t decide to book shows in venues they want with the dates they want? They might request certain venues, but those requests may not be met for numerous reasons. Marketing and projections are determined based off of the bands popularity within a country—then wittled down to territories, then cities, which includes previous tour financial returns with regards to profits/losses.

A band decides what time of year they go on tour. That is usually decided between band and management based off of many factors. A booking agent is given the timeframe and desired net income that the band has agreed upon. That booking agent then routes options for the band including their financial guarantees per venue. The band then decides which option works best for them.

Sometimes it is a better financial avenue to do co-headlining/package tours based off of many factors, two of those being promotion and production cost. Do you know what each band asks for as a financial guarantee from promoters? Have you a clue at what the overhead is for all production costs for each band? What is the bottom line for staff wages, transportation (equipment & individuals), cartage fees, equipment supplies, meals, promotion, lodging, graphic design, management, and on and on?

Would you rather they not have done any shows since their New Year’s Eve reunion performance? Maybe they should not have done that NYE show, in your eyes? Would you rather they not tour, which is a good source of income for Live (and all staff involved) and their well being for their families? It is, after all, their jobs. It's their business.

You want new music from Live, but you want it when you want it; not when Live is ready to deliver – no, that’s not good enough for you. So they played "10.000 Cups" as a new song. Does that mean it is ready to be released? Have you any insight into the creative process from songwriting to production? Demoing? Rewrites? Mixing, remixing, mastering? Don’t you want them to deliver some kickass songs? Would you rather half-assed tracks because “the fans want something new”? Do you know if they have secured a record deal (if that is their intent) or united with a distributor? Any idea if they have those in place, what that company is requiring as far as timeframe? What about their publishing legalities – is all of that finalized?

As a footnote in general: one can’t compare bands such as Stone Temple Pilots with Live and expect them to mimic the same design.

You also said: When as someone else said, they are too great of a band for that; the best band from their time. -- That's pure opinion (one that I agree with as far as great band from their time), but that does not exactly translate to what the general public agrees with. Go to the Bush message boards, STP boards, etc, and I'm sure those fans will proclaim the same for their band they are championing.

There are many more factors involved with touring and releasing music, I just outlined a portion of it. You can be snarky about it in return, or understand the difference between knowing the way things are within the music industry/music business vs. fantasizing about what your favorite band should do.

Trust me when I say that I fully understand your passion for Live.

Incredibly pompous email.

Is +Live+ the only band that has to deal with the above issues in regards to recording new music, releasing new music, touring and expenses related to touring?? Other bands figure it out and so should our favorite band.

[Voodoo Lady]

Incredibly pompous email.

Yes. I’ve never had to turn on my laptop before to respond to anyone until today.

Is +Live+ the only band that has to deal with the above issues in regards to recording new music, releasing new music, touring and expenses related to touring?? Other bands figure it out and so should our favorite band.

Yup.

[Bremang]

Really no need to patronize.

I'm not tho. I feel your pain and I hope you get what you want from Live

[Bremang]

I like most of Live's music, but I didn't care for the Mental Jewelry b-sides much at all. However, I'm looking forward to the Throwing Copper, Secret Samahdi, and TDTH b-sides if they come.

Heaven wore a shirt and negation didn't strike me at first either but now I dig em. Born Branded was always pretty nice IMO. Can't wait for the TDTH bsides.

[Bremang]

It is, after all, their jobs. It's their business.

Well, who even knows anymore? Ed still plans to be a solo artist. Chad and the rest of the guys are doing other stuff like United Fiber. Chad G owns a company. Chad T is producing other artists. They are in no rush to put out music so I figure this is a soft reunion, right? Taking only the easiest money shows. Chad splits the drum work for his injury? Zak Loy with the guitar solos. Watch a show from 1991-1995 and the energy output from the band is massively different. And they would never allow other drummers or guitarists to interfere, unless it was a real contribution like Chris Thorne. They worked Live. Now it feels like just a nostalgia thing. I've been surprised at how much they actually have done so far since the reunion. I figured it would be much less, and I figured it would be over by now but it seems like it will be picking up steam more than before.

This post has been edited by Bremang: Mar 22 2018, 8:38 pm

[Bremang]

Incredibly pompous email.

Is +Live+ the only band that has to deal with the above issues in regards to recording new music, releasing new music, touring and expenses related to touring?? Other bands figure it out and so should our favorite band.

If you didn't love Live tremendously, and if you weren't craving a Live fix, I'm guessing you would concede that people should feel free to go at their own pace with their music business, and each band is dealing with specific things that ultimately determine their actions.

[Gruno]

Incredibly pompous email.

My post was based off of many facts expressed direct and to the point.

Yes. I’ve never had to turn on my laptop before to respond to anyone until today.
Yup.

What does turning on your laptop have to do with anything here?

Watch a show from 1991-1995 and the energy output from the band is massively different.

Comparing a band's energy from 23-27 years ago? I would think it very rare that the same energy level would be present with anyone performing shows with a 20+ year difference to compare. Age catches everyone. The question I would rather address: does Live perform to the best of their capabilities in present day concerts? I say "yes"

If you didn't love Live tremendously, and if you weren't craving a Live fix, I'm guessing you would concede that people should feel free to go at their own pace with their music business, and each band is dealing with specific things that ultimately determine their actions.

We have a winner!

Actions are determined from many things, and to compare them with other bands isn't fair as we don't know any of said things within any band or artist that determines the length of their process. I'm a music fan first and foremost and I have favorite artists that I would have loved to see more output from. But, I understand that they have their lives to live and their own timeline to meet; not mine.

Thanks for the comments all. It's nice to get conversation going to understand each other's stance.

[Voodoo Lady]

What does turning on your laptop have to do with anything here?

Thanks for the comments all. It's nice to get conversation going to understand each other's stance.

Meaning, I wasn’t about to type out the answers to all of your questions on my phone!!
But it’s okay, because yes, it’s great to see the conversation picking up. -Always love to talk about Live with y’all in here. Agree or disagree, it’s all good.

[Possum Kingdom]

This entire thread is Live's career in a nutshell.

Guessing the only thing Live has control over these days is when and how they will release new music.

They will and should do a co-headliner tour with another nostalgia band from the 90's. They will continue to play their hits and recycle the setlist. It's a formula that will work for this type of tour.

Live can no longer headline mid to large size venues in the US. Hopefully, they decide to play some clubs to debut their new music so their longtime fans can hear a different setlist.

Regardless, Live seem to be in a good spot where they can pick and choose what they want to do. They've earned it.

This post has been edited by Possum Kingdom: Mar 23 2018, 11:29 am

[Voodoo Lady]

Live can no longer headline mid to large size venues in the US. Hopefully, they decide to play some clubs to debut their new music so their longtime fans can hear a different setlist.

I agree with your comment except for this part.
I don’t think they could fill large sized venues headlining any more, but I firmly believe they could mid sized.

Them in clubs already?!... nahhh. That’d be sad. Maybe in 5-10 years for that.

[Gruno]

Them in clubs already?!... nahhh. That’d be sad. Maybe in 5-10 years for that.

Possum Kingdom said "Hopefully, they decide to play some clubs to debut their new music"

They've done clubs and theater to debut new albums before. Secret Samadhi started like that. Start in small clubs & theaters playing a bulk of new material with a handful of setlist regulars, then do full tours in larger venues honing the setlist to mix it up further.

I don't think Possum Kingdom was saying they only play clubs.

[Voodoo Lady]

Possum Kingdom said "Hopefully, they decide to play some clubs to debut their new music"

They've done clubs and theater to debut new albums before. Secret Samadhi started like that. Start in small clubs & theaters playing a bulk of new material with a handful of setlist regulars, then do full tours in larger venues honing the setlist to mix it up further.

I don't think Possum Kingdom was saying they only play clubs.

Yes, I had just came back to edit my post, actually. If he meant club shows as you describe or stand alone club shows like they did after Lolla last summer, then cool.

[mattyeagles]

Yes, I had just came back to edit my post, actually. If he meant club shows as you describe or stand alone club shows like they did after Lolla last summer, then cool.

A mix of small venue shows with new songs\deep set lists and a co-headlining tour would be ideal.

[Hoodstock]

Tomorrow the Counting Crows play their show. This week maybe we will finally get some news.