Ventura, CA, May 30, 2008 Options

[SJN1279]

I didn't realize the economy went south and gas prices went up 250% just in the last two months. What a dramatic change. That is surely the reason why Live can't sell tickets in May but could in March.

I was under the impression that gas prices have been prohibitive for a few years and that the economy, which is not in a recession, has been approaching a recession for even longer. I entertained the idea that it's because Live has played the same markets pretty much exclusively for the last two years and have delivered the same exact show at all of them, but that's obviously wrong. I also thought it could be exacerbated by the fact that they haven't written a good album in a decade and that their recent albums were not only bad but shockingly gay and embarrassing, but clearly that's not the case.

Good call!

I agree with one of your points, Live has over-toured the US. They've been on the road almost non-stop since August 2005, and while they have changed the setlist up a bit, but they've have not created new songs in almost 3 years. If they can afford a break from the road to work on new material, I think they should take it. The band needs to make fans miss them and not take their performances for granted. Just my two cents.

As for gas prices, it did not cost 70 dollars to fill my tank in March, it costs more than that now in May. People are definitely tightening their belts with summer and a possible recession approaching.

[Existentialist]

They're not "tightening their belts" anymore than they have been for years. Whether or not we're in, or will ever be in, an official recession, our economy is skating on thin ice and has been for years and years. Although the wheels were set in motion decades ago, it was in the early 2000s that the economy took a nosedive and it was then that entertainment took a hit. However, since then, it's held relatively steady.

If you want to take a look at how gas prices affect ticket sales, look at the average gas price about a month before the shows occurred, when most people buy tickets. In February, the average US price was $3.15 per gallon and in April it was $3.30 per gallon. That's a whopping 5% increase and is likely to cost the average concert goer only a few extra dollars per show. It's not keeping anyone home if they were willing to go out a few months ago.

However, if they've seen Live play the same show twice in six months, maybe that will impact their desire to see it a third time? The fact of the matter is that there are very few fans like you, Nick, who were attracted to the band by the recent albums. The vast, vast majority of fans at shows are going to see them play Throwing Copper's hits. These normal people can stand only so many "la da da das."

This post has been edited by Existentialist: May 31 2008, 8:20 pm

[SinfulEyes]

There's no need to over analyze what Nick said Allan. Live is quickly falling off the face of the planet. Even the "diehard" fans that fill up small venues aren't enthusiastically coming to shows anymore.

[slainte]

oh please, touring non-stop????

yeah right. i would ask you to compare their touring schedule to another bands but you are tooooo biased to see things in any other light.

[SJN1279]

oh please, touring non-stop????

yeah right. i would ask you to compare their touring schedule to another bands but you are tooooo biased to see things in any other light.

Touring non-stop compared to what they used to. Last year I was able to see the band 10 times alone. This year they will be playing within 90 minutes of my house 10 times again. Its the law of diminishing returns.

[SJN1279]

If you want to take a look at how gas prices affect ticket sales, look at the average gas price about a month before the shows occurred, when most people buy tickets. In February, the average US price was $3.15 per gallon and in April it was $3.30 per gallon. That's a whopping 5% increase and is likely to cost the average concert goer only a few extra dollars per show. It's not keeping anyone home if they were willing to go out a few months ago.

The average gas price right now is nearly 4 dollars a gallon and climbing. Way up from the 3.3 in April.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petroleum/d..._home_page.html

[+Ed+]

You will never know an excuse for the band not gathering full house unless you are in a band.

Stop looking for excuses and stop arguing.

I think it is a good way out

[Existentialist]

The average gas price right now is nearly 4 dollars a gallon and climbing. Way up from the 3.3 in April.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petroleum/d..._home_page.html

Did most people buy their tickets for the early May shows right now? If so, good call and let me know where to find the time machine!

[SinfulEyes]

Did most people buy their tickets for the early May shows right now? If so, good call and let me know where to find the time machine!

Lol Nick

[SJN1279]

Did most people buy their tickets for the early May shows right now? If so, good call and let me know where to find the time machine!

Gas prices were at 3.8 a gallon early May, and general admission shows usually have a larger number of ticket buyers as you approach the show date. If you don't think gas prices are affecting recreational activities, you are in a bigger bubble than I thought you already were.

That said, I'm not saying gas prices are the only reason for slower ticket sales, but they are a contributing factor.

[Existentialist]

Gas prices were at 3.8 a gallon early May, and general admission shows usually have a larger number of ticket buyers as you approach the show date. If you don't think gas prices are affecting recreational activities, you are in a bigger bubble than I thought you already were.

That said, I'm not saying gas prices are the only reason for slower ticket sales, but they are a contributing factor.

Ok, let's take your $3.80 figure and compare it with $3.15 in early March. That's a $0.65, or 20% change. Let's say that the average person going to a Live show lives within 100 miles of the venue, making for a 200 mile roundtrip traveling distance. That's about 10 gallons of gas for the average car. At $0.65 extra per gallon, that's a whopping $6.50 extra for the entire trip -- and that's if you live 100 miles away. Considering tickets, including the service charges and taxes, are at least $40 each, I sincerely doubt that an extra $6.50 is keeping anyone home who went out in March.

And that's the point. Gas prices are indeed keeping people home, BUT NOT THE PEOPLE WHO WENT OUT IN MARCH, which was your point. If they could afford $3.15 in March, they can afford $3.80 in May. It's not at all a contributing factor to their slow ticket sales. Their playing the same markets, their predictable setlists and their shitty releases are the reason. Give up yet?

This post has been edited by Existentialist: Jun 1 2008, 6:19 pm

[SJN1279]

And that's the point. Gas prices are indeed keeping people home, BUT NOT THE PEOPLE WHO WENT OUT IN MARCH, which was your point.

Many of the people who saw Live in March, probably don't feel the need to see them again in May. They are waiting for new songs or the summer tour. As we both said, gas prices are hurting ticket sales in general.

I also think that bands need to take a break from the road and not tour the same areas multiple times per year. It just hurts long-time marketability. Don't get me wrong, I love having Live around so much in NJ/PA/NY, but I feel they are allowing fans to take them for granted.

[Existentialist]

I guess if you can't beat them, join them? Talk about a 180 in your argument!

[SJN1279]

I guess if you can't beat them, join them? Talk about a 180 in your argument!

Gas prices and over-touring were the too major factors that ticket sales were slower than usual for Live this May. I always kept to that.

[SinfulEyes]

Gas prices and over-touring were the too major factors that ticket sales were slower than usual for Live this May. I always kept to that.

Major factors? Are you fucking kidding dude? The MAJOR factor here is that Live sucks now. They are completely irrelevant and even their most diehard fans are not coming out to their shows anymore. The gas-price and over-touring is a minor issue if you can even call it one.

You're subjectivity on Live is utterly mind-boggling.