Ed K Musikfest show, ticket fees Options

[Merica]

I agree with you, Pokey. He doesn't command much respect these days with his reliance on the hits, his wafer thing music, the way he ruins the old songs by cheese balling his way through them... he's just a bit of a has been heritage act at the moment. Certainly feels that way. Can't deny that his voice is a bit better these days but, really, I don't think it matters when he cheese balls as much as he does.

He used to have integrity... depth... he was an artist. Now... he seems to be so little of those things.

[Pokey]

I agree with you, Pokey. He doesn't command much respect these days with his reliance on the hits, his wafer thing music, the way he ruins the old songs by cheese balling his way through them... he's just a bit of a has been heritage act at the moment. Certainly feels that way. Can't deny that his voice is a bit better these days but, really, I don't think it matters when he cheese balls as much as he does.

He used to have integrity... depth... he was an artist. Now... he seems to be so little of those things.

But hey he's singing the hits which is what the casual fan wants and lining his pockets. The fact his act seems catered basically completely around casual fans speaks volumes that the bulk of the once hardcore group has pretty much left him. Why cater to the lowest common denominator? That's why I've always had more respect for artists who do exactly what they want and its up to the fans to fall into line and like it or don't like it, but they won't compromise their integrity for it. And if what he is doing right now is truly what he wants, then as I say, he's a businessman, not a musical artist, as a self respecting music fan, I can't see how I can respect him.
Nick does respect him because, surprise surprise, Nick's soul interests as we've discussed over and over, lies purely with ticket sales, charting etc...

[tiger]

I agree with you, Pokey. He doesn't command much respect these days with his reliance on the hits, his wafer thing music, the way he ruins the old songs by cheese balling his way through them... he's just a bit of a has been heritage act at the moment. Certainly feels that way. Can't deny that his voice is a bit better these days but, really, I don't think it matters when he cheese balls as much as he does.

He used to have integrity... depth... he was an artist. Now... he seems to be so little of those things.

Yeah, don't really have a problem with him doing solo acoustic stuff per se, but that doesn't mean I like it. To me his only saving grace was when he was still in Live. Seeing them do Forever was pretty cringe worthy though.

[Wambangalang]

I really enjoyed seeing Ed when he came down here for a solo acoustic show, i was actually quite blown away by his voice. A year later he came with his new band and i thought about attending but ultimately didnt go, i guess the attraction wasnt strong enough. If it were Live there would have been nothing in this world that could have stopped me. I dont know what that says about anything, and i cant comment on what his new band is like because i havent seen them, but yeh.

[SJN1279]

I personally really don't care. I think it's less of a crime against the music to do a solo show because his god awful band isn't there. But I've never said Ed shouldn't be allowed to play Live songs. It's just that he can't seem to branch out from "the hits" and for that he gets very little respect from me as an artist, he's a businessman, not an artist now. I guess the problem I have with it is that he used to be an artist, and used to command a lot of respect of a hell of a lot of people around here, but he's lost that. I'm sure he doesn't care because he's still lining his pockets. I just think becoming a nostalgia act would be absolutely horrible, I'd hate to be advertised as "playing all the hits!".

Yeah I'm getting sucked into the vortex again here.

Without playing the LIVE hits, fans won't come out to sample his new material. An artist still has to make money to make touring worthwhile. Ask Kevin Martin.

This post has been edited by SJN1279: Aug 12 2011, 4:35 pm

[Aitkens]

Without playing the LIVE hits, fans won't come out to sample his new material. An artist still has to make money to make touring worthwhile. Ask Kevin Martin.

That's fine, but then don't lie to everyone and tell them that you want to move on and do something different, to change your musical direction. What he's doing is the exact opposite.

[SJN1279]

That's fine, but then don't lie to everyone and tell them that you want to move on and do something different, to change your musical direction. What he's doing is the exact opposite.

He wanted to make a different style of music than CCP did. It wasn't fair to any of them to stay in the relationship.

On that note since there is no Albany thread, here is a review I found:

»LIVE: Ed Kowalczyk @ Albany’s Riverfront Park, 8/4/11

The last Alive at Five concert of the this summer season was engulfed in heat and oppressive humidity. The sweat was streaming off of everyone in attendance, including the stagehands and the staff from the Mayor’s Office of Special Events.

Behind the large, metal-framed and tarp-topped stage at Albany’s beautiful Riverfront Park, Ed Kowalczyk, former frontman for multi-platinum ’90s rockers Live, was surrounded by his bandmates, as they stood outside of their air-conditioned trailer. Wiping the sweat off his brow, Kowalczyk flashed a warm grin at the fans standing off in the distance, who were waving and calling out, “Ed, Ed, Ed…”

Running up the steps, the band commandeered the stage, launching into Live’s perennial crowd-pleaser, “All Over You.” The 40-year-old Kowalczyk traversed the stage with the speed and animation of a whirling dervish while singing the emotional anthem.

The three-piece back-up band churned through “The Great Beyond” while Kowalczyk – with his guitar slung over his shoulder – sang and played the song’s rhythmic thrust.

The sun facing the stage beat down hard, draining the energy of the assembled crowd with the exception of a small mass of people pushed up against the steel barricade in front of the stage, singing along as an appreciative and encouraging Kowalczyk motioned for them to keep on going.

“The Distance,” “Selling The Drama,” “Everlasting Love” and “Zion” rolled along, one after another. The band’s brand new guitarist held back a little, but nevertheless fit in with the ensemble on his first gig ever with Kowalczyk.

The dynamic ballad “Heaven” had the biggest audience participation up to that point, the endearing chorus of rising up from the crowd. Standout tunes from “Grace” to “I Alone” brought out the potent urgency of Kowalczyk’s voice, which was in top form. No doubt, it brought back memories for many in the crowd of only a few short years ago, when Ed and his Live bandmates enthralled a huge SPAC audience with those same rafter-rattling choruses.

Regardless of the current legal entanglements and bitter feelings between Kowalczyk and his Live-mates, he hasn’t been resting on his laurels, and last year he released his critically acclaimed solo debut, “Alive.” Touring in support of the album, it’s clear that he loves to perform live and bask in the audience’s adulation, but he’s also working hard to climb the ladder of success from smaller venues to once again break into the arena circuit.

Concluding the concert with a three-song encore, the band launched into “The Beauty Of Grey,” followed by “Lakini’s Juice.” After cries for “Lightning Crashes,” the catchy refrain of Kowalczyk’s signature song echoed through the park, and the slow, dramatic intensity of the anthem built to a frenzied climax in the heat of the day’s setting sun.

Unlike many former rock stars attempting to revamp their careers as solo artists, Kowalczyk obviously loves his fans, and he hung around after the show to meet and greet those waiting for him to sign autographs, pose for photographs or exchange congratulatory hand shakes and pats on the back.

[PurdueSteve]

But hey he's singing the hits which is what the casual fan wants and lining his pockets.

Poke, I'm not so certain his pockets are being lined much at all. Really, how much money could he possibly make with 300 to 400 in attendance. Once you factor in the crew, the venue costs, the travel costs, he might not be making much at all.

I'd imagine, even if he was splitting income equally with CCP that as short as 3 years ago when they were doing the Triple Play concerts in the states that he was probably making a lot more.

It's ironic, his attempts to make da cash are likely the exact thing that is keeping him from the making any significant cash that someone who has sold 20 million albums should still be making.

At this rate, unless he does an about face, within 5 years he will be on reality shows with more of a has-been status then now. I can totally see Donald Trump saying "Ed, you're fired!"

Isn't the black guy from Hootie and the Blowfish more relevant than Ed?

[OutToDry]

Ed makes very little from his tour. Bulk of his income is live publishing & royalties.

[SJN1279]

Poke, I'm not so certain his pockets are being lined much at all. Really, how much money could he possibly make with 300 to 400 in attendance. Once you factor in the crew, the venue costs, the travel costs, he might not be making much at all.

I'd imagine, even if he was splitting income equally with CCP that as short as 3 years ago when they were doing the Triple Play concerts in the states that he was probably making a lot more.

It's ironic, his attempts to make da cash are likely the exact thing that is keeping him from the making any significant cash that someone who has sold 20 million albums should still be making.

At this rate, unless he does an about face, within 5 years he will be on reality shows with more of a has-been status then now. I can totally see Donald Trump saying "Ed, you're fired!"

Isn't the black guy from Hootie and the Blowfish more relevant than Ed?

I'm sure Ed isn't making LIVE money, but with less overhead and taking a larger percentage of the house, I think he is doing pretty well.

Nice racist comment. Darius Rucker hit it big in the country market, he lucked out and did well. Most solo artists don't find that level of success after leaving their band.

[Aitkens]

I'm sure Ed isn't making LIVE money, but with less overhead and taking a larger percentage of the house, I think he is doing pretty well.

Nice racist comment. Darius Rucker hit it big in the country market, he lucked out and did well. Most solo artists don't find that level of success after leaving their band.

It isn't really a racist comment. He is the black guy from Hootie & the Blowfish. There was only one black member in Hootie & the Blowfish, so it's a factual statement.

[SJN1279]

It isn't really a racist comment. He is the black guy from Hootie & the Blowfish. There was only one black member in Hootie & the Blowfish, so it's a factual statement.

I'm sure Darius Rucker wouldn't appreciate being referred to as the "black guy from Hootie and the Blowfish".

[Aitkens]

I'm sure Darius Rucker wouldn't appreciate being referred to as the "black guy from Hootie and the Blowfish".

He is the black guy from Hootie & the Blowfish. If you don't know his name, that might be better compared to calling him Hootie.

[OutToDry]

I'm sure Ed isn't making LIVE money, but with less overhead and taking a larger percentage of the house, I think he is doing pretty well.

He's making plenty with Live to this day.

[SJN1279]

He's making plenty with Live to this day.

I'm guessing royalties and such?