This is sick.

Oh. My god.

This is really, really awful. Are B&S even aware of this?! I thought independent artists SHUNNED capitalism, not embraced it.

>>>>>>>I thought independent artists SHUNNED capitalism, not embraced it. <<<<<<<<

yes and they all live in squats & make their own clothes....

We already knew that B&S were popular but...

did they really have ot sell the f**k out so harshly?

Dayum!

We already knew that B&S were popular but...

did they really have ot sell the f**k out so harshly?

Dayum!

I dont think B & S really have much say in this stuff, they are playing a free show for a city run organization (River to River) that relies heavily on sponsors for promotion. I dont think this is right but I doubt B & S get anything in return for this

Yeah, independent artists totally shun capitalism. That's why when you to go to shows you never see a merch table where they are selling t-shirts and pins and tote bags and all kinds of creative junk. People need to quit being so precious about the bands they like. Though it's preposterous to think that belle & sebastian is getting any sort of kick backs from Amex, even if they were, who cares? You work a stupid day job. They choose not to.

there's a difference in having a merch table to pay the rent and allowing the culture industry to commodify your art to increase shareholder value. Starbucks seeks to exploit the emotional and "hip" appeal of B&S to sell coolness to socially depraved frapaccino drinkers. all we need is boobs and biceps showing up to these shows with their polo shirt collars turned up. Why can't these people just buy their Kinkaid and stay at home and watch football? But I guess it's not their fault, really, they are just unimaginative pawns in a world created by marketing agencies for corporate profit - not cultural flourishment. We can all thank Edward Bernays:

http://www.archive.org/details/AdaCurtisCenturyoftheSelf_0

{sigh}

I'm off to listen to Tigermilk.

What if I already have one of those damn cards? I want my free B&S tickets!

apply for the card, cancel it if you get approved, many of you won't (not a diss) so even better; get your tickets and walk away!

just a suggestion

sneaking in = still the best option

If all of you hate capitalism so much, why don't you move to North Korea. I hear it is very pleasant there.

Pathetic and plain sad!

I'm going to explain it really slowly for you all: There is a thing called the River to River Festival. This Festival presents lots and lots of great shows in Lower Manhattan all summer. Most of these shows are free. Now, you may not know this, but when a band plays a free show they are still getting paid. How are they paid? By sponsors.

Now, who are these sponsors? While I know most of you would love it if they were places like Crunchy Joe's Granola and Hackey Sack Shop, the fact is that they tend to be large corporations. In this case, Starbucks is a sponsor and so is American Express, thus the involvement of both in the ticket distribution process.

So let's not forget that the B & S show is FREE. Let's also recall that the fine folks from B & S need to be paid and paid reasonably well -- about as well as any other gig they play. Now, you can have a free show or you can have a show without corporate sponsorship, BUT YOU CAN'T HAVE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. Either you pay or you deal with the fact that a corporation is paying.

Final point: The reason that there is ticketing for this July 4 show is because of construction in Battery Park. Now, the alternative would have been no show at all. But the River to River folks are being both generous -- by continuing to put on a show despite adverse circumstances -- and responsible, by limiting access to the (unfortunately) smaller number of people who can safely fit in the park.

Hope that clears things up. Take care.

oh your'e so wise

just fill out the application with false info. everyone wins.

review of the show and setlist/pics up on the music slut

themusicslut.org