anyone have a password for the presale?

no

$40 per ticket! That's bullshit. I love the Lips, but that's too much.

The password was in the post: The Wand.

and it's probably around $55 after all their ridiculous charges...

Stop complaining about ticket prices. This price is reasonable considering the type of show they put on. It's not like they just sit there and play thier instruments. Their shows are a big party. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR FROM THE LIPS!!!

Well I've paid a lot less to see them in the past. Why the big price increase now?

And by the past I mean less than a year ago.

Acutally the tickets for Webster hall were about the same price. And while I think the ticket price is high I think it mostly has to do with a gerneral increase in ticket prices.

If you're strapped for cash and find ticket prices too high, I can sympathize. It's a bummer. But...

1) Look at the costs for other cultural performances in NYC - theatre, opera, dance. I don't find music tix prices outrageously high by comparison.

2) We're not talking about U2, The Stones, or Madonna. Are the Lips multi-millionaires? How many bands slog about for years in crappy vans, getting paid in beer, with no medical insurance, 401K, etc? If I like a band, I don't mind contributing to their retirement fund or whatever.*

* Not so keen on paying for another wing on Château de Radiohead, though.

I'm sure the Lips are multi-multi millionaires....You don't think Nick Hexum from 311 is a millionaire do you, but he bought his own f'n ISLAND!!!!!!! I'm sure Wayne are co are doing just fine.

I'm sure the Lips are multi-multi millionaires....You don't think Nick Hexum from 311 is a millionaire do you, but i read he bought his own f'n ISLAND!!!!!!! I'm sure Wayne are co are doing just fine.

11:55/6, I asked the question because I don't know the answer - are the FLips multi-millionaires? I'm genuinely curious.

My impression is that 311 is a more popular band than The Flaming Lips, and their wikipedia pages seem to support that idea. So, my guess is that, yes, the members of 311 are quite wealthy.

but the tangerine song!

I don't think the FLips are millionaires. Wayne and Michael may have some money but I would guess Steven went through a lot of the money he has made over the years battling drug addiction.

But these guys have put so much love and time into their music I personally don't mind paying the high price. But again I think it is important to look at the rise in ticket prices in general. There seems to be a lot of people upset each week when a new show is announced and people are complaining about the ticket price.

I can do $40 bucks, but the Sunday/Monday night concert thing kinda hurts. If Berkeley and Syracuse are good enough for a weekend booking, isn't NYC??

I can do $40 bucks, but the Sunday/Monday night concert thing kinda hurts. If Berkeley and Syracuse are good enough for a weekend booking, isn't NYC??

"the Sunday/Monday night concert thing kinda hurts"

I prefer weekday shows. Frees up my weekends for some late night drinking, and less hardcore fans show up. Win/win situation.

The Roseland show was $25.

But wasn't the Roseland Show back in 2001 (although on that tour they played for almost 2.5 hours) I forget if that was in 2001. But I think the Beck/Flips shows at the 2002 Beacon were 40 dollars. But then again that was a great tour and well worth the ticket price.

how long are their sets? cause a 40 dollar ticket can only be justified if the set runs close to two hours.

The thing is, it's not just $40. Add all the fees on top and, as the fourth poster down says, it's going to be $50 or more. You might as well take a trip to Philly or somewhere else close by where it will be about half that price. I saw them at the Electric Factory (in Philly) a couple of years back and with travel costs it still worked out cheaper than seeing them in NYC.

They will most likely play for about 1.5 hours. I hope that it will be longer but I doubt it.

I've traveled to Philly, Jersey, and LI to see shows. The cost of these shows isn't just the ticket price and transportation, but also time and energy. To go on the cheap and take pub. trans., you're at the mercy of timetables and, sometimes, your fellow passengers. If you have the funds to rent a car, you have to deal w/traffic, parking, and the whole rent-and-return process. I'd rather pay a couple extra bucks and save the time and hassle.

The biggest advantage of seeing shows outside of new york, is more often than not, seeing the band in much smaller venues.

Anyway, the band is playing for FREE this sunday in Philly.

http://www.southerncomfort.com/scmxphilly/lineup.aspx

Man, we really are the generation that will just lie down and get fucked in the ass aren't we? This thread is pretty interesting reading though, the weight of comments seems to be in favor of them charging high prices, which does surprise and sadden me. Any yes, I've seen the Lips, know they put on a big show, etc.

I don't think anyone is in favor of paying high ticket prices. Or at least I know I don't like it but I haven't figured out a way to still see a show and protest the ticket price. If you have any ideas please let me know.

Ticket prices are completely out of control. People can justify them for their favorite bands or whatever but it's still outrageous. I used to think $25 was high... now it seems like $40 is becoming standard. That's disgusting.

"lie down and get fucked in the ass" "disgusting" ??? If you're talking about housing, medical care, or insurance, then I'm with you.

A Tapes n' Tapes show must cost less to produce than Janet Jackson or Celine Dion with all those costumes, sets, security, etc., and MSG must have higher operating costs than Bowery Ballroom. Can anyone explain the breakdown of ticket prices? Not just how much goes to the band, the venue, and the ticket vendor, but what it costs to put on a show?

It's just like putting up a rare record on eBay--people will pay with their eyeteeth if they want something bad enough. And I have no doubt the Lips show will sell out. And to all those who think they're helping out a band's bank account by paying $30, 40, 50+ for a ticket, you'd be saddened by how little of that dough actually goes to the band.

Re: smaller venues.

It depends on the band and the venue, but I've been happy with who I've seen and where.

Eh, I'm not a size queen. I'll leave it to the armchair musicologists to argue over the size of this place or the sound system on that. What ruins a show for me? Inconsiderate concert-goers and a poor ventilation system. A Tricky show at Irving Pl. sent my friend to the hospital with an asthma attack, but that was before the indoor smoking ban. (sorry to wander OT)

A place like Webster Hall, a band such as the Lips:

@ 70-75% to the band (who also have to pay their crew AND their promoter, who books their shows; and even if you're a not-super-popular national act, you pay taxes on whatever you earn)

@ 30-35% to the venue

And don't forget the Ticketweb or Ticketmaster surcharges!

i think for the f'lips show at webster (at least the friday one) they played for maybe 75 minutes? it was short -- maybe 11 or 12 songs, i think....

At $40 a pop, I assumed the opener would be good. Danielson? I was hoping for Ween.

I'd pay nearly any amount to see these guys. The show is well worth it.