Poor Morrissey. First reduced tickets to MSG, then it was completely cancelled, two of his LA shows were just cancelled, and now tickets to one of his upcoming NYC shows have been reduced in price again. Starting Tuesday October 9th at noon, you can purchase $20 tickets to the October 23rd show at Hammerstein Ballroom - at the Irving Plaza box office or online. Full priced tickets are also still available for all five NYC shows.

In more positive news (not that $20 tickets isn't good news), Morrissey "is planning a September 2008 release for his next studio album."

....An act’s worth depends on its fanbase. You have to nurture it, respect people, make them feel they’re along for the ride with you. At these prices, people feel like they’re being held up at gunpoint. And, NOT EVERY NEIL YOUNG FAN RAPED AND PILLAGED AND IS NOW RICH!

Only Neil is rich. But obviously, he needs more.

Bob Dylan is a famous breadhead, but he doesn’t charge these prices, not even close. WITH Elvis Costello, the top ticket is $65.50 in Portland. And Dylan is coming off a number one album and critical kudos. For that price, you may not care that he mangles the old material. You’re privileged just to be there. And maybe, you’ll enjoy it too. (In truth, that’s Portland MAINE, not Oregon, but even in Chicago, Dylan and Costello are only charging $87, while Neil Young is charging $157! At the SAME THEATRE!)...[Bob Lefsetz]

A letter sent to ejazznews...

Want to hear something that's FUCKED UP? I purchased tickets to a Bela Fleck and the Flecktones concert in Birmingham, AL through Ticketmaster. Face value of ticket - $43. Total Charge once it's run through Ticketmaster - $111.10 for two tickets. That's ridiculous, but I like Bela Fleck and want to see the show, so I'll pony up the cash. Apparently not enough people were willing to pay $55/ticket to see the band, ticket sales were sluggish, and they canceled the show. So I check my credit card statement today to confirm the refund, and it is only for $107. I call Ticketmaster and they say that even though the show was canceled by the artist/promoter, I am not going to be refunded the full amount due to a NON-REFUNDABLE processing fee. Are you ***** kidding me? Think about that for a second--that means that if 500 people have purchased tickets, Ticketmaster is pocketing $1,500 of the CONSUMER'S money. And the consumers being ripped off are the band's dedicated fans--people who bought tickets IN ADVANCE to guarantee entry to the show! What should I do the next time this band announces a show--wait and see if they sell enough tickets so that it looks like the show is going to happen, then buy my tickets?

Let's say that this happens in a couple of cities 2-3 times per week--you're talking over $150,000 per year pocketed by THE MAN. No wonder consumers are sick and tired of the music industry! Working with bands and having promoted shows, it infuriates me to think that this happens to enthusiastic music fans. If a band or promoter overshoots and realizes they are going to lose their ass if they go through with a show, they shouldn't further penalize the music fans they are already disappointing--they should absorb the "service fee". I'm actually glad this happened to me--a lesson learned so I don't piss off my patrons in the future. Thought you would enjoy this "fleecing of America".

Sincerely,

Jason Rogoff

The Rentals are playing Nokia Theatre in NYC on August 23rd. You know, Matt Sharp from Weezer's band. Tickets are now FREE (+ service charges) if you use the code "RENTALS". (thx Oliver & George)

In related news, The Rentals recently put out four new songs - their first new material in over eight years. One of the songs is streaming at MySpace. All tour dates below....

Continue reading "see THE RENTALS for free ++ new EP, Tour Dates"

Tickets are on presale for another Clap Your Hands Say Yeah show in NYC - this one is at the new Music Hall of Williamsburg on September 10th (one day before the Gramercy).

The initial Fall lineup for the Music Hall of Williamsburg is as follows:

September
4: Patti Smith and Her Band (previously announced)
7: Joseph Arthur & The Lonely Astronauts
8: Vampire Weekend
10: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
14: The Walkmen
15: Bonde do Rolê with Plastic Little
19: The Black Lips with The Selmanaires and Nice Boys (previous)
21: Les Savy Fav (presale July 14 - during Citysol???)
27: Medeski, Martin & Wood
28: Fujiya & Miyagi with Dirty on Purpose
29: Jose Gonzalez (previous)

October
3: BORIS and Damon & Naomi with Michio Kurihara
8: Sunset Rubdown
9: High On Fire with Mono, Panthers, Coliseum (presale July 13)

TICKETWEB "FEE STRUCTURE"

Through the new agreement with Ticketmaster, fans will be able to purchase tickets for events at all Bowery Presents venues at a fee structure virtually the same as that of former ticketing partner, TicketWeb.

Continue reading "Music Hall of Williamsburg - more shows, a ticketweb "fee structure" & another CYHSY presale"

Bonnaroo concertgoers watching the White Stripes (CRED)

The big news for frustrated consumers is that a major change could be in the works: The concert industry has been buzzing for months that Live Nation may begin selling tickets for all of its concerts itself. It is currently Ticketmaster's single largest client, but that contract expires next year, and Live Nation owns a stake in two major independent companies, Next Ticketing and MusicToday.com, which both rival Ticketmaster's capabilities for selling tickets online.

If Live Nation cuts Ticketmaster out of the transaction and sells tickets direct to concertgoers, industry experts say that it will be able to keep more of the ticketing revenue for itself -- and hopefully reduce service fees for concertgoers.

"We're in the midst of talking through next steps with Ticketmaster," Vlautin said, "so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to comment on that." [Chicago Sun Times]

DOWNLOAD: Scott Franson - Summer Breeze (Seals and Croft) (FREE MP3) (info)

Fans Treated to Complimentary Music With the Purchase of Every Concert Ticket at Ticketmaster.com

Ticketmaster, the world's leading ticketing company is expanding the music libraries of concert fans throughout North America by providing fans with complimentary music with every concert ticket purchased online at Ticketmaster.com. The special offer is an extension of Ticketmaster's focus on rewarding fans with great opportunities to discover new music and connect with new and favorite acts. [press release] (via)

This is TicketMaster's idea of cool? Overcharge me for the ticket (maybe not their fault, we can blame that one on the greedy act/manager/agent), then hit me with all kinds of bogus fees and then give me ONE FREE SONG? Whoop-de-doo

"Ticketmaster's concert program gets digital and live music directly to the fans, enabling them to experience new and undiscovered music," said Sean Moriarty, President and CEO of Ticketmaster. "We are dedicated to providing Ticketmaster buyers with rewarding opportunities across all categories of live entertainment and these special music offers are a great way to kick off the summer concert season."