Performing arts and the Economy

[johnms88]

Anyone else feel that there are MUCH fewer bands on the road this fall/winter than there have been in the past couple years? I remember last fall I was shooting something every weekend for the most part, and this fall I don't think I shot 2 shows yet.

I also noticed a lot of bands are touring together in groups of 4 or 5 (I can only assume to reduce cost).

Anyone else have some input or want to share what they have experienced regarding this?

[blackshadow]

I've been wondering about this myself as there have been a slew huge high profile international tours announced for Australia in the early part of 2009.

Pink is going to be massive - up to 8 arena shows in Melbourne - they just keep selling out and more shows are added.

You have bands like Kings of Leon who are just announced, Fall Out Boy, Andre Rieu has just announced he will be back next year. Most of the shows he is currently playing sold out in February. Neil Young sold out in a day, Kylie Minogue shows sold out in minutes. It just doesn't seem like slowing down in Australia. Then you'll have shows by the likes of Metallica and AC/DC that will sell out in minutes.

I don't know how long this can be sustained for though in the current economic climate.

[johnms88]

I've been wondering about this myself as there have been a slew huge high profile international tours announced for Australia in the early part of 2009.

Pink is going to be massive - up to 8 arena shows in Melbourne - they just keep selling out and more shows are added.

You have bands like Kings of Leon who are just announced, Fall Out Boy, Andre Rieu has just announced he will be back next year. Most of the shows he is currently playing sold out in February. Neil Young sold out in a day, Kylie Minogue shows sold out in minutes. It just doesn't seem like slowing down in Australia. Then you'll have shows by the likes of Metallica and AC/DC that will sell out in minutes.

I don't know how long this can be sustained for though in the current economic climate.


I doubt the economic climate is as bad in Australia? Correct me if i'm wrong...

[blackshadow]

I doubt the economic climate is as bad in Australia? Correct me if i'm wrong...


Probably not as bad - we aren't in recession and our financial sector isn't in the same mess as the US. Things have certainly slowed down markedly and the crisis has seen our sharemarket fall like a stone our dollar has dropped from being worth 98 cents US to less than 70 cents US and our international trade has been pretty hard hit due to the fall in commodity prices and the demand for commodities. The growth in the Australian economy has been largely driven by minerals and commodities and with demand slowing it will hit fairly hard.

[bacchanal]

I don't pay much attention to the big tours, but for small time bands things are looking up a bit. Gas and food are their major expenses on the road, and gas has become much more affordable since the summer. I know a lot of performers scrapped or shortened spring/summer tours this year due to gas prices (especially in the midwest where there are long hauls between stops).

People seem to be going out and drinking as much as ever, so the clubs are pretty full from what I've seen.

[johnstoy]

My local venue has a loaded schedule full of tribute bands... the tickets cost about 40-75% less, than the more typical original artist we got in previous years... These tribute bands would be easier to get creds for... I'm trying to get motivated again.

[skifurthur]

This economy has put the dampers on many smaller bands and their touring schedule. Here are some of the things I have been told.

1. Cost of transportation. Vehicles that carry equipment are gas guzzlers because of their size. Opening acts are feeling the crunch since many of them don't get paid a lot to begin with.

2. Other "real" jobs. Many of the smaller bands can't make a living playing their music, so they must maintain a regular job. With many employers cutting back on jobs, a musician needs to stay focused on that job that pays the bills. This cuts back on the time available to tour.

3. Sparse attendence at shows. Many smaller bands have to sell a set amount of tickets to a show to be on the undercard. With discretionary income being at a premium, those tickets are getting harder and harder to sell. Dont' sell all of your tickets a few times and you will no longer get booked. The club owners want warm bodies in their venues. Even larger acts are feeling this lack of ticket sales. Promoters are negotiating hard to reduce guarantees. It used to be that a major band could count on their strongest fans to attend 3-20 or more shows on a tour. Now these fans are attending 1-3 shows...if any at all.

The bright side for working photographers is that there is one thing that is often making or breaking the tour bottom line....Merchandise. Work those contacts, suggest strong photos to sell at the merch table and everyone makes a little bit more money.

[bacchanal]

3. Sparse attendence at shows. Many smaller bands have to sell a set amount of tickets to a show to be on the undercard. With discretionary income being at a premium, those tickets are getting harder and harder to sell. Dont' sell all of your tickets a few times and you will no longer get booked. The club owners want warm bodies in their venues. Even larger acts are feeling this lack of ticket sales. Promoters are negotiating hard to reduce guarantees. It used to be that a major band could count on their strongest fans to attend 3-20 or more shows on a tour. Now these fans are attending 1-3 shows...if any at all.


To be honest, I think this phenomenon has more to do with poor promotion and bad music than the economy.

[narlus]

the average attendance at shows i've been to in the past ~2 months has been good.

ATP - 3000 ppl sellout (@ $225 per weekend ticket)
alice cooper - near sellout @ the orpheum (2800 ppl)
deerhunter - sellout @ paradise (600)
drive-by truckers/hold steady @ orpheum (~80% full)
of montreal @ orpheum (~70% full)
calexico @ somerville theater (sold out @ 900 ppl)
pinback @ paradise (sell out)
stereolab @ paradise (sell out)

the only shows that didn't sell as well as i thought they would would be Wire and The Feelies. the Feelies were only half-full at best (Roxy, capacity of ~900), and Wire was probably a bit better (Middle East down, 600 ppl).

though Lubricated Goat was very sparsely attended. couldn't have been more than 40 people there. good show nonetheless.