Do Arena Dates Indicate Tour is More Than Just Cash Grab?

[ceres]

Those who complain to GNR about ticket prices are so ignorant.  Capitalism will naturally drive ticket prices to the price people are willling to pay.  If GNR listed their tickets for $10 each on Ticketmaster they would end up being bought and sold in the secondary market at the same price they are actually charging anyway (because that is what they are worth b/c it is what consumers are willing to pay). The only difference in this scenario is that the scalpers will pocket the extra money instead of the artists (who are the rightful individuals to collect the value for their work).  

[Original]

53 minutes ago, Bono said:

  U2, Metallica, Coldplay etc also don't waste a large portion of their show playing pointless jams, solos and covers. Their shows feature new material off new albums they've released. NEW ALBUMS. Now there's a concept.  FFS even U2's nostalgia tour this summer supporting the 30th anniversary of The Joshua Tree has more merit than what GnR are doing now. At least U2 is playing the Joshua Tree from start to finish and are also featuring a new song in their encores. U2's most recent show had them playing 22 original U2 songs. GnR's most recent show had GnR doing 19 original GnR songs, 16 if you don't count CD, because let's face it nobody in the grand scheme of things gives a flying fuck about those songs.  It's unbelievable there are fans like you who can sit there and call what U2, Metallica, Coldplay and others are doing lame and then act as if GnR are some sort of fucking god like figures of integrity for doing what they're doing. Fans like you are the exact reason why GnR gets away with all the bullshit they do. 

GnR right now are the absolute epitome of a band doing a cash grab tour. Milking their past, abusing the "reunion" factor. 

 

Lol.  "Milking the past".   U2 is playing some album from 1990 in its entirety....OK.       Coldplay - yawn. .. even the review (although those are crap shoots) said "every song is the same".  My wife is dragging me to that U2 (gong show) next month.  GnR has a reason to tour, U2 et al- no reason other than cash crab.  The "they are touring new music" argument doesn't fly as they play what- maybe 1 or 2 new songs that no one wants to hear.  

[Tucknroll]

Tickets for my hometown of Nashville are way higher than last year in the stadium.  

[krazejeff]

Toronto a lot of people couldn't get tickets for Rogers Centre, easily could have had 2 shows both ACC shows Oct 29 and 30 will be sell outs. Not fuckn bad at all. 

Lower bowl at acc is 79 can so about a 100. 

Air Canada Centre will be a far better sounding venue. 

I'm sure gnr is making a huge buck, but as far as I am concerned that's ok. 

 

Edited August 14, 2017 by krazejeff

[original zero]

12 hours ago, Gnrcane said:

If the tour was just a cash grab, why play Arena dates?

 

If it was just about the money, why play 3+ hours every night when you get paid the same for 2 hours?

[colonizedmind]

Do we not think more dates in 2018?? Like they only really did London and Ireland, lots more places in the UK to cover, which would sell out ! Also another lap around Europe...If they can do the USA 3 times, they can 

do a few more EURO dates...
The last trailer adding the arena dates said "We're just getting started" ....
I personally think they'll be more dates announced around Christmas or by the end of January....
If not, they'll take some big pay days at Festivals, Download for example....

[Bassist4]

4 hours ago, Bono said:

  U2, Metallica, Coldplay etc also don't waste a large portion of their show playing pointless jams, solos and covers. Their shows feature new material off new albums they've released. NEW ALBUMS. Now there's a concept.  FFS even U2's nostalgia tour this summer supporting the 30th anniversary of The Joshua Tree has more merit than what GnR are doing now. At least U2 is playing the Joshua Tree from start to finish and are also featuring a new song in their encores. U2's most recent show had them playing 22 original U2 songs. GnR's most recent show had GnR doing 19 original GnR songs, 16 if you don't count CD, because let's face it nobody in the grand scheme of things gives a flying fuck about those songs.  It's unbelievable there are fans like you who can sit there and call what U2, Metallica, Coldplay and others are doing lame and then act as if GnR are some sort of fucking god like figures of integrity for doing what they're doing. Fans like you are the exact reason why GnR gets away with all the bullshit they do. 

GnR right now are the absolute epitome of a band doing a cash grab tour. Milking their past, abusing the "reunion" factor. 

 

What Bono Said....hit the nail on the head!

[Bono]

3 hours ago, Original said:

Lol.  "Milking the past".   U2 is playing some album from 1990 in its entirety....OK.       Coldplay - yawn. .. even the review (although those are crap shoots) said "every song is the same".  My wife is dragging me to that U2 (gong show) next month.  GnR has a reason to tour, U2 et al- no reason other than cash crab.  The "they are touring new music" argument doesn't fly as they play what- maybe 1 or 2 new songs that no one wants to hear.  

And that is the epitome of hypocritical bullshit from blind worshiping GnR zealots. FACT: If GnR were touring the way U2 is now, playing AFD in it's entirety you would think it's fucking awesome. You know it, I know it, you don't fool a single person. Reason to tour?  U2 released a 7 vinyl set remastered with b-sides, live cuts and demos of the Joshua Tree. There's their reason to tour right there. THE 30th ANNIVERSARY OF THE JOSHUA TREE. What in the fuck is Guns N Roses reason for touring right now? Where is their 30th anniversary celebration of AFD? No rush, we'll all wait for your brilliant explanation.  And as for U2's last tour, They featured 7-9 new songs per night that the crowds were singing along too. That's proof enough that your comment about U2 only playing 1 or 2 new songs a night that nobody wants to hear is stupid.  But since you went there, I NEVER actually said U2 was touring new music. They are touring to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Joshua Tree. They just happen to have the fucking balls, integrity, and desire to throw fans another bone by performing a new unreleased song from a forthcoming album the band is openly talking about. Where's the talk about a  forth coming GnR album? As for Metallica, they play 5 or 6 new songs a night right now. So hate to break it to ya but YES they are touring new music and it's much fucking cooler than GnR milking the songs they wrote between 87-91

The fact you'd sit here and mock what bands like U2, Metallica and even Coldplay are doing right now shows what a sheep you are. If people wanna love what GnR is doing that's fine but the second one of you clowns props them up and acts like what they are doing is cooler than what real bands are doing I'll call you out for the hypocritical dumbass you are.  At least your wife knows what's up. 

[Blackstar]

14 minutes ago, Bono said:

FACT: If GnR were touring the way U2 is now, playing AFD in it's entirety you would think it's fucking awesome. You know it, I know it, you don't fool a single person. Reason to tour?  U2 released a 7 vinyl set remastered with b-sides, live cuts and demos of the Joshua Tree. There's their reason to tour right there. THE 30th ANNIVERSARY OF THE JOSHUA TREE.

It would be awesome if GnR did all this, but only provided that it would be the AFD lineup. If they did it with the current lineup, it would be much worse than it is now.

18 minutes ago, Bono said:

. What in the fuck is Guns N Roses reason for touring right now?

Axl, Slash and Duff playing together after 23 years maybe?

GnR are not comparable to bands that haven't had major lineup changes during their lifespan and an entire period which is not acknowledged by a big portion of the public as part of the band's history.

 

[LovelessNL]

15 hours ago, Robert39 said:

Why does everybody think Slash needs money ?? After the split with Perla , He had a succesful run with SMKC and a Album !! That wil make a buck for the man !! He wasn't broke when Perla left.....

He probably makes the same money on 2 GNR shows as he does on a whole SMKC tour. With them he's playing festivals at 4 in the afternoon, now he's back to playing sold out stadiums across the globe. Do the math. Perla took about 20 million with her, it would take him years and years to earn that money back with SMKC. Albums dont earn shit anymore, and you'd be surprised about the gap in fees between absolute headliner or sub-headliner acts, and the stuff that plays below that. Its literally either a fee of tens of thousands of dollars or 0,5 - 1,5 million (and with the reunion GnR was even able to ask 1,5 - 2x that fee).

Edited August 14, 2017 by LovelessNL

[RussTCB]

Why would more tour dates, regardless of venue size, mean this is more than just a cash grab??

All they're doing in milking the same cow in a smaller venue for 2 reasons; 1) They couldn't sell out the stadiums in those markets again so soon 2) You can charge higher prices in smaller venues by playing the "you get to be even closer to them!" card. Furthermore, I firmly believe that if GN'R tour the same markets yet again next year that they'll do a theater version of the show and charge even more.

But back to the original question; the only thing that will make me believe this is more than a cash grab is new music. No amount of added tour dates no matter the venue size, $4900 jackets, Bud Light commercials or Harley Davidson licensing deals will make me believe otherwise.

[Gnrcane]

5 hours ago, LovelessNL said:

He probably makes the same money on 2 GNR shows as he does on a whole SMKC tour. With them he's playing festivals at 4 in the afternoon, now he's back to playing sold out stadiums across the globe. Do the math. Perla took about 20 million with her, it would take him years and years to earn that money back with SMKC. Albums dont earn shit anymore, and you'd be surprised about the gap in fees between absolute headliner or sub-headliner acts, and the stuff that plays below that. Its literally either a fee of tens of thousands of dollars or 0,5 - 1,5 million (and with the reunion GnR was even able to ask 1,5 - 2x that fee).

Spot on!  I remember reading that the year that Carly Rae Jepsen had the huge hit with "Call Me Maybe," she earned $2 million for the year.  SMKC was never nearly that popular.  Slash could easily be making $2 million a MONTH on the NITL tour.  Plus, whatever he is trying to make up that he lost to Perla, he will need to earn over double that amount to account for taxes in his tax bracket.

If, for example, he is trying to make up $20 million, he could realistically make that back in 20 months of actual touring with GNR (not counting breaks).  With SMKC, I don't think he could realistically make it back ever.  Even if he could net $2 million a year, that would still take him 20 years of that success level to "replace" a lost $20 million.

[Robert39]

Some day we wil now how it al came together, but i don't believe Slash does this to get his "lost 20 million" back. He wants to get out there touring and yes make a buck, but thats not his main reason to reunite. He had enough money left, to live his life in a luxery way he did. and keep it that way whit the money he makes with SMKC.

 

[life_247]

On 13/08/2017 at 7:11 PM, Gnrcane said:

I think "needs" money is relative.  He doesn't need money to eat or have a place to sleep.  He might need money to maintain his lifestyle.

Indeed also if the divorce is a bitter one lots of his assets and cash can be tied up by lawyers trying to work out a split.

New cash is likely to be just into the pocket. Then its all good.

However I don't really see the whole reunion being purely fiscally driven - Slash as a person is quite a brand. If he needs money some advertising or product endorsement is a much easier way to do it. In fact I don't really see Slash continuing with a pure nostalgia tour for too long without putting out some new music - but in general I think the feeling amongst all of the band (maybe except Fortus who keeps piping up about recording) is that things are good and they are enjoying it so are possibly a little hesitant to change that at the moment after so many years of strife.

[mikeman5150]

On 8/14/2017 at 0:33 AM, Bono said:

And that is the epitome of hypocritical bullshit from blind worshiping GnR zealots. FACT: If GnR were touring the way U2 is now, playing AFD in it's entirety you would think it's fucking awesome. You know it, I know it, you don't fool a single person. Reason to tour?  U2 released a 7 vinyl set remastered with b-sides, live cuts and demos of the Joshua Tree. There's their reason to tour right there. THE 30th ANNIVERSARY OF THE JOSHUA TREE. What in the fuck is Guns N Roses reason for touring right now? Where is their 30th anniversary celebration of AFD? No rush, we'll all wait for your brilliant explanation.  And as for U2's last tour, They featured 7-9 new songs per night that the crowds were singing along too. That's proof enough that your comment about U2 only playing 1 or 2 new songs a night that nobody wants to hear is stupid.  But since you went there, I NEVER actually said U2 was touring new music. They are touring to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Joshua Tree. They just happen to have the fucking balls, integrity, and desire to throw fans another bone by performing a new unreleased song from a forthcoming album the band is openly talking about. Where's the talk about a  forth coming GnR album? As for Metallica, they play 5 or 6 new songs a night right now. So hate to break it to ya but YES they are touring new music and it's much fucking cooler than GnR milking the songs they wrote between 87-91

The fact you'd sit here and mock what bands like U2, Metallica and even Coldplay are doing right now shows what a sheep you are. If people wanna love what GnR is doing that's fine but the second one of you clowns props them up and acts like what they are doing is cooler than what real bands are doing I'll call you out for the hypocritical dumbass you are.  At least your wife knows what's up. 

You make some good points here. One thing though that guns is facing that U2 and Metallica aren't, is the fact that they were split for over 20 years. It wouldn't make sense to comeback wth a new album right away. They need to establish their audience again, make people remember why they liked them back in the day. I think that is done through touring, in the process, they make a ton of money. I realize they aren't playing anything new, but I'm hopeful in time they will. U2 and Metallica never went away and had a huge press war like Axl n Slash. Neither one of those bands ever had a reputation for late starts, cancellations, or jumping into the audience. I think it's now, hey we're here, we're adults, this is why we were great. Come see us, you won't be disappointed. Like someone else said, I doubt they are contractually obligated to do 3 hour shows, I think they are trying to restore credibility. Once that happens, I think we'll get some new music.

[RONIN]

This band is and will always be a total clusterfuck. Period.

The absolute refusal under any circumstance to release new music, demos or any GnR documentaries, live shows, etc is mind boggling. If not for youtube and the fan bootlegs floating around, GnR would have almost zero presence in our collective conscious aside from some shitty overpriced merch and the odd nostalgia tour when Team Brazil needs to make a rent payment.

Is this really what Axl and his legal team fought so bitterly over in the 90's with Slash and Duff? To take GnR and bury it six feet under? I thought Axl wanted to ensure the ultimate survival of GnR? This is how you do it? By releasing nothing for 25 years aside from one album and a demo on a forgotten Arnold movie? Way to go man. Incredible job running the band Axl. You ran it right off a fucking cliff.

[History2010]

23 minutes ago, RONIN said:

This band is and will always be a total clusterfuck. Period.

The absolute refusal under any circumstance to release new music, demos or any GnR documentaries, live shows, etc is mind boggling. If not for youtube and the fan bootlegs floating around, GnR would have almost zero presence in our collective conscious aside from some shitty overpriced merch and the odd nostalgia tour when Team Brazil needs to make a rent payment.

Is this really what Axl and his legal team fought so bitterly over in the 90's with Slash and Duff? To take GnR and bury it six feet under? I thought Axl wanted to ensure the ultimate survival of GnR? This is how you do it? By releasing nothing for 25 years aside from one album and a demo on a forgotten Arnold movie? Way to go man. Incredible job running the band Axl. You ran it right off a fucking cliff.

A huge reunion tour that is selling out stadiums worldwide is "running the band off a cliff"? Along the way many of you have lost perspective of what we had just 3 years ago. Fat Axl and DJ fucking Ashba playing casinos in Vegas. Look at how far we have come! Its fair to say the band could be better and what we have certianly isnt perfect, but just sit back for a second and think about where the band is now vs where they were in 2014.

[J Dog]

On 8/14/2017 at 1:00 AM, Blackstar said:

 

Axl, Slash and Duff playing together after 23 years maybe?

GnR are not comparable to bands that haven't had major lineup changes during their lifespan and an entire period which is not acknowledged by a big portion of the public as part of the band's history.

 

Yeah, I'm with you. For years and years it was all about the war between Axl and Slash and all that. Then after damn near 20 years of not speaking to each other and trashing each other, they make amends and decide to tour together, which many, many fans around the world including myself thought they would never get to see, and it's like, ugh Axl and Slash sharing the stage again?  boring cash grab. This place is a trip sometimes.

[GoBucky]

On 8/13/2017 at 0:56 PM, Robert39 said:

Why does everybody think Slash needs money ?? After the split with Perla , He had a succesful run with SMKC and a Album !! That wil make a buck for the man !! He wasn't broke when Perla left.....

He wasn't broke but he's making a lot more money in the States playing stadiums and arenas than the club's and theaters he plays here with his solo band.

[RONIN]

22 hours ago, History2010 said:

A huge reunion tour that is selling out stadiums worldwide is "running the band off a cliff"? Along the way many of you have lost perspective of what we had just 3 years ago. Fat Axl and DJ fucking Ashba playing casinos in Vegas. Look at how far we have come! Its fair to say the band could be better and what we have certianly isnt perfect, but just sit back for a second and think about where the band is now vs where they were in 2014.

To be honest, I posted this in the wrong thread. I meant to post it in the "Guns n' Roses was here" thread. 

I agree with you though - we have come a long way. I suppose it's always better to count ones blessings. It could be a lot worse as you have pointed out. But the benchmarks are so low for this band that we basically celebrate mediocrity these days. Axl shows up and sings on time without any drama and we all celebrate. Jesus Christ, he's supposed to do that. James Hetfield has been doing that for the last 30 years. The band is putting on great shows. So are other bands like U2 and Metallica. Sure - Guns are giving 3 hr shows, but their pricing is outrageously high - at that price point, they are almost obligated to bring it each and every night to justify their bloated pricing. We don't even have a proper interview from the three of them after 1.5 years on tour. That is just insane. Is that asking for too much? 

I don't think pointing this out makes someone ungrateful for what we have right now. I have no issues with Axl's voice or even the bloated setlist full of jams and random covers. Even the pricing isn't a problem for me per se. It's the utter lack of interest in releasing anything to the fans that is totally bizarre and bewildering to me. It's anyone's guess if they'll bother to throw us a bone for the holiday season in December. I'm sure if they don't there will be more excuses. "They were busy - they're touring!", "The record company is the hold-up, Axl said he's interested in releasing stuff!", "Axl is busy with AC/DC - he has to do an album with Angus first.", "They will release it in 2019 when the stars are in the proper celestial alignment!", etc etc Different era, same shit. 

I would be shocked if anything is officially released by this band in December. And it's not like we're difficult fans to please because we all know that this forum would have a multiple orgasm meltdown if even a greatest hits release was put out with one new demo. Meanwhile, fans of U2, Metallica, RHCP, Pearl Jam, etc have how many documentaries, box sets and official concert releases? Just give us something,  that's all I'm saying.

Edited August 16, 2017 by RONIN

[RONIN]

21 hours ago, J Dog said:

Yeah, I'm with you. For years and years it was all about the war between Axl and Slash and all that. Then after damn near 20 years of not speaking to each other and trashing each other, they make amends and decide to tour together, which many, many fans around the world including myself thought they would never get to see, and it's like, ugh Axl and Slash sharing the stage again?  boring cash grab. This place is a trip sometimes.

Let us vent and get it all out dude - it's not easy being a fan of this band. It's the PTSD kicking in 

But really, it's simple my man - throw a starved person a few pieces of bread. They will inevitably ask for more food. In this case, we were thrown a lifeline with Axl and Slash reuniting. We are grateful. Now the tour is coming to an end in a few months (presumably) but there is nothing really on the horizon as far as new music is concerned. The only news getting announced these days is more merchandising deals. I'm happy Axl and Slash are making stacks and stacks of cash with GnR but I have no need or interest in $4900 Guns n Roses leather jackets. In fact the prevailing rumor is that Axl is going off to record new music with AC/DC. That's basically tantamount to a kick in the balls for a GnR fan. 

But you're right - in the grand scheme of things, we should be grateful for the last 1.5 years. And I am. 

[Gnrcane]

47 minutes ago, RONIN said:

In fact the prevailing rumor is that Axl is going off to record new music with AC/DC. That's basically tantamount to a kick in the balls for a GnR fan. 

 

I could not agree more with this statement.  Axl became who he is as the front man for Guns n' Roses.  He even went so far as to almost forcibly take the rights to the name from Slash and Duff so that he could continue to be the front man for Guns n' Roses.  Recording an AC/DC album would be worse than a kick in the balls.  Especially because, isn't AC/DC music basically the exact "cock rock" that made him and Slash disagree on musical direction for GNR?  If he will be a guest vocalist for AC/DC then why not just record a bunch of "cock rock" that Slash writes?  I don't think that Axl will be rolling out a piano at an AC/DC show anytime soon.

Either make new music with GNR, do it as a solo artist or don't do it at all.  Don't be a hired hand for another band.

[RONIN]

7 minutes ago, Gnrcane said:

I could not agree more with this statement.  Axl became who he is as the front man for Guns n' Roses.  He even went so far as to almost forcibly take the rights to the name from Slash and Duff so that he could continue to be the front man for Guns n' Roses.  Recording an AC/DC album would be worse than a kick in the balls.  Especially because, isn't AC/DC music basically the exact "cock rock" that made him and Slash disagree on musical direction for GNR?  If he will be a guest vocalist for AC/DC then why not just record a bunch of "cock rock" that Slash writes?  I don't think that Axl will be rolling out a piano at an AC/DC show anytime soon.

Either make new music with GNR, do it as a solo artist or don't do it at all.  Don't be a hired hand for another band.

Exactly. It invalidates everything he was saying since 1994 about trying to push himself forward musically and not repeat what he did previously. He won't make cock rock with Slash but he'll ostensibly make it with Angus. That makes the breakup of the band and the enormous wait for new music feel even more senseless than it already does. 

Axl is fronting AC/DC and Guns N' Roses!! What could be cooler than that?  NEW MUSIC.

[Tom2112]

On 13/08/2017 at 3:25 PM, Bono said:

No it indicates two things. Outdoor stadium season is over at that time of year so that eliminates a lot of stadium options and 2 they can't continue touring stadiums in North America based on nostalgia alone. They can't sell them out and half empty stadiums create a horrible vibe.  They're milking it for all the money it's worth, don't kid yourself.  It has nothing to do with musical or artistic integrity. Sure maybe they enjoy playing nostalgia shows but that doesn't mean anything. That's not why they're touring and we all know it.

Nailed it!

[GoBucky]

On 8/13/2017 at 8:51 PM, krazejeff said:

Toronto a lot of people couldn't get tickets for Rogers Centre, easily could have had 2 shows both ACC shows Oct 29 and 30 will be sell outs. Not fuckn bad at all. 

Lower bowl at acc is 79 can so about a 100. 

Air Canada Centre will be a far better sounding venue. 

I'm sure gnr is making a huge buck, but as far as I am concerned that's ok. 

 

Lower bowl in Toronto is $79? Every ticket at the United Center in the 100 level and half the 200 level are $250. Even half the nosebleeds in the 300 level are $150. There are a ton of seats available and there's no doubt in my mind that they'll be discounted. With average prices, it would've been sold out on a few days. Milwaukee is selling the same way,  and they've never played that city before.