I would like to make an argument for why the ticket prices for Elton John should have been higher, while answering the question: “How did Boise, Idaho get the likes of Elton?”. It is no secret that Boise has been bringing in some serious names recently thanks to the raging battle, we in the industry call “venue envy”. Having each of the seemingly 100 venues in the Boise area trying to outdo the competition, without question, benefits the public. The price we pay often has nothing to do with the ticket prices. So, exactly how much are we giving up?
Elton John played to a nearly sold out crowd recently at the Taco Bell Arena, which I and several friends attended. Being an avid concert goer, and having seen hundreds of major and minor productions, and having seen Elton perform at least 15 times in my life, I must say I was dissappointed. I hate writing negatively, but here is how I saw it. When I pay nearly $200.00 or any price over $100.00 for a ticket, to anything there is an implied understanding, that you have put some effort in to this event. You have stated with that price to me that you are not just bringing a perfomer, but you are bringing a performance...a production.
Elton's recent concert was not a production, it was not flamboyant, and it was not impressive. It was a neatly formated walk down memory lane of Elton's 30 years of hits that lasted 2/3rds of the way through the show. After that, Mr. John showed up and played his new tracts, took a bow, and left stage right...
It is rare that a performer will allow a venue to sell a concert that is set up for an end-stage show, and then to sell completely around the stage. In the rare circumstance that they do, the understanding on both sides is clear: Your view will be obstructed if not absent, and for that you will pay less than the fans who bucked up early and bought the tickets ahead of time. This show charged the same price. An argument could be made that those people should have bought earlier and their punishment should be to pay full boat. However, it is the fans who sat in front of the stage who suffered much because of it. Trust me, this decision was made late and heated arguments took place between the venue, the promoter, the artist, and the managers and whomever won is less important than the fact that we lost.
A production has bells, whistles, fireworks, backdrops to die for, riggers dangling from the ceilings risking their lives during the shows, and ultimately, the grand daddy of them all...wardrobe changes. If you've ever seen Elton perfom dueling pianoes with Billy Joel or seen Elton's risque headliner show at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, you know he has it in him. What we saw was paramount to Liberace playing an organ in jeans, t-sirt, tennies, and no jewelry. It was a piano player trying to sell cd's for his new stuff, and this fan was not sold.
The argument ended and the decision was made without our input. "If tickets are sold behind the stage they must see as much of the actual show as possible." With this decision, the backdrop stayed in the truck, the fireworks were put out, and the wardrobes might as well have malfunctioned.
The daily or weekly doesn't write this way for a reason, but writing is supposed to do multiple things besides communicate a mild, septic review. Writing should be used to ignite and to make a difference. A voice who says we deserve more when we do, and who declares, job well done, when done right. At this TixxMixx Blog, we are told to write how it is, while being fair and accurate.
In Elton's defense, he didn't have to come, but he did. In our defense, if you are going to roam the earth and dazzle and come to Boise and fizzle, then don't come to Boise, we'll see you in Vegas. If you come to Boise, do Boise right and the fans will pay even more for the shows. We have money and have proven that we will consistently spend it even on a Wednesday night if you come. If nothing else, I have learned since moving here in the last five years, Boise demands respect and will not be taken for granted.
We will continue to see big names come through this valley as the artists are forced to tour more due to lagging income from record/cd sales and that pesky free world wide dread, the web, but the promoters should take note that we appreciate their efforts, but we will not be placated at expensive shows endlessly. So, charge more if needed, but demand full productions and let US choose to pay the price of fame, but don't give us lame.
-Derrenger...
