An Open Letter To Neil Young On Ticket Prices For The Turnstiles
Over on the widely read Blogcritics, The Rockologist Glen Boyd has written "An Open Letter To Neil Young". In the letter, The Rockologist lays out his devotion to Neil's career that has zigged and zagged across the highway. The Rockologist was there for Neil with Tonight's The Night and On The Beach in the 70's and in the '80's with Trans and the Shocking Pinks. He writes:
I also stood by you when you courageously released 2006's Living With War, an album which would've gotten you deported back to your native Canada if the pro-Bush righties had anything to say about it. Hell, I even defended your honor right here on Blogcritics for months, when one such right-wing nut responded to my original review of that album by flaming the article with something like 500 angry messages about how releasing a record like that was somehow "anti-American."
Now comes the Chrome Dreams II tour and the associated ticket prices where The Rockologist is paying $172 to see Neil in Seattle. And this is where he draws the line.
Look, I know that some of the other big tours like The Stones, The Police, and McCartney have gotten away with charging upwards of $300 a ticket, but those are bigtime stadium rock and roll extravaganzas, Neil. Somebody's gotta pay for all those explosions and lasers. Somehow, I suspect we won't be seeing any of those at your show. At least I would hope not.
I mean look, it's not like you need the money, right? If I recall correctly, there was an interview you gave around the time Living With War came out, where you said you had made enough money where you didn't really care if the records sold or not, as long as you were able to play the music that you were feeling at the time. So doesn't that rule also apply here?
Anyway, Neil, like I said before I've always stood by you, and I guess I'll stand by you now too. I'm really looking forward to hearing the new album, and I can't wait for the concert - although at $172 a ticket, there better be one hell of a setlist. How about the entire second side of On The Beach for starters? Sound good to you?
Even some of the Rusties are feeling the pain as Mark "looking thru a travelers glass" explains in the post Hello and goodbye: "I won't be attending Neil's concert here in LA for a few simple reasons."
But it turns out that the above criticism is fairly mild when compared to the satirical post Neil Young Returns to St. Louis; Fans Secure Second Mortgages to Buy Tickets by Eric Whelchel:
"Still other fans are finding creative ways to support their Neil Young habits. “My wife has agreed to cut our three children’s meals down to two a day, and my wife, the little angel, is stopping her medication for a few weeks. Lupus isn’t that serious, right?” said Jessie “Slappy” Pellegrino. “With these steps, I can afford two of the $79 middle balcony seats, and only have to shell out $22 in service charges. Plus, from the middle balcony about 50 rows back, Neil will look like a closer blur than he will for those shlubs in the upper balcony section. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with such a musical legend; there is nothing more inspiring for an audience than seeing an artistic genius through squinted eyes and binoculars.”"
The Rockologist, Mark and Eric Whelchel are not the only fans complaining about ticket prices for the turnstiles. We've received quite a few comments here at Thrasher's Wheat along the lines of how can Neil tour a song called "Ordinary People" and then charge these prices?
It's a fair question. I can only point out a few observations and not necessarily as a defense of Neil's business. First, virtually the entire music industry has imploded and been turned on its head. This we all know as CD sales have plummeted and downloading, burning and ripping are rampant. Nowadays, many musicians can support themselves only by touring and selling merchandise (although Neil clearly does not fall in this category). Those are the economics.
And then there is the ticket market itself with scalping and ticket brokers whose profits are greatest on the spread between face value and demand. Obviously, the higher the ticket face value, the more goes into Neil's pocket and the less into scalper's. Neil is playing small venues that are selling well enough that both Denver and Toronto have added shows.
Is Thrasher thrilled by the prices? I look at this way. We could be seeing Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen this Fall but have decided to forgo those concerts to see -- hopefully -- more than one show. Personally, I'd rather see Neil in a smaller, intimate setting for a higher price than a larger venue at a lower price. Supposedly, this will be a 4 hour evening (with opening act and 2 sets - one acoustic and one electric) meaning we'll hear somewhere between two and half to three hours of Neil's music). For those concerned with value, you can do the math on a price per minute.
And giving away the CD Chrome Dreams II with a ticket purchase is being generous. After all, Neil didn't have to do that if he were in it only for the money and didn't care about his fans. Also, let's not forget the numerous benefit concerts Neil has performed at for no fee such as Farm Aid and The Bridge.
Lastly, fans have finally been able to crack the inner sanctum of pre-sales and have a shot at good seats at face value. Those in the community have always been generous about re-selling tickets at face value and not trying to profit from their fellow fans. This speaks most loudly of what the spirit of Neil's music has always been about. Besides, probably anyone reading this "gets it" and really doesn't need all of this analysis. If not, we'll leave you with this quote by Franklin Greenback, an investment banker from Chesterfield, an affluent suburb of St. Louis:
“Let those bums fight it out in the upper balcony steerage section. I’ll be enjoying the show from my orchestra seat, along with the lawyers, doctors, trust funders, and other corporate VIPs, as we listen to Neil’s songs about political injustice, personal desperation, doomed junkies, and other things we’ve never experienced. After all, isn’t that what music’s all about?”"
Experiencing a living legend -- priceless. See you at the show!
UPDATE: 10/15/07
- Comment of the Moment: An Open Letter To Neil Young On Ticket Prices
- The High Price of Neil
- When Art and Commerce Collide
by thrasher@PermaLink: 9/21/2007 04:55:00 PM
135 comments
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135 Comments:
I'm seeing the Denver shows with my girlfriend and its going to be expensive outing. I had to transfer funds from Archives savings account into my concert account.
Well, you can all piss & moan as much as you want about ticket prices -- but as long as you are all willing to pay them, Neil and everyone else will continue to keep charging higher and higher prices for them!
If all the net-savvy folks simply did a boycott of Neil's -- or any musician/band -- tour, simply refused to pay the prices this time around --
And the venues and clubs had little or not turnout because of the high prices, you would see those prices absolutely plummet then, or the next time around. It's all supply & demand. As long as folks are willing to pay, then stopy your freakin' complaining!
Yes that pretty much nails it.
After all, remember baseball strikes? There will always, ALWAYS be someone that pays the higher prices.
Thrasher summed it up pretty well, especially the part about the scalpers, because fans will pay those prices to scalpers anyways. I also hope/assume that somebody like NY pays the other musicians and crew pretty well. They're not getting any younger, and how many of them are able to retire? He owns the songs, so the bulk of royalties go to him, not that the sales are that phenomenal anyways. Smaller venue should equal higher price.
Tom
I'm just a fashion slave. will model for tickets.
Us Ordinary People are Restless Consumers after all. That's the point I think. We aint doin nothing about this war in Iraq. Nothing about impeaching the President, so what the F, might as well show you all for the hypocrites you really are.
Enjoy the show Thrasher! You wont be seeing me, or anyone under 40 years of age. Rock on boomers, Neil has finally began selling exclusively to you and has turned in his Cultural Relevancy card. They'll need to rerecord the introduction at the beginning of his A&E bio now......
-$killt
Whatever price the market will bear.
Oh Thrasher, I love you! Yes a smaller venue would be cool but not realistic ...
Cheap=small venues are hard to find even for an artist like Neil Young. If he does a small hall, he would have to play 3 to 4 nights per city times every city on the tour to accomodate his large following old and new.
That would be exhausting ... and he would still piss off people who weren't able to get tickets because the venue was so small...
I don't think we can have it both ways. And I think Rockologist and Eric are jumping to conclusions about an industry they don't understand or a fan base that is bigger than they think.
Or maybe their only thinking about themselves here. I dunno.
Love and Peace
Dee
Hey Thrasher,
First of all, good to hear from you again after all these months -- seems like the last time you and I were in regular communication was way back during the LWW shitstorm. Second, thanks for the linky-love on my Rockologist piece for Blogcritics.
So, we should first get one thing straight for your readers. And that is, that I'm not one of those government grade A-holes that likes to bash NY over his politics or whatever. Fact is, I'm a huge fan as Thrasher already knows.
The truth is, I'm probably just pissed because the price of Neil's ticket all but scuttled my plans to fly to Oakland to see Springsteen. So, Bruce if you're reading this -- you'd better play Seattle, Portland, or Vancouver on the second leg.
But speaking of Bruce, Neil could take a cue from his approach to the whole scalping problem. On The Rising tour, Bruce had the tickets held day of show at the venue (at least I remember that this was true in Portland and L.A,) in an effort to reduce the time frame for scalping opportunities. I'm not sure what he's doing this time out, although I do know that the price tops out at $85...something Neil might want to take note of. Bruce also has a General Admission policy for main floor tickets which is actually policed by the fans themselves using a number system.
You and I of course both know that the whole ticket brokering scheme (fostered by sites like ebay) sucks, and that the brokers themselves are essentially scum. But to use that argument as justification for the higher prices just doesn't wash. In fact, all it serves to do is drive the broker's prices up even further. Look no further for evidence of that than the last Police tour, where broker prices regularly topped out at upwards of $1000. a pop on ebay.
Nope, there's just no escaping my disapointment in Neil on this one. Of course, because I am a still a fan (or a sucker depending on your point of view), I'm going anyway.
Maybe thats where the real problem with over-priced tickets lies. The fact that as long as fans like myself are stupid enough to continue queueing up for those seats, regardless of price, the performers and the promoters will continue to feel justified charging them.
Thanx again for the linky-love though Thrasher. Good hearing from you again too.
Glen "The Rockologist" Boyd
http://theglenblog.blogspot.com
http://blogcritics.org/writer/glen_boyd/
I am 36 years old and you could plot and exponential graph of ticket prices for concerts from my first concert in 87' to my most recent a few weeks ago. Do I blame the artist or someone else? I think several have a part. I live in NY about 2 hours from Toronto and the Canadian shows are always more expensive ( cheapest seat at Massey was 89 for obstructed view.). Is this Neils fault? I don't know. To me it is like gas, yeah I could stay at home and not fill the tank because prices are so high or spend the cash and travel to that place some call the nexus.
Im Neil Young and if anyone has a problem with ticket prices can meet me 5:30 before every show and I will fight you to the death!!!I might be old,but Ive got a lot of fight left in me.
Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen have always kept their ticket prices low.. Neil's have fluctuated over time... The CSNY Freedom of Speech tour had venues pushing for $400+ for front row arena/amphitheater seats, and scalpers charging nearly twice those amounts.
Unfortunately I think Neil really has begun to sell out, something we thought was never really possible. Neil hasn't toured in North America as just Neil Young since 2000 on the Friends and Relatives tour, so the demand for tickets to see him is likely higher than it's been since the '99 solo tour, or even the '93 solo tour.
He's still selling out on this, and I'm more than disappointed, I'm fucking angry. High price, no NorCal dates, "pre-sale" bullshit, Pegi as an opening act, using the CD as an incentive/bonus for those paying outrageous ticket prices.
As Neil once said, I'm fuckin' up, yes you are, Neil.
Anonymous in NY:
$89 Canadian for obstructed Massey Tickets and you don't even get a looney for your american dollar anymore. That hurts both ways.
Greetings to all of my fellow Neil Young fans out there...
I love Neil Young's music and I have been a fan for most of my 44 years.
When a new release comes out or is finally reissued, it is like a national holiday to me.
My wife and I have never been to a concert together and I asked her,
"If she could see anyone live, who would it be?"
Without hesitation, she replied, "Neil Young."
So, when I found out he was touring, my heart jumped for joy at the prospect of our first show together.
Then I saw the ticket prices were and my heart sank.
A friend of ours is a broker on Wall Street and he and his wife are going to the New York gig.
My wife and I both work in retail, and sadly, we are not.
John Lennon once, so prophetically said,
"Would those of you in the cheaper seats clap your hands? And the rest of you, if you'll just rattle your jewelry."
I suppose there will only be the sound of rattling jewelry in between songs on this tour.
I do not begrudge the weathy of their weath...but there is something distinctly wrong here.
Enjoy the show...hopefully they will record the show and I can wait for the next release day/national holiday.
~Peace, RGLT
(PS...I asked my wife if she had a second choice. She asked, "why?" I didn't have the heart to tell her. I don't think she would buy, it is just the way the music industry is today.")
Rock, dude?
You wrote that letter because you can't go to Springsteen and Young?
Gimme a break.
I would like to see Genesis, Police, and Neil Young but guess what? I CAN'T AFFORD IT, EITHER !!!!
Bite me.
I don't care how good the guitar solos sounds or how well written the lyrics might have been, the song "Ordinary People" is pretty much a joke at this point. I'll bet most Neil fans objected somewhat to seeing David Briggs scoff at the song and say it sucked because Neil doesn't know a thing about ordinary people, but here we are. You can get on a pedestal and make an anti-whining glory to the market speech all you want, but there is nothing powerful or relevant about Neil singing hypocritical songs to an audience of old people sitting and clapping politely. It has a very negative effect on his credibility as an artist. This, more than denying fans of various economic status the chance to attend (believe me, I have no problem with people making a lot of money or spending it for the best seats in the house), is the true damage done by the ridiculous ticket pricing. Neil has certainly had a lot of forceful opinions lately that he's translated into great music. If he's just full of crap and his concert environment sucks, then that's disappointing. At this point he should just admit that he was wrong for b*tching out notorious venues like the one in Las Vegas or the wined up baby boomer chatroom Chastain Park, because that definitely seems to be the concert dynamic that he's going for, ordinary people be damned.
Been a Neil fan since 1970. Own every album but the last two. Have seen every tour (not including CSNY) he's been on for the last 15 years. I'm gonna sit this one out. Instead, I've discovered about 15 new acts/songwriters/bands that I can see for 10 - 15 bucks at the small bars. Folks like The Handsome Family, Bottle Rockets, Believers, Drive by Truckers. But I'm still hoping for at least one more Crazy Horse show with reasonable prices before I throw in the towel for good.
$300 plus for 2 tickets in St. Louis (that just gets us in the door.) Forget it -- keep on rockin' in the free world, my ASS! It's not about the music anymore folks. In his own words "there comes a time."
I bought L.A. tickets and have a really bad case of buyers remorse. I seriously don't even want to go to the show, and I paid more than I really can afford. Plus, I got suckered in by the presale, when I could have gotten better tickets without it. I'd sell my tickets, but I know I wouldn't get what I paid. Why do I keep fucking up?
The nosebleed seats at the venues currently scheduled for Neil Young's tour isn't anywhere what Genesis and Police fans have to pay for the nosebleeds in Madison Sq. Garden.
Count your blessing, kids.
Rockblaster?
How much are you getting paid to slam Neil Young? You're not a fan. And you're certainly not a rockologist if what you mean is that you're some kind of expert.
An expert would be jumping up and down saying thank you Neil for not playing at a stadium.
Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth.
Shame on you! Look what you started.
I'm 18. I just spent $150 on 6th row tickets. Guess what? IT WILL BE WORTH IT.
In the past an artist used concerts to promote there latest LP and made the majotity of there money on record sales.The reality in today's world of ripping cd's and downloading their music is not selling and they have to pick up the slack on tour. Bottom priced ticket for NY at Massey Hall is $85
this seems like a bargain to me after paying $90 to sit a hockey arena's length a way from the stage when Greendale rolled through Toronto.My issue is that I don't know anyone but scalppers that got tickets these small Massey Hall. There should have been limited to 2 seats per order. I've seen 2nd row floors selling for $3,700.00 this is the crime.Was lucky enough to get through on the pre sale for a pair only to find out there was a clitch with the companys system to acceppted credit cards that was my only shot at tickets. A 3rd concert was added and went on sale at 10:30 with out notice and was sold out before I knew it was added.Here's hoping that more shows are added or I win the lottery and can afford to pay the scalpers.
You could always just go and sit outside the venue and wait for drunk people to come out and give you their tickets. It worked for me in '88. :)
I sometimes post at Blogcritics. In August I said in a post that Bob Dylan, Patti Smith and Neil Young were my personal 'holy trinity'. Did you read that article? That guy stole my line!!
;)
It is my humble opinion if Ozzy Osbourn can do Ozzfest for free Neil can do shows under 100$. Maybe I am wrong.
OMG! Ozzie Osborne? Ewwwwwwww. If Neil resorted to the Ironman's idea of publicity stunts to build idolship through the telly and loo, I would have dumped Neil long ago. How can you even put those two men in the same sentence? That's like comparing Billy Graham and Jim Bakker. But, hey, a free Neilfest? I'm all for that. But he would probably want to donation to go somewhere. Maybe to Obama bin Barack presidential campaing.
Hmmmm.
Glenn Boyd said, "The truth is, I'm probably just pissed because the price of Neil's ticket all but scuttled my plans to fly to Oakland to see Springsteen."
Waah! So, a jet setter is bitching about the price of tickets?
Tom
Another plus to higher prices is that it may dissuade the casual concert goer from showing up. You know, like the guy at the Greendale concert slurping his bucket of beer and bitching about "WTF is this "Jed" shit? I WANT HOG! Ahh, I gotta pee, *hic*"
Tom
Ok, here's how I see it. If the ticket prices were more affordable a lot of casual fans would buy tickets, leaving many die-hards shut out since the venues are so small. By pricing the tickets as high as they are, Neil ensures that devoted fans are more likely to get a ticket, since they would be more willing to pay the high price and casual fans can sit this one out. After all, how often do you get a chance to see NY in such small venues?
I'm paying nearly $400 to see him twice on this tour and for me it's worth it, but I sure wouldn't pay even close to that much for anyone else. Like others, I wish the price was lower but I can see the logic behind pricing them so high.
Let's face it, if the tickets were $50 apiece, Neil could sell out 10 nights at Massey Hall and every other small venue. Surely before the tour was over he'd die of exhaustion! We don't want that, do we?
To everyone's who's skipping the tour, 10 years from now you'll be kicking yourselves for missing it.
Bob Dylan-Skipping.
Springsteen-Skipping.
Neil Young-Carry my corpse there if need be.
Sadly, I've never seen Neil play a solo set live. So if I have to pay over 100 bucks I will.
Plus it's Neil so you have absolutely no clue what nuggets he may pull out of the bag.
100 dollars for that 1% chance of hearing Don't Be Denied? I'll take those odds.
"Singin' songs for pimps with tailors
Who charge ten dollars at the door."
A little bit of inflation since For the Turnstiles...
An Open Letter to Rockologist and Eric:
I'm glad you cleared up that confusion over a "rocktologist vs. rockologist."
Is your letter really about the inequities that exist between the haves vs. the have nots? what makes you think Neil Young has the answer? Sure, he has insight into social causes, injustices, and romance, but c'mom.
Or was it an opportunity that you saw to get the attention of Neilco to prove that you're his biggest fan?
What do you really want? Cheaper tickets? Smaller venues? More tours? Bust the Scalpers?
Because honestly, there will never be enough of Neil Young to go around this way. There are people oversees in South America, Africa, Europe, etc., who would like to see him, too. Would it be better for you that he goes on TV to do a reality show about being a legendary musician/artist/fantasy/idol etc.?
If Neil decided to do a free event, wouldn't you be alittle concerned about his safety? First of all, there are a lot of people who really don't like this man because of his political views. Secondly, one in every 5 is mentally ill. I don't want to lose him like we lost Lennon.
How can you begrudge a man who you profess to love for being a philanthropist afterall. No, he's not Bill Gates but I'm sure he's up there giving away more money than we know. But do we need to probe so far into his personal life to find out where or to whom?
To question him why a concert ticket is so costly? Is this a question that really needed to go to Neil Young?
Why are you holding this man accountable to about every single one of our social ills?
What's the average yearly wage for a "rockologist" these days?
All ticket prices are simple economics: supply and demand.
If there is no demand, brokers would have no interest.
There's more demand for a Beatle (Paul) than anyone else. I'll never be able to afford that. I accept it, begrudgingly.
I do believe that the real issue isn't the ticket prices, but our shared delusion that Neil 'gets' Ordinary People, and just perhaps, has some input on setting ticket pricing. Perhaps Briggs was right!
Collectively, we OP, are angry and disappointed, that ultimately, it's just another song. As another stab, Pegi opening (and this isn't any comment on her talent) is not 'ordinary' by any stretch of the imagination.
So, we OP budget: Neil or Bruce, Neil or putting off the HVAC maintenence. You know the drill.
I agree with the statement, I'd rather pay more for a small venue than an arena seat (Bruce, Stones).
Is there an real option?
Frankly, we're fucking lucky we are economically in a position we're we can even debate this issue. If we truly were going without basic needs, it would be a no-brainer. You feed and cloth and shelter your family.
If he plays an 18 minute Ordinary People this will be so worth every penny. I'm hoping to score good seats for one of the boston shows
I got Massey Hall tickets simply by being on ticketmaster.com the minute they went on sale. I'm not sure what the other guy is talking about, saying only scalpers would be able to get them.
But yeah... I wish everyone would stop there bitching. His ticket prices are high, but not ridiculously so. While you may not be willing to pay the price for this tour, someone certainly will be. I wasn't willing to pay to see CSNY last year, and not too interested in the Greendale tour before that... but Neil Young? Acoustic and electric sets? At Massey Hall? Are you kidding me? It'll be worth every penny.
Stop complaining. If the price isn't worth it for you anymore, that's too bad, but alot of will pay it, without regrets. And hell... if the prices were any lower, they'd sell out 10x as fast.
Its not that the show is not worth that but that I do not have the money.
was on both the pre sale and the ticketmaster 10 am sharp each day and never got a sniff at tickets for Massey Hall but there seems to be lots of on brokers selling tickets for 10 x there value. how do they get the tickets.
This thread tells it all. Neil has alot of fans with alot of disposable income who see no hypocrisy in his playing OP and charging these prices. They'll gleefully jet to multiple shows to see him perform After the Goldrush, with no sense of their own polluting hypocrisy. If they do complain about prices, they'll be sure to say they're going anyway.
Fans who are alot like Neil. Full of hypocrisy, living in a fantasy.
I've pretty much had it with the whole Neil thing. Seen too much ugly Neil lately. I'm sitting out this time around, even though I feel almost certain he'll put on one hell of a show now that he's gotten so much grief over this tour.
Generally not the sharpest or most discriminating fans. Throw him roses for the last seven years of crap and now get another crappy album. Surprise, surprise. Limit your criticism to things like ticket prices. Allow no real artistic criticism, go into spasms over the trash he tosses on record and get more of it. Eagerly whore away any vestigial priciples for a great version of Don't Be Denied. Do backbends to explain why he's not responsible for these prices or how he does great charity work or why we should be grateful to him for touring at all. Coo about Pegi being onstage and on the records since Road Rock and remain steadfastly oblivious to the pile of shit his music has turned into since.
Idiots. He's not touring for you. He's touring 1) to get the wife a career and 2) for his ego. He's not playing small venues for you. He's doing it so his "emerging artist" wife can handle the crowd size. You really are a bunch of dimwits. You can be sure he's got his own reasons for starting in the NW that have nada to do with caravanning rusties.
Like I said, I have little doubt that this will be a great tour. Why do you think the Neil camp is so quiet at the moment? They're practicing their bloody asses off, that's why, especially the poser wife. She'll probably do okay, too, after practicing for like 20 hours a day. Neil's got to feel like his credibility is on the line. Already shot, Neil.
So blanket pseudoNeil with standing ovations and go wild for the duets with the wife. He'll probably pull it off this time around. But the real Neil left the stage around the turn of the century and hasn't been seen since.
Far too funny (but not really) how an Album that has yet to be released gets trashed without listening to it. The Neil bashing sounds like someone who has failed in their own attempt to reach some level of success in Music and as all critics do...tear down Artists who achieve it for one year let alone 40. The continuing refrain of Neil's "Laziness" is quite laughable considering the number of projects in the works at any one time if you know anything about Mr. Young. The other "bitch" about ticket prices is yet another confounding complaint as they are on Par for Concerts at much larger Events i.e. Eric Clapton in Vancouver was more expensive and as told by many who attended, Clapton "Mailed In" the performance. Also the great disappointment in the Dylan Shows from long time Fans at no less Cost. When you cut down an unheard Record you make it WAY too obvious that you simply enjoy the onslaught of the "see it coming from a mile away" replies you'll receive telling you to shove it, so...take it somewhere like a review of some Broadway Show were someone might actually care what you think.
I'm taking my chances and putting my hard earned $$$'s down on this tour. Not that I would expect a refund if it wasn't up to expectations. But i've no doubt that Neil will disappoint. I mean why are we even having this discusion???
I've seen Neil 3 times and every time i've felt like i've had a truly lasting experience. Can't really say there's anything else in this world that moves me.
annie
Let's see, those of us with half a brain already know what half of the album is. But this may be lost on your average not-the-sharpest tack-in the box Neil fan. And what else? Rolling Stone called OP the highlight. Uh, I think that pretty much tells ya about the rest. Yawn.
Wow, quite a lively discussion we have here.
So just to clear things up a bit, no I do not believe that I am a hypocrite.
What I am is a diehard fan who made the choice to pay the exorbitant ticket price, despite being none too happy about it, knowing that I will get a great concert out of the deal.
I also made the choice as a free white American to express my displeasure about the price on the Internet for all the world to see.
That said, I do recognize that fans like me are a big part of the problem. As long as we continue to be willing to pay these exorbitant prices that we really can't afford (and this is especially true in my case, eaking out a meager living in sales that barely affords me the ability to pay my bills), then performers and promoters will continue to feel justified charging us through the nose for those tickets.
I think somebody here actually referred to me as a "jetsetter" because I had to cancel my trip to Oakland to see Springsteen as a result of the price of a ticket to see Neil here in my hometown.
Man, if that person only knew the truth...
-Glen
bored with ya, we can see that you're confounded. see if your wee mind can handle this concept. Neil released OP as the first single from this album, just before pre-sales. Familiar with the sentiment of the song? Look it up. Some slight hypocrisy wedding that with the ticket prices. Get it?
Why would anybody who cares about music or Neil give 3 shits of a review from a magazine that puts Clay Aiken and Marron 5 on it's cover?
Rolling Stone hasn't been relative in 20 years...
I dont know where you are seeing Dylan concerts "Bored with ya" but your getting ripped off. I got front row in Tucson for 75. Thats not even close what any floor seat are going for on Neils tour. Ya you might be able to sit in the back of the balcony for that money but Dylan is by far cheeper.
Somebody here asked what's the average yearly wage for a "rockologist" these days?
Umm, that would be exactly $0.00
Unless you count getting a lot of free shit anyway...
-Glen
All you ass -kissers goin to the shows can thank the people who cared enough to yell ENOUGH! for the good performance you're going to get.
"Rolling stone hasn't been relative for 20 years". Lookin sharp there, Chicago.
Chicago, buddy, the point is that Rolling Stone is one of the biggest Neil suck-ups out there lately. Reference their recently hallucinated Neil and Pegi Farmaid comments. If RS is not declaring a national holiday over his latest sneeze, we got trouble.
I think it's the people like Anonymous at 2:41 that a lot of you are not listening to when you call them complainers and whiners. Maybe if the prices were lower, they could just afford to scrape up for a ticket, but at the prices they are they haven't got a chance no matter how much they scrimp and save. In light of the great OP song that everyone is talking about, I think that just sucks balls.
Not a musician, but I'm quite comfortable saying this album is probably going to bite. But not as hard as Pegi does.
Still the same ol' whine there "anonymous" over and over under no name but still indeed the same person. The truly "sharp as a tack" question is...why would someone who hasn't enjoyed Neil since the "turn of the century" be on a Neil Fan site and blurt on and on except for attention? Get a life beyond the Net and you may be able to enjoy your life such as it is more. As for hearing the Album? Please...if ya read the middle of "War and Peace" would you know the whole story? Move on....
Man, I don't like paying through the nose for tickets any more than anybody else, but you know what? In the greater scheme of things -- given the way I am willing to bet most of the peope who frequent this site spend their money, regardless of their tax bracket -- $157 per seat is not that big a deal.
How much money do you piss away on other stuff? How much do you spend on CDs? How much do you spend for cable or your cell phone or your video games or your DSL? How much do you spend to drive a newer car? How much do you spend on organic food or food, period? To each his own -- spend your money however you please, of course. I'm just saying that, by and large, we're a bunch of fat and happy middle-classers who only get irate about anything when it's expensive. Because we're taught that the point of life is to have everything as cheap as possible. So now we can't have our cake AND cheap seats to Neil, too? Boo fucking hoo.
And for all you noble proletarians grumbling over Neil's "hypocrisy": Gee, at what point did it finally hit you that Neil is an enormously wealthy rock star? He hasn't been an "Ordinary Person" since the 1960s, which is why that song, despite any power it might have, is ultimately a crock. It's Neil getting weepy over the mythical salt-of-the-earth. Good for him. I'd like to see those good ol' sensible, hardworking folk rise up and make things right, too. But they won't, because they don't exist. Or if they do, they are us. But we won't do a damned thing about Iraq, about poverty, about the environment, or antyhing else. We won't Be the Rain because, by and large, we don't want to Be Bothered. We will pay attention only when it becomes too painful to avoid doing so, and by then it will probably be too late.
Still, even if his songs or public pontificating may occasionally ring a little hollow, Neil doesn't require working-class "credibility" to make great good music. Anybody who believes you have to squat in a building and take a vow of poverty to make great art needs to grow up.
See you in the orchestra seats, Ordinary People.
First I wanna say what and awesome little community you guys got here. Stumbled upon your site a few days ago. While I agree that the ticket prices are mind blowing expensive, I like to look at it like an investment. Who knows when Neil is gonna throw in the towel. As a 17 year old fan, I am not going to have many chances to see Neil in my life, so, in turn, I am going to go to the show regardless of the cost. I work part time, it takes me about a week and a half to make orchestra seating kind of money, which I think is perfectly reasonable to hear a legend play. I do find it ironic to see on the side of this page the Neil Young/Pearl Jam ticket stub for $25. Two awesome artists 1/6 of the cost. At any rate, I am going to go to the Tower show and enjoy it. And as for pegi young, I hope she realizes that concerts aren't her thing as never, ever performs aver again. Think of the potential warm up acts. Anybody in the freaking music business. Ahhhh, such is life. My 2 cents
Glen,
I made the sarcastic comment about you being a "jetsetter", only because you brought it up and it does seem slightly ironic in light of the complaint about ticket prices that you would, at the same time, be considering hoping on a plane to see a favorite artist. I'm a fan and will buy at least one ticket to the current show, but to me it would be crazy extravagant to take a plane to catch anybody. There's also the issue of massive carbon footprinting to satisfy an an indulgence. YMMV and IMHO.
Tom
"but at the prices they are they haven't got a chance no matter how much they scrimp and save"
What a load of B.S. this is.
I'm a college student. About as low on the economic ladder as you can get. I don't even have a job. I'm living on the money I made over the summer (which I needn't tell you, isn't alot). I shamelessly pick up pennies off the sidewalk. And yet, somehow, miraculously, I bought a ticket! $130! It did not kill me to do so. I'm not gonna have to starve, or or sell a kidney, or prostitute myself to make up the cash.
The guy a few posts up is absolutely right. People WASTE so much money, it's disgusting, and yet complain because they can't afford ticket prices. The same people, probably, who spend $30 a pop at McDonalds to feed the family. Personally, I'd much rather spend that money on a Neil Young concert than a movie, or a Starbucks Coffee, or fast food, or cigarettes, booze... whatever it is you all sink you money into.
I think you all just like complaining.
Tom,
First off, thanks for giving me a name to call you by other than "anonymous".
You are of course, absolutely correct. It IS an indulgence. But it is an indulgence I've been guilty of on numerous occassions, particularly when it comes to Mr. Springsteen. So now I guess I can add paying an exorbitant ammount of money to see another favorite artist right here in my hometown.
Many of the commenters here have brought up the Genesis and Police tours. I didn't see either, but I did pay to see the most recent tours of both U2 and McCartney, both of which were quite pricey.
The difference here is that those shows were huge stadium rock extravganzas with equally huge production values. The stage and lighting for those tours, were dazzling and I'm sure they must've cost a mint. I'm sure the staging for both the Police and Genesis had to be comparable.
Neil on the other hand, at least if the past is any indication usually just lets the music do the talking for him onstage, and I'm sure the production values for that tour will be comparably low.
So yeah, I'm paying the price and I'm sure that I will enjoy the show very much. But by talking about this in a public forum, maybe in some small way I can help to instigate some thinking about these ticket prices that price a lot of fans right out of the market, by at least generating some thought and conversation about it.
Judging by the reaction to this article, both here and on Blogcritics, I'd have to conclude that effort has at least been somewhat of a success.
-Glen
Hey Glen,
I occasionally post at Blogcritics as Ariel. Anyways, I was just wondering if you could pay me $300 for the use of my 'holy trinity' line so I can go to the Neil Young concert?
OK, just kidding. It was worth a try though, right? ;)
Just allow us plebians to bitch and moan for a while and then we'll get over it. Who wants to be in an audience full of self righteous, middle class wankers anyway. I'll take a couple of friends, a few beers and Neil blasting on the shitty old stereo system anyday. Less hot air.
Hey Ariel,
Checks in the mail babe. Seriously, I never saw you use that line though. But my friends will tell you that I've referred to Dylan, Neil, and Bruce as my "holy trinity" for years.
-Glen
I know. I'm sure we're not the first to use 'Holy Trinity' either. There was this guy, Jesus I think they called him. He had a dad. Goes something like that anyway ...
;)
I have followed Neil since his early days with Buffalo Springfield. Who are we to question his ticket prices. He has busted his ass for 40 years, and is one of the few remaining performers dating back to the 60's who is relevant.
Neil is not a monk....and does not have to lead a life of charity.
While I usually stand by Neil, lately it has been rather difficult... Some of you are willing to throw all doubt to the wind and shamelessly defend every questionable aspect of his career... And it's very unfortunate, not to mention disappointing.
What if your seats were inexplicably more expensive than every other venue (I'm looking at you, SoCal)?
What if you didn't get a ticket in time and had to buy from a scalper? Would the cost be "reasonable" then?
You all say "be glad Neil is touring at all" and yet what about those of us in areas where he's not touring within 400 miles of? You want us to hop on a plane, spend more money on expenses? Is that fair?
And I don't mean out in the boons. I'm in the Sacramento valley (Northern California) and the closest Neil is getting is LA. Why the fly-by? That's got me pretty pissed, actually, the guy only lives here.
Would I go if he was touring here? Doesn't sound like I'd have the chance really. The only venue he'd pick up around here would probably be either the Fillmore or the Paramount Theater. Both fairly small venues, and they would likely both have greatly inflated ticket prices, and hugely disproportional demand for tickets (much like the Toronto shows), and scalpers would immediately take them. I'd be lucky to get in the first 10 rows, assuming the ticketblaster website didn't burn out on me. Essentially, all of you with tickets and nearby venues have simply been blinded by your own blissful ignorance.
While I can say I saw Neil in the smallest venue he's picked up an instrument in since the mid-60's earlier this year (on Pegi's little NorCal mini-tour, at the Santa Cruz show), hell, I sat 5 feet away from him, I was the closest audience member to him in the whole place, it only cost me 35 bucks. It wasn't a set list of any of his songs, he only appeared for a whole 15 minutes on stage, but I did get to see him, and I was happy about that, probably the only time I'll see such a great artist so up close and personal.
And that's the Neil we've all become accustomed to in Northern California, club shows, up close and personal, festival seating, and cheap tickets. Through the Bluenotes, the Landing on Water days, the 1990 Crazy Horse warmup shows, the '96 Crazy Horse warmup shows, 3 '99 solo tour appearances, the debut of Rust Never Sleeps. Northern California has the most loyal Neil fanbase in the country, if not the world.
And yet he abandons us because we have the Bridge Benefit, and Pegi already had her "tour" here. What is it, really, Neil? I wouldn't mind having to see Crazy Horse at the Cow Palace... And I didn't mind seeing CSNY at the Pavilion, but now you're not showing up at all, besides your little fundraiser, whose tickets run 3 times the price of the tour's prices.
Row D tickets (Row 4, center) are going for $500 apiece. And guess what, there's only 2 on the whole of ebay in the 100's (lower level) section. How about that. You think you're getting the short end of the stick for tickets?
You know what this guarantees, right? Pegi's fundraiser is 100% assured to sell out both days, the lawn, the upper level, every seat in the house. It will be jam packed from end to end. Not that it usually doesn't sell out, but this makes sure of it.
Neil has become remarkably shrewd with this tour. "Free" CD's for pre-sale tickets? Also known as gauging demand and inciting fans to make an impulse buy without giving them time to think it over. Hell, they added another Toronto show just because demand was so high.
Truly, the dollar is supreme.
Maybe some people will harass him about the prices. I hope they do, Neil needs to be kicked in the ass a little to get him back in the right direction, the man needs a wake up call.
As for the album... The previously unreleased songs do send the message that Neil really is reaching for material... Songs that are a few years old are one thing, but 20 years+ is really pushing it, man. And grabbing an old recording? That's plain laziness, and I mean it, there's no excuse for that, he should have saved it for the ever impending Archives.
I have no doubt the album will have some gems, but I feel there will also be some really mediocre tunes present. This just doesn't feel right, coming from Neil.... Pre-releasing a single? Offering the album early for ticket buyers? Even the title of the album makes my stomach turn slightly, he really made a mistake with that.
When he recorded Harvest Moon, often dubbed as the "sequel" to Harvest, he doggedly avoided and downplayed the connection in every interview the question had been brought up. Neil never has felt right digging into the past to come up with the new, he's always looked forward, through the good and the bad.
And yet, now it appears we're taking a fuzzy view into an uncertain and obscure part of Neil's career. I don't like the connection. While Chrome Dreams may have been a mix of music, its songs didn't come from different decades... But... The title of a Neil Young album can mean many things, or none at all. We'll have to wait and see where it takes us.
Some astute comments RDR...
"The title of a Neil Young album can mean many things, or none at all."
It's a little ironic that Neil is showing signs of laziness and bad judgement in regard to the title of the new album and some of older songs he's including that are seemingly out of place. The original 'Chrome Dreams' soon changed into the original 'American Stars & Bars', which would have been a pretty fine concept album if it stayed that way. Neil obviously had his own reasons for dropping the American Stars (Pocahontas, Powderfinger, Captain Kennedy etc) and some of the bar songs (Sedan Delivery etc) from the album and replacing them with throw away country songs - but I'd love to hear his explanation for hanging on to the original title and cover art! Neil lazy?? You bet!
I can't imagine what the Archives will cost? Maybe the box set will come with a free coupon for concert seats.
Bill up on the hill
The businessmen crowded around
They came to hear the golden sound
There we were on the Sunset Strip,
Playing our songs for the highest bid.
We played all night
The price was right.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Well, all that glitters isn't gold
I know you've heard that story told.
And I'm a pauper in a naked disguise
A millionaire through a business man's eyes.
Oh friend of mine
Don't be denied.
I think the point about the scalpers is a good one - if the prices were lower, they would drive the market price up anyway, to whatever it would bear (which I'm sure would be at least what they're charging). I would feel better though if Neil announced that x amount of the proceeds were going to whatever cause. I don't go to a lot of concerts anymore - the heyday of that is long gone; $5 to sit on the floor in Chicago and watch the biggest acts of the day. :) Riding those memories ...
I love Neil Young. When you love someone you shouldn't be cheap about every dollar spent on them. I've been a devoted Neil fan for about the past 17 years, in 1990 I bought my first Neil album, "decade".That got me hooked, have spent 100's of dollars on all his albums, & dvd's, books, ect...I'm thrilled and feel privilaged to be going with my fiancee to see Neil at Massey hall for the third show. This will be my 4th time seeing him, but first solo. Massey Hall is an amazing place for music. Neils recent "Massy" cd sounds so great because it's at Massey. I've never regreted a penny spent on Neil. My father has a saying, "most people are idiots". Well, many of these blogs reinforce that assertion. If you arn't a true Neil fan you just can't "get" what the few of us know in our souls, NEIL IS ONE OF A KIND!!!! My only ticket criticism is that at 10a.m sharp I spent half an hour on-line to no avail, trying for tickets, only getting the Nov.29th, show as a Q107 radio DJ said a third show was going on sale. I lucked out big time, it shouldn't be that hard to get "any" ticket for his show. Proof that if tickets were cheaper it would be near impossible for us to get. P.S. YOU SHOULDN'T PUT A PRICE ON LOVE!
I found out about the copies of Chrome Dreams that are being given to people who purchased a pair or more of tickets - after I bought my 4 tickets from a retail outlet for the Toronto Massey Hall shows.
I just called ticketmaster's customer service line to inquire as to how I would obtain my copies, and was told that the offer is only for those who bought their tickets online or by-phone.
I was told this was a decision made by the label & management, and that ticketmaster had nothing to do with it, and that essentially I was SOL.
You'd think that after dropping almost $800 for seats, they could at least extend the offer to ALL the fans who shelled out.
Insult to injury.
Say what you will about Paul McCartney and the Stones having elaborate shows to make up for the high ticket prices. If they were really working at cost, or even close to at cost, they wouldn't have the top grossing tours year after year. And I doubt any of them pay their roadies/techs half as well as Neil.
But really, this is a stupid debate. Who cares? Go or don't go. Most people buying tickets probably won't regret it in the end. I mean, hat's $150 dollars versus a lifetime of memories— 3 hours of Neil Young in some of the most intimate venues in North America? Damn! I've pissed away money on stupider things.
No one likes to drop that much cash at once, of course... but once you're there, Neil up on stage in front of you... you won't be thinking about your wallet. And you probably won't be thinking about it after, either.
Well put George. Well put.
Here's the bottom line - quality ain't cheap. Go to Walmart if you want everyday low prices.
Well, isn't that the problem in a nutshell: people expect Walmart prices on everything?
Life isn't fair. Who knew?
And, anyone who thinks I'm an overpaid yuppie is sadly mistaken. Life is full of choices. How much is that cable bill people?
It's been my experience that the more successful or more famous an artist or sports figure becomes the more everyone wants a bigger piece of him or her. Neil has been very successful, he's now a legend, and he has longevity -- he's been putting butts in seats for 40 years. The venues and promoters are going to squeeze every last dime they can out of an act like this one. (They'll fill in their schedules with lesser artists otherwise) WE don't know how much goes to NEIL in the end, but I'd bet his slice(as with all owners of any business venture) is the last 10% -- everybody else takes their bite out of him first. Dats da biz ...
TEN PERCENT???? YIKES!!!
FOR TEN PERCENT HE MUST BE CRAZY. MAKES THE WHINEY LITTLE DUMBASSES LOOK EVEN MORE WHINEY ...
I really don't LIKE the high prices... the credit card is a smoking heap of melted plastic... but I will enjoy every second of the shows in Spokane, Portland and Seattle and then two days @ the BSB!
PS-Flying to the PNW from FL... renting a car... flying to San Jose and renting another car... I will need to seek employment upon return to Florida! ;-P
Ron
Love And Only Love
I still haven't seen any ticket price defenses that address the effect that they have on Neil's credibility as an artist. It is not a small detail that the showcase song off of Neil's new album is Ordinary People. It's not a small detail that he just had a song out criticizing the "Restless Consumer" in all of us. Nor is it a small detail that Neil has released songs such as "For the Turnstiles" and "This Note's for You."
This bothers me a lot more than my ability or the ability of other fans to purchase tickets. I'm a Neil fan who cares about Neil's work. For the record, unlike other critical posters here, I think that Neil's work this decade has ranged from solid to outstanding.
Additionally, recent moments that stood out for me included 1) Chastain Park in Atlanta, where Neil got booked into a venue notorious for wine drinking, constantly chatting yuppies (and I'm not trying to criticize anyone's earnings, only the appropriateness of the venue and audience), played a show that suffered as a result and ended up aborting a song and bitching everybody out; 2) Ending "Rockin' in the Free World by just saying "Woah, woah, we've got a pile of shit...we've got a pile of shit"; and 3) Playing a tour with CSN in which he displayed his protest lyrics on a big screen and talked a good deal to the media about how important it was to him that his music projected his beliefs, because he had found that younger artists (none of whom he listens to) weren't doing this (supposedly).
The point is, Neil's message has played a big part in his art recently. I wasn't that impressed with the old version of OP that he's putting out, and making that a showcase song on this tour just makes him look stupid and hypocritical. I don't think that this has a thing to do with his wife, but I do think that the shows can't be as good in this context no matter how hard he plays.
I would really like to see someone who has defended the ticket prices solely based on the fact that people will pay them or that scalpers will charge more anyway or that they get the "true fans" into the venue address this point.
Holy shit..stop the whining! I've been saving my hard earned pimping money for a couple of years now- just waiting for Neil to unleash a new tour and alas!- Here it 'tis!! I live in vancouver for fucksakes and we got no love here so I'm flying to Spokane for the second show (I'm in the goddamned Pit!) and then Seattle a few nights later- when Neil can't come to me- I go to Neil goddamnit- we just about lost this national treasure to a fucking brain anyeurism so you fucks better pony up to see him pronto! Hey, Ron- I'll see you in the PacNW my friend!
Holy shit..stop the whining! I've been saving my hard earned pimping money for a couple of years now- just waiting for Neil to unleash a new tour and alas!- Here it 'tis!! I live in vancouver for fucksakes and we got no love here so I'm flying to Spokane for the second show (I'm in the goddamned Pit!) and then Seattle a few nights later- when Neil can't come to me- I go to Neil goddamnit- we just about lost this national treasure to a fucking brain anyeurism so you fucks better pony up to see him pronto! Hey, Ron- I'll see you in the PacNW my friend!
All this is really quite simple...go if ya can and want to...don't if you can't or don't want to. To me it's like this. How much have you invested in Neil's Career at this point? Did ya buy him a Car? Did ya pay for Ben's Care? Did ya put a meal on his table? Answer, who gives a shit! Ya like him/love him/hate him or all the above so again...go or don't but just stop trying to be your own internet Hero reading your own posts and shut the F*(# UP! There was always the "Neil Fan" demand for OP...well here it is, finally released so enjoy this one or enjoy the Boot ya got and didn't pay for. Now go lay down put some headphones on, listen to some Neil when he was good LOL (I still thinks he ROCKS) and have a pull to chill out.
... go or don't but just stop trying to be your own internet Hero reading your own posts and shut the F*(# UP! There was always the "Neil Fan" demand for OP...well here it is, finally released so enjoy this one or enjoy the Boot ya got and didn't pay for. Now go lay down put some headphones on, listen to some Neil when he was good LOL (I still thinks he ROCKS) and have a pull to chill out.
OK, I take it all back. Thanks for that. I feel better already.
I have defended Neil pretty heavily in this blog over the past couple weeks. There are a lot of really thoughtful comments and as I said before a couple folks grippin it a little tight.
Upon further consideration - regardless of what the industry is doing, small venue, scalpers etc. Neil could have put a $100 cap and had a nice drop on the back end and at least made an attempt to address what is a rediculous market for concert tickets.
Having said that I got tix for my wife, daughter and myself for Denver show 1 for $300 total and got a smokin ticket up front for Denver show 2 for $120. My first 20 or so Neil shows I was in the can't afford it bracket - the last 15 shows I can afford it so I can relate to both sides and I love to see the younger generation get to see Neil but not some punk with Daddys money per se.
In what will now be 34 Neil shows I remember one Red Rocks show where it was sub 2 hours and I was a little dissapointed - other then that Neil puts on a breath takingly beautiful and sincere show worth anything in my book. If you are going you are in for a fantastic show including the supporting cast.
By the way, maybe yall can help me - there is a stunning back up singer - she is middle aged, blonde - absolutely beautiful voice, kind of looks at Neil all google eyed sometimes. I have no idea who she is but man would I love to see her sing on her own sometime - I would bet she could hold her own and put on her own show. If anyone knows who she is please let me know! Thanks
I have long enjoyed this site And I think the "Open Letter" makes good points.
But I am also disturbed by the number of blogs here from people who really seem angry and irrational (one person in particular who seems to vent constantly)
I want to suggest that there is a difference between a cultist, or a hero worshiper, and a fan. The former seems to think he knows the guy personally and that that N.Y. owes him something -- the fanatics own a piece of him. It's creepy -- devotion turns to disappointment and even to hate.
A fan, on the other hand, might think this way: I just love this guy. Something about his music goes straight to the heart. I like some things he does better than other things. But ALL of it is interesting and sincere. I like his sensibility and his values. And I admire the sheer variety of the music and the consistent productivity -- very rare. In 4 to five years: Greendale; Prairie Wind; Living with War; and now Crome Dreams. Amazing. Who else in rock-pop-folk has produced so much, esp. in late middle age?
For me Neil Young is a man -- just a man. But what a heart. And look at the number of great and beautiful songs over 40-some years.
I have most of the albums and have seen him in concert three times -- every time he worked his ass off. I have no idea where the concert ticket money goes -- maybe to the Bridge School; maybe to fight for peace; maybe to pay musicians. But I have a certain amount of trust in this guy. He doesn't go on the road unless he has something to give. He doesn't put out an album unless he is saying something new -- even if it is with with an old, and reportedly great, song. Anyone who thinks this guy does what he does just for the bucks has missed the musician amid the cultism and gossip To me it is worth the ticket prices to see what Young is up to now -- to hear the new stuff and some new takes on the old
When Springsteen came through my town a couple years ago doing acoustic folk and charging even more than Young is now I chose not to pay. I admire him, but not that much. Not at those prices. Everyone is free to choose. It's our right.
Make a choice, but don't impugn the man's music or motives
And if you don't want to hear Peggy Young, don't buy her record; don't go to the opening act. If it bothers you that Neil Young loves his wife -- well, keep that sad pathology to yourself, I say. Too bad more husbands don't love their wives more.
I'm grateful this man is still out here -- working hard; speaking out; creating new art; and letting us hear it live.
You know, maybe I'm showing my age but my wife and I are paying about $280 for two tickets and it will be a nice night out for us in Minneapolis
Anyway, my friend got all geeked out about getting row 6 on presale. I just got row 3 (center) on regular sale. Really looking forward to it.
(God, I hope he brings Old Black, the 5e3, the Maggie, the Baldwin and leaves that stupid looking quasi-strat, solid-state, capacitor and transistor thing he's been pictured with)
ALRIGHT NEIL!!!
CHARGE THAT MONEY BABY! CAPITOLISM! That's what makes the world go Round'!
YOUR BACK ON CHILI'S GOOD SIDE!
Since CHILI can afford to pay for a ticket-I'll be there! and all you lice filled Flea riddin' unemplyed waste of human life hippies, can sit at home on your indian rugs and practice your Yogi Bear bullshit!
CEE YA AT THE SHOW BABY!
Chili
At least you all have a choice. There's plenty of people here in the UK that would pay top dollar
to see Neil, but do we get a tour,
no. So thank your lucky stars.
HEY GLEN!
Perhaps if you had a REAL job, rather than a CRITIC of something, you'd have enough money to see the real thing???
I thought Critics got to get in free anyway? Perhaps your just a "WANNABE"?
Good to hear from you agian,
Chili
I'm just not going. I'll be disappointed at missing the show but I just can't afford to go.
I'm a little worried. My friend was just talking to Larry Cragg (who he knows pretty well) and Larry said that Neil is going for a whole new guitar tone on this tour (hence the picture with the strat-like guitar, which Neil used to say he didn't like). He'll be using solid-state amps and a digital modeler. He is also going to be "reinventing" some of his old stuff for the second part of the show, using this new tone.
I'm very scared!!!!!
Whoa! Dude - don't be worried because if you read this string you will see that Neil is lazy, creatively dead and he is just gonna sleep walk through a couple of crappy sets just as an excuse to get Pegi out there. I am sure he will have the Martin D45, the Hank Williams guitar and then just hammer away on Old Black for a while - maybe a tortured 17 minute solo on Down by the River for the 4 millionth time (good way to kill time trying to simply get off stage) cuz these stooges are only paying $100 and after all this is only about soaking a bunch of losers.
OK, suppose we assume Neil really doesn't need the extra money on that $100+ tickets he'll profit from. Then what? Maybe Neil says to himself, I don't need the money so why bother touring? Our loss.
Or how about Neil saying watch out for the greedy hand. And he charges say $25 for seats in small venues? Can you imagine the chaos? Wouldn't we fans be outraged when we couldn't get any seat whatsoever? Or really have to pay thru the nose to scalpers? I'd definitely want the money go to Neil rather than scalpers anyday.
NEW YORK TICKETS WERE ORIGINALY SLATED TO TOP OUT AT $ 157.NOW IT HAD CHANGED TO $ 186.MAYBE BY THE TIME THEY GO ON SALE, THEY'LL BE
$ 600.HOW FAR BEFORE YOU DEFENDERS OF NEILS PRICES REALIZE WHAT A BAD JOKE THIS IS ?
BT THE WAY, CONNETICUT MAXES OUT AT $ 101...... $ 85 LESS THAN NEW YORK. REAL BULLSHIT. YEAH, FEED THE FAMILY, THE LAWYERS,RENT THE HALL,PAY THE BAND,NO SPNSOR ETC......NONE OF THAT HORSESHIT CAN EXPLAIN CONNETICUT TIX @ $ 101 AND NYC TIX @ $ 186. NOW HOW DO YOU
JERK-OFFS JUSTIFIY THAT ? And dont give me crap about nyc being expnsive....he is playing in an old movie theatre in Washington Heights...a poorer neighborhood, made famous by crack sales.....nowhere near the expensive part of the city.Probably cost him 1/10th the price to rent this theatre than some of the others in midtown or lower manhattan. So realy, this place should provide Neil with the opportunity to lower cost and ticket prices...........but instead he just lowers cost and raises ticket prices. Nice guy.
The whole thing is a disgrace.
Hey Cold Bowl of loneliness, (chili)
Didn't you pretty much get kicked off of this site during LWW? Boy, we sure do need your brand of negativity to go along with the rest. Very classy. As for me, please let me sit with the other hipppies so everyone won't look at me like I'm nuts when I fire one up.
Thraher....he's back COB that is, give him the boot. I think he poses as Mookster or something over on Glen's site on Blogcritics.
It's money well spent on this show, although I won't be making it, but I'll be at the Bridge. See you on the lawn.
I would kill to go to a Neil Young concert but I simply can't afford it. The $2000 return plane ticket just cost way too much. Those dam capitalistic airplane companies! Come to New Zealand Neil, and Im sure your fans won't complain about your ticket prices.
You commies let the Iranian Butcher-the man that may just start WWIV speak and you call for the censorship of Chili?
I say again and agian. LIBERAL HIPPIECRITS!
you sicken me!
RAISE THE PRICES NEIL SO ONLY PRODUCTIVE PEOPLE CAN AFFORD TO GO!
CAPITOLISM AT WORK BABY!
You spelled Capitalism wrong Willy.
Farm Aid ...How about Fan Aid. I cant see paying this amount of money to see anyone. Neil is good ... no great, but HEY HEY MY MY give us a break Neil. Let me restate what I said a few lines ago, Neil is good.... no longer great, to me. Dont expect those who go to the show will see many farmers there at these prices.
Neil has to charge more to supplement his crappy commie album he just released.
I told ya he needs the dough for something. New wight loss for Program for Crosby AND to buy Donald Trump's old hair piece for Stills. And let's not forget Nash still need's two front teeth!
But seriously, I'm loving this! All you complainers! It's fitting! When Neil released an anti-American Album, your right there with him-fightin' in the trenched every day! defending HIS right to excercise his FREEDOM!
Now he raises some prices a bit, and you turn on him like Edwards did Kerry!
You kill me! You have no ethics or standards in which to live by. As long as he's doing JUST exactly as you see fit, well it "Screw everybody else", but when he sways to your dislike, you turn.
JUST LIKE YOU DO TO THIS COUNTRY!
(your all weasils!)
RAISE EM' HIGH NEIL! WORKING AMERICANS WILL STILL PAY!!!!
Cold Bowel,
I almost agree with you.
That's scary....
You know what's great about these ticket prices???
It's keeping the people who ya see at Concerts who disturb the whole experience with shout outs for Songs, Standing up in front of others simply because in their feeble minds they are somehow more important than everyone else and spill their Beer all over the people around them LOL! Way to weed out the riff-raff Neil!! Now the only bad part...it does keep some true Neil Fans out as well, I have missed Concerts because of timing and price and it sucks but you learn to pick and choose entertainment much more carefully at least. Here's hoping the people bitchin' just to bitch and toss an amazing Career out the Window due to one pricey Tour don't show up to any more Neil Concerts and that the ones who have to sit this one out due to Cost but don't want to (and the rest if us "Neil" Fans) get more Tours from this Rock and Roll Icon! Looking forward to the Show Neil!! KEEP ON ROCKIN'
neil deserves every penny he gets from the tickets.keep whining, and he will stop touring.figure it out, $185.00 for a 3-4 hour concert.neil is probably making pennys from touring.think of the staff that runs the neil young machine. i saw greendale shows where he had at least 30 people on stage.to see a rock icon in such a small setting such as massey hall will be phenominal. 7 row floors for the first show, and would have bought more shows if i could have gotten them...
No matter what everyone says I still find nearly eeverything about this whole absolutley crazy. And dont get the idea that I dont want to see it. I saw Neil when I was like six and now I wnat to see him at least once befor that becomes impossible. That being said I think the ticket prices are crazy. I really think or maybe hope that Neil has nothing to do with, probally just because I dont want to lose the large amount of respect I have for the man. I know the music industry is different but I feel like there must be some way he could do it keeper. If that means playing areanas whatever. The ticket prices are not the worst of it though. I have an ithching suspicion that many of the tickets are being offered to the elites befor anyone else. I have gone on several presales just to see what they were like just in case he decicded to come to Arizona. At everyone I was there the second it started and I never got anything better then 36 row. This is disguisting to me that the Oridinary people cant get a great seat unless they are willing to sell the car. I now we will never go back to the days of sitting in front of the ticket booth for days to get good seats but I wish we would.
Neil, or any one associated with him, if you read this I ask you why? I dont want an answer here or anywhere for that matter but I do hope to make you think. What is wrong when a kid willing to pay face value cannot get a seat that is remotely worth paying face value for. I dont expect this to change any time soon but I sure hope it will. Please Neil stop using ticketmaster. Please sell them all on your site all at the same time. I you cant lower the prices I can understand especially with all the great things you do. But Please give everyone a chance.
I Hope to see you in concert soon Neil, but something tells me that wont happen.
Josh
Neil should take an example from the Pearl Jam, a group with the most integrity of anyone I know. Pearl Jam are big fans of Neil and modeled much of their career after Neil by not selling out. I saw them last year on tour for under $60, and all seats were the same price. They have five members in their band, so how can they afford to do this, but Neil cannot?
Plenty of pricey seats left at the Fox in St. Louis. It is a tremendous venue to hear a musician like Neil - awesome acoustics. We've attended every show he's done in St. Louis in the last 20 years. Unfortunately, we'll just have to sit this one out. We can't justify spending $300 for 2 concert tickets (plus another $50 for parking & sitter.)I think the night of the show, I'll dig out some classic and not so classic Neil & Crazyhorse tunes, crank up the volume REALLY LOUD, and it won't cost me a dime!
my husband only has one dream in his life.. and that dream is to have coffee with Neil Young.
Rob is 50 years old, from a small community in northern Canada.
I have purchased him tickets to attend the Neil Young concert in Toronto, Ontario on November 26th. He will be flying across Canada to attend.
I know its a far-fetched dream, but one none-the-less; and one that I want to make a reality for him.
I don't know anything about fans, or stars, but if one of you knows how to get this message to either him or his manager, who I understand is Elliot Roberts, I would be most appreciative.
His wife; email: robandroberta@hotmail.com.
I am old enough to have lived through all the decades of Neil's music. Throughout that time , no other artist or group has produced the quality and volumn of music and, social commentary that Neil Young has. I cannot think of another artist whose albums can be listened to from beginning to end without fillers you don't want to hear. With his Living With War CD he gave all us "Baby Boomers" a kick in the pants over the current disgusting situation and pitiful president we have presiding over it. All concert prices have escalated out of control, but I think we all would be surprized at where the money goes. I and my wife will be attending two concerts and will be grateful for the opportunity to see in up close and personal. A man does not have to be a pauper to understand the conditions of his fellow man. When all is said and done, I believe Neil Young will be able to stand tall for his beliefs, actions, and his music
I saw the Portland show last night and LOVED it. Yes, it was hard for this freak to shell out the $105 ($92 + service chg), but I don't regret the investment at all. Hell, I remember standing outside the Fillmore East shortly after Bill Graham raised ticket prices from $3, $4 and $5 to $3.50, $4.50 and $5.50 and listened amused as street freaks SCREAMED at Bill that he was killing the scene. Of course, Bill screamed right back at them to kiss his ass. :-)
I'm almost 58 and have been actively going to shows since I was 15. Neil is #1 for me. If you have a chance and can scrape up the funds, GO to the show.
Don't complain about the ticket prices. It's the only way to ensure that the real fans of Neil will get a ticket. Anyone who is on the fence about Neil, probably doesn't need to go. This is also the only way that he can play medium sized rooms like he is on this tour. This is an opportunity to see the living legend doing what he does best. Hell, a trip to the grocery store costs $100.00. Which is gonna stay with you longer?
For those considering staying away from the Neil show because of the ticket price, DON'T.
The opportunity to see the man in so intimate a situation is a RARE one. No guarantees about the future, if there is one.
The money was very well spent and I don't regret it whatsoever.
I dont care, i just want to see Neil. if i have to WORK a few extra hours than OH WELL. thank you for playing Neil
I paid the $180 to sit in the 9th row, a shade left of center stage. Actually the ticket was $157 but service charges and the CD, made it $180.
I'd have paid double for it. I'd pay double to fly somewhere go see him AGAIN if I could afford the time and money right now.
I do know I won't ever miss a Neil Young show in the PNW ever again.
Just killed a lengthy post to get to the meat & potatoes: If you feel bad about the price of your ticket, don't go.
It is what it is.
I give up things you might not: I ride the bus, don't have cable or dish, don't have an ipod, etc. I do spend more money than I should to see Neil, Bob, Radiohead, Beck, Sonic Youth, Patti Smith and a few others.
My priorities might be out of whack, but I know what I'm getting (and occasionally skip a tour). When I do go, I have yet to be disappointed.
I'm into the 30s for Neil and Bob. That's a lot of PBR, or weed, or cable TV...but I don't regret a show.
everybody here needs to consider a lot of other factors in these ticket prices. especially one to consider is the noose hold that clear channel, excuse me, now live nation has on these artists and venues. if you want to bitch talk to clear channel/live nation. do we all remember when ticket prices soared in the mid 90's? guess who took strong control of radio stations, venues, and ticket prices? neil wouldn't get his new messages played on the radio unless he works with these crooks. just my 2 cents here from someone who works in the biz...many more reasons as well, like production costs, it takes a lot of dinero to put on these tours and shows, but the aforementioned is soley responsilbe for the obscenity of these ticket prices...
"he took his money just like all the rest"
If you really think about it...Neil is worth a tank and a half full of gasoline,,dontcha think ??
When you add up all the expenses neil has had on this tour he is lucky to even break even. I personally would rather pay a $100 more to see him in a beautiful theatre than some amphitheatre that has no soul. I think most of you should quit your bitching and be grateful neil is still doing this. You must ask yourself isnt it more enjoybable and worth the extra money to see him with 3000 people instead of 20,000? Thanks again Neil this tour was amazing.
I live in Australia and would love to see Neil Young play live again....the ticket prices do seem a little high, but appreciate that Neil plays regularly in the US and to a leseer extent in Europe. Neil played in Australia in 2003 for the first time in over a dozen years......regards, Steve
Bottom line, no price is too high - what is money in the long run?
At expensive shows, I try to pinpoint the moment when I feel I've gotten my money's worth. At this show, that moment was when Neil stepped into a circle of acoustic guitars and took a swig off his beer.
I have a friend who works for Neil, and has described to me the incredible attention to detail and perfectionism that Neil demands. His production values are high and that takes $$$....
My only complaint...we need a regular show here at home-The Bay Area-, yes The Bridge School Benefits are unique and very fine, but not enough Neil .
I had biz in L.A. so fortunately I was able to catch the Tour at the week old Nokia Theatre. Awesome show, as good as anything Neil has done.
Hey Neil, keep on Rockin' in the (Not So) Free World !
or you can all move just move to europe, here the tickets are not that expensive....hahah
For all the complainers out there, how would you react if your boss insisted that you're a jerk because you expect to get paid for your work? NY is 62, has been working HARD for 40 years, on this tour he has to be on the road in a different city every other night, and has to entertain thousands of people by himself. He deserves every single penny and the shows are not mandatory last time I checked. If you don't want to pay, don't pay... nobody is holding a gun to your head and saying you have to go .... if you want, there are great video clips on you tube FOR FREE ....
What the hell, you people just like to complain.
Expensive? Welcome to life!
And it's becoming more expensive by the day.
He's not forcing you to see him, if you think it's not worth your $, don't go, if you think it is, then go.
Second of all you don't even know the reason why the tickets are so expensive today, could be anything.
Anyway, I paid 100 to see him in Amsterdam, and it was awesome.
Guess what, I'm 20 and my payment is shitty.
Two months no fast food = Neil ticket.
Wah wah wah..
2008 tour stop in Toronto - in the stands a section from the stage - once all the fees are added up the total is over 270 per ticket. Scalping sites showing these or close to these for 681.
Get something straight - Neil doesn't care about any of you - Thrashers Wheat people or otherwise. If he did he'd send you a ticket or do a fan club thing.
Don't go see this guy. Steal his music every chance you get, buy a second hand guitar and go play at your local jam night.
Besides for 275 (or 600) you're liable to be sitting next to the guy who pumped your gas on the way down, juiced to the gills, screaming in your year and eventually puking and passing out while some chick in front of you with an ass the size of a cordoba stands the whole show and does her impersonation of a lawnmower (or hurt kitten) screaming its head off. Stay home and make love to your wife/girlfriend. I think this Neil would respect.
Neil, as great as he is musicaly, is ripping everyone off. After 35 years + of buying Neil tickets, I am drawing the line this time.
You folks always excusing Neils prices are just the suckers Neils hopes you are. NEIL IS TOURING FOR THE $, PERIOD ! He wants to suck in every dollar he can at YOUR expense. He got rich charging reasonable prices for many many years. He doesnt need to charge what he's charging , to make alot of $. GREED.
okay, here's my .02 (plus my $300.60 for 2 crappy seats @ MSG in Dec.):
I figure it's 2 shows in one w/2 bands I love, 1 being neil and 2 being wilco.
I've seen neil 30 different times in almost as many configurations, the best being w/the horse.
Never saw wilco, always been on my "bands to see b4 I/they check out" list.
I just picked up 2 GA tix on the floor for the Chicago show. $83 a piece including charges. I'm happy.
Yes, the $250 tix are outrageous but that's why I didn't buy them.
Ignore all this rubbish Neil, just carry on doing what you are doing. Thanks for your two visits to little old UK this year, first I saw your at Hammersmith London and then at the Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent UK (just down the road from where I live for Gods sake!)Both shows were out of this world, brillent! The price?? I can't remember the price, just the sheer joy of attending your live performances. Hurry back to the UK asap...............
Message for Neil Young from MissVanGogh;
Dear Mr. Young,
This is being sent to show the interest of having you play in the Kansas City area for a benefit to working with people with TBI/Epilepsy. A focus group was started over four years ago in Lawrence, Kansas after seizures started and cars were wrecked. As an art teacher, there were restrictions placed in school districts and things to accept about judgement made by the educated. Even people with disabilities get fired and not even accepted to do volunteer work at the hospital as an art therapist. My TBI/Epilepsy Focus Group meets monthly at the library and I do not have anything to work with in the budget. If you would consider bringing your talent and music to the mid-west, it would be a step towards education in society about the tbi/epileptic culture. There is such a great range of talent, intelligence, and beauty with everyone who has to accept this on a daily basis. The focus group is epsugroup@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you in the future!
Neil in the Landmark theater, Richmond, VA - center section downstairs - before tacked on charges - at $700. Upper balcony is over $250. I am 61, have been a fan since when he played with B.S. in the Richmond Arena - approx. 1966-7. I love Neil's and C.H.'s music. I play his music - despite others in the band not caring for it. I humped amps for his entorage (and others) at venues in Virginia and NC. I love his music. I've traveled hundreds of miles to hear him. But, I'm NOT paying such prices for tickets - can't justify it in my own mind, nor can take that sort of cash from my family. If he's that stuck on his legacy, let him eat cake - or whatever.
Linwood
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