Styx again? As long as tickets sell
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:44 pmhttp://www.pjstar.com/entertainment/x19 ... ckets-sell
When news of the upcoming Jan. 22 Styx concert at the Peoria Civic Center theater was posted on our Web site last week, it attracted some interesting comments - not all of them good.
Take, for example, a post from a user named xj: "Oh boy! How many times has Styx played the Civic Center? Let's see, between REO, Journey and Styx they must have averaged about every year at the Civic Center since it opened. I guess this is what the people of central Illinois want to see. Stuck in the '70s and never leaving. And you wonder why we don't have many young people moving to/back to central Illinois."
While Peoria does love its seasoned rock stars, Styx itself has only played there four times since the venue opened in 1982: in 1996 with Kansas (a crowd of approximately 5,000); in 2002 with REO Speedwagon (8,000); in 2003 with REO Speedwagon and Journey (6,000) and in 2005 on their own (2,500).
While everyone has their own tastes in music (a user named BaylorBears wrote: "I wouldn't let those dirts play my basement"!), it's likely that Styx comes through Peoria again and again because they have fans here willing to snap up seats.
Civic Center director of marketing Marc Burnett said the tickets, which are currently on sale, are selling well.
"It's going to be in the theater, so you don't need a large crowd to do well on something like that. It'll be intimate, a little bit classier experience for a rock and roll show," he said.
So, why is it that certain bands hit Peoria over and over again? Obviously, it depends on the route of their tour schedule. And, the Civic Center's relationship with certain promoters, like Jam Productions, LiveNation or smaller outfits, Burnett said. Another factor is the experience that promoters have had there before. Some tour organizers may remember Peoria as being a convenient, smooth place to play and decide to hit it again.
So, sorry "xj." As long as there are Styx fans and the economy doesn't totally collapse, there likely will be Styx concerts.
"Peoria and the Midwest in general has not been hurt as much as the coasts," Burnett said of the concert business. "The problem is that the coasts are where they put together the plans, a lot of the time, for the tours. So as long as there are going to be tours, we're going out and doing outreach to all the promoters in the country and saying, 'come play Peoria, because people will be buying tickets. ... I hope people will continue to buy tickets and support their favorite artists."
If your favorite artist isn't coming to Peoria, well, join the club. I'm waiting for lots of shows: Radiohead, Billy Joel, Coldplay, Phish, Beck, Weezer, Lou Reed, U2, The Strokes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Postal Service, Ben Folds, Rolling Stones, Death Cab for Cutie. Some will never get here, I know, but we can keep our fingers crossed.
AC/DC always welcome
I've noticed some incorrect information in posts on our Web site regarding a Peoria AC/DC ban, and being a former copy editor who likes things to be correct, I must note that the rockers were never banned from the Peoria Civic Center. General manager Debbie Ritschel told the Journal Star in a 2007 story that the rumor has floated around for years, ever since their last performance here, in 1983. In fact, Burnett notes, the Civic Center has never banned any act from performing there.
"Not Ozzie, not anybody," he said. "There never was a ban. We'd love for them to come by. Usually they want to play larger venues, but a little bit of PR and people raising their hand and saying we'd love for them to come here and that Peoria would welcome AC/DC. ... We're supporting (105.7 "The X" program director and morning host) Matt Bahan and his efforts. I think it's a breath of fresh air to go out there and try to do some PR like that."
He's referring to the local rock radio personality's push to get them here. As for the business side of things, is it a real possibility for them to play here? "We'll see," Burnett said.
DANIELLE HATCH is the Journal Star's entertainment editor. She can be reached at 686-3262, by e-mail at dhatch@pjstar.com or at 1 News Plaza, Peoria, IL 61643
Found this on the same site after I posted this.
Get ready to sail away with Styx. In case you missed the announcement last week, Styx, the band behind songs such as "Mr. Roboto," "Renegade," "Babe" and "Lady," will return to the Peoria Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22. Tickets, which are $43.75 and $59.75, are currently on sale at the Civic Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at 676-8700.
When news of the upcoming Jan. 22 Styx concert at the Peoria Civic Center theater was posted on our Web site last week, it attracted some interesting comments - not all of them good.
Take, for example, a post from a user named xj: "Oh boy! How many times has Styx played the Civic Center? Let's see, between REO, Journey and Styx they must have averaged about every year at the Civic Center since it opened. I guess this is what the people of central Illinois want to see. Stuck in the '70s and never leaving. And you wonder why we don't have many young people moving to/back to central Illinois."
While Peoria does love its seasoned rock stars, Styx itself has only played there four times since the venue opened in 1982: in 1996 with Kansas (a crowd of approximately 5,000); in 2002 with REO Speedwagon (8,000); in 2003 with REO Speedwagon and Journey (6,000) and in 2005 on their own (2,500).
While everyone has their own tastes in music (a user named BaylorBears wrote: "I wouldn't let those dirts play my basement"!), it's likely that Styx comes through Peoria again and again because they have fans here willing to snap up seats.
Civic Center director of marketing Marc Burnett said the tickets, which are currently on sale, are selling well.
"It's going to be in the theater, so you don't need a large crowd to do well on something like that. It'll be intimate, a little bit classier experience for a rock and roll show," he said.
So, why is it that certain bands hit Peoria over and over again? Obviously, it depends on the route of their tour schedule. And, the Civic Center's relationship with certain promoters, like Jam Productions, LiveNation or smaller outfits, Burnett said. Another factor is the experience that promoters have had there before. Some tour organizers may remember Peoria as being a convenient, smooth place to play and decide to hit it again.
So, sorry "xj." As long as there are Styx fans and the economy doesn't totally collapse, there likely will be Styx concerts.
"Peoria and the Midwest in general has not been hurt as much as the coasts," Burnett said of the concert business. "The problem is that the coasts are where they put together the plans, a lot of the time, for the tours. So as long as there are going to be tours, we're going out and doing outreach to all the promoters in the country and saying, 'come play Peoria, because people will be buying tickets. ... I hope people will continue to buy tickets and support their favorite artists."
If your favorite artist isn't coming to Peoria, well, join the club. I'm waiting for lots of shows: Radiohead, Billy Joel, Coldplay, Phish, Beck, Weezer, Lou Reed, U2, The Strokes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Postal Service, Ben Folds, Rolling Stones, Death Cab for Cutie. Some will never get here, I know, but we can keep our fingers crossed.
AC/DC always welcome
I've noticed some incorrect information in posts on our Web site regarding a Peoria AC/DC ban, and being a former copy editor who likes things to be correct, I must note that the rockers were never banned from the Peoria Civic Center. General manager Debbie Ritschel told the Journal Star in a 2007 story that the rumor has floated around for years, ever since their last performance here, in 1983. In fact, Burnett notes, the Civic Center has never banned any act from performing there.
"Not Ozzie, not anybody," he said. "There never was a ban. We'd love for them to come by. Usually they want to play larger venues, but a little bit of PR and people raising their hand and saying we'd love for them to come here and that Peoria would welcome AC/DC. ... We're supporting (105.7 "The X" program director and morning host) Matt Bahan and his efforts. I think it's a breath of fresh air to go out there and try to do some PR like that."
He's referring to the local rock radio personality's push to get them here. As for the business side of things, is it a real possibility for them to play here? "We'll see," Burnett said.
DANIELLE HATCH is the Journal Star's entertainment editor. She can be reached at 686-3262, by e-mail at dhatch@pjstar.com or at 1 News Plaza, Peoria, IL 61643
Found this on the same site after I posted this.
Get ready to sail away with Styx. In case you missed the announcement last week, Styx, the band behind songs such as "Mr. Roboto," "Renegade," "Babe" and "Lady," will return to the Peoria Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22. Tickets, which are $43.75 and $59.75, are currently on sale at the Civic Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at 676-8700.
$60-$85 for an intimate show like the HOB is pretty reasonably priced. Is anyone opening?