Soft Tickets/Hard Tickets

[bugsymalone]

One of the things Dennis discussed on the Suite Madame Blue interview was the hard ticket vs soft ticket concert.

Soft tickets, as he states, are free admission, once you get into the state fair or festival. The band or singer is the draw to get bodies to the fair, and, hopefully, butts in seats. The singer/band/performer, whatever, gets a nice check and just shows up and puts on the show. He calls these “easy” since the promotion is basically for the festival (state fair , balloon fest, biker rally, or whatever). “You show up. You eat ice cream. You go to a show”

Hard tickets are ones where the promoter pays the artist, then charges admission, hoping to get back what was paid for the performer(s) plus a bit of profit. These are tougher for everyone because the artist, if he, (she, they) wants to get other gigs, or get asked back again, needs to get butts in seats by promotion and getting out there and doing the hard sell. And then putting on a top notch show.

I know a lot of you on this board know most of this, but it was interesting to hear Dennis talk about it because I think there is way more pressure to put on the best show you can at a hard ticket show. And he does a lot of these. Though he did not say it, I got the impression that at a soft ticket show, the performer can be more relaxed about everything.

Both Current Styx and Dennis are way too professional not to do their best every time out, but I have a feeling that it is just easier on a performer knowing the folks got in to their gig free and did not pay the big money, therefore, expecting all their money’s worth and more, and complaining if it did not meet their expectations. What’s to complain if the show is free?

One other thing about money. OK, two. To cancel and reschedule a show costs a ton of money. (Thousands and thousands, according to Dennis). Thus, staying healthy is essential. (I guess this falls into the “duh” category). But, again, the pressure on the performer is enormous. Just meeting fans. Or walking around at Festa. Big risks for someone like Dennis when the whole show depends on his health and the health of his voice.

Second – the cost of the scoring for Dennis’ orchestra shows reflects an investment of $80,000 so far. Each song costs over $4,000 apiece to score for an orchestra. So it cost him a pretty penny initially to get these orchestra shows off the ground.

There were many interesting things he said in the interview and I am one who always loves to hear about the process as well as the product. Kinda makes one appreciate even more what these performers have at stake.

This may have been interesting only to me, but there you go.

Bugsy

[gr8dane]

I suppose there is less stress on a soft ticket deal,but you gotta play as good as on a hard ticket deal .You may surprise a few people there at the fair,who will buy a ticket next time you play a concert in their town.

[jrnyman28]

I guess I would be surprised if ANY performer backed off their show because it wasa soft ticket. This is what these guys do. And I think bands take pride in their performance, it represents them.

[onestilllearning]

This may have been interesting only to me, but there you go.

Bugsy

That was a great post and that is one of the main reason I come here, intelligent thoughtfull post that entertain and provide information. I thank you Bugsy for posting this!

My .02$ - I have never seen a soft ticket show but will be very interested in comparing the two shows I will be seeing. I have never given a review of a show but I will be seeing Styx at a venue with an opening act (.38 special) and by themselves. StyxfanNH is also going to these two shows so maybe we can get two independant review of the differences in seeing Styx "an evening with" and Styx w/ special guest.

[Monker]

One of the things Dennis discussed on the Suite Madame Blue interview was the hard ticket vs soft ticket concert.

Soft tickets, as he states, are free admission, once you get into the state fair or festival.

And, what about fairs which are large enough to charge both admission AND a thirty dollar ticket price for a reserved seat at a grandstand event? I think he is generalizing a bit....cuz not all fairs, or grandstand events anyway, are like the above.

[bugsymalone]

And, what about fairs which are large enough to charge both admission AND a thirty dollar ticket price for a reserved seat at a grandstand event? I think he is generalizing a bit....cuz not all fairs, or grandstand events anyway, are like the above.

Oh definitely. I think he was simply drawing a comparison to shows where tickets are sold and the promoter makes the profit and the types of shows where you pay a single admission price and then go hear a performer (or many performers) without having to pay anything else.

I also interpreted what he had to say as being from the performer's point of view. I looked at it this way: A performer has 2000 people who paid an average of, say, $45 a ticket. A performer has 2000 people who paid $10 to get into the festival and dropped in for free to see the performer.

Which show would make you more nervous? Which one would put more pressure on you? That is the point I believe he was trying to make.

Would a performer do "less of a show" for the free folks as opposed to the ticket buying folks? Not any that I know of. Certainly not Dennis or Styx. No way. But I do think each would feel a bit more relaxed and loose at a show where people were coming and going as they pleased and did not shell out some big $$ to see them. At least I think that would govern the amount of pressure they feel.

As I said above, as professional as these guys are, I don't think it would be possible for them to put on a bad show unless some "circumstances went beyond [their] control."

Bugsy

[jrnyman28]

Another way to look at it...you should play harder for the ones that paid less because they could walk out easier. Someone who pays a lot of money to see the show will stick it out much of the time. A person who decided to check it out cuz they could might just walk out as easy as in.

Kind of a devil's advocate post...

[evileyes]

Another way to look at it...you should play harder for the ones that paid less because they could walk out easier. Someone who pays a lot of money to see the show will stick it out much of the time. A person who decided to check it out cuz they could might just walk out as easy as in.

Kind of a devil's advocate post...

I have to agree with you. I've been to several "soft ticket" shows and I find the audience noise level to be quite irritating! And I'd think it would be more frustrating for the artist to see people stream in and out throughout the performance. On the other hand, the artist is guaranteed a pay check with a "soft ticket" show.

That being said, I think the most laid back I've ever seen DeYoung was at a "soft ticket" street music festival. It was one of the greatest shows I've seen & only cost $10 for the entire festival.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

I like both type of shows. The best Dennis show that I've seen was the at the Chicago HOB. It was standing room, we were in front and it was a blast!! I loved when Dennis was at Summerfest too, great time with great friends (even though it rained all day). Sometimes with the orchestra I like the seats so I don't have 7 hours early and save my seat - LOL

This part of the interview was very interesting to me, thanks for posting (and remembering) Bugsy.