The Rolling Stones

[bobfrombob]

Well someone is buying the $600 seats, because that's why the ones I found weren't even on the floor.

My point, which I didn't make very well, is that even 10 years ago, it would have been unthinkable that a Stones show in an arena would not sell out in hours, if not minutes. To have any choice seats left is an indication that they really have gone to far in their pricing strucuture.

[Mr. Heartbreak]

Totally agree. I got great seats for Paul McCartney and Elton John, both within the past 12 months, for about $250. I love the Stones' music, but because they really have been trying to gouge fans on the prices, I've lost interest in ever seeing them.

[Guest Jules]

Well someone is buying the $600 seats, because that's why the ones I found weren't even on the floor.

 

The seats on the side are better than the floor.  I never understand why people want to be on the floor for these type shows.  You can't see anything.

[ripthisjoint908]

As much as I love the Stones and adore the music, they really have disappointed me in this ticket process. They want you to pay that much money for a seat to see them play all their warhorses. This tour they have given a few surprises (Emotional Rescue, Live With Me, Dead Flowers, Factory Girl) but other than those, they just play the same Stones set fans have seen for nearly three decades, for $300 more. Also, a lot of interviews leading up to this tour indicated Mick Taylor was going to play a whole lot more than one song every night. Great to have the legend on stage..but giving him and Gwen Stefani both one song in the set, says something about Jaggers current character and mindset. Pretty depressing. It really sucks for someone like me, who has yet to see them and now, may never get the chance, as a 17 year old with a shitty job.

 

I saw Dylan live in November playing a great mix of the staple songs, and the deep tracks that I never thought he'd whip out...for $100, 7th row. McCartney plays in the same manner that the Stones do, with all the hits and some surprises, for hundreds of dollars less. None of their current equals are pulling what they are with tickets. Its an annoyance.

[tinnitus photography]

The seats on the side are better than the floor.  I never understand why people want to be on the floor for these type shows.  You can't see anything.

Huh?

 

It's not like the stage is 4' high. You can see fine, and the sound is way better.

[dagwave]

maybe the side view is preferable for those who are, shall we say , height challenged, yet certainly stalwart??

[mountain bed]

I remember paying 50 bucks to see the band in '89. 20th row floor (on my birthday!), and I couldn't believe I was paying that much for a concert!

[suites]

Blame the Eagles.  All these acts are pigs.  Why single out the stones.

[calvino]

I remember paying 50 bucks to see the band in '89. 20th row floor (on my birthday!), and I couldn't believe I was paying that much for a concert!

 

 

I don't remember being that much (but I'm sure they were) - I was near the 20th row center, too - Did you drive up to Alpine to see them or did you see them in Indiana?

I saw them at Alpine.

[calvino]

"Stones Gather Dollars”

1989-2008

 

http://www.pophistorydig.com/?tag=rolling-stones-steel-wheels-tour

 

 

In 1988, a Canadian promoter named Michael Cohl had guaranteed the Stones a take of $70 million for the tour.  The math went something like this: the tour would draw 3 million people in just under 60 locations.  At about $30 a ticket, a $90 million gate would be generated, with 40 percent paid to the stadium owners and local promoters, leaving 60 percent – or more than $50 million – to the Stones and the tour promoter.  Tour-related merchandise, including T-shirts, jackets, and other paraphernalia, would boost the take to the guaranteed $70 million.  In fact this tour, and its related business, would generate considerably more than $70 million.

 

 

Interesting piece about the ways the Stones generated their money over the past 25 years - I guess we'll see how this latest tour  fares.

[mountain bed]

I don't remember being that much (but I'm sure they were) - I was near the 20th row center, too - Did you drive up to Alpine to see them or did you see them in Indiana?

I saw them at Alpine.

I saw them at the old Hoosier Dome. 

[Guest Jules]

Huh?

It's not like the stage is 4' high. You can see fine, and the sound is way better.

 

I disagree.

[tinnitus photography]

are you a midget?

 

and you can't argue w/ the sound being better on the sides.

[jff]

are you a midget?

 

 

If he was a midget, wouldn't a 4 foot stage be plenty tall enough?

[tinnitus photography]

Not if a normal sized person was standing in front of him.

[Guest Jules]

are you a midget?

 

and you can't argue w/ the sound being better on the sides.

It's "little person." But no. I'm about 6'. Not that it matters. I like to see the whole stage.

 

And the sound? it's the United Center.

[tinnitus photography]

the sound desk is on the floor, centered. 

 

 

 

it's for a reason.

[twoshedsjackson]

the sound desk is on the floor, centered.

 

 

 

it's for a reason.

Exactly.

 

[Guest Jules]

the sound desk is on the floor, centered. 

 

 

 

it's for a reason.

 

Thanks.

[tinnitus photography]

You are entirely welcome.

 

 

See you on the floor.

[mountain bed]

My .02: best spot - dead fucking center, about 5-10 rows off the floor at the back of the room.

[ripthisjoint908]

Dave Grohl joined'em on stage last night to play "Bitch". Great performance with a ton of energy.

[tinnitus photography]

this trotting out of superstars for cameo appearances is fuggin' lame.

[nalafej]

this trotting out of superstars for cameo appearances is fuggin' lame.

 

It's the only way that can keep a buzz around the tour. People will tweet about Grohl instead of Keith's playing...

[Shug]

I was at the Anaheim show last night.  I'm no fan of Dave Grohl's own bands, but I love his energy and attitude, especially when he's playing with Tom Petty or Rush or The Stones or Page and Plant.  He's become a torchbearer for classic rock and I love that.  He was on fire last night and Bitch was a definite highlight of the night.

 

But the Stones by themselves are on fire, too.  The pay per view from Brooklyn and the show last night showed me a band that is playing better than they have at the shows I was at all through the 90s and one that is still living up to their reputation as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.  They are well-rehearsed and functioning as a pretty tight rock ensemble, playing the songs at the right tempos and staying true to the spirit and arrangements of the studio versions.  Keef and Ronnie ripped some real nice solos, but the interaction between the musicians was top notch.  Seems like they are really trying to play their best  and listening to one another.  For quite a few songs, both Ronnie and Keef were on Les Pauls and it really beefed up the guitar sound and made a nice contrast to the twangy, thin twin Telecasters sound that we usually got from those two for the last 30 years or so.  Grohl played an SG and Mick Taylor played a Les Paul on Midnight Rambler and Satisfaction and anytime there were three Gibsons being played at once, it made a fat fat beautiful guitar noise.  The three guitar blend on an extended Midnight Rambler was fantastic!

 

We had the shittiest seats in the house, bad luck in the $85 lottery.  We were the last two seats of the very last row, almost behind the stage and we still had a great time! It was actually kinda cool to be able to see the entire arena react as one organism to Mick's rock 'n' roll posturing.  You could also see the whole stage in one view and look at the screens, so you got close ups if you wanted em and could see how the band was interacting.  People around us were cool, friendly and talkative before the show, didn't talk during the music, and stood up and rocked out for the entire concert, just perfect.

 

The Stones are amazingly playing as good as they have in the past 30 years.  I can't believe they can still do it at their ages.  Holy shit, the Stones still got it.  Go see 'em!