Music is a business of perception.\u00c2\u00a0 Via smoke and mirrors, labels and managers make stars.\u00c2\u00a0 Or stiffs.<\/p>\n
But sometimes the star is really a stiff.\u00c2\u00a0 But how do you know?<\/p>\n
SoundScan helped.\u00c2\u00a0 With sales data published in seemingly every major newspaper and readily available online, you can see when a supposed star falters.\u00c2\u00a0 And then the dominoes continue to fall.\u00c2\u00a0 Radio stations stop playing the tunes and people stop going to the show.\u00c2\u00a0 No one wants to follow a loser, we want winners, all the time in the U.S!<\/p>\n
But although we now have accurate sales data regarding recordings, (and despite the hype of the machine, the anemic numbers contribute to the death of the machine and the rise of the indie acts, I mean if a supposed star reaches this few people…) we’ve never had accurate data regarding concerts, certainly not accurate data available to the general public.<\/p>\n
But now, in many cases, we do.\u00c2\u00a0 Thanks to Ticketmaster interactive seat maps.\u00c2\u00a0 Suddenly, you can see the show’s a stiff.\u00c2\u00a0 And chances are, if you aren’t a dedicated fan, didn’t buy your ticket the moment the show went on sale, you’re gonna now wait for that discount offer, or the cancellation.<\/p>\n
Let’s start with Lilith, the summer’s whipping boy (girl?)<\/p>\n
How big is demand?<\/p>\n
Try this link:<\/p>\n
\nLilith
Verizon Wireless Music Center
Noblesville, IN<\/a><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\nIt’ll take you to the show next Tuesday at the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana.<\/p>\n
Now you see the seat map?<\/p>\n
Click on a section…<\/p>\n
All those dark blue dots?\u00c2\u00a0 Those are unsold seats.<\/p>\n
But for a truly clear picture, go to the navigation arrows to the right, and move the slider all the way to the bottom, towards the minus icon.\u00c2\u00a0 You’ll now see the entire venue.\u00c2\u00a0 And you’ll see there are many unsold seats.<\/p>\n
How about the Swell Season?\u00c2\u00a0 At Hollywood Bowl?<\/p>\n
\nThe Swell Season : She and Him : The Bird and The Bee
Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood, CA
Sun, Jul 18, 2010 07:00 PM<\/a><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\nIn this case, and maybe it’s because the tickets are sold via Ticketmaster and not its partner site, Live Nation, as it is in the case of Lilith, you’ve got to click\u00c2\u00a0 on "Use The Map".\u00c2\u00a0 Better yet, click on "Show Me How".\u00c2\u00a0 Then again, who reads instructions anymore?<\/p>\n
But after clicking on "Use The Map", click on a section, then move the slider down to the minus position, and you’ll see that business is quite good for this gig.\u00c2\u00a0 Could be the cheap prices, could be the night under the stars at America’s most famous outdoor venue.<\/p>\n
How about Rihanna and Ke$ha?\u00c2\u00a0 At the fabled 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds (ain’t that a mouthful…)?<\/p>\n
\nRihanna: Last Girl on Earth Tour with special guest Ke$ha
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 07:30 PM<\/a><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\nWell, she’s not as hot as perception.\u00c2\u00a0 All the truly good seats are sold, but once you veer from the center, availability is massive.<\/p>\n
And John Mayer?<\/p>\n
I wouldn’t run to get a seat, there are plenty available in Scranton:<\/p>\n
\nJohn Mayer
Toyota Pavilion At Montage Mountain
Scranton, PA
Sat, Jul 24, 2010 07:00 PM<\/a><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\nThen again, business is great in Cincinnati:<\/p>\n
\n