Here Today... Gone To Hell!

What does everyone think? Are we looking at sold out stadiums across the world with more demand than even AC/DC?

Stadiums seem ambitious to me, personally.  Arenas seem a far safer bet.

But, no one leaves money on the table.  They won't do arenas if their internal research suggests they can do stadiums.

The Philadelphia Eagles stadium holds 70,000 for a game.  Not sure what the concert configuration is, but we are talking a lot of people here. 

I do not think they can sell it out.  But I don't know any act other than Taylor Swift could.

They will. :)

MetLife, Gillette, Lincoln Financial would all sell out

I'd prefer to see them in arenas as well. There was a rumour they would play the new arena in Las Vegas.

What some see to not think about is the image.

If you book a stadium show/tour, everybody know it's supposed to be big. We've heard how the band "must" reunite and how it'll be the biggest thing since.... the last biggest thing.
So you guys are saying that this huge thing is basically the size of any arena band with a hit?

See, that's already making it smaller....




/jarmo

They could do a huge tour in Canada if anything...They did great even with the Old new Gnr.  :beer:

LP Field here in Nashville is 68k or so capacity. I personally don't think they can sell that out either unless the supporting act(s) are good too.

It doesn't matter what artist you are. It's very difficult to sell out 60-70k stadiums now days.

If they did arenas (16-22k) they would easily sell those out. I do think Stadiums are the way to go though. If they publicize this the right way and don't screw off, they can get a lot of people to come.

I also don't think they are looking for every show to be a sellout... would you rather sell out an average of 19k seat arenas or average 35-45k in stadiums? They are looking for the max in attendance. No way they sell out every stadium or any at all, but they'll be getting much more attendance in stadiums.

There is nothing wrong with hitting 65-75% attendance in a place that holds 60-70,000 people. Relax guys.

I think in the the bigger markets like LA, NY Chicago, Philly, Boston, Dallas etc...A reunited Guns N' Roses have absolutely no problem packing football stadiums. In the smaller markets, arenas are probably a safer bet, and will still likely sell out.

You can count the acts that can sell out stadiums here in the U.S. on one hand, without the thumb.  Saying they don't meet that standard is hardly a diss.

What they won't be doing is anything "up close and personal", allegedly out of the goodness of their hearts.  Arenas are as small as it would go.

Well, they can write a whiny article any day of the week.

How "culturally relevant" are AC/DC?
How culturally relevant is hard rock music period?




/jarmo

I don't buy it.  The Stones, U2, AC/DC, Metallica & Bon Jovi can do stadiums....But not a reunited Guns N' Roses?  Nope, don't buy it.

I am seeing more negative feeback than I anticipated.  I have to be honest.

And its pretty much all about Axl and his antics.  Sort of challenging this well worn talking point that anyone besides us has been paying attention to this band in 20 years.

All this supposed good behavior Axl has been exhibiting is news to everybody, it seems.  Last thing they know, he was a dick.  In 1992.

Its going to take a bit more of a sell job than I think any of us anticipated.

Like it or not, it might take Axl coming out and assuring people he won't be a dick about it.  That's the #1 hurdle.

One night at Stadiums, in major towns (London, Paris, NY, LA, SF, etc).... no problem....BUT :

- The support acts have to be strong. I mean really strong, with one legacy act (Judas Priest, or ... crap, I almost typed Motorhead, but you know what I mean, for example), and one new act , both sizable and able to bring 3-4k tickets in themselves.

- GNR have to be *very* dependable. That means on stage before 10.45pm, and finished before 2am.

I don't want to labour the point around 'being on late', but everyone I know who is a casual fan (and that's what this tour is designed to being back, the people that lost touch with the band between 1995-2015) who saw them in 2009-14 who I spoke to, only had one takeaway from the shows, and that's stage times. I'm not saying I agree with them, but the people who like GNR and don't frequent messageboards still find it surprising the band go on stage at 11pm and finish at 1.30am on a Wednesday night, for example.

If tickets are $400 cashgrabs, there will be plenty of unsold tickets.

If they continue to do the 'going on at 11pm' thing, they'll go back to arenas - this is the one chance for Axl/Slash/Duff lineup to achieve reputational glory.

Success relies on three things :
- the machine has to work smoothly, to time and not to Axl O'Clock
- tickets need to be affordable and not at ridiculous prices
- the tour has to cover major markets and the venues have to accomodate demand

Well yes, I agree that the world has to know they're back in a big way.  I am assuming that's coming.  And maybe shame on me for doing so.  I just feel like this is just too big for "them" to fuck up.  

Now please excuse me while I knock on every piece of wood I can find within a 50 mile radius...

Same here.

No one ever wants to hear this.  Making me wonder if anyone talks to anyone about this band outside this board and others like it.

There is liking Guns N' Roses, which many do.  And liking them enough to have to take off work the next day to see them.  An accommodation no other band needs to ask for.  That's a thing, folks.

If they aren't onstage by 10, its a problem.  And 10 is even pushing it.

The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, U2, Bon Jovi (?), Bruce Springsteen, One Direction, Taylor Swift... There's a few more I suspect could do it. How many fingers does your hand have?  ;)




/jarmo

Hahahaha.  Against all good judgment and every instinct I have about the man, I actually believe he will do this right.

Be prepared.  Be on time.  Be professional.

I don't even rule out he miht even rehearse for a change, because I think the others will demand that of him.  And should, frankly.

Yeah I saw that "culturally irrelevant" article, it made me laugh.  They use the term like its a bad thing, but look at the things that are "culturally relevant" in 2016.  The Kardashians, Miley Cyrus, etc..  Who exactly would want to be "culturally relevant" in 2016.  GNR like those other big bands mentioned are timeless acts, not some flavor of the month.

And are unlikely to be swayed by some anecdotal story about how you saw them that time, and he came on early.

Perception is reality.  The perception of Axl Rose, let's face it, ain't great.  Its going to be a thing.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I just can't see someone thinking "Oh great, Axl and Slash have reunited! I've wanted this for years!!! But I guess I won't buy a ticket when it goes onsale tomorrow because of that time in 1992...."

I just don't see how "rep" plays into ticket sales when you're talking about a GNR reunion.

Why the hell not?

The last "local" shows he did here were in 2011 and 2012.  Came on past 11, both times.  That's 3 years ago, not 20. 

And those were small ass crowds.  People that only have memories of big ass crowds way back when tell the same story, if not worse.

I gotta say, way to be positive in 2016!  :hihi:

If some of the so called hardcore fans are this excited about the prospect of a huge tour in their country, no wonder the media is busy writing articles about why GN'R isn't as culturally relevant as somebody who's famous for being famous....

Where's TheBaconman to tell us how Canada isn't that way....  :hihi:



/jarmo

And the only dumber answer than the clich? about it "being rock n roll, dude" is the even dumber "then fuck you, stay home".

Real business majors, people that say that stuff.

I'm not saying fans will necessarily forget/forgive the times he was ridiculously late, cancelled or whatever their beef is.  I'm just saying that, in my opinion, the sell of witnessing an Axl & Slash reunion far exceeds any apprehensions people may have about buying a GNR ticket.  That goes doubly for casual fans.

I just know that this is the tour that FOR YEARS people have speculated would make bank. Now that it's a reality, what's really changed?

You want to stick your head in the sand.  We want to talk about real world, relevant issues if you are going to try and sell a nationwide stadium tour.

You willful ignorance is not noble, sport.

In my opinion?  Talk of stadiums and $275 tickets.

All the talk I ever did about a fairytale reunion tour was in 15,000-20,000 arenas with ticket prices around $150-175.

If this all works out, fucking phenomenal.  But I think these are valid questions.

What? The only rock bands that can fill up stadiums these days are the ones who AREN'T "culturally relevant."  

Metallica, Bon Jovi, Rolling Stones, U2, none of them are culturally relevant.  They are all established timeless acts who sell what they sell regardless of the latest trends.  Guns N Roses are exactly that.

I think they'll be fine.  Axl will go back to being as dependable, professional, reliable, etc. as he was in the early 90s, which was why they were able to sell out all those stadium shows...  wait, what?  

You and your real world. Please.

All I said was, way to be positive. you're on a fan site. Did you forget? We're not your friends who will make fun of you if you're a bit excited about something relating to GN'R.

You're not even a bit positive. It's just the way it is. Yet another thread about how it's not gonna sell, people don't wanna go, Axl is always late and you can't help but repeating all that.
For once, would it be possible for you to move past the doom and gloom phase? Even with all the news, you're still there.....

I actually thought there might be a slight change in the shit you post with the latest news. But I admit, I was wrong. More of the same.




/jarmo

The reality is promoters and such will guarantee $$$$ whether they're going to sell out the Stadium or not. So regardless, they will play the stadiums over the summer based on a guaranteed amount of money, anything after that is gravy. My personal opinion is they cut about 25-30% of the stadium off due to the layouts, will not sell anything behind the stage and will have a solid 40K per show for the initial run, that's not too crazy.

Either way, who gives a shit if they're touring, we'll all enjoy it!

Put in perspective, the Billboard article that first mentioned the $250-275 ticket prices was them speculating where "top tier" sections would likely top out at base on the offers they heard GNR was receiving.  I'm quite sure tickets in the 50-75 range will still be made available. And, for better or for worse, that's a very common standard at high profile classic rock concerts today. I don't think that's going to spook many, if any, fans from buying tickets.

I would also make the argument that even at the height of their popularity, Guns N Roses were not a culturally relevant band.  You know what was culturally relevant when Use Your Illusion 1 and 2 were topping the charts?  New Kids on the Block, Kriss Kross, Vanilla Ice, MC Hammer and troll dolls.

That didn't stop them from selling out every seat in the house everywhere on the planet.

I have always preferred United Center over Godzilla's toilet and Allstate Arena.  Paul MCartney and Rollingstones did their last Chicago shows there.  But I plan on splurging for A VIP package which I am sure they will
Do on the Night Train.  8)

As just about the only one here willing to cop to being a lifelong Bon Jovi fan, I'm curious where all these U.S. stadium tours have been happening.

And for years around here, I have been told Metallica can't even tour the country in ANY capacity, as a means to explain why GNR was playing fucking nightclubs.  Now they are a stadium act?  Say what??

How about the Stones?  Stadiums act here, right?  Yep...sometimes.  Lot of arenas sprinkled in there the past 10 years.

Same thing for Bruce Springsteen.  Yes, he's played RFK Stadium in front of 90,000 fans.  But I saw him in a 13,000 seat arena -- and that was with the E Street Band before Clarence Clemons died.  Lots of arenas there for a man who's also been considered a stadium act.

Well a mix of arenas & stadiums would be good.

I think they'll make a killing in Europe. I'd just rather they did a long stint in arenas like the o2 rather than one night at Wembley Stadium. Stadiums suit AC/DC but I've always preferred Axl and co in arenas.

Hahahahaa

And just like that, the thread is moved.  Fuckin' classic.

Stones just did a stadium tour this last summer.  I saw Metallica play Yankee Stadium in 2011.  Bon Jovi routinely plays Met Life Stadium in Jersey, yes the fact that it is Jersey does inflate ticket sales..


If GNR are only doing about 25 dates in the major markets, I don't understand how some of you think they wont fill up all of those stadiums.  I think it will be hard to get good seats to those shows.  This is the most anticipated reunion in the last 35 years.

Motley Crue just did an enormous arena run.  I love Motley Crue but on their best day they weren't close to GNR on their worst.

Hence the question mark after I listed your favorite band.
I didn't say Metallica.
The last US tour by the Rolling Stones in 2015 were in venues with the word stadium in their names.




/jarmo

I don't know.  They were selling out the same arenas back in the day.

But I think this is the first time they have done one in a bit, due to the farewell angle.  Even then, they needed Alice Cooper.

And do you know the premise of that tour, the "Zip Code" tour?

The reality is that with Axl and Slash there''ll be an average of 50.000 people per concert. Jeez, the whole fucking world is talking about this one and you guys still have something fucked up to add. Just to back up my words, the arenas that you are talking about were pretty much full with Bumble and DJ. How come same amount of people will attend the shows with Slash and Duff? Give me a break.

Does it matter? You made it perfectly clear that they don't really do stadium tours. You were wrong. No deflections please. :)




/jarmo

What "areans" were filled with Bumble and DJ?  The Hard Rock?  The Joint?

50,000 is a HUGE number.  If it can be done, its going to take a sales job and they are going to have to kill it at Coachella.

I think that's key.  People are taking a wait and see to see how that goes first, I think.

Get Hooked On Phonics, brah. 

Its never too late to tackle that reading deficiency.

You didn't go to the farewell?  I went last summer.

It was good show and a great time.  But Vince was...let's say, spotty.

Maybe the ones outside the real world, and by the real world I mean outside Philadelphia.  :D






Sometimes....  Lots of arenas on their last stadium tour.  :rofl:


Nice deflection. You said there's not even five acts that can tour stadiums. I listed plenty, you choose to focus on ONE that you claim you're right about because of the word "sometimes".
Fucking hell. Difficult life you must have.  :rofl:

The real world.... Right.


/jarmo

What I hope... and what I think may happen... are two very different things.

I'd love this to be a start of Phase III of GNR, with regular touring, brilliant shows, healthy sales - stadiums or arenas - and new material.

I'd love every show to start at a regular time, and be done by 10.45-11.00, so all the people who get pissed Axl doesn't clock on until 11pm have no reason to grip, and there's no bad publicity.

I'd love Coachella to be webcast, them to kill it, a stadium tour to go on sale the week after, and 2016 to be a year of Glory.

My fear? Late starts, bad publicity, a riot or a storm off, cancellations or no-shows - all of which have happened in the past.

I hope my fears don't come true. Id love it to be a brand new rebirth of a killer era of GNR that we'll look back on as a best comeback of all time.

To begin with there is a world outside the US. No offence. Furthermore, you can check the stats, I'm pretty sure they have filled 15.000 - 20.000 people even in the US with Bumble and DJ, so why not 50.000 with Slash and Duff? I think you know very well that, hm.. how to say it, most of the people took Slash's side so he himself has plenty of fans. Moreover do not underestimate how many fans does that band have and how long the people waited for the reunion. Last, but not least, I totally agree with you that they need to kill at Coachella, something that I have no doubts happening. :)

EDIT: There is world outside Philadelphia obviously. Thank you Jarmo. :D

Hey everybody, I don't think this guy knows he's on a "fan site".  Somebody better pull him aside.

On a more serious note, these are all valid points.  And I share all your views.

No offense taken.

But its the U.S. we are talking about.  I have zero doubt this could fill stadiums everywhere BUT here, sight unseen.

Are you aware that the so called late starts haven't really happened in years?
Last time GN'R played in NYC, at a festival, for example, they went on before they were supposed to....
Rock On The Range in 2014, 9:30 start time.

Same thing with cancellations and no-shows. It's something some of you choose to keep repeating because others keep telling you that's the norm with GN'R.

Plenty of so called fans keep repeating these things and then get all upset when it's questioned what the hell they're doing.





/jarmo

They haven't toured Europe since 2012, and the shows I saw then had late starts. The band may have had earlier start times in 2013-14, but casual fans have long memories of 20+ years of late starts. I guess we'll have to wait and see. I am an eternal optimist.

They started between 9-11PM most of the time on that tour. Sometimes at a festival, you can't even start early because there's other bands on.

Actually, it's a cultural thing as well. In some countries like India, the shows started around 7PM...
But yeah, it's not as bad as some make it seem like.  : ok:




/jarmo

I hope the tour goes on sale before the play Coachella...

Yeah, that's going to be interesting.

It would almost have to, wouldn't it?  Due to the time frame?

People will have to buy, sight unseen.

I live in hope. Still, in 2001 I couldn't've hoped we'd see the three of them together again on stage, let alone touring.   :)

Hey you all is it Great  Times for Guns fans or what :beer: hell froze over and then you bump still in positive and uplifting thinking just about anything  : ok:. I've stopped posting because of it, to happy for me. but i'ts a special ocasion n decided to trough my two cheap cents in. So let's discuss the ticket sales and cancelations of an hypothetical tour that everybody want's but apparently few will go based on timetable constrains...from 20ys ago. It's Axl and Slash on a stage together, that alone gona sell whatever they want :yes: to think otherwise is assuming that all of the industry that's done everthing over the years to make this happening doesn't know how to add and ignore the many who don't follow trends but keep packing stadiums for great rock shows and this is the One. But hey if USA market is so picky, don't bother and just bring it speadly cross the Atlantic :drool:

I believe a Coachella sells out pretty munch instantly so once that's done I'm sure dates will come out.

There was a lot of rumours about Leeds/Reading so that'll probably be announced soon.

But I think there is a decent sized contingent that want to see how Coachella goes and how he sounds.

Not us.  We are buying sight unseen.  But 50,000 is a big number and they won't all be lifers like us.

I actually wonder if the initial rush is the diehard lifers like us.  And if Coachella goes well, other more casual fans will be more receptive to going and buy in that second wave.

I think ~10 years earlier they would have easily filled stadiums with the rumoured lineup without making a big deal out of it. That's when the 80's and especially GN'R were "so in". They could still do it, but it would mean good marketing like Jarmo pointed out. And "a stadium" might have a capacity from 20 000 to 100 000, there are different kinds you know ;) It's also about the area; especially in South America it should be fairly easy to sell out some stadiums.