Bands going to suburbs over city (State College, Greensburg: sales, theatre, college)

[prnlvsxy]

This is an interesting article on the advantages of bands playing in Greensburg or warrendale instead of the city.

National acts rockin' out in the 'burbs | TribLIVE

[eschaton]

This makes logical sense, when you consider that in a lot of ways a musical act with a national presence has the same need as a sports team. People will be traveling in from all over the place - usually by car. If it's uncool "old people" music (which most of the acts seem to be) most of the fans will be suburbanites too.

[PghYinzer]

Anyone who pays $60 to park right next to Heinz Field for a U2 concert, has no one but themselves to blame. Not only are you over paying to sit in traffic to get into the parking lot, you are also going to sit in traffic leaving the parking lot.

Overall though it is nice to see these places, new and old, doing well.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by eschaton

This makes logical sense, when you consider that in a lot of ways a musical act with a national presence has the same need as a sports team. People will be traveling in from all over the place - usually by car. If it's uncool "old people" music (which most of the acts seem to be) most of the fans will be suburbanites too.

Only uncool people live in the 'burbs? You have the King in Bicycle Bill.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Only uncool people live in the 'burbs? You have the King in Bicycle Bill.

True dat.

Still laughing at the "uncool" statement.

[Bazzwell]

The "old people" music idea is a valid one. Most of the acts that perform at venues like this did hit their highwater mark in the sixties, seventies, eighties and the average fan age starts at around 45 or so and just heads upward. This is not a bad thing though.

What I see is these artists have a good knowledge of just what they can expect to accomplish in their aged years and reduced status. They won't fill the large venues, they won't headline, they'll lose money or worse yet, cancel the show because ticket sales are poor. At a place like the Palace they can headline, most likely fill the place with the devoted, make a few thousand extra at the post show meet and greet sales table and everybody leaves happy.

The Palace in Greensburg, the State in State College, both excellent places for a concert.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Only uncool people live in the 'burbs? You have the King in Bicycle Bill.

Look at the list of bands in the sidebar playing at the Palace Theatre - essentially every single one is an act which peaked in the 1960s, 1970s, or 1980s. I mean, I wouldn't mind seeing Adam Ant if it was free, but all of it is old people music.

Jergel's list of acts is a bit less oldies, but it's still mostly acts which an older crowd would be interested in. I admit I'd kind of be interested in seeing Max Weinberg (if it were free) but really only because he was on Conan back in the day.

Regardless, my point is that while the audience for the latest underground acts is likely concentrated in the city, these sort of acts have fans distributed all over the place - likely more heavy in the suburbs than the cities actually. So it totally makes sense to have the shows out there.

[sealie]

They did have, some months ago, a Canadian (?) band who did a basic reenactment of 1970s Genesis. Yeah, old people music, but still.
https://www.kingstongrand.ca/event/m...-england-pound

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

Anyone who pays $60 to park right next to Heinz Field for a U2 concert, has no one but themselves to blame. Not only are you over paying to sit in traffic to get into the parking lot, you are also going to sit in traffic leaving the parking lot.

Overall though it is nice to see these places, new and old, doing well.

People paid that much to park along with a ticket for a concert of a band that has been past its prime for 15 years?

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

People paid that much to park along with a ticket for a concert of a band that has been past its prime for 15 years?

U2 is one of the highest grossing $$$ bands of all time. They're and have always been a huge draw.