Why are rock acts bypassing ATL? (Atlanta, Adel: camp, dangerous, to move)

[goillini8]

Originally Posted by magnetar

Atlanta is a hip hop and R&B town.

But, it's a massive metro area. Even if it leans hip-hop, R&B, you'd think there could be a substantial audience for rock acts. Something else has to be at play.

[goillini8]

Originally Posted by JPD

Yes, many festivals have clauses that prevent bands from playing within a certain radius within a certain amount of time. I agree it sucks.

Never thought of that, but it makes perfect sense. If there's, for example, a U2 concert, in metro Atlanta within 6 months of Bonnaroo, plenty of people would just stay within the metro to see them and not hike to Tennessee to see them.

[oldschoolChevy]

Originally Posted by atltechdude

Ok I'll bite. I'm Gen Y and I would much rather hear U2/Coldplay/Foo Fighters/etc than most new music today. I don't really understand the whole electronica/dubstep/synth pop stuff.

I saw Coldplay at Philips in 2012 and it was one of the most epic concerts I've ever been to.

You're for sure in the minority. I am also a millennial, and I also have a taste for old school music- anything from classic soul to classic rock and everything in between. Hell I even listen to opera and classical music sometimes, but I will also throw on some Future or Rock Ross to get the juices flowing. With that said I'm probably the only person in my circle who has stuff like SOS Band, Donny Hathaway, Aretha Franklin, Nirvana and Todd Rundgren on his playlist along with new artists like Kendrick Lamar or whatever local rapper is hot at the moment. People like us are the exception, no where near the rule among our generation. Dubstep, Electronic, and Rap is what millennial folks want. Not Alt Rock, classic rock or classic soul. Times change and I'm fine with that, I can still like the old stuff and dig some of the new stuff too.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by goillini8

Never thought of that, but it makes perfect sense. If there's, for example, a U2 concert, in metro Atlanta within 6 months of Bonnaroo, plenty of people would just stay within the metro to see them and not hike to Tennessee to see them.

I think that's the reasoning. I don't think it's smart reasoning, because festivals are supposed to be an experience that is more expansive than any single act.

Add to this policy the fact that there are far more festivals every year than there ever used to be, and the chances of seeing a band you like at a traditional venue becomes pretty slim. I'd love to see Alabama Shakes, to offer one example, but they only play here on festivals (I think they've played only one show here that wasn't a festival show). I don't like it, but I can't really blame them. It's easier, cheaper, and more profitable than traditional touring.

[CMMom]

Originally Posted by goillini8

Never thought of that, but it makes perfect sense. If there's, for example, a U2 concert, in metro Atlanta within 6 months of Bonnaroo, plenty of people would just stay within the metro to see them and not hike to Tennessee to see them.

It does suck because, at my age, there's no way in Hades that I'm going to a muddy, smelly music festival and staying in a tent. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. As long as people on this thread are dissing Gen-Xers, I might as well own it. Age has its privileges, and I'd rather sip Cabernet at the Ritz-Carlton than share a bong with a bunch of smelly hippy wannabes at a music festival. YMMV.

[goillini8]

Originally Posted by CMMom

It does suck because, at my age, there's no way in Hades that I'm going to a muddy, smelly music festival and staying in a tent. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. As long as people on this thread are dissing Gen-Xers, I might as well own it. Age has its privileges, and I'd rather sip Cabernet at the Ritz-Carlton than share a bong with a bunch of smelly hippy wannabes at a music festival. YMMV.

Lol, agree. Though, even in my youth, I wasn't a huge festival fan; much prefer a one-and-done concert at an arena or smaller venue. If I go to a festival now in my 40s, it will be one that's in a city, like Lolapalooza in Chicago or Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, where I can easily retreat to a clean hotel room or other accommodation or nearby bar or coffee shop and chill out and consider if I want more festival action that day. Or, if I lived in a city that actually had a decent festival, I could just go home when I wanted. Dang, I sound old.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by JPD

There it is again. More unfounded insults:

1. questioning my "stability".
2. You have to "get more basic" for us to understand your superior intellect.
3. Accusing others of lacking critical thinking skills.

All while not only missing my point, but claiming you aren't judging others.

Pathetic. You're making a fool of yourself and you need to check it.

It's not possible for me to make a fool of myself. You're just mad because I'm calling you out.

[Reflux300]

Atlanta is A T L A N T A now.

It's seen as very, very urban. For many, the first thing people think about when they hear the word "Atlanta" is people of color. Places like LA and NY are so large and storied that it seems like more of a sure thing even if they're just as diverse as Atlanta.

I also think rock (in the classical sense) isn't what it used to be either.

And on a very serious note: Atlanta is the Hip Hop capital of the world. That's facts.

[arc-lang]

Atlanta has a larger percentage of black people in the city and metro than most other major US cities. BTW, I am not saying that is a bad thing at all. But for every 1 rock concert that is booked, Atlanta promoters are probably booking 4 or 5 Rap/Hip Hop & R/B shows. I am sure that is because the Hip Hop and Rap concerts are in greater demand in Atlanta, the promoters can probably make more money and negotiate better rates for those shows than a normal Rock concert that is going to appeal to a more white, suburban audience that may not be willing to travel as often to downtown.

When you do get a big rock, pop, or country concert it's usually at the GA Dome, i.e. U2, Metallica in the past and Garth Brooks coming to MBS in a few months. The Dome and MBS are run by GWCCA that tends to be more open to more mainstream music, whereas Philips Arena is owned by the Atlanta Hawks and they tend to skew more heavily to Rap and Hip Hop these days.

Ironically there is a story that claims that the Hawks and Philips Arena are facing a law suit from a former employee who alleges discrimination in how they treated white and black performers.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...suit-drake-nba

[DJDeadParrot]

It is curious that Atlanta seems to get passed over this much given that the biggest concert promoter/ticket seller/venue operator, Live Nation Entertainment, shares a couple of executives with Liberty Media.