Concerts Run Into A Summer Slump

Post-Gazette ^ | 7-14-04 | Scott Mervis

[My Favorite Headache]

Hot Country Jam 14,092

Tim McGraw 17,265

Kenny Chesney Sold out

Jimmy Buffett Sold out

Dave Matthews Band (two shows) 41,019

Slackers

Blink-182/No Doubt 8,069

X-Fest-Godsmack/Cypress Hill/Newfound Glory others.. 13,844

Rush/An Evening With Rush 8,828

Aerosmith/Cheap Trick 12,894

Van Halen/Silvertide 13,593

Jessica Simpson 8,384

Kiss/Poison 11,703

Sting/Annie Lennox 9,947

Attendance at Post-Gazette Pavilion shows (capacity: 22,683)

When it was hyped in the spring, the summer concert season sure looked rosy.

The live music industry was coming off a record year for revenue in 2003 and a strong first quarter in 2004, and there was no reason to think that wouldn't continue through the summer.

But between canceled tours and low turnouts, it's gotten to the point where Clear Channel might be longing for those good old days of Steve Miller sellouts.

A midyear business analysis just released by the trade publication Pollstar concludes that "For reasons that are still unclear, the bottom seemed to fall out of the concert market in mid-April. All three major concert promotion companies and several prominent independents reported a sudden drop in sales of anywhere from 15 percent to 50 percent."

[xp38]

I recall them as full shows. I didn't time them but my guess would be an hour at least if not more. I would have remembered a relatively short 20 minute show. The guys seemed to love playing the Toronto punk scene. The close quarters, sonic overdrive and the crowd made these shows utterly amazing. You never had a chance to catch your breath. I don't think anyone was more than 30 feet from the stage with most much closer. I looked at the ticket stubs I still have and the prices were $5.50 and $7.50

[My Favorite Headache]

What a ridiculous triple bill that was...Fleetwood Mac in the middle of the other 2? Hahahahahaha

[My Favorite Headache]

And while I still like their music, I won't go to their shows anymore since most of them seem to use their concerts as an opportunity to bash Bush these days. >>>>

Exactly! I used to see bother acts and now will never give them a dime of my money again.

[Poodlebrain]

For all his faults Bill Graham used to put together phenomenal shows throughout the Bay Area. He seemed to know just which venue to use ranging from small clubs to stadium events. I miss being able to drive into San Francisco without any plans and just drive past the various clubs and Winterland to see what was going on. No matter who was playing there were always a few tickets available at the door.

Remember that was the pre-Stevie Nicks/Lindsey Buckingham version. They were much more blues oriented at the time. My friends and I were there for Deep Purple as we were obsessed with the material from Fireball, In Rock and Machine Head.

[Ciexyz]

I remember a concert at Pittsburgh Three Rivers Stadium with Alice Cooper, Uriah Heep and another known metal band (name escapes me now), on one bill. Early 70's prices. College kids could actually afford to go to rock concerts back then! Imagine that!

[Ciexyz]

I've been watching Jamboree in the Hills FREE on my set with the rabbit ears, I can pick up the Steubenville channel which has been broadcasting each day of the festival. I've seen Buddy Jewell, Tracy Byrd, Lonestar, Chris Ledoux, Dee Dee Messina. Kenny Rogers just did his set.

[spodefly]

The first time I saw Aerosmith, it cost me $7.50 ...

[Ciexyz]

Randy Travis is coming up next on Jamboree in the Hills. Woo-hoo! Am I glad I live within an hour of broadcasting station WTOV-Steubenville, Upper Ohio Valley.

[stratman1969]

Is that the same El Mocambo where that Stevie Ray Vaughan show was filmed?

[xp38]

Sorry I don't know for sure. Just off the top of my head I would say yes since the place had many famous acts appear there but there certainly could have been other places with that name.