Why Artists Can No Longer Make a Living Playing Music

[BuckeyeDog]

Telluride ain't an art gallery or museum. It's a music festival (with a dash of circus thrown in). A season ticket model will not work for that crowd. A rough guess is that maybe 10% of folks who attend are over 55, and that decreases by age. But this demographic is the one would be more than likely to afford the season tickets.
Being one of these old farts, I would gladly make charitable contributions to keep the festival as is, open to all, if necessary. I don't want to see Telluride turned into a VIP event, where you can only buy tickets if you have American Express. Some people already feel that way about Town Park festivarians. One day, when they build that Bluegrass Museum over the slag heap in T-Ride, I will buy a subscription. But until then, we can loook forward to meeting new friends and hearing new music every year.

[ToddG]

Personally I don't see how any single festival could ever have a season pass as they are a once a year thing. I could see a limited number of passes to all three major PB events TBF, Rockygrass and Folks per year as a possibility, but over-all I think the way PB handles tickets for their events is about as perfect as you can get for such in demand tickets. I do think regular venues could offer season passes, that way shows that wouldn't typically have a large draw might get a few extra ears in if they had a season pass that was good for all events. It keeps revenue in the venues hands to book bands, and should increase the numbers to shows with a lesser draw. Season ticket holders could always give or sell their tickets to events they are not interested in attending.

I couldn't even begin to count how many shows I've attended where I felt embarrassed by my towns turnout for quality music. One instance was four original member of Zappa's Mothers of Invention playing an entire Zappa album which they were all a part of the original recording, or touring band, 10 people paid to get in the doors. The band was amazing, and played as if the house was packed. Maybe if the venue had some season pass holders others would have shown up just to be there since they had the tickets.

[wiebs2334]

I couldn't even begin to count how many shows I've attended where I felt embarrassed by my towns turnout for quality music. One instance was four original member of Zappa's Mothers of Invention playing an entire Zappa album which they were all a part of the original recording, or touring band, 10 people paid to get in the doors. The band was amazing, and played as if the house was packed. Maybe if the venue had some season pass holders others would have shown up just to be there since they had the tickets.

I had a similar experience with my current hometown (Wausau, WI), and people not showing up for the Stringdusters a couple weeks ago. I was also quite embarrassed, I bet there were a hundred people or so, but the room could have held at least 4-5 times that many people. Good news for me is that I was standing front and center, wearing my Telluride gear, for one of my favorite bands, by far the closest I have been for one of their shows. Unfortunately I don't see them coming back.... due to the turnout.

Also had a similar experience this last Fall in Madison, WI with the Lil' Smokies.

Ryan

[landshark]

Telluride ain't an art gallery or museum. It's a music festival (with a dash of circus thrown in). A season ticket model will not work for that crowd. A rough guess is that maybe 10% of folks who attend are over 55, and that decreases by age. But this demographic is the one would be more than likely to afford the season tickets.
Being one of these old farts, I would gladly make charitable contributions to keep the festival as is, open to all, if necessary. I don't want to see Telluride turned into a VIP event, where you can only buy tickets if you have American Express. Some people already feel that way about Town Park festivarians. One day, when they build that Bluegrass Museum over the slag heap in T-Ride, I will buy a subscription. But until then, we can loook forward to meeting new friends and hearing new music every year.

I actually was speaking from an Artist standpoint. If I have a fan base and they follow me and I have blocks of tickets for each Quarter this  is my bread and butter money to fund the flow. I was not speaking from a fest runner point of view but it can swing either way. My point stands. A fest, a hot dog stand, an Art Museum all need money to run hot dog. Read the title of the thread. And my point exactly on the mean age in attendance. You make my point for me. You could be double dippin if you see the entire picture but yes there would be a tribe of folks who could afford the big party up front. , but they earn the right by supporting the event year round almost. I never ever even noticed the pit I was having way to much fun( not true a few very cute boys did catch my eye a time er two) so it only separate you if your head lets it.
I love this place, so carry on that was my 2 cents... hugs n sun n squirt guns

The more I read the more this pulls me in. I would think of shows in blocks like in Jan-March (Q1) I will do the east coast so 3 months before that leg of the tour you sell a season pass Jan- march for all the shows (in a seating of 100 you get 30 the first 30 seats for season holders) and that fluctuates for each venue depending on your following and the capacity. Always a quarter ahead so if you have no takers maybe change the tour to feed the cow. Kickin this thing to death. Over and out! LOL!