The more gear, band members, etc, the more a show will cost.  There's all sorts of overhead that the band or their management have to fork over BEFORE the band sees any profit -  hence the varying ticket prices. 

It's governed by the same sort of business practices that a store has, if you think about it.  Building rental that may or may not include utilities like electricity, employees (people manning the tickets booths, security, roadies, and the like) that need to be paid, transporting of goods (in a band's case you have the band members themselves, instruments, sound and lighting boards, other assorted gear, and any merch....and lets not forget gas prices!), and food and lodging costs to take into consideration.  And that is before the band members themselves get paid.

Yes, GBS costs more now than they used to.  They also play venues that aren't cheap little holes in the wall, and they have employees they have to pay, as well as other assorted and sundry things that crop up.

Maybe it's because I've done accounting for this sort of thing before that I understand the rising costs, I don't know.  But I know enough to just be grateful that I get to see them.  They could always turn into one of those bands that only release albums ever year or so and never tour.  Cheaper in the long run, don't ya think?

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Don't feed the idiots or they'll continue being idiots...

That's kind of what they do... release an album every year or so and tour way less, especially in Atlantic Canada.

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Great Big Stuff!


"I'm still in diapers, actually." - Ron Hynes

"Any people from Newfoundland? Whaddya doin' here?! Taking all the jobs?! REVENGE!" - Ron Hynes

"You're like Bob with tits." - Candace

Sure. Fair enough. But, GBS as a group and individually have always acknowledged that touring, in order to reach their fan base, is their bread-and-butter. In early days, their genre of trad-folk-&-more with a pop/rock edge fit popular radio programming like a round peg in a square hole. After the release of new albums now, they are still largely unsupported by radio and TV, although the media has certainly come around, especially in Canada. GBS still values touring as an essential, perhaps the most essential, way to reach their fans.

You are right though; they do fewer dates on the road now. 15 years ago when GBS started out, they came out of the gate hard, building up and maintaining a grueling schedule of 250+ shows a year. Perhaps that was because they're passionate and driven and because at that time they could. They were in their twenties and unmarried with no children.

From my perspective, GBS has worked very hard to carve out their place in the music industry--mile by mile, city by city, song by song, fan by fan and album by album. As I see it, they have to have a different approach to touring now in order to maintain a healthy balance in their lives. As people get older, have families and shift focus, things change. It doesn't mean they are any less passionate or driven about what they do, or doing it live. As Bob says in his latest Soundtrack, "hearty songs and spirited group singing are our meat and drink".

GBS still tours a lot. They still put out albums regularly. Hey, lucky you, lucky me. :)

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Free Cruise Clocks

It could be to that by touring less they are keeping costs down and getting the chance to spend more time with their respective families.  I respect that, and I won't complain about not getting to see them as often as I'd like.  Besides, your children are only young once and if you miss all those important milestones you could feel like you've missed out on too much.

I, for one, don't particularily care if they tour or not.  Sure, I enjoy seeing them live on stage, but this is a band that I enjoy the music of first and foremost - and I have all their CDs to date.  If I want to listen to them I can put on a CD...I don't HAVE to see them in concert.  Although, I will if I can afford the tickets and the time, and if I'm not missing out on something important.

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Don't feed the idiots or they'll continue being idiots...

I wasn't complaining that they tour less. Just stating the fact. I've been a fan for years and I've only seen them live once, and I'm perfectly happy with that. I'll go if they come near, but won't complain (or drive more than an hour) if it doesn't happen.

 I enjoy them for the music, too, and that's part of my point... you said ticket prices have risen because of their crew, but the matter is... do they need all that? all those lights? All that stuff? Sure, it's pretty and all, but it doesn't make them sound better or worst.

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Great Big Stuff!


"I'm still in diapers, actually." - Ron Hynes

"Any people from Newfoundland? Whaddya doin' here?! Taking all the jobs?! REVENGE!" - Ron Hynes

"You're like Bob with tits." - Candace

Do they tour with lights? The venues they play at could provide them with the instruments, it would seem a little silly to carry anymore then gels. Regardless, other than a bit of extra gas used up to pull the trailer behind the bus, I don't see how bringing the lights with them causes extra expenses. You're right, they sound just as good without them, but can you imagine the complaints that would arise if they played under work lights?

Don't know if it's true, but I thought they usually had 9 guys on the bus. That's 5 band members, Britt, Andy, their sound guy, & Glenn. It's not as if they're touring with a huge crew. So how could they cut down on their crew?

On top of that, they sleep on the bus many nights, saving on hotels. How much more money could you ask them to save? I hardly see them as extravagant.

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"I see you in the front row, bouncing up and down, you're ripped and ready for a night downtown." ~ Margarita
What's wrong with a little flirtation?

Monster Tee

Quite often house lights suck for concerts.  They are great for plays and stuff, but not so much for concerts.  AND by them bringing along their own lights means that there is some measure of consistency each night.  From what I've seen they use a fairly stripped down lighting setup compared to some smaller acts.  And as for their own sound board and equipment?  I've had the misfortune to use some truly shitty in-house stuff...it's better that they use stuff that they know and trust.  And they need people they trust to run that equipment - would you let a total stranger handle or tune your guitar?

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Don't feed the idiots or they'll continue being idiots...

Fran:

 I hardly see them as extravagant.

Leaves me to wonder why tickets are so expensive, now... while many a band with a huge crew and all that charge less... 

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Great Big Stuff!


"I'm still in diapers, actually." - Ron Hynes

"Any people from Newfoundland? Whaddya doin' here?! Taking all the jobs?! REVENGE!" - Ron Hynes

"You're like Bob with tits." - Candace

I think it's probably because they're awesome, and the demand dictates the ticket price. It seems the people who are willing to pay the asking price feel they get good value for their money.

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Free Cruise Clocks

I doubt the band charges 70$ a shot because they're "awesome".

I can see it now...

Reporter: Why so much?

Bob: Because I'm Bob. And I'm awesome. 

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Great Big Stuff!


"I'm still in diapers, actually." - Ron Hynes

"Any people from Newfoundland? Whaddya doin' here?! Taking all the jobs?! REVENGE!" - Ron Hynes

"You're like Bob with tits." - Candace

Really? Care to elaborate? It isn't because they suck.

[QUOTE YOUNG SPANIARD]

I doubt the band charges 70$ a shot because they're "awesome".

I can see it now...

Reporter: Why so much?

Bob: Because I'm Bob. And I'm awesome. [END QUOTE]

Hmmm, what would amaze me is seeing a reporter take issue with a $70 ticket price and asking that question at all. That is a bit absurd.

I'm just thinking about other things that cost $70ish bucks, like a pedicure. Why do they cost "so much"? The spa isn't using special lights or expensive equipment. They aren't traveling to get to my city/area? Maybe it's because they're awesome too, and people will pay it...over and over again. This is a stupid conversation. I'm having a stupid conversation. How did this happen? WHA HAPPEN?! Like Bonnie below...over and out.

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Free Cruise Clocks

Quite often the better known a band is the more it costs to book them at a venue.  It's just the way it works sometimes, and I'm not going to question it.  Nor am I going to participate in this discussion any further at this time.

Things work they way they do for a variety of reasons, many of which I know and some I don't.  Either way, I'm done.  It's clear that no matter what valid reasons are given that they'll be argued with.  And I'm not here for the fight, thank you very much.

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Don't feed the idiots or they'll continue being idiots...

Jebus... pardon me for trying to inject a little humour with my reporter comment.

Well, I'm lurking again. Forget I tried to come here after being booted without a coherent reason or a notification.

Ta. 

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Great Big Stuff!


"I'm still in diapers, actually." - Ron Hynes

"Any people from Newfoundland? Whaddya doin' here?! Taking all the jobs?! REVENGE!" - Ron Hynes

"You're like Bob with tits." - Candace

Ta. Sorry I didn't like your humor. I usually take mine black.

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Free Cruise Clocks

I'm glad you edited that post... I don't think I was mean to anybody and I'm not sure I deserved that...

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Great Big Stuff!


"I'm still in diapers, actually." - Ron Hynes

"Any people from Newfoundland? Whaddya doin' here?! Taking all the jobs?! REVENGE!" - Ron Hynes

"You're like Bob with tits." - Candace