no they just need to fire Paul.
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A lot of good points have been made.
For those saying Q+PR should not have done a North American tour and cutting down American fans: fuck off.
Many of these fans have waited a long time to see a Queen related show. I shelled out a lot of money for the Toronto & Detroit shows.
The promotion does make a difference. Last week my sister told her doctor I was going to see Q+PR. He called me up, very excited, to find out details. He goes to a lot of concerts and hadn't heard a thing. I saw one print advert in a small weekly paper. Every time I told someone I was seeing Q+PR they were shocked and interested. To think promotion plays no role in the poor attendance is ridiculous. Promotion is not the only factor. Toronto and Buffalo are practically neighbours. Why were there shows back to back in these 2 cities.(No offense Buffalo Queenies, you could have stayed at my house)
There are a lot of questions but I am sure that with better planning we would be looking at the North American tour as a success.
For me it is a success because I finally got to see this tour. I followed news of every show last year. I bought ROTC on CD & DVD. Now I've had the pleasure of being in the audience.
I can say there is nothing wrong with the North American fans. I hope they'll focus on the good things and learn from the rest.
For those saying Q+PR should not have done a North American tour and cutting down American fans: fuck off.
Many of these fans have waited a long time to see a Queen related show. I shelled out a lot of money for the Toronto & Detroit shows.
The promotion does make a difference. Last week my sister told her doctor I was going to see Q+PR. He called me up, very excited, to find out details. He goes to a lot of concerts and hadn't heard a thing. I saw one print advert in a small weekly paper. Every time I told someone I was seeing Q+PR they were shocked and interested. To think promotion plays no role in the poor attendance is ridiculous. Promotion is not the only factor. Toronto and Buffalo are practically neighbours. Why were there shows back to back in these 2 cities.(No offense Buffalo Queenies, you could have stayed at my house)
There are a lot of questions but I am sure that with better planning we would be looking at the North American tour as a success.
For me it is a success because I finally got to see this tour. I followed news of every show last year. I bought ROTC on CD & DVD. Now I've had the pleasure of being in the audience.
I can say there is nothing wrong with the North American fans. I hope they'll focus on the good things and learn from the rest.
Well, Delilah, first off, I think Queen is the greatest band ever so I'm not a hater. Having said that, they were a rock band when they started. America is a meat and potatoes rock market for the most part. Assuming most people got into the band in '75, diehards would be into ANATO, ADATR, Jazz during their rock stage. I think they changed from a rock and roll first band, to a pop/rock band with the Game. I have friends who hated the Game because of the synth and disco flirtation on AOBTD. They bailed when Hot Space came out, and until Innuendo, there wasn't a lot for fans to chew on here. Queen stopped being a rock band in a lot of people's eyes in 1982. Again, in relation to this thread, I'm stating that fans in these markets where QPR are playing, are seeing a band whose music they here is the equivalent in number of hits and similar career span to the bands I've mentioned. For me, it's the Beatles and Queen as 1 and 1A. To suggest that REO Speedwagon and Journey and Van Halen are in their league would be ludicrous. To suggest that those bands aren't as popular, if not moreso than Queen in the US would be equally ludicrous.
I saw two articles in the newspaper about the tour over a period of probably two or three months inbetween.
I saw two commercials on tv for them. One, at six in the morning (only because I just happened to have been checking the news to see if school was cancelled-it was!) and the other at 11:30 PM.
Not exactly a good choice of times if you ask me...
But Worcester did seem fairly full so maybe they didn't need it here. But still, I bet a little more advertising would've gone a long way.
I saw two commercials on tv for them. One, at six in the morning (only because I just happened to have been checking the news to see if school was cancelled-it was!) and the other at 11:30 PM.
Not exactly a good choice of times if you ask me...
But Worcester did seem fairly full so maybe they didn't need it here. But still, I bet a little more advertising would've gone a long way.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]jordanjo wrote: [/QUOTENAME]no they just need to fire Paul.[/QUOTE]
That's it!!
Replace Rodgers by someone with a sense of hearing and some charism.
Furthermore change a little bit the setlist
Discard rap-/pop-/Bad Company-songs and add more rock stuff
Then I'd travel from Europe to the USA, answer some stupid questions at the arrival there and finally, after singing The Star Spangled Banner, I'd be in front of the catwalk adoring Brian May!
That's it!!
Replace Rodgers by someone with a sense of hearing and some charism.
Furthermore change a little bit the setlist
Discard rap-/pop-/Bad Company-songs and add more rock stuff
Then I'd travel from Europe to the USA, answer some stupid questions at the arrival there and finally, after singing The Star Spangled Banner, I'd be in front of the catwalk adoring Brian May!
Erin is right about the general admission tickets. If a venue is seating-only (and most American venues are), it can't be compared to European venues where half of the audience stand around the catwalk. It makes a HUGE difference. I have attended some 20-30 rock concerts in the past two years and only twice I had a seating tickets - and these were the gigs that I enjoyed the least. On a rock gig you have to STAND unless you're handicapped or tired or injured or old or something like that!
I also understand the point about America having hundreds gigs of famous rock acts every week - no wonder people are not excited when some Queen arrive.
But "Queen haven't been here since 1982" or "I haven't heard anything on the radio" is not an excuse! It only shows that most Americans are NOT interested in Queen. Queen were big on the American market from ~1977 to 1980 and this era is gone.
I also understand the point about America having hundreds gigs of famous rock acts every week - no wonder people are not excited when some Queen arrive.
But "Queen haven't been here since 1982" or "I haven't heard anything on the radio" is not an excuse! It only shows that most Americans are NOT interested in Queen. Queen were big on the American market from ~1977 to 1980 and this era is gone.
Ticket prices must have an effect. 200$ for a ticket is just ridiculously overpriced. It's Rock'n Roll and should be for everyone and not only rich people. We as fans do not need to have sleepless nights over the financial gain of the tour, after all people here on the boards are the ones who pay that money. Queen did have a good sound in Europe and tickets were not that expensive.
If more promotion is needed in the USA to sell out concerts, it's safe to say the promoters did not do their job. Last year in Europe the concerts sold so fast that dates were added but they must have noticed that the situation is different in the USA. When venues are half empty it's not nice for the band and not for the fans who attend. Therefore, we all must hope that they learn the lesson as the tour progresses and just do more local promotion.
If more promotion is needed in the USA to sell out concerts, it's safe to say the promoters did not do their job. Last year in Europe the concerts sold so fast that dates were added but they must have noticed that the situation is different in the USA. When venues are half empty it's not nice for the band and not for the fans who attend. Therefore, we all must hope that they learn the lesson as the tour progresses and just do more local promotion.
I think many people forget that it's not just Queen + PR that are playing to venues that are not full. This is happening to many bands in the US. Yes there are certain acts such as Elton John who will sell out wherever they go, but many bands cannot sell out tours anymore. High tickets prices and the market being flooded are more than likely to blame. Some areas will say major acts every week. You can't afford to go to them all.
Resumed I think that the lack of promotion is not the thing that keeps people away from concerts.
Fans (die hards, fanatics) know when their bands play and they are willing to pay the over-prized tickets for it
What consequently means that you have to make choices, but that is the same as it was in my younger years, when I found the tickets as well expensive enough
Concerts are expensive, not many groups (used to) earn profits with it and that's okay
Considering the history no one should be surprised that the shows in the US and Canada are not all soled out. If I am well informed tonight (detroit?) is soled out.
And of course it is nicer to have a soled out house for the performers and audience as well (except when your seat is close to the exit door, also far away from where it happens
I guess that we, the fans (queenzoners are what that concerns the elite force of queen), must be glad if we were able to see them, once, twice, ten times
My experience is that I enjoyed the (2) shows very much, felt privileged
And I do not understand exactly why people do complain about this kind of things that are in fact not important, I should not mind seeing them in a not soled out house, in fact I did see queen in a not soled out house. But that was Queen! Loong ago (I start to get 'grandpa stories', I need to keep an eye on my kids I guess) :):):):)
Fans (die hards, fanatics) know when their bands play and they are willing to pay the over-prized tickets for it
What consequently means that you have to make choices, but that is the same as it was in my younger years, when I found the tickets as well expensive enough
Concerts are expensive, not many groups (used to) earn profits with it and that's okay
Considering the history no one should be surprised that the shows in the US and Canada are not all soled out. If I am well informed tonight (detroit?) is soled out.
And of course it is nicer to have a soled out house for the performers and audience as well (except when your seat is close to the exit door, also far away from where it happens
I guess that we, the fans (queenzoners are what that concerns the elite force of queen), must be glad if we were able to see them, once, twice, ten times
My experience is that I enjoyed the (2) shows very much, felt privileged
And I do not understand exactly why people do complain about this kind of things that are in fact not important, I should not mind seeing them in a not soled out house, in fact I did see queen in a not soled out house. But that was Queen! Loong ago (I start to get 'grandpa stories', I need to keep an eye on my kids I guess) :):):):)
Detroit does not appear to have any main floor or lower bowl left. They seem to have only upper bowl available row 8 out of 16.
This is good.
This is good.
Detroit rock city.
In Vancouver, the highest priced tickets were $115 Canadian ($100 US). So it was slightly lower that US dates.
As for promotion, the only bands I see promoted are bands like U2, Coldplay, Rolling Stones etc..etc.. The rest of the bands get little or no promotion. Though, there were a few articles in the papers about Queen. Infact, they rated the upcoming Queen concert in the top 10 concerts to look forward to in 2006.
As for promotion, the only bands I see promoted are bands like U2, Coldplay, Rolling Stones etc..etc.. The rest of the bands get little or no promotion. Though, there were a few articles in the papers about Queen. Infact, they rated the upcoming Queen concert in the top 10 concerts to look forward to in 2006.
I had no idea until recently that the *real* ticket prices for the front sections (even row 19 etc.) are $200 apiece straight from Ticketmaster (at least for Anaheim, because I've seen three of those tickets firsthand). I thought only the scalpers sold tickets that high. I don't see why the scalpers are made out as the enemies anymore....
Presentation is kicking their ass!
It's like this, let's analyze two scenarios:
Queen + Paul Rodgers, the tour/band we know.
Royal Blues, A supergroup crossing of Queen and PR, just as we have now, but with a supergroup name(I through that one out there).
Now, what do we have? The first tells you what the show is going to be, a merger of what's left of Queen with a legendary vocalist fronting them.
The second scenario by definition presents them with a new identity, a super grooup title to this merger. It doesn't advertise that they will be doing anything new, the name merely labels them individually. The irony here is tha the 1st name get's the word out better, and it more accurately sales the audience on what to expect. The 2nd does neither as well, but it greatly enhances their respect. Suddenly it's not an atempt to replace the irreplaceable, suddenly it's a new creative venture. You don't see Velvet Revolver being called Guns'N Roses + Scott(? Stone Temple guy).
Why it is the way it is, is because they made no plans beyond the tour, therefore it is a Queen show with some PR tunes and vocals. Ultimately the problem isn't with their team, or at least not entirely. Ultimately the problem is more American ignorance. All I speak with repeat the same statement, "It ain't Queen without Freddie." While this is true, they don't see it as anyless than absolute because Americans don't know Brian May and Roger Taylor by name. They don't recognize the amount of their musical contribution.
The UK does which is why Brian and Roger get all the cheers and fan worship, more even than Paul.
It's too bad because with the shitty USA grosses, I doubt Queen will ever cross the Atlantic for our ungrateful asses again. I'm just so glad that I got to catch them in L.A. last October and that I will catch them in San Diego in just over a week.
The show will be great, and so was L.A., but in closing what was special to me was that before those shows I saw them In Birmingham, UK which for me was seeing Queen with the greatest of Queen fans. That was the perfect way to start!
It's like this, let's analyze two scenarios:
Queen + Paul Rodgers, the tour/band we know.
Royal Blues, A supergroup crossing of Queen and PR, just as we have now, but with a supergroup name(I through that one out there).
Now, what do we have? The first tells you what the show is going to be, a merger of what's left of Queen with a legendary vocalist fronting them.
The second scenario by definition presents them with a new identity, a super grooup title to this merger. It doesn't advertise that they will be doing anything new, the name merely labels them individually. The irony here is tha the 1st name get's the word out better, and it more accurately sales the audience on what to expect. The 2nd does neither as well, but it greatly enhances their respect. Suddenly it's not an atempt to replace the irreplaceable, suddenly it's a new creative venture. You don't see Velvet Revolver being called Guns'N Roses + Scott(? Stone Temple guy).
Why it is the way it is, is because they made no plans beyond the tour, therefore it is a Queen show with some PR tunes and vocals. Ultimately the problem isn't with their team, or at least not entirely. Ultimately the problem is more American ignorance. All I speak with repeat the same statement, "It ain't Queen without Freddie." While this is true, they don't see it as anyless than absolute because Americans don't know Brian May and Roger Taylor by name. They don't recognize the amount of their musical contribution.
The UK does which is why Brian and Roger get all the cheers and fan worship, more even than Paul.
It's too bad because with the shitty USA grosses, I doubt Queen will ever cross the Atlantic for our ungrateful asses again. I'm just so glad that I got to catch them in L.A. last October and that I will catch them in San Diego in just over a week.
The show will be great, and so was L.A., but in closing what was special to me was that before those shows I saw them In Birmingham, UK which for me was seeing Queen with the greatest of Queen fans. That was the perfect way to start!
My first concert was Queen back in 1980, yeah, they ROCKED!!! I left that show with an addiction that lasted the better part of 25 years... and then I took a comment Brian made just a little too personally and almost literly dumped them.. I sold a LOT of my rare stuff, as it really didnt matter to me anymore, but now as the meds are kicking in I am beginning to realize that I might have made a mistake, so when my friend offered me a chance to go see them in Detroit I couldnt pass it up, yeah my seats suck in comparison to where I saw them first time, but hey.. at least I will have seen Brian and Roger one last time, and for those of you who may have forgotten, Paul Rodgers is fairly loved over here in the States already for his Bad Company stuff.. so, this makes perfect sense to tour with Queen under the name Queen + Paul Rodgers.. as far as the promotion, yeah it REALLY sucks.. I have not seen ONE ad for them, and since I do not listen to the radio I wouldnt know about that media, but the newspaper havent really made much about it.. besides the Flint Journal in which was mentioned on Brianmay.com.. whoo hoo...
So regardless if Detroit is a sell out or not, regardless if Queen ever come back to the states or not the bottom line is THEY ARE HERE NOW and I am going.. I dont care about Joe Schmoo who isnt going, I have a friend of mine who claimed to be bigger than I was as a fan, he said he couldnt make it.. my response.. YOUR LOSS..
WE WILL ROCK DETROIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So regardless if Detroit is a sell out or not, regardless if Queen ever come back to the states or not the bottom line is THEY ARE HERE NOW and I am going.. I dont care about Joe Schmoo who isnt going, I have a friend of mine who claimed to be bigger than I was as a fan, he said he couldnt make it.. my response.. YOUR LOSS..
WE WILL ROCK DETROIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!