I recall a time when once Radiohead seemed to be the last true full scale, touring, millions selling progressive rock band and with this, humble, self effacing and concerned only with the music. In recent years it has been a pleasure to see them embrace the praise and status which they have, i have no doubt, worked exceptionally hard to gain.
I sit here now typing this, waiting for a ticket website to confirm card details to purchase a ticket for the manchester date of the 2012 tour. I have been doing this (watching a wheel comprising of dots spinning around) for nearly two hours now! Whilst i appreciate the band themselves do not own nor run the site in question and therefore can't really do anything about it i still feel justified, having been given a platform to do so, in expressing my problems/gripes with this situation.
1) The astronomical price hike in comparison to the In Rainbows tour prices, close to twice as much! Why? what is it that in the bands attitude, ethos?, choice of venue, management or overall output has led this to be the case?
2) Methods of buying tickets. At this price you expect not to be caused such levels of stress ( i assure you when buying for others as well as yourself the thought of letting them down is very stressful indeed!) Of couse the scale of such tours/events bears a great relevance on the options that are open to bands and festival organisers but does anyone remember catching a bus to your nearest independent record store and purchasing gig tickets over the counter? or even a time when internet purchasing was considerably easier, regardless of the scale of event? It strikes me the major problem is surplus tickets being bought up by touts and those who seek to profiteer from the popularity of such bands and the dedication of the fans. Nothing new here but it has truly reached a peak of insanity! when people are willing to pay £1500 to see the likes of The Stone Roses play a greatist hits set, something really needs to be done about this. More gigs across smaller venues?
It does not pleasure me to say such things in fact it makes me feel old and miserable and negative but as a musician and music lover i rarely concern myself with bands/gigs who operate at this level so it's a shame that when i do it leads me to such levels of frustration, anger and even sadness that i may never again!....It's eleven o,clock, the wheel's still spinning and i am no closer to having purchased a ticket!!!
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