930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: MindCage on February 07, 2007, 10:32:00 am
-
"This will change everybody's impression of the way touring in the summer in America should be." -- Sharon Osbourne
Imagine a day of wall-to-wall hard rock.
Imagine the world's greatest headliner sharing a bill with cutting edge new artists.
Imagine if this brass-knuckled beast was hellbent on coming to your town.
Imagine this earth-pounding event...FOR FREE.
2007 will forever mark the year Ozzfest spiked the concert industry's punch and gave every head-banging American kid a reason to strap on an air guitar with the historic announcement that tickets to the summer's premiere touring concert festival won't cost fans a dime.
Testing one, two, three...
That's right, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne and tour producer Live Nation broke the news today at the Concert Industry Consortium in Los Angeles that their 12th annual hard rock spectacular â?? a 25-date extravaganza launching July 7 in Los Angeles â?? is pulling the plug on ticket prices and giving the power back to the fans calling this summer's Ozzfest "FreeFest." The other Ozzfestcities as of now are San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Albuquerque, Phoenix, Dallas, San Antonio, Kansas City, St Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Columbus, Pittsburgh, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Hartford, Charlotte, Atlanta, West Palm Beach, Nashville. Note: a final confirmed list of cities and dates is forthcoming.
"For the last few years," says Sharon, "ticket prices have steadily climbed as artists demand more and more money for summer tours. We certainly want everybody to make money, however we also want the kids to be able to afford to come out and have an incredible experience. If we continued with the traditional touring festival model, we would have no choice but to raise ticket prices again this year."
Cited as "one of rock's biggest juggernauts" in the cover feature of Sunday's New York Times' "Arts and Leisure" section (6/25/06), Ozzfest and Live Nation will turn to sponsors to provide added support for the festival's new incarnation. This summer's Ozzfest will provide select sponsors with a unique opportunity to engage fans one-on-one utilizing one of music's best known brands.
"We're reaching the same point we did years ago when kids no longer wanted to pay for overpriced CDs," compares Sharon. "As a result, they found alternative ways of getting music. That's what's happening with summer touring in this country, it's out-pricing itself. We started this and we want to keep it and we want to make it bigger and bigger each year by getting bigger sponsors to be involved with the festival and underwriting the festival. That's what it's about."
"For the past 11 years, music fans have made Ozzfest the most successful and enduring rock music festival in the United States," said Jason Garner, Live Nation President of North American Concerts. "What better way to say 'Thank You' to the music fans who have made this possible than inviting them to attend Ozzfest for free."
To gain entry into the event, fans will go to www.ozzfest.com (http://www.ozzfest.com) or www.livenation.com (http://www.livenation.com) to find links that will direct them to special sponsor sites where tickets can be secured. More details regarding the process are forthcoming.
As Ozzfest's founder and namesake, Ozzy will make his triumphant return to the headlining position on this year's mainstage after surprising fans last year by performing on the down-and-dirty second stage at a handful of dates. Audiences can expect the Prince of Darkness to unveil new songs from his forthcoming studio album, Ozzy's first disc of new material since 2001. While the rest of the in-progress bill is under wraps, Sharon points out, "we have bands committed, but we're hoping that after today's announcement we'll have a whole influx of artists who want to be a part of something this ground breaking. We know there aren't any major headlining acts that would tour all summer for nothing, but we're confident we can turn some of the genre's biggest bands on to what we're doing and have them come out to play a date or two. If they're in town and want the rush of performing in front of 20,000 frenzied kids, they're more than welcome to join us. They can sell their t-shirts, CDs and whatever else they've got. They're also welcome to book their own shows in local venues on the day of Ozzfest. I'm not stopping them. People have to be creative and think of alternatives."
Since 1996, Ozfest has been a virtual breeding ground for rising bands. The festival has been instrumental in igniting the careers of platinum-selling artists like SYSTEM OF A DOWN, DISTURBED, LINKIN PARK, INCUBUS, SLIPKNOT, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE and GODSMACK. Along with supporting bands on the rise including AVENGED SEVENFOLD, MUDVAYNE, LAMB OF GOD, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and LACUNA COIL, among others.
"Ozzfest was created to keep this genre of music alive by showcasing new talent," states Sharon. "You better believe we're going to keep perpetuating that by hand-picking compelling new bands that are hungry for Ozzfest's career-making exposure."
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=66602 (http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=66602)
MindCage
Mindless Faith (http://www.mindlessfaith.com)
Deep6 Productions (http://www.deep6.com)
-
wow, pretty awesome!
-
Will Coachella and the others follow suit?
-
perhaps if they get a lineup as crappy as Ozzfest!
-
The bands are not going to be paid. They are supposed to view this as an opportunity to play in front of a big audience. Which it is, sure. But it's just another example of the over-commercialization of music (via sponsors) and the raping of working musicians.
Labels have been ripping them off for years. Now, they *get* to play a show for free because it's an opportunity. That's okay for young bands without an established audience who need to pay their dues, but for bigger bands who draw tons of fans? Sharon, Ozzy and Live Nation get to make more money from sponsors and the bands get zilch.
This sucks. Fuck you Sharon. Lower the guarantees you demand for your has-been husband and other bands you manage and THEN ticket prices can be less expensive. All you've done with this is figure out a way to put more money in your pocket.
I hope there are some bands out there with integrity who say, "No, you have to pay me to play since you're raking in the sponsor's money."
-
I'm holding out until THEY PAY ME to go.
I was a thrasher back in the day waiting breathlessly for the new Possessed, Bathory, Venom, Death Angel, (insert Satanic reference here), et al to come out.
I Rodied for Exodus and during their opening slot for Slayer during Hell Awaits tour in Seattle, I moshed myself senseless (literally).
I actually spent the night outside a record store waiting for the import of Kill 'em All on Music For Nations to show up on Cassette, then Metallica eventually got signed to Elektra, and I eventually discovered the Smiths, Sonic Youth, X, Jane's Addiction (insert college coming of age 80s band here) and the rest they say is history.
I don't dislike Ozzfest because I'm old, but perhaps I'm old because I dislike Ozzfest. Though SOAD, Tool, and a few others are still keeping it real.
-
Don't a lot of bands play Warped tour for free as long as they get to sell merch for basically the free exposure. I went to one Warped Tour and was amazed at how much sponsorship there was everywhere. The place seemed more like a job fair than a rack concert.
-
Not really suprised by all the negativity, doesnt matter what they do, you'll find something to complain about until one of your special bands thinks of something, then its the greatest thing since sliced bread.
-
So having ads splashed everywhere at an outdoor festival tarnishes your enjoyment? To be honest, the very last thing I noticed at Coachella were the ads. Shouldn't you be playing attention to the music?
I can see Arlette's point, especially from a band's perspective. The last thing Ozzy & Sharon need is more money. Still, from a fan's perspective, I think it's great. I'd be tempted to go, no matter how lame the bands were, just to catch a free show.
And even if they're not getting paid, it still seems like a great chance for some pretty green bands to get a ton of exposure. Doesn't that make up some of the difference, especially if it turns into album or merch sales?
Ozzfest has broken quite a few acts over the years, and whether or not we like them is irrelevant. To me, that seems like that might be worth a few months of tightening your belt just for that kind of exposure.
-
With the exception of a few of the headliners I think most of the bands on Ozzfest have had to pay to be on the bill, am I wrong there?
-
If its a decent lineup, I don't care if sponsorship is everywhere, even if it might end up being a little ridiculous in this case. I can't say I'm a huge fan of this festival in particular, but I don't measure a show's worth by doing research on who the sponsors are. They could call this "Budweiser Metal Fest: Sponsored by Wal-Mart" and the bottom line will still be that the bands suck or they don't suck. If its the latter, I could go. But that doesn't mean I'll be forced to even look at any sponsors, unless its the one that's getting me drunk throughout the day, and it won't be Bud. I went to the embarrassingly-named Virgin Festival, which is the same deal, and I recall tons of sponsor-driven crap, but its only a few months later and the only thing I remember clearly is the performances, although I do vaguely remember seeing alot of cell phone stuff near the main stage.
-
Couldn't you see someone like KoRn joining this tour? Jonathon is always big on giving back to the fans, and i think this would be another great chance for them and other bigger bands to sort of walk the walk.
-
Not really suprised by all the negativity, doesnt matter what they do, you'll find something to complain about until one of your special bands thinks of something, then its the greatest thing since sliced bread.
hey!! i didnt complain. i thought it was cool.
though, if some people are making money off of this tour, and not paying others...well, i suppose that IS a little shady.
but in the end, i doubt any bands are being forced to play on the bill.
college atheletes dont get paid (free education, that SOME of them actually use aside).
and i know bands who have records out, that go on tour and it actually costs THEM money. so exposure is priceless, theres always gonna be some jerk makin lots of cash, but in the end, if the fans like it, and the bands playing like it....then fuck it, its cool by the canadian guy :)
-
all that said, sponsership, for all the good it may do, annoys the fucking piss out of me.
i wish we could find a way around having to use it! (i know, we really cant!)
-
Couldn't you see someone like KoRn joining this tour? Jonathon is always big on giving back to the fans, and i think this would be another great chance for them and other bigger bands to sort of walk the walk.
They still exist? I thought the dude died a few years back or something.
-
With the exception of a few of the headliners I think most of the bands on Ozzfest have had to pay to be on the bill, am I wrong there?
I was under the same impression.
-
It's not only the sponsorship banners at the festival. Did you see how people are going to have to get tickets?
They'll be provided with website links to the sponsors sites. They'll have to click around in order to find the ticket page. Tickets will be free, but you have to have a ticket and you can only get them from the sponsor's websites.
And I wonder if there will be service charges, or inflated shipping charges? You think Live Nation is going to process the tickets for free? Ticket = Free. Convenience Fee = $10.00. Shipping = $20.00. They're not going to do Will Call tickets at a festival. That's my guess. And Sharon will take a cut of that, you betcha.
Sorry to rant so much, but I am sick of the music industry finding more creative ways to put more money in the hands of the corporations while not fairly paying those who provide the content.
-
Ben's Chili Bowl
-
You all can insult Ozzfest all you want, they've had some pretty decent metal bands in the past, especially on the second stage (As I Lay Dying, Mastodon, and Killswitch Engage come to mind off the top of my head.) If they have any bands of that caliber this year, it might actually be worth the price of admission.
-
It is true that the bands that play Ozzfest had to pay to play. I believe it's upwards of $50-60,000 that labels have to shell out to Sharon.
Basically the bands live off the food catering and merch money.
MindCage
Mindless Faith (http://www.mindlessfaith.com)
Deep6 Productions (http://www.deep6.com)
-
They'll be provided with website links to the sponsors sites. They'll have to click around in order to find the ticket page. Tickets will be free, but you have to have a ticket and you can only get them from the sponsor's websites.
And I wonder if there will be service charges, or inflated shipping charges? You think Live Nation is going to process the tickets for free? Ticket = Free. Convenience Fee = $10.00. Shipping = $20.00. They're not going to do Will Call tickets at a festival. That's my guess. And Sharon will take a cut of that, you betcha.
Holy shit...its free! If one of my favorite bands said they'd play for FREE but I'd have to "click around" isuckballs.com, I'd do it. Who gives a shit? As far as the service charge goes, take that up with the ticket people. Of course there will be inflated ticket charges - they exist for just about everything. Are the Osbournes greedy? Yea - it looks like it. They've done commercials and tv shows and all kinds of marketing and the like. But how much will they rake in here after the production costs, etc when they are filling huge venues and not charging people? I doubt that it will be alot. The bottom line is that they are putting on a free festival for people. I don't understand how this is such a horrible thing.
-
Nothing is free. If you think it will be free, I have a nice little bridge in Brooklyn I can sell you for a steal.
And if you go to the festival, I hope you don't get thirsty...the water that they force you to buy because you can't bring your own in, which used to cost $8.00, will now probably cost around $12.00. And if you used to park for $20.00, it will probably now be $25.00. Trust me, with Sharon involved, attendees will probably end up paying more than they have in the past. But, they won't know it because, well, it was FREE!!! She is just pulling the wool over everyone's eyes by using the word "Free".
Nothing is free. This is a marketing gimmick, that is all.
This is a big deal to me because it's changing the perception and value of music. It's just enhancing the thought that people shouldn't have to pay for music. I don't think anyone on this board has a problem paying reasonable prices to go see a festival or concert. They could have reduced ticket prices without having to resort to this "let's trick the consumers" ploy.
And yes, SOME bands have had to pay in the past. But the big bands were paid, as is fair, since they drew the bulk of the audience.
-
All concerts are overcommercialized capitalist schemes. That's why I only listen to live music played by street people. I pay them only if I want to. If they have a Starbucks cup, a McDonalds bag, or any other vestige of kkkorporate Amerikkka they get no dinero!!!
-
Maybe, just maybe, some bands are into it for the music and not the money. And for them, this is a dream come true.
-
Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 7:13 pm Post subject: How Ozzfest/Freefest 2007 Will Work
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the time comes, members that are subscribed to ozzfest.com, as well as forums.ozzfest.com, will be sent links to which they can secure tickets for. There WILL be a limit, however, that limit has not been determined yet.
Questions
Will there be a limit to the number of tickets I can buy?
Again, yes, there will be. The amount has not yet been determined, but there will be.
How will I gain entrance?
You will print out or recieve the tickets that you have secured and you will bring those with you to the event, where you will exchange them for entrance.
How will the seating be decided?
As in previous years, the second stage will still be general admission for everyone without seats. However, as far as main stage, it will be first come, first serve basis for both general admission AND the seats. Of course, you do not stake claim to seats, meaning that if you stand up and leave the seats, others are entitled to sit there.
Will merchandise and concession prices be raised to make up for the lack of ticket price?
No. The prices will remain up to the individual artists to decide, however, there will be no expected raise in prices.
How will the artists make money off of this?
They are free to book themselves at local shows on days before, after, and days OF the fest. Also, they are, as always, welcome to bring and sell merchandise.
How different will the bill be from date to date?
Some second stage acts may change, however, the main stage acts will be comitted and appear throughout the tour, unless otherwise stated.
Is there any truth to rumors that Ozzfest will be moved inside?
No, the shows will be at amputheatres as they traditionally have been.
-
Isn't Clear Channel selling the Corporate Sponsorships at Merriweather Post now?