Why do bands skip DC??

[Vas Deferens]

I just noticed that many SXSW acts that played San Francisco right after SXSW week skipped DC... Is it because NYC is only 4 hours away? Or, there are not much fans in DC?
 
 Jose Gonzalez
 Snow Patrol
 dEUS
 The Bats

[Bags]

We also got two of the nine U.S. Pogues dates.  It's all logistics, what the band can do.  I've been frustrated in the past myself, but the truth is we get just about everything.

[andyrichter]

Originally posted by Bags:
  I've been frustrated in the past myself, but the truth is we get just about everything.

Agreed.  Some bands will always play DC and some always Baltimore, but with Sonar now in full swing, bands will now be even more inclined to skip DC.  I'm not griping because it's better than skipping the whole region all together and it's only a 45 minute drive there, but just an observation.

[Bags]

Originally posted by andyrichter:
   

Originally posted by Bags:
  I've been frustrated in the past myself, but the truth is we get just about everything.

Agreed.  Some bands will always play DC and some always Baltimore, but with Sonar now in full swing, bands will now be even more inclined to skip DC.  I'm not griping because it's better than skipping the whole region all together and it's only a 45 minute drive there, but just an observation. [/b]

I'm sure I'll get flamed, but I've only gone to B'more for a show midweek once.  Just too far.  But, I'm used to a 7 minute commute home once a show is over, so my normal situation is too sweet and I'm used to it.

[snailhook]

if you really want to know, i can tell you why certain bands skip dc. the lack of a mid-size venue (like the ottobar) has a lot to do with it. things will be changing soon, however.
 
 i know my taste in music is pretty much out of the mainstream, but since i started doing show three years ago, i've been able to bring many bands to dc that would otherwise have skipped it. if you're into experimental, noise, psych, doom metal, acid folk, free jazz, and electronics, you know what i'm talking about.

[lbcardoni]

Why do They Might Be Giants never skip Baltimore?

[redsock]

Originally posted by snailhook:
  if you really want to know, i can tell you why certain bands skip dc. the lack of a mid-size venue (like the ottobar) has a lot to do with it. things will be changing soon, however.
 
 i know my taste in music is pretty much out of the mainstream, but since i started doing show three years ago, i've been able to bring many bands to dc that would otherwise have skipped it. if you're into experimental, noise, psych, doom metal, acid folk, free jazz, and electronics, you know what i'm talking about.

I couldn't agree more snailhook. Hopefully the Rock n Roll Hotel will help improve this. But i think part of the problem lies with the Black Cat. I love the club and the people, but it is a tough place to book shows if you are an out of town band without a track record here. It almost doesn't matter how much buzz you have. I literally couldn't get the BJM show there last year without it being on the backstage, simply because they hadn't been huge at the club before. I mean, we could have easily sold 400-500 tickets for that show. Since this has been our only "mid" size venue, this could make it difficult. That doesn't explain a band like Snow Patrol skipping DC, especially since we are a cash cow for them.

[kosmo vinyl]

Well many UK bands are coming over for SXSW showcases that in some cases are being funded by the arts councils over there, so they have limited funds as to where they can perfom.  New York is obvious due to the numerous media outlets, record co, population, etc up there.  Tis a shame the majority of the media coverage in DC is of the political nature, what a WASTE of broadcasting facilities.  Hopefully, with NPR Live doing so many shows from the 9:30 club more bands will be inclinded to come down here for that.

[Bags]

Originally posted by redsock:
  Hopefully the Rock n Roll Hotel will help improve this.

What is this??

[Bags]

Originally posted by redsock:
  That doesn't explain a band like Snow Patrol skipping DC, especially since we are a cash cow for them.

They're not really 'skipping' DC -- the album isn't out, and this is just a very mini-tour before that, I'd bet likely based on the SXSW dates/promotion (they did several industry-only events in Austin).  They're only hitting Atlanta (before SXSW), SXSW, San Fran, L.A., Boston, N.Y. and Toronto.  Club dates, which I'll bet we don't see from them again.  Goodness knows they've hit DC a lot.

[Bombay Chutney]

Originally posted by redsock:
  That doesn't explain a band like Snow Patrol skipping DC, especially since we are a cash cow for them.

Hasn't Snow Patrol played here something like 4 times in the last year?  It sure seems that way.
 
 Not every band can hit every city on every tour.  Frankly, I think we're spoiled here in DC.  We get TONS of shows.

[emissary81]

Originally posted by Bags:
   

Originally posted by redsock:
  Hopefully the Rock n Roll Hotel will help improve this.

What is this?? [/b]

http://www.rockandrollhoteldc.com/
 
 just found it searching around online.  apparently very new and large venue in H St. NE.  High on Fire is going to be playing there according to LycosMusic.

[ggw]

Originally posted by Bombay Chutney:
  Not every band can hit every city on every tour.  Frankly, I think we're spoiled here in DC.  We get TONS of shows.

I was just thinking the same thing.
 
 How many cities get as many shows as D.C.?
 
 New York
 San Francisco
 
 Chicago?
 Seattle?
 LA?

[pj]

Having grown up in a city that gets far less acts than DC, believe me, even if you think bands are skipping DC, it could be much much worse.

[kosmo vinyl]

ditto... nothing worse than watching a band do a show in Toronto, then probably pass through Detroit on the way to Chicago... DC isn't as big a market as many people think it is.