Fan Routed Tours

Are fan routed tours the wave of the future? I mention this, obviously, because KISS *sort of* announced their U.S. tour yesterday. In a press release, Gene Simmons said that fans should vote if they want KISS to come play in their hometown.

Now, this might be genius but something tells me it’s little more than a ticket scam. No class A market will be passed over for a major shed/arena tour. Seriously, can you see KISS skipping Los Angeles and playing in, well, the middle of nowhere? I can’t.

Granted, it gets old living in a B (ok, C market) and always having to drive an hour either direction to see a big show. Rarely, bands as big as Aerosmith come to Dayton, Ohio. If they do, it’s on a second pass of Ohio and because they’ve already been to Cincinnati. In this instance, I think I’ll vote for KISS to come to my hometown.

‘Ol Gene says KISS is ready to give back to the fans. I still don’t buy it because Gene never gives anyone, anything. He’s a money making genius so there is method to his madness here, people. Even so, you can vote for the KISS tour by clicking here. Allow me to point out the winning cities so far all seem to be major markets. Just sayin.’

Comments

[Xandra]

WTF, does he think we are stupid? For him it's a win-win situation. He 'gives back to the fans', but since the big markets are in those areas with the highest population it's a sure thing those areas will get the biggest votes.

So if someone complains in the future why they are not playing B or C markets he can say - hey, the fans want me to play the big cities! *headdesk*

I guess there is a reason for A, B and C markets after all. ;)

[Christian]

It's simple. Gene will now only go through the areas where he knows he will sell out the venue.

[RyoVie]

I think that Gene and company are getting paid by eventful.com to do this. That's just a gut feeling.

As for the largest areas being able to give the most votes, it was noted that the population of each area will be taken into consideration, thus population size will be weighed against total number of votes, so if you're city has a popultion of 100,000 and 50,000 people voted, then half of them want to see Kiss there. That helps to keep things fair, I think.

However, I do believe this all one big marketing scheme.

Ryo
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com

[Lucas Serpa]

I don't think this will be a good things for fans!
They will play only sold out venues.....

But...small/medium cities who has big crowds are elligible to see then ALIVE....

Tomorrow is my day to see the hottest band in the world.... I'm going to Rio de Janeiro (500 km away from my city) just to see KISS ALIVE 35... one of the shows that everyone have to see before die!!!! Next morning I have to be in my office for a huge presentation.... Glam save me!!!!

[Gary]

IMHO, Gene is and always will be about the $$$.He'd play Bilgewater, Arkansas to 12 people provided the promoter put up enough up front millions to get his ass there.