Elite Audience?

[Schmeg]

Sometimes I wonder about ProgPower and don't get me wrong, because I do enjoy the show. I love to see really unique bands come around such as Conception, Pain of Salvation, Orphaned Land, Devin Townsend, and Zero Hour. And some of these bands don't really have any outlet elsewhere which is why I keep coming back.

I certainly am not familiar with all the cost that is involved in setting up a show like this but the show was just as good if not better when it was $50 for the tickets. And there seems to be a TON (A TON!!!) of sponsoring going on. So what exactly is the breakdown of funds? And then I'm told the increased ticket prices are justified by the increase in cost for accomodations. I already have my rooms booked and they are the same cost as they were last year. But of course the bands and personel have to stay at the Grenada (which I'm guessing is why those dates were blocked off when I called in). And I wouldn't be surprised if Grenada is increasing their cost because they know there is a ton of people coming back every year at the same time.

Being the elitists that we are how much of the audiences' input is really considered. So be honest, it really comes down to money right? If no one is willing to sponsor a band they certainly aren't getting on the bill. Basically those sponsors are getting a show of a lifetime.

I guess I just feel like we're being patronized when we're referred to as an elite audience. It just seems like its there to soften the blow for the mention of increased ticket prices.

 

[MadeInNewJersey]

let me be the first to point out that you're 100% within your rights to not attend, and save your cash

 

[4-String Annihilation]

Move it to a bigger venue sell more tickets and lower the price.

 

[Harvester]

It would be insane for me to reveal my budget, costs, etc for the festival. This is a *business* and I treat it as such. I don't work year around for the hell of it. If the day comes where I fail to profit, then the festival will cease to exist. As with *all* businesses, there will always be a customer that feels they are not getting their money worth or simply not satisfied for whatever reason. That is the way of the world. All I can do is hope to keep the majority happy. Not every person in the country can afford to travel to this show. Thus, you are indeed elite in my eyes.

I will comment on the price increase this year in one specific area. My room costs have gone up $10-15 each. You may have indeed gotten the same price, but the majority of the people on this forum had substantial increases this year. You can verify this in the "The festival date is" thread.

I book 50+ hotel rooms for three nights. I *will NOT* simply absorb this cost out of my pocket (nor any increase for that matter).

As for the $50 wishing, I lost $18,000 & more than you will ever imagine that year (PP II). It took me two years to dig out of that hole. Band costs were at an all time low back then as no one toured here. Bands now have alternative outlets and I like to think that the festival is responsible for it in some ways. Furthermore, travel costs were extremely low because of 9/11 that year. I was able to get everything cheaply back then. An airline ticket that would have cost me $400 back then now costs me $700+.

 

[Harvester]

Move it to a bigger venue sell more tickets and lower the price.

That will never happen. There is not a larger venue that equals the quality conditions of Earthlink. Furthermore, my overhead triples for a larger venue (i.e. Tabernacle) in Atlanta. I'm not moving to another city so forget any suggestions. There is no guarantee that I will sell that many more tickets to cover the costs as well.

If you agree to cover any additional losses associated with the venue charge out of your own pocket, then I do as you say.

People tend to forget that I'm not Clear Channel.

Glenn H.

 

[Schmeg]

I have very little idea of what it costs to put something up like this so forgive my ignorance. But because of my ignorance, i have to wonder why the ticket costs are steadily increasing and yet there seems to be so much sponsoring that goes on. ProgPower II was my first one (and I've gone every year afterwards). Having discovered such a event with an opportunity to see such unique bands along side a $50 ticket cost, I was quite excited. And I guess I'm feeling more and more discourage as the years go by. I guess a lot of the bands in the recent years haven't really been my cup of tea either. But I have to say one of the most appealing aspects of ProgPower is what a socialable even it is. And I meant no disrespect. I just wanted to further my understanding.

ProgPower Pros:
Great Venue
Friendly People
Hot Bartenders
Unique Bands (to the U.S. anyway)
CD Vendors (good deals too and often early releases)


ProgPower Cons:
Most everything closes early in Midtown Atlanta within walking distance.
Increased Ticket Costs
Too many returning bands
Sound engineers are extremely hit and miss. And it always seems to happen to the bands I really want hear. Last time Zero Hour was there, the sound was SO terrible. I also believe that if everything was just lowered OVERALL a few notches, it would sound a ton better. It's quite ear shattering sometimes.
The intermissions are too short and I end up missing bands in an attempt to scavenge the city for an open place to eat that isn't the pizza place up the street, or the houliahans all the time. Why not start things off early than 5:00 PM?
Cost of alcohol is just ridiculous.
And lately the number of cd vendors has seem to dwindled. Am I just crazy?


Yeah, I know I'm picky, but I spend $500+ for this trip every year.

 

[Harvester]

I thought I would simply addres each of these concerns the best I can:


ProgPower Cons:
**Most everything closes early in Midtown Atlanta within walking distance.

It's simply a matter of priorities. I will continue to give up this sort of thing in exchange for the quality that Earthlink provides.

**Increased Ticket Costs

This has been addressed.

**Too many returning bands

This is a personal opinion. Others here are extremley disappointed when I have no returning bands. There is a limit of two per year.

***Sound engineers are extremely hit and miss.

You have to remember two things here. This is a festival situation. The bands do not get regular soundchecks and we have to adjust on the fly. Also, some bands bring their own engineers and that is a huge advantage for them.

***The intermissions are too short and I end up missing bands in an attempt to scavenge the city for an open place to eat that isn't the pizza place up the street, or the houliahans all the time.

You have no idea of how much preparation is going on before the doors open. We start working at 0900 and we line check every band. There is a reason those intermissions are short and it is because we sort out all of the problems in advance. Why not step into the vendor's area and get some Pub style food from the bar? The price is reasonable and the food more than adequate.


***Why not start things off early than 5:00 PM?

The fatigue level of the audience is noticeable as the night progresses. Folks enjoy the later start because it gives them a chance to sleep in and socialize during the day.

**Cost of alcohol is just ridiculous.

You are starting to lose some crediblity in my eyes now. All bars/venues have high prices when it comes to high profile events. That cannot be helped. Domestics cost no more there than any other bar in Atlanta for the most part. Besides, that is an Earthlink policy, not mine. I make nothing off the bar.

**And lately the number of cd vendors has seem to dwindled. Am I just crazy?

You are. It actually increased by one last year (Nightmare).

**Yeah, I know I'm picky,

Couldn't picky be considered "elite?"

Glenn H.

 

[Kenneth R.]

Move it to a bigger venue sell more tickets and lower the price.

and lose all the atmosphere... no thanks.

 

[Schmeg]

I have to say I really appreciate your willingness to address my rantings.

And I have tried the food from the bar. And while it's adequate (and good) it seems to take forever so the problem still stands where I'm missing bands while waiting for the food - not being sure when it'll be ready.

Yeah alcohol is pretty much ridiculous everywhere. I think we should start a BYOB. How's that for an idea? Yeah, I know... wishful thinking. Earthlink would never let that happen.

Perhaps it is selection of cds that has decreased and not the number of vendors.

Oh and, what's with the no-moshing rule. It's a METAL SHOW! Yeah I know... not everyone is with that sort of thing.

 

[mëtålspëd]

ProgPower is not a slipknot concert. Moshing is the one aspect of metal shows I cant stand. It shows an utter disrespect for those fans around you who are trying to watch the show (which is what you paid for).

 

[booB]

I'd like to reply also as a ProgPower attendee since the very first one.

I guess a lot of the bands in the recent years haven't really been my cup of tea either.

I started noticing this a few years ago... I'm not so much into the standard power/standard prog bands anymore -- the ones that sell most of the tickets -- but Glenn always does manage to get at least two or three bands that I end up going apeshit for. And even if he didn't, I'd still attend anyway. I love the event and the atmosphere, I love the chance to socialize with people who have similar interests (there's a definite lack thereof, here in Cleveland), and I love the chance to get away from my boring life for at least one weekend a year.

I guess you could say I go to Powerfest for the lineup, and ProgPower for the atmosphere.

ProgPower Pros:
CD Vendors (good deals too and often early releases)

This is one of the few bones of contention I have with ProgPower (not, technically, a ProgPower complaint, but, rather, a vendor complaint). I remember the olden days of Powermad (or, at least, the one Powermad event I attended) and the amazing cd deals to be had there. It seems like $12 and up was pretty darn expensive for a cd there, and the prices dropped like crazy close to the end of the event, as the vendors didn't want to carry tons of cds home, and they'd try to sell off what they brought. And this was when 75% of everything was an import. Nowadays, at ProgPower and related events, cds are in the $12-$15 range, with imports and rarities going for much higher prices. Even The End Records table is in this price range. And the vendors are charging out the ass, IMO, for imports; this year, I didn't see any copies of Symphorce's first two discs for less than $18 a piece. Highway robbery. They probably figured they could get that much for them, considering that Symphorce was playing, but I don't know anyone who bought a copy of Truth to Promises or Sinctuary at ProgPower, specifically because of those exorbitant prices.

Nowadays, buying cds at ProgPower is about the same price as shopping at a brick and mortar store. Maybe slightly cheaper. I tend to skip a lot of the stuff I'm specifically looking for, in favor of cheaper discs that "sound like something I'd be into".

Most everything closes early in Midtown Atlanta within walking distance.

This was a problem for me during the first few years. However, in recent years, I've been eating as close to event time as possible, and, usually, I'm having too much fun to care about getting anything to eat until after the show. However, I know that if I do get the urge to munch, I can order something at the venue. It's not the healthiest food around, but it tastes okay and it's not really any more expensive than eating at a restaurant.

Too many returning bands

I don't agree here... I like to see first timers more than I like to see returning bands, but I don't think there have been a plethora of returning bands. I was a little skeptical early on, when Symphony X and Evergrey came back for their third performance in four ProgPowers, but I'm glad we got a break from them, and, at this point, I'd certainly welcome them back. As for other returning bands, there have only been two per event, as Glenn said, and they were very deserving in both cases. I'm not an Edguy fan AT ALL, and I was glad that their first performance, which -- shockingly -- had me captivated from start to finish, won them an encore visit.

Sound... I agree that some of the bands have been far too loud. My solution: earplugs. Other than that, I wouldn't know poor sound engineering if it bit me in the ass. ...or... the ear (?) The only band I've seen that I thought had shitty sound was Steel Prophet, and I was such a rabid fanboy that I didn't give a rat's ass. When I'm on the floor, I'm usually near the board, so maybe that's why I haven't noticed much of a problem.

The intermissions are too short

This is a con? LOL... I guess there's no pleasing some people. Better not come to Powerfest... you'll REALLY be pissed. LOL

Why not start things off early than 5:00 PM?

Glenn already said what I would have said here. Seven hours of metal in one night is a lot, plus it's good to have more resting, eating, and relaxing time early in the day.

Cost of alcohol is just ridiculous.

No worse than most bars I've been to. They don't have much in the way of drink specials, but that's because this is a special event, and they don't have to sell cheap beer to get people to come.

And lately the number of cd vendors has seem to dwindled.

No, but they're in a smaller room now, as opposed to being splayed out in the Earthlink hallway like they used to be, so perhaps it only looks like there are fewer tables.

 

[Angrafan]

People have no idea of the cost of doing this!


I mean.. Last year there were 9 (NINE!!!!!!!!) international bands! Do you have any clue how expensive it is to bring bands from abroad?

I keep wondering how glenn does it for an audience of only 1200 people.. This is unreal!!

 

[booB]

I keep wondering how glenn does it for an audience of only 1200 people..

Because he knows that if some people decide to stop going, there are lots of others waiting in the wings to attend. I'm sure the gold badge waiting list is at least half as large as the attendance of a single ProgPower show...

 

[ashaman7122]

Man, I'm surprised this post hasn't generated any hate-mail, yet...

What a cop-out...

"Please, Glenn. Please help further my understanding of why you continue to screw us year after year. Oh, by the way, no offense, huh?"

Give me a break...

 

[INFINITE-DREAMS]

I DON'T THINK TICKET'S ARE THAT BAD, YOUR PAYING FOR 10 BANDS, SOME YOU LIKE AND SOME YOU DON'T. I'M GOING TO SEE ANTHRAX TONIGHT, $25 FOR A TICKET, THERE ARE FOUR BANDS ON THE BILL, I ONLY WANT TO SEE ANTHRAX. TO ME THAT'S WORTH IT. I PERSONALLY DON'T SEE HOW SOME BANDS MAKE ANY MONEY WHEN THEIR SHOWS ARE ONLY $15, LIKE COB FOR THEIR UPCOMING TOUR.
I HAVE BEEN TO PROGPOWER SINCE 3 AND I CONTINUE TO TRUST GLEEN AND ENJOY THE WEEKEND. BETWEEN TRAVEL, CD SHOPPING, AND TIME OFF I SPEND $1800 EACH YEAR AND WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT A GREAT FESTIVAL. THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR HARD WORK GLENN!

 

[Schmeg]

Man, I'm surprised this post hasn't generated any hate-mail, yet...

What a cop-out...

"Please, Glenn. Please help further my understanding of why you continue to screw us year after year. Oh, by the way, no offense, huh?"

Give me a break...

Perhaps not everyone is looking to perpetuate "hate-mail". You seem to be of that nature considering you twisted my words.

 

[Angrafan]

I keep wondering how glenn does it for an audience of only 1200 people..

Because he knows that if some people decide to stop going, there are lots of others waiting in the wings to attend. I'm sure the gold badge waiting list is at least half as large as the attendance of a single ProgPower show...

That's not what I meant!
I mean, with all the costs, I am astonished that he is able to put together a line up made up of 10 bands, 9 international, with that little amount revenue... I think ticket prices are totally reasonable, considering the number of artists involved!
50/60 bucks a day is not bad at all...

 

[nightwish58]

This is a steal in my opinion; this event is priceless for me. Nothing more to say.

 

[Curufin]

I DON'T THINK TICKET'S ARE THAT BAD, YOUR PAYING FOR 10 BANDS, SOME YOU LIKE AND SOME YOU DON'T. I'M GOING TO SEE ANTHRAX TONIGHT, $25 FOR A TICKET, THERE ARE FOUR BANDS ON THE BILL, I ONLY WANT TO SEE ANTHRAX. TO ME THAT'S WORTH IT. I PERSONALLY DON'T SEE HOW SOME BANDS MAKE ANY MONEY WHEN THEIR SHOWS ARE ONLY $15, LIKE COB FOR THEIR UPCOMING TOUR.
I HAVE BEEN TO PROGPOWER SINCE 3 AND I CONTINUE TO TRUST GLEEN AND ENJOY THE WEEKEND. BETWEEN TRAVEL, CD SHOPPING, AND TIME OFF I SPEND $1800 EACH YEAR AND WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT A GREAT FESTIVAL. THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR HARD WORK GLENN!

TURN YOUR GODDAMNED CAPSLOCK OFF

 

[Sumeet]

That's not what I meant!
I mean, with all the costs, I am astonished that he is able to put together a line up made up of 10 bands, 9 international, with that little amount revenue... I think ticket prices are totally reasonable, considering the number of artists involved!
50/60 bucks a day is not bad at all...

The cost of all those bands appearing is not covered solely by ticket revenue... a good number of the bands have private sponsors who contribute significant amounts towards the cost of their appearance at ProgPower.