Epica Meet n Greet package

Why do bands sell these things? And maybe a better question is why in the hell would people buy them? Spend $57.00 to meet someone who will not remember your name 15 minutes after they turnaround.
Ok so guy X wants to hang with the band and be cool, fair enough. But usually these bands hang out in the clubs before, during, and after the gig anyway. So all the people who did not pay that money get to meet the band anyway.
From what I gather from most bands who have this it is not their idea and they typically don't like the idea.
 
They are playing in the culture room. Just stick around the parking lot after the show and you'll meet all of them. There is only one way out in that venue: the front.
 
According to the e-mails I get from Enter the Vault.

As with the last tour , Epica will offer VIP tickets each night which will give the ticket holder 1 hour early entrance to the venue for a special meet and greet with Epica as well as a signed poster specially created for the evening. Limited number of VIP tickets will be made available.
 
Why would anyone even consider doing this? Epica is not Metallica. They hang out at the venue before and after the show. Chances of running into them are just as big if you buy a regular ticket. It's a waste of money. Sure, I would love to see the band making a bit more money with these packages, but it's just *not* worth it.
 
I bought the v.i.p tickets the last time Epica was touring. We got to go into the venue early, got pushed through two tables with the band members, got a cd booklet and the poster signed and had time for a quick photo. After the signings the venue directed us all back outside. The poster is kind of neat to have, but other than that that there wasn't really much time to hang out with the band.
 
I was actually hoping that they would be offering something more substantial, like a tour shirt.

I have met them twice before, in the parking lot, and they are cool to hang with. That is actually better than the VIP package because so few people are actually still in the lot when the band comes out.

No tour shirt? No "vip" ticket...
 
This is the lamest thing ever in the history of underground music.
I understand in the wake of declining CD and ticket sales, promoters and bands have come up with more unique ways like this to generate revenue.

Seriously? For these sized clubs, what does 1 hour early entry really mean? Is it THAT hard to get up close if you want to?

Also, the most physical product I have seen offered is a signed poster.

I dunno, I suppose I have met so many musicians that I am not really star struck about it. Also, as others have said, so many band members roam the hall during the night anyhow, checking out opening bands or hanging at the bar.

I know and understand there are those fans who really are out of tune with how "accessible" in this day and age bands truly are, and they do still put ANY musician on a pedastal. I suppose this is the target audience for paying a premium to meet them for 10 minutes to say hello.
 
I presume bands do this because they can. It's a way to make more money. I suspect fans do it because they want to meet the band, without needing to battle a throng of people for face time. Personally, it's not for me. If I have a chance to speak a musician whose music I enjoy, I'm happy to do so. But I'm just too old for the whole hero worship thing.
 
I was actually hoping that they would be offering something more substantial, like a tour shirt.

I have met them twice before, in the parking lot, and they are cool to hang with. That is actually better than the VIP package because so few people are actually still in the lot when the band comes out.

No tour shirt? No "vip" ticket...

That's the very least that I would expect - and not only a tour shirt but an exclusive shirt. Then again, it kind of sucks that you wouldn't get to see the shirt until the moment you walk in there. I would be furious if I get there and it's just a stupid looking shirt (like the Dream Theater VIP package shirt a few years ago, where it said "DREAM THEATER" in the front and...nothing else, really...)
 
I presume bands do this because they can. It's a way to make more money. I suspect fans do it because they want to meet the band, without needing to battle a throng of people for face time. Personally, it's not for me. If I have a chance to speak a musician whose music I enjoy, I'm happy to do so. But I'm just too old for the whole hero worship thing.

This.
 
They hang out at the venue before and after the show. Chances of running into them are just as big if you buy a regular ticket.

Actually, the implementation "VIP" access tends to make it sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy. I've known the guys in Iced Earth for a long time (I'm a *genuine* VIP! :cool:), but the last two times I've seen them, I haven't had much of a chance to even say hello. Why? Because after the show, there's a giant line of people that have to make it through the regimented meet-and-greet. That takes a lot of time, and it's time that's taken away from the normal, relaxed, hanging-out-with-fans time that they had in the past. Sure, I could wait until the band is done with all their contractually-obligated socialization and then say hello, but I ain't gonna wait around for all that.

Even worse, at the show they played in Chicago, I think the VIP meet-and-greet may have contributed to 4 songs being cut from the setlist. Chicago/House of Blues has some pretty early curfew limits, and I'm sure they had to reserve time for the post-show meet-and-greet within that curfew window, and the only way to reserve that time is by cutting the setlist short. So basically the "VIP" crowd screwed over the rest of us in the proletariat (and themselves) by giving us less music in exchange for the opportunity to stand in a long line.

Neil
 
Actually, the implementation "VIP" access tends to make it sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy. I've known the guys in Iced Earth for a long time (I'm a *genuine* VIP! :cool:), but the last two times I've seen them, I haven't had much of a chance to even say hello. Why? Because after the show, there's a giant line of people that have to make it through the regimented meet-and-greet. That takes a lot of time, and it's time that's taken away from the normal, relaxed, hanging-out-with-fans time that they had in the past. Sure, I could wait until the band is done with all their contractually-obligated socialization and then say hello, but I ain't gonna wait around for all that.

Even worse, at the show they played in Chicago, I think the VIP meet-and-greet may have contributed to 4 songs being cut from the setlist. Chicago/House of Blues has some pretty early curfew limits, and I'm sure they had to reserve time for the post-show meet-and-greet within that curfew window, and the only way to reserve that time is by cutting the setlist short. So basically the "VIP" crowd screwed over the rest of us in the proletariat (and themselves) by giving us less music in exchange for the opportunity to stand in a long line.

Neil

That's the band's own damn fault then. Why can't they have their "VIP Meet N Greet" thing on prior to the show? I'm sure it could be done easily.

I'll give you an example: The same way you are with Iced Earth, I am with Epica. Last time they played in NYC, they had their VIP Meet N Greet prior to the openers. People went in for 15-20 minutes, took their pictures, got their autographs, etc. Doors opened for regulars and guests afterwards. It gave me time to hang out with the band most of the night, and it didn't cut their set whatsoever. It's also better for the band themselves, since that way they don't need to worry about any contractual obligations after their show.
 
:lol: Not a problem man. The prices for drinks at the Nokia are pretty nasty as it is. $10 mixed drinks in a small cup aren't fun.

WHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAATTTTTT??????????


Good lord. well i can tell you what were not doing on tour! hahahaha also hoping for table scraps for food from BG too! LOL

Zod did however point us to 3 different amazing looking philly cheese steak places there....

any NYC suggestions for hot dogs or pizza? or something very "new york"?
 
WHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAATTTTTT??????????


Good lord. well i can tell you what were not doing on tour! hahahaha also hoping for table scraps for food from BG too! LOL

Zod did however point us to 3 different amazing looking philly cheese steak places there....

any NYC suggestions for hot dogs or pizza? or something very "new york"?

Your best bet is to have somebody who's coming to the show and will be hanging out with you guys to bring you booze and drinking it backstage - or getting it yourselves at a liquor store. Buying it at the that venue will break you guys for the whole tour. :lol:

The venue sits in the heart of Times Square. There are plenty of places around there that will give you the true NYC treatment. I'll get you a few names and addresses once I have sometime this week.
 
Your best bet is to have somebody who's coming to the show and will be hanging out with you guys to bring you booze and drinking it backstage - or getting it yourselves at a liquor store. Buying it at the that venue will break you guys for the whole tour. :lol:

The venue sits in the heart of Times Square. There are plenty of places around there that will give you the true NYC treatment. I'll get you a few names and addresses once I have sometime this week.

ya, i figure well have drinks in the fridge in the rig were taking so im not too terribly worried.

Im pretty sure we get some sorta food/drink at all these places.... thats what i ahve been told so lets hope for the best! cant wait to meet all of you crazy ass PPforumers! hahah