The days of the exclusive big names headliner are over. An exclusive is now way more expensive than it is worth. Any headliner that I book is going to take advantage of what I offer and build a tour around it. That's the reality of the situation.
Furthermore, I have booked most of the available headliners already so the return is not going to be as "special" as it was previously. Remember that "available" is the key word.
The "special shows" are simply that. They don't come around often so you can't rely on that reunion or side project to build a festival around every year.
So what do you do? Do you continue to pay for the big headliner that has either been here before or is touring in order to "hopefully" sell tickets to a concentrated fanbase? Do you elevate headliners, save a bit of money, and then build a stronger undercard that doesn't necessarily have the name with the regular attendees outside of this forum? Keep in mind that this forum is the exception to the attendee rule, not the norm.
It's a crapshoot and what I'm facing after ten shows along with a piss poor economy. I will tell you this though. I truly believe that it's better to burn out than fade away. If a show fails to sell and maintain the lofty levels we have achieved over the past decade, then there will only be one more show that following year. ProgPower USA will make a curtain call and go out while on top.
Furthermore, I have booked most of the available headliners already so the return is not going to be as "special" as it was previously. Remember that "available" is the key word.
The "special shows" are simply that. They don't come around often so you can't rely on that reunion or side project to build a festival around every year.
So what do you do? Do you continue to pay for the big headliner that has either been here before or is touring in order to "hopefully" sell tickets to a concentrated fanbase? Do you elevate headliners, save a bit of money, and then build a stronger undercard that doesn't necessarily have the name with the regular attendees outside of this forum? Keep in mind that this forum is the exception to the attendee rule, not the norm.
It's a crapshoot and what I'm facing after ten shows along with a piss poor economy. I will tell you this though. I truly believe that it's better to burn out than fade away. If a show fails to sell and maintain the lofty levels we have achieved over the past decade, then there will only be one more show that following year. ProgPower USA will make a curtain call and go out while on top.