Milwaukee Metalfest
- Thread starter Jasonic
- Start date
WhiteBeastofWotan
Apostitutes!
Nope, just your typical "put on the brass knuckles and punch him in the crotch" kind of cockpunch!
That guy used to have access to the best bands in the metal world.
He got greedy and realized "Hey metal is popular!! I can charge young bands $1000 to play the fest. I will make enough money that the rest of the bill can suck for all I care"
I understand that many bands that used to play the fest have gained enough popularity to do their own US tours (Opeth, Cradle of Filth, Children of Bodom, etc, etc, etc.) and don't need to rely on such festivals to make offshore appearances. Still, there are plenty of great bands yet to see the US.
That guy used to have access to the best bands in the metal world.
He got greedy and realized "Hey metal is popular!! I can charge young bands $1000 to play the fest. I will make enough money that the rest of the bill can suck for all I care"
I understand that many bands that used to play the fest have gained enough popularity to do their own US tours (Opeth, Cradle of Filth, Children of Bodom, etc, etc, etc.) and don't need to rely on such festivals to make offshore appearances. Still, there are plenty of great bands yet to see the US.
NvmbrsDoom5
Member
There's alot of reasons why something like Milwaukee Metalfest can't and won't happen now, not least of which the fact that it's gotten such a bad reputation that many bands will just refuse to have anything to do with it now. But there's also alot more competition out there than there used to be. It's pretty hard to compete with the Ozzfests and all that shit, and now you've got the ProgPowers and the Heathen Crusades and so on that are featuring some really good lineups, not to mention New England Metal fest, so there's definitely some competition these days.
I can understand to a degree the need to charge the small bands to play Metalfest. It costs a shitload of money to put on the fest in the first place. But what happened was, it got to the point where 70% or more of the bands playing were small unheard-of pay to play bands, and then the remaining 30% were the "known" acts, and even then it wasn't quite up to snuff. Alot of people didn't mind going to a fest with a couple dozen local openers when the headliners were acts like Slayer, King Diamond, Venom, Cradle Of Filth, Anathema, etc. But the last few years showed the quality of the "headline" acts dwindling considerably, and so there goes any chance of getting a real draw.
Anyhow point is, Jack should be given credit for keeping it alive for as long as he did, and for bringing many acts to the U.S. and giving them their first real exposure to us in a live setting. But it seems as though his time has come and gone now, and through poor business relations, outside competition, and other circumstances, I think Metalfest might be near it's end.
I personally think that if he were able to somehow get a couple of really good headliners with drawing power, a couple of underground bands who people never get to see here (My Dying Bride? Rapture? Bloodbath?), and then maybe have the rest of the day be the smaller to mid level bands, and have it all in one day only, it could be a success. Fests like the Heathen Crusade are shaping up to be akin to this, I think, and definitely have got the right idea!
I can understand to a degree the need to charge the small bands to play Metalfest. It costs a shitload of money to put on the fest in the first place. But what happened was, it got to the point where 70% or more of the bands playing were small unheard-of pay to play bands, and then the remaining 30% were the "known" acts, and even then it wasn't quite up to snuff. Alot of people didn't mind going to a fest with a couple dozen local openers when the headliners were acts like Slayer, King Diamond, Venom, Cradle Of Filth, Anathema, etc. But the last few years showed the quality of the "headline" acts dwindling considerably, and so there goes any chance of getting a real draw.
Anyhow point is, Jack should be given credit for keeping it alive for as long as he did, and for bringing many acts to the U.S. and giving them their first real exposure to us in a live setting. But it seems as though his time has come and gone now, and through poor business relations, outside competition, and other circumstances, I think Metalfest might be near it's end.
I personally think that if he were able to somehow get a couple of really good headliners with drawing power, a couple of underground bands who people never get to see here (My Dying Bride? Rapture? Bloodbath?), and then maybe have the rest of the day be the smaller to mid level bands, and have it all in one day only, it could be a success. Fests like the Heathen Crusade are shaping up to be akin to this, I think, and definitely have got the right idea!
MetalNations
Member
I completely understand the need for Jack to charge smaller bands to play. It costs a lot to fly over bands, put them up in hotels, etc. I just think he made some poor choices. I was there a couple years ago the day that Body Count played (Ice T's metal band). It was such a circus with all the security for Ice T and what not. I was thinking, was it REALLY worth it to spend all this $$$$ on Ice T?
I think it is cool he gave smaller bands a shot. But it got to the point where there were 30 + unknown bands a day or whatever, with about 6 known bands at the end of the day.
I do give him credit for keeping it alive as long as he did.
I only somewhat agree about the competition being a factor. Sure, there are lots of bands who have been on previous fests who have gone on to bigger and better things. Still, there are tons of bands that would make up a fest that people would want to go to.
OH well, all good things must come to an end.
I think it is cool he gave smaller bands a shot. But it got to the point where there were 30 + unknown bands a day or whatever, with about 6 known bands at the end of the day.
I do give him credit for keeping it alive as long as he did.
I only somewhat agree about the competition being a factor. Sure, there are lots of bands who have been on previous fests who have gone on to bigger and better things. Still, there are tons of bands that would make up a fest that people would want to go to.
OH well, all good things must come to an end.
NvmbrsDoom5
Member
Well my point was also that the competition have a better business sense and reputation at this point, and bands are going to be much more likely to work with one of these other promoters, because J.K. burned so many bridges over the years unfortunately. That being said, he was always cool with us, we enjoyed playing Metalfest every time, and never had to deal with any real problems that I've heard many others complain about. I guess we're fortunate.
Anyhow, there's plenty of other kickass fests with future potential popping up around the U.S. for people to attend and support. As long as people support these fests and actually go, then the better and better it'll get over time. Some promoters stumble along the way and make mistakes but eventually there's someone else there to take up the task.
On that note, I sure hope to see some of you fuckers in Minnesota in January! The support is needed and much appreciated!
Anyhow, there's plenty of other kickass fests with future potential popping up around the U.S. for people to attend and support. As long as people support these fests and actually go, then the better and better it'll get over time. Some promoters stumble along the way and make mistakes but eventually there's someone else there to take up the task.
On that note, I sure hope to see some of you fuckers in Minnesota in January! The support is needed and much appreciated!
circus_brimstone
Forest: Sold Out
circus_brimstone
Forest: Sold Out
NvmbrsDoom5 said:
Yeah, it's going to be quite a line-up. Unlike most people who are going for Thyrhfingdskj, Moonsorrow, and Primordial, I'd be showing up for The Chasm and ND. "I would" meaning I won't be able to cuz I'll be dead broke by the end of the Christmas season.
wildfyr
unus spiritus est
Hell yes! Absolutely. I think so anyway.Jasonic said:
I also think that Ice and a lot of those other bands who've gone on to bigger and better things owe a HUGE thanks to the local midwest bands who paid to play because I think several members of said midwest bands wanted to see those other bands - for the first time ever in some cases - as much as they wanted to play the fest.
