I couldn’t help using the line from All You Need Is Now because there’s been some talk (as there always is) about the VIP packages available for the UK tour. Those that buy them don’t seem to have too much trouble with the price…those that don’t are horrified by those that do. It’s pretty much the same posts, same message boards, different year.
Before I go further, I want to acknowledge that the VIP packages *have* changed, however slightly. First of all, I think that in most cases, they’re offering more swag with each one. Keep in mind that in order to purchase these packages, you must be a member of DuranDuranMusic.com – which is undergoing a series of changes at the moment. Here’s the rundown on VIP swag:
Duran Duran Platinum VIP Experience (subject to availability)
– 1 Premium Seat in first 5 rows
– VIP Pre-show Cocktail Hour with complimentary food, wine and beer (subject to local laws & availability)
– On-site Duran Duran Concierge
– Copy of ‘ALL YOU NEED IS NOW’ SIGNED by Duran Duran
– Vintage Duran Duran T-shirt
– Duran Duran Photo Book
– Commemorative VIP Tour Laminate with Matching Lanyard
– Private Merch Area
– MEET & GREET OPPORTUNITY (limited number plus guest will be chosen at random per show) **
– BACKSTAGE TOUR OPPORTUNITY (limited number plus guest will be chosen at random per show) **
Duran Duran Gold VIP Experience
– 1 Premium Seat in first 10 rows
– Copy of ‘ALL YOU NEED IS NOW’ SIGNED by Duran Duran
– Vintage Duran Duran T-shirt
– Duran Duran Photo Book
– Commemorative VIP Tour Laminate with Matching Lanyard
Duran Duran Silver VIP Experience
– 1 Premium Seat
– 1 Limited Edition Duran Duran Poster
As far as price goes – well, that’s a story in and of itself. Topping off the selections is platinum at a “mere” 265 GBP, plus the price of the ticket. Gold is 125 GBP + price of ticket and rounding it out is Silver at 45 GBP + the price of a ticket.
In USD – that equals out to be $422.97 for Platinum, $199.51 for Gold and 71.82 for Silver.
My take on it all? Basically you’re paying $70 for a poster and a seat in the arena at Silver, in my opinion because I checked what a silver package would get you as a seat at O2, and let’s just say – you’re in the building. That’s a start. 🙂 Some people might have been luckier than that – and to them I say a hearty “Congratulations!” As far as Platinum and Gold go – well, there’s some argument for each of them. On one hand, what fan wouldn’t want a meet and greet or even better, a tour of backstage? Oh wait…that’s a “opportunity” for a tour and meet and greet. My only real problem with this package (aside from the price, because I simply can’t see paying it…but that’s just me) is that at $500, Duran Duran needs to get on the same bandwagon other artists that are as popular as they are and offer the meet and greet to every sucker, I mean fan….that pays it. As far as the backstage tour goes, the jury is out on that one until I find someone who gets one and they can tell me what all it includes. I can just imagine someone walking the lucky fans back there, stand behind the stage and say “this is backstage. No pictures. Please take a brief second, turn around in a full circle and see yourself out.” (I really hope not) Otherwise, the inflated price doesn’t even begin to be justified with a pre-show cocktail HOUR (will the food improve?) with complimentary beverages, wine and beer (I wonder if they’ll still be drink tickets?), and an on-site Duran concierge. That last one perplexes me, because I honestly don’t know what that person is really going to do. Take care of people pushing and shoving? Making sure everyone is having a good time?? And…isn’t that what Jenn used to do anyway??? As for Gold – this is where my money is. No really, it is – for Birmingham. 🙂 I like the idea of the seats being good, and the swag is really cool. Can’t wait for that signed copy of All You Need is Now, that is very, very cool. I can do without the cocktail hour – that’s what pubs are for anyway (god I love the UK), and my luck has always been awful with meet and greets. I’m willing to chance never meeting them, I guess. I will just admire from afar, and enjoy the brief glances from the stage. Those are what stay with me anyway. I would hate to meet them backstage – have one of them decide not to bother (I am looking directly at you, Mr. John Taylor who has ducked out of more than one meet and greet….;) ), or even worse – have them be in such a rush that the moment is completely lost. Forget that. I like the pedestal I have them all on, thankyouverymuch. I know I paid quite a bit for that gold package, but in all honesty – unless you’re very, very lucky – the reality is, in order to get good seats to a concert these days, you’re gonna pay at LEAST that, if not more. To be in even on the floor at a Bon Jovi concert at the MGM Garden Arena in Vegas…and it’s a HUGE floor there, it’s $250 a seat. Good luck actually getting those seats. Brokers want double that, and that’s for the first risers off of the floor! I’m sure some are saying, “But wait – Duran Duran isn’t that big, and they shouldn’t command that price point.” Maybe not to other people Duran Duran isn’t that big, but to their fans? Um, yeah they are. We’ll pay ridiculous sums of money to see them…and good on the band for recognizing that and exploiting it to the edge of sanity, because it’s a BUSINESS. It’s not charity, people. If you don’t like it, don’t pay it – but don’t lower yourself to ridiculing those who do. It’s not worth it. We’re all fans, and what we pay says very little about our fandom. I have paid about the same amount to see Paul McCartney, and yet I would be foolish to say I was one of the bigger fans there. Hardly. It’s just the way it is. If you didn’t pay anywhere near $300 and have seats up front – good on you and have an excellent time. I know I will.
So the question for today becomes – how do I get hold of a cell phone that will work in the UK. I’m on Verizon network and my phone’s platform doesn’t work there. I don’t want to get a brand new cell phone with a new plan since I’m on a family plan (and that whole thing is a mess to change right now), but I’m wondering if there are other options for me. Anyone know? You don’t have to post here – email me at dailyduranie@gmail.com! 😀
I can’t believe it’s already Thursday – this week has flown by!! Good luck to those of you vying for general sale UK tour tickets!!
-R
Buy a SIM card for your phone when you get over there. I hear that's usually the best way to use your phone overseas. If you have a smartphone, get Skype so you can make calls back to the U.S. cheaply.
I'm on AT&T, so I've never had to do this, but I see it recommended all the time on TripAdvisor. I use Fring to make WiFi calls because international roaming charges are INSANE. And I usually buy a temporary international data package because Google Maps is my best friend when traveling.
I believe you can also do disposable phones in the UK, like TracPhones here. I'll ask Emily.