Yes, we can say that the venues are small. Absolutely. I think most of the venues that they’ve announced hold around 2000 people, give or take. We can even say that the fans were chomping at the bit for tickets, definitely. But weren’t we chomping at the bit back during the Red Carpet Massacre tour? Weren’t a lot of those shows in smaller venues? Yet – I don’t remember there being quite as much of a scramble for tickets and hearing of shows selling out within two or three minutes. So what is the difference with this tour?
I think a few moves are in play this time: to begin with, the band is touring with a brand new album that we’ve not yet heard live. Yes, they’ve played a few songs at various appearances, but not really “live” to many of us, so it’s “new” for the most part. I also think that generally speaking, this album seems to be better received by the fans. Do not send mail about how much better of an album Red Carpet Massacre was, because that’s not what I’m saying. I’m simply saying that I don’t hear of AS MANY fans wanting to use this album to line their cat litter boxes or as a backboard for darts. This can’t be hurting the band!
Naturally, the venues are smaller and I think a lot of fans really want to see the new album played in an intimate setting as well. That said, we’re US fans – and here in the US, GA (standing) shows aren’t well-loved. Yes, we’ll still go to the show and we’ll still have a great time – but a lot of us hate the idea of having to continue to fight for our spots the entire night, and here in the US – that’s the way concerts are. There’s no respect for space, or for one another for that matter. There are the people that assume that they must be the ONLY real fans of Duran Duran, and so therefore everyone else should allow them to move to the front row, even if the people who are in the front have been there since 1pm that afternoon, first in line to get in, first to the front. Then there’s the two girls (and there are always two…usually a blonde AND a brunette) who are typically very pretty, with long hair, shorter skirts than necessary….and they typically have no idea who the band really are, but since these girls know they’re gorgeous, obviously they have room with their name on it in the front row. They’ll wait until the show starts, and then start to make their way to the front, assuming that they’re good looks are somehow going to get them through the crowd to the front of the stage. They smile very condescendingly at those of us who are in their way and then nonchalantly wait for us to move aside (because obviously – why would we block their beauty?) so they can move up front. You know they must be thinking to themselves that the other women in the front aren’t nearly as hot – so why should they be allowed to stand there? Never mind that yes, those women they are eschewing have been at the venue since 1pm that day. Then there’s the drunk, older woman who seems to show up at about mid-show. You know who she is and you can see her coming because she’s been hanging out between the side of the crowd on the floor and the bar most of the night. She’d been dancing most of the time, and it becomes very obvious when the alcohol has done it’s thing because she starts laughing loudly, stumbling about since she’s wearing heels that are far, FAR too high for someone her age. Then she starts plowing through the crowd, unaware that yes, there really ARE other people there, and that yes, she is really, really drunk and looking fairly lame. And on it goes….
is it like this everywhere else in the world, or is just in the US where people are this inconsiderate?
Wait. Maybe you shouldn’t tell Daily Duranie this publicly – I mean, if you did, we might all move to your country! But I digress… (and I’m sorry for my rant above, but you’ve gotta admit – every GA show seems to have the same crowd!!!)
The fact is, here in the US, we’d sooner pay more for a seated show, and yet these GA venues have still sold out within what I would consider to be lightening speed. Sure, we can account for why these sell outs are happening, but I prefer to think that there is still a great demand for this band, even after 30 years. This isn’t a bad thing, and while I might be cursing that demand on Friday as I try to get tickets for their show in Pomona, CA (Fox theater)…I will try to remember that this is really a good thing!
-R
I've seen the band play in several countries, all GA (and some seated). The atmosphere at the US concerts was territorial, hostile and inconsiderate cigarette smoking. Elsewhere it was fun, almost celebratory; dancing with strangers, making new friends, even getting drinks for each other.
Worlds apart….
Aside from the cigarette smoking (it's not allowed anymore), you've definitely described a US show. 😀 I look forward to seeing what the differences are like – although the shows I'm attending in May are seated. I still think there are going to be many differences in the fans themselves, which will be really interesting! -R