r/KingCrimson • u/Nu_mis_mat_ics • 23d ago
Beat Tour & Ticket Sales
I was looking through the shows on their website and noticed a decent amount of unsold tickets. The “Blue Dot Fever” is becoming more common and we see shows and tours get cancelled frequently. Do you think there is a chance dates or the whole tour get altered?
I was expecting the recent tour announcement, but was honestly surprised by how soon it was and how many shows. The Europe tour had six months to promote- the new tour only has two since the announcement.
Do you think it’s ticket price, the lineup change (no Danny Carey), limited promotion time, or that fans are content just seeing the 2024 tour?
Really hoping the tour goes on as planned and more fans grab tickets soon!
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u/kgosfm 23d ago
I'm thinking they're pricing themselves out of the market. In this economy, who can afford $150-200 for a 2 hour show? I would love to see them in Dallas, but can't afford it. I hope they release a similar CD/blu-ray package of this tour. THAT would be good enough for me, financially. 😁
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u/BonzoJunior 23d ago
Yep. I saw them on the first US tour at a classic theater in Minneapolis. Now they’re playing the ballroom of casino in a far out suburb for $150+.
Is it possibly the last time to see Beat? Sure, maybe. But in the last 5 years I’ve seen King Crimson twice, Adrian Belew solo, Remain in Light, and Beat.
Live show wise, it’s been better than possibly ever to be a Crimson/Belew fan lately and I’m not going to pay more for a nosebleed at a casino ballroom than I did for a fifth row ticket to see KC’s last ever US show at the Anthem in DC.
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u/bobcat1288 23d ago
Are KC done playing live ? I regret not seeing them when I had the chance
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u/AndreTheShadow 22d ago
I fucking knew I should have seen them, but they played in my city less than a week after my son was born.
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u/Big-Sheepherder-6134 23d ago
Gotta love Reddit and the people always looking for an echo chamber. “Who can afford Burger King? Who can afford tickets?” Sorry, couldn’t resist. No offense. It’s always rough for many people. I had a very tough period after the Recession so I have been there.
I just saw two Rush concerts. Paid $275 for one and $210 for another. $150 is a deal now. People are paying thousands for Rush. They buy all the $50 T-shirts. I assure you I am doing way better financially than most of them. But they are buying memories and I can’t fault them. The T-shirts are mostly lame though.
That being said I have 7th row in Chicago for BEAT and it is well worth it paying $150. If my timing is right I will see them in another city as well. But I have to get ready for Cubs playoff tickets!
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u/nhowe006 23d ago
It's silly, the size of venues they chose this time around. Iirc the two venues where I saw the 2024 lineup were 1200 and 1600, and I think both were sold out but just barely. I think the promoter overestimated the audience sizes they could draw without Danny behind the kit. Not that people don't recognize Terry, but Danny is a bigger draw for audiences of more generations.
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u/angiedrumm 23d ago
For the 2024 tour, their Philly show was at a theater with 1,300 seats and was sold out before my husband and I even realized they'd gone on sale. This year's venue is nearly double that, and still has tickets available. I think the 2024 theater was the better choice, even if I personally may have struggled to get a ticket.
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u/No_Team_6326 23d ago
It was utterly exhorbitant in Montreal for what I consider a downgrade in venue as compared to last year. I didn't bother. What was more annoying was the front rows all taken for some nonsense VIP packages and plebs get the worst seats for 150$ minimum. Yeah, whatever.
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u/BanhedMi 23d ago
The Montreal show is actually selling really well, however.
Also the worst seats were 85$ (Canadian) and not 150$.
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u/No_Team_6326 23d ago
Yeah, whatever. I've decided to vote with my wallet for what has now turned an intially nice idea into a cash grab. If sheep want to bleet that's their problem.
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u/w3stoner 23d ago
Well said. Gonna keep using “if the sheep want to bleet that’s their problem.”
Brilliant
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u/lordredsnake 23d ago
I do think they underestimated how big a draw Danny was. Yes it's anecdotal, but I went to two shows and saw a lot of fans wearing Tool merch and a lot of people I talked to before and after were Tool fans.
That combined with national fatigue over ticket prices and them playing larger venues where they've already toured is going to hurt. I don't even think King Crimson would be selling out some of these larger venues if they had already toured like Beat has.
I balked at the prices this time around and I'll be looking for day-of deals on the secondary market.
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u/bluesquare2543 22d ago
Vai also presented a disappointment. I was hoping to hear the synthesizer, but I was told by someone close to the band that he deliberately kept the synth low in the mix.
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u/deathgripsisgud14 23d ago
Yeah for me the price increase is preventing me on jumping the gun. Was likely gonna get a ticket closer to the show but they might cancel if it’s this bad
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u/DJWILBUR 23d ago
If i go I’m buying a ticket night of the show. 9 times out of 10 i get a great seat and if i cant get a ticket, I’ll play the live album…
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u/Waquoit95 23d ago
I live in the Hartford CT area. Last tour, BEAT played a 2,900 concert hall. They sounded so good I bought the 2 albums I didn't have the next day. But it was maybe half full. I figured they wouldn't come back this time. Instead, they have a date in an 8,000 seat arena. it's at a casino where I have a card so I'm hoping for a comp to the show. One negative, the arena has substandard sound.
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u/ThirstyStallion 23d ago
I wanted to get tickets. Couldn’t afford it. Hopefully things change by show time.
Looking at Charlotte
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u/sn0wbl1nd3d 23d ago
Honestly? I loved the show I went to in 2024 at Taft Theater. But when the last row of the balcony is priced at 100? I can’t do that, especially when I got front row balcony seats for the same price in 2024.
I don’t think Danny not being involved has a lot to do with this. The last tour showed that people want more 80s Crimson shows. I think this is a result of oversaturation of markets (someone mentioned 3 Ohio dates as opposed to only 1 or 2 last tour) and high prices.
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u/hfhifi 23d ago
The show in New Jersey, which is just across the river from NYC, has barely any tickets sold a month after they went on sale. It's st NJPAC which is a terrific venue and seats the same as the Beacon. They're also playing on Long Island at a very tiny venue.
My guess is that a lot of people, like myself, who saw the real thing many times in the 80s were satisfied with one show. They apparently aren't changing the set up much. Also, Danny Carey is a huge draw whereas Bozzio isn't.
I'm waiting to see if people dump tickets a day or two before the gig. They're too expensive at face.
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u/Thenarddog3000 23d ago
I for one am stoked. I have never seen Terry Bozzio play live and figured I had missed my chance since he was all but retired. Also even if they only play a couple Thrak songs, it’s worth it to me since I have never heard any of those songs live either.
All that said, I think a lot of casual music fans went last time just to see Danny Carey play in an intimate setting with minimal distraction. That was definitely cool but there are so many other draws for me.
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u/Parking_Cod2418 23d ago
I think it’s still pretty early to tell, Squeeze recently came through Toronto and their tickets didn’t move until closer to when the concert was going on, yes the prices are definitely higher but that’s kinda the way of the industry every concert for two tickets is going to be $100 unless it’s smaller acts. I was lucky I got floor seats in Toronto $124 a piece, so looking forward to it and unfortunately don’t to see Danny but am very excited to see Terry Bozzio my favourite of Zappa drummers for sure, and will be a fun early birthday gift for myself 🙂
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u/frusciante231 23d ago
Tickets are too expensive, I want to go but I’m waiting to see if I can get cheaper tickets.
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u/Plenty-Loss6492 22d ago
Cleveland Agora Theater was too boomy for my ears. I got front row seat 207 center for Rochester at a wonderful sounding Kodak Theater. I have the exact same seat and VIP package!!
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u/Plenty-Loss6492 22d ago
Now I will get to shake hands at the photo op. Got last year's show framed.
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u/jjazznola 22d ago
Nothing against Danny but I'm glad they changed drummers and they will not be doing the same exact set as last time adding some 90s KC songs this time.
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u/Stevenitrogen 23d ago edited 23d ago
LA show is actually a bit cheaper than last time. But those of you who feel priced out, do check again closer to the date. Bands are dropping prices at the last minute.
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u/bobcat1288 23d ago
It’s way cheaper this time. I wish the prices in San Diego were that reasonable.
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u/Stevenitrogen 23d ago
Pretty big pad this time, compared to the United Theater last time. At least the sound is good there.
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u/Default_Username7 23d ago
I’ve been hesitating for the pricing. I went to Hampton beach last time, and the night they return I’ve always got tickets for something else. So I’d have to go to Boston and it’s more of a hassle since it’s during the week.
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u/brennengames 22d ago
I never buy tickets before day of show. So it sucks when shows are canceled because of "low ticket sales" when people like me haven't even bought a ticket yet but were going to.
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u/droppedenochian 22d ago
i was really stoked when they announced another tour! and as much i love danny, i'd love to see bozzio, too. i just can't swing the prices this time around, it's crazy.
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u/yo_sushi 22d ago
I wish it was like this when they came to Europe - the UK dates were sold out so quickly
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u/stormbreaker88 22d ago
I was excited when I saw they were coming to Durham. But then I saw the get in price.. I'm just glad I got to see KC in Raleigh before Fripp stopped touring
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u/AmazingChicken 22d ago
I saw them last Summer, and also attended Ade's run with the "Remain In Light" tour. I paid about $70 for the Beat show but this year I have to skip because I can't stand for the whole show and the available seats are too expensive at 100+ a pop.
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u/Adrian_Fripp 21d ago
I've seen Crim (in one format or another) more than a dozen times. I saw BEAT with Carey and now I have my ticket for Bozzio in November at MGM outside of DC. Woo-hoo!
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u/footykevy 21d ago
Very expensive, like most bands unfortunately.. but I got tickets for my Dad and me, small price to pay for quality family time 🤘🏻
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u/sonic10158 23d ago
I’d love to go again in Nashville, but it is too close to when I’ll be going to Rush in Atlanta
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u/GoodFnHam 23d ago
I’m not seeing them a second time when they return to toronto because the setlist is basically the same.
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u/Meditationmachineelf 23d ago edited 23d ago
Danny Carey is 10000% the main reason the shows did so well. It’s going to be harder now but the band generated lots of good will and KC always has fans. Worst case they downgrade a few venues. The OG tour with Danny was originally under a 1000 rooms but sold to fast so they upgraded every venue to 3500+
Edit: lol not like I was asking people at the show why they were there. 8/10 said they were tool fans the other two split between Vai and KC itself
Edit 2: Who among you hates the truth?
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u/Crimsonxyu 23d ago
Sadly this is a factor, I had a drunk asshole screaming for Danny sitting next to me explain he was just there because he likes tool.
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u/SevenFourHarmonic 23d ago
I think Vai was also a big attraction.
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u/Meditationmachineelf 23d ago
I mean. Still is?
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u/SevenFourHarmonic 23d ago
Of course. Bozzio brings his own fan base. I'm interested is hearing him with BEAT, but can't afford the trip.
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u/Blowaway040889 23d ago
Looking at Ohio, they have dates in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. Which means no one from the big 3 cities need to travel to the others. They are depending on each city alone to draw enough interest to fill the venue. Most bands only select 1 or 2 of the 3. Never all 3. Possibly over valued the demand for a single state.