Despite recording its lowest attendance in more than a decade, 864,866, the 2006 Big Gig generated 7.4% more cash through beverage, food and ticket sales than the 2005 version.
Most of my readers probably didn't know that the countries biggest music festival happened in Milwaukee recently. A few years back, Summerfest would draw 950,000 people in 11 days. Now we see it is down to 864,866....but they are making more money. I understand a want to make more money, but how much is enough? Shouldn't you want as many people as possible enjoying the festival? How much of the focus should be about getting as much money as you can, and how much should be about being able to include as many people as possible?
I only went twice this year, whereas in the past I would go maybe 5 times. And yes, I understand that I might sound a bit like a liberal on this one....But if tickets go up to say, 20 bucks, now you have a LOT of people who just got priced out. The director of Summerfest says he wants an older crowd...to make more money. However, don't you want the buzz that is created in the younger communities about how cool and desirable Summerfest is...isn't that part of the draw??? If all you have is old people there, what happens when they get TO old? All the young people that used to come are not coming anymore, and they are unaware of how fun Summerfest is...so as the old people get to old, the younger people will not be filling in the numbers....I think Smiley is going to far, to much focus on money....don't forget to focus on people a little too...
Friday, July 14, 2006
2006 Big Gig called a winner
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8 comments:
I am the exact demographic thay jag wants, and I think Summerfest sucks more and more every year. Instead of getting the best performers with lots of local or lesser known but good talent around them, he goes for more of the middle of the road and uninteresting acts.
Dumping the comedy stage for a martini tent was lame. I am sure it pads his pockets nice, though.
I now lose almost $20 just walking through the gates. Two beers and a cheap bite to eat cost $14, plus more if you want more than a morsel.
I would gladly pay that money, if I knew I could see a good band play at any time. You cant. I only go cuz I get in free as a performer.
Scorpion says---
The real color in this country is GREEN--Smiley will always go after that color.When your my age, GAME,You will be his target GREEN,
and you will go see BON JOVI at some roadhouse or oasis on the grounds.I don't go to Drunkfest,but
give me the MOODY BLUES and I'd have to consider going.
sorry, but I disagree with you lilwebb...you add too many rap acts, and then you get thugs, thugs equals problems equals NO ONE going...
why do you think the carnival is gone???
They had a problem with black gangs walking around the park in lines and knocking everyone down...if that reality would have become common knowledge, summerfest would be done
I hate to admit it, but game is correct. The more urban you allow Summerfest to get, the worse is it for everyone. 20-50 isnt a realistic demographic, either. Why dont you just say 'no teens or old people'? Seriously, what does a 20 yr old have in common with a 50 yr old? Nothing, its bs. Welcome to watered down Summerfest.
Scorp, Moody Blues play a lot at Summerfest. I've seen them twice.
Clint, perhaps you neglected German Fest? Oh, and since the rich actually have the money, it makes a lot of sense to take it from them. No?
Scorp does hit a real issue, though. All the new chair cares about is making as much dough as possible, without caring about the quality of the acts he brings in.
who cares about the protest if they are about the "lack of diversity"
Sorry, but there is a reason there is no more "jam for peace"
too many urban acts at one place equals problems...summerfest has few major problems, they want to keep it that way...
It is not summerfest fault that hip hop and rap acts attract too many people who do not know what it means to act civilized...
Dont get me wrong, rap sucks, but they dont want teenies there. As lilwebb stated, white teens are the primary buyers of rap music.
that is true...and probably 60% to even 70% of the crowd would be white...summerfest is worried about the 30 to 40 percent that would be black that would then go out to the park and cause trouble...like they did at the Wisconsin state fair last year...and that is why the fair no longer has jam for peace...
So, is the state fair racist for not wanting their park ruined for a day? Are they racist because they don't want people attack, greenfield avenue to look like Iraq? because they don't want guns in the mid-way...it all happened last year after the jam for peace concert was over...its a fact, its not racist...people need to stop hiding behind their race card and address the actual problems.
I wasnt even going there. I was buffering their desire to apeal to others besides teens. However, as I said previously, when you open your arms to an urban crowd, you'll get stabbed in the back. All it takes is one person to sour the attitude, because they really dont want that kind of crowd there. They would rather have drunken white people getting into fights instead.
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