Experience Upgrades

[Hilly]

I see a lot of bands these days selling experience upgrades, which get you perks such as watching a soundcheck, photo op with the band, etc.

The band currently sells VIP packages that comes with premium seating options and limited edition posters and other merchandise, but would fans be interested in the opportunity to buy soundcheck or photo op packages for DMB? What would that opportunity be worth to you?

[jimmything014]

If I get pick 3-4 songs that they do soundcheck it would be worth a lot to me. If they just go up there and noodle on something for 15 min then it wouldn't be worth anything to me.

[snow1868]

Doing a little market research for the Warehouse, Hilly?

[MikeZimm]

As DMB fans are aging their income is typically increasing.
I'm sure they would be able to sell a lot of "Ultra" premium upgrades like you are referring too. Just look at how many fans spent $ for the premium tickets to get better seats and a little swag.

[Hilly]

Originally Posted by jimmything014

If I get pick 3-4 songs that they do soundcheck it would be worth a lot to me. If they just go up there and noodle on something for 15 min then it wouldn't be worth anything to me.

Obviously guaranteeing everyone gets to pick 4 songs isn't practical or feasible, but as with any sound check experience fan interaction is always possible.

[TimHonks]

At Apline I saw people hanging out and drinking with Jeff, Rashawn, and others by the resort entrance before the show. Was probably a family/friends thing but I was thinking that it would be cool if the VIP tickets I had included that.

I would probably pay extra once for the perks you mentioned, and I assume the #fam would be all over it.

[moccasin]

Paul McCartney Exclusive VIP Packages

Choose between 4 exclusive VIP packages to see Paul McCartney live on his On The Run tour!

Front Row Package: $2,000
- One front row floor ticket, side section
- Special entrance
- Invitation to Sound Check
- Pre-show hospitality reception
- Exclusive merchandise item
- Collectible laminate
- Onsite event management staff

Hot Sound Package: $1,500
- One premium floor ticket
- Special entrance
- Invitation to Sound Check
- Pre-show hospitality reception
- Exclusive merchandise item
- Collectible laminate
- Onsite event management staff

Gold Hot Ticket Package: $655
- One premium Price Level 1 ticket
- Exclusive merchandise item
- Collectible laminate

Silver Hot Ticket Package: $455
- One premium Price Level 2 ticket
- Exclusive merchandise item
- Collectible laminate


These are for his Columbus, OH show in October

[RSSR]

I would seriously toy with the possibility of buying a VIP package if it guaranteed me meeting all of the band members.

[nick997k]

I would absolutely be interested.

[blaise34]

This

[DMBstandUP1984]

I do a lot of these for Punk Rock/Emo type bands.

Usually pretty cool. Mostly you just hang back stage and they will do like a small acoustic set, hang for pictures and autographs. Story Of The Year was doing it on their tour bus and were supposed to do some of their songs acoustic, but since the Cards were in the World Series ended up just hanging on the bus and watching the game.

[Bmwm3oz]

I would pay 2K to meet all members and sit in on sound check.

.

[dontdrink36]

These are way out of my price range, but it seems like a very cool experience for those who can afford it.

[DMBstandUP1984]

DMB is the only band that I really like that I haven't met any of the band members. But all the other bands I really enjoy are smaller acts that play at House of Blues, places along those lines.

I also don't exactly go out of my way to try to and just kind of assume if it happens it will be more by chance. Like running into one of them at a starbucks the morning of the show.

[Climb2safety]

If you are doing market research, the term experience upgrade sounds totally pretentious to me.

[dobyblue]

I did this with James, the UK band from Manchester (you all know the song "Laid").

I think regular tickets were CDN$45/ea, I paid CDN$99/ea for the VIP which featured a soundcheck and ticket in the first three rows, pretty easy decision at those prices in 2010.
The band did 6 songs at the soundcheck, had some interaction with the 30-40 people there and we were all at the front of the stage, three of the songs they played weren't on the set that night so overall a complete win-win and one of, if not the, best concert experiences to date.

[WhoDidIt?]

I would feel like the band would be looking at me like I was some kind of weirdo if they knew I spent some crazy amount of money to meet them.

I would be willing to pay a little extra for a sound check ticket

[ajc_1988]

i would not pay for anything of the sort. not only is it a pathetic money grab, but the people paying for it are either rich douchelords, or dmbfamily who sell their houses and children for a chance to touch DaVE.

[DMBzilla]

Originally Posted by ajc_1988

i would not pay for anything of the sort. not only is it a pathetic money grab, but the people paying for it are either rich douchelords, or dmbfamily who sell their houses and children for a chance to touch DaVE.

I don't think that's entirely fair - I work my ass off to be able to afford the concert experiences I've had, and I am definitely not in the family-type camp.

To help Hilly with his latest job assignment, I think Warehouse should focus more on offering these types of experiences to senior members and/or those who request a bunch of shows. They've done enough with premium ticketing to make their extra coin - doing more meet and greets and other exclusive type experiences are more than warranted at this point.

[dmb9howell]

I'd pay extra to be at soundcheck
I couldn't care less about meeting the band

[40oz.]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

I did this with James, the UK band from Manchester (you all know the song "Laid").

I think regular tickets were CDN$45/ea, I paid CDN$99/ea for the VIP which featured a soundcheck and ticket in the first three rows, pretty easy decision at those prices in 2010.
The band did 6 songs at the soundcheck, had some interaction with the 30-40 people there and we were all at the front of the stage, three of the songs they played weren't on the set that night so overall a complete win-win and one of, if not the, best concert experiences to date.

And now I want to go kill two hours and watch American Pie. Thanks. ;-)

[40oz.]

Originally Posted by DMBzilla

I don't think that's entirely fair - I work my ass off to be able to afford the concert experiences I've had, and I am definitely not in the family-type camp.

To help Hilly with his latest job assignment, I think Warehouse should focus more on offering these types of experiences to senior members and/or those who request a bunch of shows. They've done enough with premium ticketing to make their extra coin - doing more meet and greets and other exclusive type experiences are more than warranted at this point.

Totally agree. Just because they offer the opportunity to purchase a VIP Concert Experience doesn't mean you have to buy it. Typically I would just leave it at "Capitalism Baby", but a band like DMB needs to be careful. They are walking a fine line between making more money and alienating a lot of their fan base. It's ok to offer up some cool experiences, just tread lightly and don't screw over everyone else in the process.

If the band decided to offer up these elite packages, I sure hope the seats are pulled from the existing VIP allotment, vs. taking even more premium seats away from standard purchases and WH seating. This current tour has been a joke for long-time WH member seat assignments. If they add even more VIP seats and push everyone back any further, we'll be on the lawn in no time.

[lukin23]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

I did this with James, the UK band from Manchester (you all know the song "Laid").

I think regular tickets were CDN$45/ea, I paid CDN$99/ea for the VIP which featured a soundcheck and ticket in the first three rows, pretty easy decision at those prices in 2010.
The band did 6 songs at the soundcheck, had some interaction with the 30-40 people there and we were all at the front of the stage, three of the songs they played weren't on the set that night so overall a complete win-win and one of, if not the, best concert experiences to date.

Wow never thought I'd see another james fan here! Love those guys and did the same package at Webster Hall nyc in both 2010 and last year. More than worth it. And what an incredible band. Shame they don't have the audience here they do in Europe.

[lukin23]

Originally Posted by DMBzilla

I don't think that's entirely fair - I work my ass off to be able to afford the concert experiences I've had, and I am definitely not in the family-type camp.

To help Hilly with his latest job assignment, I think Warehouse should focus more on offering these types of experiences to senior members and/or those who request a bunch of shows. They've done enough with premium ticketing to make their extra coin - doing more meet and greets and other exclusive type experiences are more than warranted at this point.

I agree with this notion too. I think these assembly line photo op packages that seemingly tons of bands are offering these days seem sad and awkward. I'd definitely pay for a reasonable soundcheck/q&a session like the james packages. There was no photo op there and it was fine. That's a very different audience though.

[CtotheP]

Why doesn't the Warehouse do meet-and-greet's anymore? They used to do it, inviting fans backstage to meet Dave, the Band, etc....haven't seen anything in quite some time

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by lukin23

Wow never thought I'd see another james fan here! Love those guys and did the same package at Webster Hall nyc in both 2010 and last year. More than worth it. And what an incredible band. Shame they don't have the audience here they do in Europe.

Big James fan since first seeing Born of Frustration on MTV's 120 Minutes back in the day, then realized they did the song "Sit Down" that I used to hear at the "alternative" night at the club I was going to in the early 90s.

When I finally saw them in 2010, I was blow away. I knew they were really good live from the few DVDs I had but they were way better in 2010 than they were in the "Seven" DVD 1992-era or the Getting Away With It live DVD. The way he hits those notes in the outro of Ring The Bells, I had goosebumps rivalling the CN Tower.

Yeah, fucking amazing band, such a shame we don't get to see them more especially given the small club stops they'd play here. Tim's voice hasn't missed a beat. Just checked on setlist.fm and in the soundcheck we got four songs not played that night including Destiny Calling and Waltzing Along. So good.

Next time they do a one off in NYC, I'm not going to miss it.

[lukin23]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Big James fan since first seeing Born of Frustration on MTV's 120 Minutes back in the day, then realized they did the song "Sit Down" that I used to hear at the "alternative" night at the club I was going to in the early 90s.

When I finally saw them in 2010, I was blow away. I knew they were really good live from the few DVDs I had but they were way better in 2010 than they were in the "Seven" DVD 1992-era or the Getting Away With It live DVD. The way he hits those notes in the outro of Ring The Bells, I had goosebumps rivalling the CN Tower.

Yeah, fucking amazing band, such a shame we don't get to see them more especially given the small club stops they'd play here. Tim's voice hasn't missed a beat. Just checked on setlist.fm and in the soundcheck we got four songs not played that night including Destiny Calling and Waltzing Along. So good.

Next time they do a one off in NYC, I'm not going to miss it.

Sounds like you're a fellow old guy like me! I actually caught them a couple times also when they toured Laid and Whiplash in the 90s. But yea they may be actually better now since the reunion. Living in nyc I've gotten a bit lucky with their one offs the last few albums caught them at Radio City supporting Squeeze in 08 too. Yea Tim is an incredible frontman. Anyway sorry to hijack Hilly's thread with britpop!

[dthree]

My Morning Jacket does this for Roll Call fan club members. Basically, you pay $45 bucks to see the soundcheck plus you get an autographed poster.

Awesome price for sure, plus they guaranteed 3-4 songs so it wasn't just noodling.

[pigsmarching8]

DMB would have to go back to doing sound checks regularly, which would just be a huge plus for the band musically

[somuchtoplay]

I would only pay that kind of extra cash if I got to meet the band (or at least Dave). Aerosmith sells $1000 upgrades for you to get a photo op with Steven Tyler & Joe Perry and cheaper upgrades for you to meet the other guys in the band. I didnt pay for Aerosmith, but it's cool a band as big as them offer the opportunity.

I wish they'd offer M&G upgrade purchase opportunities to Warehouse members.