"Dave Matthews" Google Trends and The Band's Declining Relevancy

[mr. testaverde]

this thread goes 'round and 'round and 'round and 'round

[hailtopitt]

Originally Posted by zajDmB1

But this is the problem you're having; They could just play smaller venues and you'd be totally happy and think 16k tickets was great because there were no more available tickets? See how flawed your logic is? (wait, I know you don't..)

And as a final aside , since you keep quoting my saying "impressive" in my very first post, that comment was almost entirely about the fact that anyone even still cares about DMB... It was tongue in cheek half-jokingly saying that it's 'impressive' that they've made it this far, still exist, and people still give a shit moreso than being about any number.

1st part: i don't ever remember saying that them just playing smaller venues would be great and make me totally happy. in fact, i know i never said that so again, you're just making things up.

2nd part: ok so now you're saying their sales being "impressive" was tongue-in-cheek? ok....i don't necessarily believe you, but if that's the case then fine. that would make more sense.

[RainDog1980]

I'm going to attempt to bridge what I perceive to be the gap here.

DMB is still playing larger venues, but does not have the pull to fill them anymore. Based on venue seats available, a 16k average is not a good sales performance, meaning, they're not able to get asses in seats or lawns. Playing a smaller venue to capacity does not negate that, because it means they've lost drawing power. DMB in this stage of their career only, don't really have it.

J-Lo's average ticket sales is only 1/4 of what DMB sells, but made almost the same money. She had a Las Vegas residency, and still did as well as DMB, who busted their ass all summer. Large scale tour with minimal return is why, this is a meh number.

And we can say "there are bands who would kill to sell that much" and yes, that is true. But those bands also never had the ability to sell that much, so they can wish in one hand and shit in the other, and see which gets filled first. If DMB continues on, they'll be one of those bands, too.

[MOWJO8185]

I spent a few hours mapping out a correlation between tickets sold and Google searches and the findings are pretty interesting.

Just kidding, I didn't do that.

[coolhotwaves]

They're playing too many shows per yearr in markets they have played for 20+ years. If they cut back the sheer number of shows and focused on quality over quantity you'd see a big turnaround

[eggsrsweet]

Originally Posted by eggsrsweet

It seems we're due for another major turning point in the band. I'd argue the two biggest points in the band's history are: releasing Everyday (2001) and Roi's death/release of Big Whiskey (2008/09). These two events brought a huge change to the band whether for good or bad.

If not another turning point, the band will start to slowly fade away. Not saying the band will be done by next year. It could take a few more years.

Well, it seems like we may have reached that major turning point in the band again. Not that I'm happy about it.

[clcfball11]

Regarding the early posts in this thread like "duh, bands fade over time"....meanwhile, Phish tickets have never had higher demand. Night 3 at Dick's in CO last year were $300+ each on the secondary market. Band formed in 1983.

Always baffled me that DMB doesn't stream every show, or even most shows. No couch tour format. You have a fanbase that cares more about setlists and live performances than most, and you do absolutely nothing to cater to them. Makes no sense.

The google trends/ticket sale declines aren't shocking in the least given the lack of effort or competence from the band in terms of reaching out to its most passionate fans.

People have other options and that's where they'll end up.

[chrisjuniper]

Originally Posted by clcfball11

Regarding the early posts in this thread like "duh, bands fade over time"....meanwhile, Phish tickets have never had higher demand. Night 3 at Dick's in CO last year were $300+ each on the secondary market. Band formed in 1983.

Always baffled me that DMB doesn't stream every show, or even most shows. No couch tour format. You have a fanbase that cares more about setlists and live performances than most, and you do absolutely nothing to cater to them. Makes no sense.

The google trends/ticket sale declines aren't shocking in the least given the lack of effort or competence from the band in terms of reaching out to its most passionate fans.

People have other options and that's where they'll end up.

Nailed it. Couldn't be more spot on. DMB does NOTHING for their most passionate fans, and in turn, has less passionate fans.

[dmbongreyst]

Originally Posted by clcfball11

Regarding the early posts in this thread like "duh, bands fade over time"....meanwhile, Phish tickets have never had higher demand. Night 3 at Dick's in CO last year were $300+ each on the secondary market. Band formed in 1983.

Always baffled me that DMB doesn't stream every show, or even most shows. No couch tour format. You have a fanbase that cares more about setlists and live performances than most, and you do absolutely nothing to cater to them. Makes no sense.

The google trends/ticket sale declines aren't shocking in the least given the lack of effort or competence from the band in terms of reaching out to its most passionate fans.

People have other options and that's where they'll end up.

I wouldn’t even word it as not catering to the fans. I’d say that they don’t exploit the fan interest. They leave a lot of money on the table for things like this and I’m not sure what the downside is?

[clcfball11]

Originally Posted by dmbongreyst

I wouldn’t even word it as not catering to the fans. I’d say that they don’t exploit the fan interest. They leave a lot of money on the table for things like this and I’m not sure what the downside is?

Good point. The only thing I can think of re: not streaming is the mindset that former Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz had in Chicago when he refused to put home games on TV. Thought it would cause people to buy less tickets. Of course, it did the exact opposite.

And I know people on this site hate Phish comparisons and I totally get they aren't the same band, but they demonstrate how easy it would be to reach their diehards more. Phish plays more varied sets, they do special fun things like the Baker's Dozen which generated SO much fan interest and discussion ("holy shit it's Lemon donut night! What lemon themed cover might they do?!"), etc. They sometimes spell messages to fans using the first letter of songs in their set. Things like that are so simple and go such a long way for obsessed fan bases, which DMB has but is severely dwindling.

The most frustrating part of DMB's lack of reaching the diehards is how easy it would be to do.

[#41Tom]

Originally Posted by dmbongreyst

I wouldn’t even word it as not catering to the fans. I’d say that they don’t exploit the fan interest. They leave a lot of money on the table for things like this and I’m not sure what the downside is?

Originally Posted by clcfball11

The most frustrating part of DMB's lack of reaching the diehards is how easy it would be to do.

Maybe they literally just like playing what they want to play, and where, and how, without any other interests. I have no idea - I'm just throwing that in the mix and leaving

[WidespreadMule3]

I mean even releasing every show for SBD download. I mean at this point the taper trend is dying. Feels like less and less shows each year are recorded. This isn't the 90s where crappy AUD tapes are going to cut it. I feel like the band is really losing out on extra cash not having a download option.

Hell, even Bon Jovi releases every one of his shows for download.

Also, not trying to crap on tapers today. They do an amazing job and offer a huge service to us. The trade has been greatly improved the last two decades.

[Sabres914]

Love this research. Thank you, OP!

[Cptn. Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by #41Tom

Maybe they literally just like playing what they want to play, and where, and how, without any other interests. I have no idea - I'm just throwing that in the mix and leaving

This is all Dave wants in my opinion

[clcfball11]

Originally Posted by Cptn. Monkeyman

This is all Dave wants in my opinion

Yea, that's pretty obvious, the question is why?

Not that I want the band to all about me and the passionate diehards, but it's obvious that focusing on that a little more would lead to more success and money for them.

[Aforauer]

Maybe the band's lack of livestreams, releases, etc. means they have something up their sleeve for when they're pretty much done. Maybe they'll open up the vault and take all our money

[clcfball11]

Originally Posted by Aforauer

Maybe the band's lack of livestreams, releases, etc. means they have something up their sleeve for when they're pretty much done. Maybe they'll open up the vault and take all our money

They'll take the money of all 19 people remaining who give a shit and haven't moved on to other bands.

[JR41]

Numbers can be skewed. More people used google 8 years ago for finding info about bands now adays they announce presales and announcements on twitter, instagram and facebook so no need to google it because it has a direct link to the ticket sales without having to use a browser such as google.

[clcfball11]

Originally Posted by JR41

Numbers can be skewed. More people used google 8 years ago for finding info about bands now adays they announce presales and announcements on twitter, instagram and facebook so no need to google it because it has a direct link to the ticket sales without having to use a browser such as google.

Maybe somewhat true but this is some big time mental gymnastics if you're in denial of DMB's declining relevancy. It's been obvious for a while and the reasons have been just as obvious.

[TimHonks]

Originally Posted by clcfball11

They'll take the money of all 19 people remaining who give a shit and haven't moved on to other bands.

What a stupid post.

[ToySoldier#34]

Not sure how much Dave cares about being relevant, clearly doesn't care about being famous, just loves to play and make money off of a fan base that is still strong enough to do so. You are more likely to see him play a charity event that 98% of the population never hears about than do carpool karaoke.

[TimHonks]

Originally Posted by ToySoldier#34

Not sure how much Dave cares about being relevant, clearly doesn't care about being famous, just loves to play and make money off of a fan base that is still strong enough to do so. You are more likely to see him play a charity event that 98% of the population never hears about than do carpool karaoke.

[clcfball11]

Originally Posted by TimHonks

What a stupid post.

Thanks for your input, Tim.

Care to present an opposing viewpoint? Do you think the band's relevancy isn't in decline for the reasons listed in this thread? Or does that just make you uncomfortable to confront because you wish it wasn't true?

[chrisjuniper]

Originally Posted by TimHonks

What a stupid post.

says the king of stupid posts

[chrisjuniper]

Originally Posted by #41Tom

Maybe they literally just like playing what they want to play, and where, and how, without any other interests. I have no idea - I'm just throwing that in the mix and leaving

[ToySoldier#34]

Originally Posted by chrisjuniper

says the king of stupid posts

...follows this post up with a stupid post

[chrisjuniper]

Originally Posted by ToySoldier#34

...follows this post up with a stupid post

how about go fuck yourself?

[TimHonks]

Originally Posted by chrisjuniper

says the king of stupid posts

[Cptn. Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by clcfball11

Thanks for your input, Tim.

Care to present an opposing viewpoint? Do you think the band's relevancy isn't in decline for the reasons listed in this thread? Or does that just make you uncomfortable to confront because you wish it wasn't true?

Who cares if they're "relevant"? I don't give a shit if my 15 year old sister knows who DMB is

[TimHonks]

Originally Posted by clcfball11

Thanks for your input, Tim.

Care to present an opposing viewpoint? Do you think the band's relevancy isn't in decline for the reasons listed in this thread? Or does that just make you uncomfortable to confront because you wish it wasn't true?

The band is and has been less relevant than they were. Very true.

The same band sold more tickets per show on their last tour than Ed Sheeran did. The same band just played a sold out show to however many people Xcel Energy Stadium holds. The same band that I can't find tickets to for 2 Chicago shows this summer. The same band that will be a top 25ish touring act in the world in 2018.

Your post was stupid because of the aggressive hyperbole and the fact that you logged onto a DMB message board to say nobody cares about DMB. If you have moved on, move on. Nothing wrong with that.