I wondered if anyone of a technical inclination was keeping an eye on ticket sales?

I must admit I struggle with all the different outlets/re-sellers etc. I can’t really see what’s what but, on the face of it, the O2 seems to be selling quite well. Most of the floor seems to have gone.

I do find the choice of venues amusing, not in a good way. Why not a few nights at the RAH rather than one at the ghastly O2? Sadly, we all know the answer to that and it’s only partly vocal chords.

Still, at least someone has bothered to put a little montage on the official RM site, and there’s a user-friendly set of song lyrics, which I hadn’t spotted before.

VV

looking at ticket availability for the show in Philadelphia looks like way more than half of the seats still avail. I guess with five months to go things could pick up but initial sales don't look strong given the size of the arena.

Agreed. Makes no sense choosing arenas. In 2001, when they toured the States they chose smaller arenas and sometimes played 2 nights. In NYC they played the Theater at MSG which holds about 5k and did 2 nights in a acoustically great venue. Now they TRY and sell the Big 20k seat MSG Hockey stadium with poor sound ? Seems like a BIG over-reach 21 years later when only the die hard fans like us will attend. Looking at Ticketmaster, many of these big barns are not even 40% sold yet. Not sure who is promoting/advising this tour but...
Also, in the past BF would be able to do promo stints on Letterman, SNL, etc. to help promote his appearances, don't think they will get these invites now. My guess is there will be big radio ticket give-aways etc. to try and fill out some of these shows. Don't get me wrong, I have great seats for both NYC and Boston and am thrilled they are playing. Just think a smaller, fuller, better acoustic venue would have been a better choice.

The Toronto ticket website offers specific info on the availability of tickets in various sections, see

https://www.ticketmaster.ca/roxy-music- ... 1649192712

From this it is apparent that there are plenty of tickets still available in all price ranges. I note that the super-expensive front row section ("AA") still has (at least when I just checked) 59 seats available at a price (with fees) of about CA $800. I guess that there have been some seats sold in Section AA, but it's a long way from a sellout

I can understand the economics of the British leg of the tour, but the viability of the North American tour seems uncertain. Perhaps there will be a big uptick in sales as the gig dates get closer, but methinks there is a lot of ground to cover...

Yes, it’s an absolute mystery to me (but what do I know?).

I can only surmise that the misguided promoter has offered them a whopping fee to sign up to this and they’ve taken the bait, knowing that it will be deeply unsatisfactory for everyone but the bank manager. Particularly in the US…….how is Bryan going to make any impact in those cavernous halls?

Wouldn’t we all have been delighted with a somewhat pared back show, but in the venues they played 50 years ago? You can’t imagine they’re skint.

Looking idly at the Madison Square Garden situation, I’m aghast to see that it’s hardly sold at all. Disaster looming! Incidentally, I was also aghast (twice in five minutes) to note that someone called Phish (never heard of them) are playing three nights there, Rage Against the Machine five nights, the delightful Roger Waters two nights and, to add insult to perjury, Billie Joel seems to be on most weeks!!

Also incidentally, the Roger Waters tour is 40 massive arenas in the US. He must have an expensive lifestyle, that one! (I’m not at all jealous!).

VV

Totally agree Viva Voce!

Mes Amis,
Comme Rendezvous, W2 est tout a fait d’accord avec Viva Voce.
This does not smell good.
Back in 2003, ‘Roxy’ played to a two thirds full ‘Radio City’ and in 2011 after a complete debacle with ticket sales, they played to a half empty ‘Sydney Entertainment Centre’.
Neither of the aforementioned venues have the capacity of the aircraft hangers they are booked to play in 2022 and although they were note perfect on both occasions - 2011’s FYP set list was particularly magnificent - the poor turnout clearly had an impact on the morale of the band.
Nowhere was this more apparent than in Sydney when Ferry looked like he’d rather be anywhere else in the world than on that stage.
Why then, on the back of all of this book this lot ?
Personally W2 would have much preferred that our hero undertake a new solo tour incorporating his new music and some of his underplayed classics.
Indeed much of ‘Taxi’ suits Bryan’s mature voice and blends beautifully with ‘Johnny & Mary’ ,the two new tracks from the ‘Love Letters’ EP and some arrangements from ‘Bitter Sweet’.
That said, if we must have a Roxy 50th finale - this isn’t the correct geographical mix and they certainly aren’t the correct venues.
Sadly Redcar Jazz club, the site of W2’s first fandango with ‘Roxy’ is no longer available but others are and it would have been great to see them go down that route.
Obviously W2 will be at the odious ‘O2’ because it is his duty and maybe if we are small in numbers we can storm the front and pretend it was ‘72 again but Windswept won’t be wearing his platforms !
Salutations a tous,
W2
Ps. Viva Voce, Phish are a US college band famous for their extraordinary jams. They have a big cult following. They specialise in huge festivals and venues.

Now that there’s been no further dates announced the whole setup of the tour does seem a bit strange.
Ten US shows vs three in the UK just makes no sense and even more so when you consider the venues.

I think the UK shows will eventually all sell well enough but they could really have played at more smaller venues knowing that they would be playing to a sell out and raucous crowd every night. The venues picked have no soul and character to them.

I am sure it is easier said then done, but at this point whoever is promoting the tour in the States should try and consolidate dates.
I.e. Consolidate the 2 CA shows into 1, same for Texas. On the East coast take the NYC, Boston, Philly, Washington, and make 4 into 2.
Chicago and Toronto probably need to stay as is since no logical nearby dates to consolidate into. While this would be hard on certain ticket holders it would at least get the surviving dates closer to a 2/3rds crowd. The promoters if they act soon, may be able to get a partial credit for the facility fees.
None of this will solve the acoustic or "mature" vocal issues but doing all these dates in empty stadiums is crazy. How could anyone sell the idea that there are so many Roxy fans in Texas/CA that they should do not 1 but 2 shows in 2 separate 20k seat locations.

Well, for the US at least, there needs to be some sort of TV campaign. Sure, the promo spot for the tour is on Youtube and has found its way onto social media. Show the spot on VH-1, Hulu, Starz, HBO, etc.

Also, a band's resurgence these days, seems linked to reaction videos (on Youtube) and articles. Usually, articles are tied in with a reissue or deluxe package (plug for FYP SDE lol). Some first-timers get them, and others seem baffled. It helped that they were inducted into the RRHOF, too.

Ticket sales should pick up as we get closer.