Meet & Greet Lottery

erniesballs · October 13, 2011, 09:06:22 AM

I think that DT should start doing their Meet & Greet's by lottery. At this point in their careers, with all the success they have had, the idea that spending $300 to meet them before the show for 10 min is ridiculous. Now I realize there is a market for this, but when you compare this idea to bands like Metallica who could charge $1000 a head to have these sorts of things, I think DT could stand to just do this by lottery. There are, i'm sure, plenty of fans who would love to meet the band, but can't afford the ridiculous price to do so. While I have done the VIP and paid this price, I would have to say that it was cool initially but didn't warrant the price if you compare the experience to just meeting them at a signing at HMV or Guitar Centre.

The lottery idea was one that I talked about with a few people at the show in Toronto, and they all seemed to agree that it's the best avenue given the success of the band and the comparison I made to Metallica's meet & greet protocol.

Perpetual Change · October 13, 2011, 09:14:53 AM

No, meet and greet tickets belong precisely to the type of people that have them: those that are willing to pay $300 bucks for 30 seconds with each band member. It's a good source of revenue for the band, I bet.

Everyone else can do what everyone else does: wait for the band to come out later.

Metrovarium · October 13, 2011, 09:17:03 AM

Considering that the $300 Meet and Greets probably make DT a ton of money, they'd have to increase the ticket price to compensate for their losses if this were to happen. Dream Theater is successful, but it's still a business that aims to maximize profits, and it's not so successful that such a loss wouldn't be considerable.

Jaffa · October 13, 2011, 09:20:34 AM

Besides, if you did it by lottery, you can bet that the people who CAN afford the current prices would be complaining that they lost their opportunity to meet the band.

BlobVanDam · October 13, 2011, 09:24:29 AM

You pay more money to get better seats, or a better spot in the crowd. And you pay more to get to meet the band. Seems fair to me as it is. If you can't afford it, or think it costs too much, then you don't buy it.
It's probably more difficult to set up something like a "lottery", and it's not really worth it for the band.

reneranucci · October 13, 2011, 09:27:09 AM

I don't think your proposal has any advantage for the band or for the fans.

Elite · October 13, 2011, 09:48:15 AM

There's a reason these prices are steep. It's because fans are willing to pay for it. Granted, I've never done it and if it was done by lottery (ticket for life comes to mind) I'd be happy if I got it, but, just think. They're people, well known people and they make money off people seeing them. These people are willing to pay that extra to meet their heroes. Seems very fair to me.

Orion1967 · October 13, 2011, 10:21:07 AM

I am noramlly in agreement that the meet and greet prices are just too high. So happens that this year however, with my youngest being a drummer and one of his all time favorite drummers joining the band I justified in my mind paying $250 per ticket. I have always wanted to meet the guys anyways and as a 44 year old I am not one to stand in line outsie the venue after the show to "catch a glimpse" of the guys or maybe not. Is it something I will do for ALL future concerts? probably not.
The lottery concept sounds good on paper but like someone said above (BLob I think it was, if not apologies) there is no benefit to the band or the fans to do this.

namgalsipsclar · October 13, 2011, 11:28:53 AM

As a one off I think a lottery would be ok, but it would not be good for the band to do it long term

FlyingBIZKIT · October 13, 2011, 11:30:22 AM

I would hate if they did that.

lordxizor · October 13, 2011, 11:34:32 AM

It would be fun if they had one lottery position available that you could sign up for before the show. That way those who wanted to pay to meet the band could, but there's still a chance that one other person could get lucky and get to meet them after the show.

Jaffa · October 13, 2011, 11:38:16 AM

Quote from: lordxizor on October 13, 2011, 11:34:32 AM
It would be fun if they had one lottery position available that you could sign up for before the show. That way those who wanted to pay to meet the band could, but there's still a chance that one other person could get lucky and get to meet them after the show.

This I could support.

Dr. DTVT · October 13, 2011, 12:03:14 PM

Quote from: Jaffa on October 13, 2011, 09:20:34 AM
Besides, if you did it by lottery, you can bet that the people who CAN afford the current prices would be complaining that they lost their opportunity to meet the band.

You bet I would. I'm not going to apologize for having the means to do awesome things. In an ideal world we all could meet the band afterwards and it wouldn't cost a dime, and for smaller acts this is often the case. But its been proven that meet & greets make money and I can't fault them for "striking while the iron is hot" and making money. Rene hit the nail on the head though:

Quote from: reneranucci on October 13, 2011, 09:27:09 AM
I don't think your proposal has any advantage for the band or for the fans.

El Barto · October 13, 2011, 01:19:21 PM

Quote from: DTVT on October 13, 2011, 12:03:14 PM
Quote from: Jaffa on October 13, 2011, 09:20:34 AM
Besides, if you did it by lottery, you can bet that the people who CAN afford the current prices would be complaining that they lost their opportunity to meet the band.

You bet I would. I'm not going to apologize for having the means to do awesome things.

Nor should you. But at the same time, not everything should go to the highest bidder. I happen to agree with you and the majority here, but your response was more than a little elitist. If the guys in the band wanted to be charitable for a tour, you shouldn't really be one to fault them for it.

Dr. DTVT · October 13, 2011, 03:24:38 PM

My response was more a reaction to the "I want it but don't want to pay for it" arguement, and while I wanted some of the tone of my first post, I might have gone a little overboard with it. If they wanted to do it for free - but do it for everyone - I'd be ok with it, but the lottery idea is a huge step back IMO. Instead of someone who really wants to meet the band paying for the privledge, there would probably be a few fairly indifferent fans (g/f's that get dragged along, someone who just discovered the band, someone who just likes the band, etc.) who would get picked. It's a market economy and you can't fault the band for making the most of it.

I just love how I have the utmost respect for El Barto, and he probably thinks I'm an insufferable ass

The Silent Cody · October 13, 2011, 03:43:22 PM

I think it's fair to pay more to see each member of the band and have one minute to speak to Him. Of course You can wait by the band bus for them, but You have no sure that You reach Your goal...

El Barto · October 13, 2011, 05:50:56 PM

Quote from: DTVT on October 13, 2011, 03:24:38 PM
My response was more a reaction to the "I want it but don't want to pay for it" arguement, and while I wanted some of the tone of my first post, I might have gone a little overboard with it. If they wanted to do it for free - but do it for everyone - I'd be ok with it, but the lottery idea is a huge step back IMO. Instead of someone who really wants to meet the band paying for the privledge, there would probably be a few fairly indifferent fans (g/f's that get dragged along, someone who just discovered the band, someone who just likes the band, etc.) who would get picked. It's a market economy and you can't fault the band for making the most of it.

I just love how I have the utmost respect for El Barto, and he probably thinks I'm an insufferable ass

No, but I do occasionally forget to remind myself that you love to play the insufferable ass.

lucky7 · October 13, 2011, 07:37:32 PM

Steve Vai used to do that.... back before Mikey left as Moderator.

It was great about eight of us got picked to go to an after show meet and greet, very informal though but Steve and the rest of the band made themselves available for a good hour or so....... in reality it could have been half an hour but being starstruck time seemed to stand still.

I understand Meet and Greets are a source of income for the band, management etc but even if they held a lottery for others that can't afford the $300 or so dollars.

El Barto · October 13, 2011, 08:05:21 PM

Quote from: lucky7 on October 13, 2011, 07:37:32 PM
It was great about eight of us got picked to go to an after show meet and greet, very informal though but Steve and the rest of the band made themselves available for a good hour or so....... in reality it could have been half an hour but being starstruck time seemed to stand still.

That's part of the reason these M&Gs hold no appeal to me. I've been backstage after a few shows, and it's a good time. Everybody's laid back and enjoying themselves and band members wander through when they feel like it. Some like to hang out, and others don't; sort of like real life. Everybody got there because they knew somebody. The packages nowadays sound more like cattle-calls to me. It's just doesn't seem as fun to me when the band is there because people purchased access.

And then there's the whole Dio issue. That guy would stand around in the rain making sure everybody that want's a picture, autograph or handshake got one. I will not begrudge DT for making a living; Lord knows they deserve far more than they get. I can't help but notice a rather stark contrast, though. He actually felt like he owed that access to his fans; not the other way around.

Dr. DTVT · October 13, 2011, 08:31:41 PM

I'll be honest, if I could just pay for the better seat I would. This one was a gift.

XB0BX · October 13, 2011, 08:47:38 PM

What are meet and greets like? How long do you get? What do you say to the band? Does John Myung say anything? >_>

Dr. DTVT · October 13, 2011, 09:08:44 PM

The one I went to in 2009 was cool. You get about 30 seconds with each band member, and if you can keep one's ear you can get a little more.

Myung was gracious. He's not a loud talker, but he will respond to you. You can tell he's not completely comfortable with it but he's a good soldier. You just have to engage the members and not expect to be engaged. Have something in mind you want to talk about or say. When I see them in less than a week, I want to talk to MM about being a professor because that's what I will be soon, I want to tell JLB how he helped me reconnect with my dad. I haven't decided what I'm going to say to the other members.

The one thing I would say is that while you're in line, make the most of it and talk to the people around you - regardless if you are M&G or not.

Orion1967 · October 14, 2011, 06:35:41 AM

Quote from: DTVT on October 13, 2011, 09:08:44 PM
The one I went to in 2009 was cool. You get about 30 seconds with each band member, and if you can keep one's ear you can get a little more.

Myung was gracious. He's not a loud talker, but he will respond to you. You can tell he's not completely comfortable with it but he's a good soldier. You just have to engage the members and not expect to be engaged. Have something in mind you want to talk about or say. When I see them in less than a week, I want to talk to MM about being a professor because that's what I will be soon, I want to tell JLB how he helped me reconnect with my dad. I haven't decided what I'm going to say to the other members.

The one thing I would say is that while you're in line, make the most of it and talk to the people around you - regardless if you are M&G or not.

Which show? I have M&G tickets for myself and my son in Atlanta next Wednesday.

CrimsonSunrise · October 14, 2011, 06:40:23 AM

Quote from: Jaffa on October 13, 2011, 09:20:34 AM
Besides, if you did it by lottery, you can bet that the people who CAN afford the current prices would be complaining that they lost their opportunity to meet the band.

Absofuckinglutely

ariich · October 14, 2011, 06:42:29 AM

Quote from: Perpetual Change on October 13, 2011, 09:14:53 AM
No, meet and greet tickets belong precisely to the type of people that have them: those that are willing to pay $300 bucks for 30 seconds with each band member. It's a good source of revenue for the band, I bet.

Everyone else can do what everyone else does: wait for the band to come out later.

This exactly. If you want to meet the band you can hang around after the show and hope to catch some of them. Otherwise, pay the money.

Dr. DTVT · October 14, 2011, 06:56:28 AM

Quote from: Orion1967 on October 14, 2011, 06:35:41 AM
Which show?

Washington D.C. show.

ytserush · October 16, 2011, 07:25:42 PM

Why not just wait by the bus? That's kind of like a lottery.

It wouldn't surprise me if a lot of that money goes to Jive Nation/Ticketbastard.

Twice this week I sat in the front row for the Carl Palmer Band (Once for $40 and last night for $26 -- got them the first day they went on sale) AND waited in line for a free meet and greet 10 minutes aftre the shows were over. (Part of my Jive Nation/Ticketbastard free week of concerts)

Take your chances waiting by the bus after the show.

lucky7 · October 16, 2011, 07:41:42 PM

At the Melbourne one we all lined up first for our photo with the band (which was horrible as someone who obviously didn't give a s**t took them)
Then we all line up again and get some stuff signed, 30 seconds with each band member is accurate.
The great thing about them though is you meet a lot of like minded fans that live in the same city as you (that make you realize a lot of people do like DT)

The best Meet and Greet is with Joe Satriani in Melbourne we all went into a smaller room where we were given some freebies then Joe proceeded to answer every question put forward, then he posed for photos and signed autographs. Joe has an awesome Manager. I thought DT would be a lot like this boy was I wrong.

The Lottery is a fantastic idea the band should jump on. On the Vai forum you registered who was going to each concert and then it was random selection.

Nowadays it is turning more into who has the most money.....I miss lining up for hours, overnight for the best seats!

livehard · October 17, 2011, 09:58:47 AM

If I were DT I would give away a couple meet and greets. I know what its like to be poor but have a band mean a lot to you. I think it would be great to give someone who doesn't have the means a chance to meet their idols.

bosk1 · October 17, 2011, 11:02:58 AM

Quote from: DTVT on October 13, 2011, 09:08:44 PMHave something in mind you want to talk about or say. When I see them in less than a week, I want to talk to MM about being a professor because that's what I will be soon, I want to tell JLB how he helped me reconnect with my dad. I haven't decided what I'm going to say to the other members.

Some suggestions:
-Myung: Ask about the new Jelly Jam album. Or mention that you've seen videos of him looking more engaged with the band onstage, and it is really cool for us as fans.
-Jordan: Let him know his efforts to post more things online and stay in touch with the fans means a lot to us.
-JP: I'm sure there are a ton of subjects you can come up with to talk to him about.
-For any of them, if you have an opportunity to bring up DTF, please do.

News:

Meet & Greet Lottery