2012-07-14 - PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ

[As I Am]

They should have just booked the show at the Paramount theater again. I got a feeling if they keep drawing this poorly in NJ they may start to skip us on future tours figuring we could always make the trek to NYC

Very true. I actually thought that they'd play in AC or maybe Red Bank, but as soon as I heard PNC, I sadi "WTF" I have a feeling that grammy nod went to the promoters head. I would not be the least bit surprised if this show gets moved or cancelled.

It stinks because we all know how great DT are, but they just don't have the "juice" to fill up a place like this. People are always going to point to the Radio City show, but that was a 1 time anniversarry event.

This is a band, here in the states, that HAS to play 2,000-3,000 capacity venues. There's just no getting around it.

And, I think Bill (WKIML) has hit it on the head. I'd be shocked if they continue to play in NJ. Aside from the show in Morristown in '11, no show in NJ has sold well for DT since '06.

[Nick]

Is it completely up to the venue when they set the prices, or does the band get some say in it? Years ago, I heard that Garth Brooks made sure his tickets were $20 so that everyone got to see him.

An artist can negotiate into the contract anything they like, but the more picky they become the less money they can command. For example, if DT charges their normal fee etc then the venue will set the prices and be responsible for making that money. However, if DT comes in and says that tickets can be no more than $50 then the promoter would be in a position to say that with less money coming in that DT has to play for less money.

So while Dream Theater typically doesn't directly set prices, they can try a mass market approach that will work for some artists. Garth Brooks is a popular star, so if he sets prices low you know that you'll have everyone and their brother coming to the shows buying merch and drinks and such at the venue and no one will really be at too much of a loss. On the other hand that would never work for a band like Dream Theater simply because of how their demand curve is shaped. You have a lot of hardcore fans, very few casual fans, and minimal mainstream exposure. What this means is they can either get an average of $75 a ticket and have 2,000 people, or an average of $25 a ticket and have 2,500 people. Until Dream Theater really starts breaking in the mainstream it doesn't make sense to try the latter approach, for now they (and the venues setting the final prices) are living off the hardcore fans for better or worse.

[cramx3]

They should have just booked the show at the Paramount theater again. I got a feeling if they keep drawing this poorly in NJ they may start to skip us on future tours figuring we could always make the trek to NYC

Very true. I actually thought that they'd play in AC or maybe Red Bank, but as soon as I heard PNC, I sadi "WTF" I have a feeling that grammy nod went to the promoters head. I would not be the least bit surprised if this show gets moved or cancelled.

It stinks because we all know how great DT are, but they just don't have the "juice" to fill up a place like this. People are always going to point to the Radio City show, but that was a 1 time anniversarry event.

This is a band, here in the states, that HAS to play 2,000-3,000 capacity venues. There's just no getting around it.

And, I think Bill (WKIML) has hit it on the head. I'd be shocked if they continue to play in NJ. Aside from the show in Morristown in '11, no show in NJ has sold well for DT since '06.

I would love to see them at a place like Star land Ballroom. Smaller but more intimate and they could sell it out with higher prices most likely. The problem with playing NJ is that NYC is so close north and Philly is so close south thatNJ people a lot of times have choices and sometimes the NJ isn't as attractive. I hope they don't cancel or skip NJ in the future but I can always make it to NYC. From ny experiences, the NYC shows have always been better too.

[As I Am]

As of today, only 1,928 seats have been sold out of the 7,000 available seats for this show! I can't believe this show hasn't been moved to a different venue yet! I just hope they don't cancel the show outright!

It's amazing how the bands' popularity has dwindled in the last few years in places like Philly & NJ! I'm sure MP leaving has hurt, but it was actually going downhill since the Systematic Chaos tour.

Small theatres are where they should be playing, unfortunately.

[cramx3]

Damn. Well I haven't bought my ticket and i plan on going so that's one more to add... every bit counts.

[wkiml]

If they do move the show I hope its somewhere else in Monmouth/Middlesex  (Paramount theater?) I only bought the ticket because PNC is convienent for me, If I have to take a hike to Bergen/Mercer than I'll just get a refund

[As I Am]

^ I would absolutely think that if they do move the show it would either be to Red Bank or Asbury Park. That's just my guess though.

[wkiml]

^ I would absolutely think that if they do move the show it would either be to Red Bank or Asbury Park. That's just my guess though.

Convention Hall and Count Bassie are both already booked for July 14th

Paramount and Stone Pony don't have any shows  posted for July 14th yet, but that doesn't mean there isn't something in the works that just hasn't been finalized

[cramx3]

While the Stone Pony is kind of a dump, I would love to see dt there just cause its a small venue and would be really intimate.  Is there any historical reference of shows being moved like this?

[wkiml]

While the Stone Pony is kind of a dump, I would love to see dt there just cause its a small venue and would be really intimate.  Is there any historical reference of shows being moved like this?

Stone Pony Summer Stage  outside is an awesome place to see a show , too my knowledge I don't think a DT NJ show has ever been moved (Constant Motion tour they moved the people seated in the lawn to actual seats in the venue (PNC))  but with no lawn seats being available for this show have no idea what they would do. 

Local Radio here (WRAT) in the past has promoted the shows on the air, but have not heard a single mention of it this time around

[As I Am]

How embarrassing do you think it would be to the band if the arts center is only 1/3 full when they come on stage? I'll never forget how embarrassing it was when JLB headlined the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ and 48 people showed up!

[Nick]

How embarrassing do you think it would be to the band if the arts center is only 1/3 full when they come on stage? I'll never forget how embarrassing it was when JLB headlined the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ and 48 people showed up!

I'm still super pissed I missed that show.

[njdtfan]

That is a shame. Well being in North jersey, if they move the show anywhere i will still be there.

[DT2003]

They released good seats yesterday and although I said I wouldn't pay those prices, I couldn't pass up 8th row dead center so I got 2 tickets.  Still seats in that same row available if anyone is on the fence.  BTW, Zombie and Megadeth played PNC last month and I want to say that show sold no better than this one.

[wkiml]

They put the rest of the row I already have a ticket for on sale only difference is those now available are alittle closer to center, not worth buying anothe one .

Also according to Wikipedia there are 7,000 seats in the Center itself (another 10,000 on the lawn) , Live nation has 3,826 tickets still available almost half full , with a month still to go . I can't think of another venue   in the area that could support a show drawing 3500-4000 people

[Nick]

They released good seats yesterday and although I said I wouldn't pay those prices, I couldn't pass up 8th row dead center so I got 2 tickets.  Still seats in that same row available if anyone is on the fence.  BTW, Zombie and Megadeth played PNC last month and I want to say that show sold no better than this one.

Hey there neighbor.

Looking forward to seeing ya'll at the show.

[cramx3]

Anyone doing a meet up? This is likely the first concert I'm attending by myself.

[Nick]

PNC is good for tailgaiting, it's a Saturday so I'll definitely be there early, we should definitely get people together.

[wkiml]

Im down to get there alittle early they usually don't open the lot until 2 hours prior though 7:30 show  gates around 5 5:30

[As I Am]

Live nation has 3,826 tickets still available

Hey Bill, did you count seat by seat?

By the way, I have an extra ticket now. One of my son's who was going with me and my buddy can't go any longer, so I have an extra seat. If anyone wants a single in section 103 row S seat 109 at 25% off cost $94 ($70) let me know.

[darkshade]

It's amazing how the bands' popularity has dwindled in the last few years in places like Philly & NJ! I'm sure MP leaving has hurt, but it was actually going downhill since the Systematic Chaos tour.

You could attribute this to the fact that the show changed with Progressive Nation; other bands and then DT with only a 2 hour show as opposed to the Evening With.. tours. But I do believe that if the ticket prices were lower, a lot more people would be going.

[cramx3]

If they sold 3000 tickets then I think that's not bad at all for DT. I just think PNC is too big of a venue for them unless they bring a more well known opener with them.

[wkiml]

If they sold 3000 tickets then I think that's not bad at all for DT. I just think PNC is too big of a venue for them unless they bring a more well known opener with them.

According to the live nation website doing rough math they sold about 3200 seats

[As I Am]

I come up with a little over 2,800 tickets sold, but who's counting

[As I Am]

I have an extra ticket. If anyone wants a single in section 103 row S seat 109 for $50 let me know.

[chrisbDTM]

i still need to buy tickets for this. so add 2 or 3 to that number 


i wish they would still play wallingford, ct like they always did. oh well

[gabeh1018]

I will be going and coming with a few other people, but that really sucks they aren't selling lawn seats. Will be bringing a friend who I turned onto DT last year and has not seem them live yet.

I would prefer if they played at starland ballroom. That would be awesome.

And in response to that other poster's reply about JLB's show at Starland, there were really only like 48 people there??

[As I Am]

And in response to that other poster's reply about JLB's show at Starland, there were really only like 48 people there??

Yep, it was so sad, but the band still gave a GREAT performance. 

[cramx3]

I wish I got to see that.

[gabeh1018]

o man, now i feel terrible haha

i live only like 20 minutes away, i should've been there

[cramx3]

DT posted on Facebook they are giving away a meet and greet package for this show if you pass the trivia test via text message. I hope I win.

[chrisbDTM]

DT posted on Facebook they are giving away a meet and greet package for this show if you pass the trivia test via text message. I hope I win.

i did that last week. the questions werent that bad. but i have no idea when they would award tickets

[gabeh1018]

so are they still not selling lawn seats for this show? what are the cheapest tickets available if so?

[As I Am]

No lawn tickets.

You should just buy the cheapest tickets in the 400 sections on the sides (I'm sure you'll be able to move down to a much better location). To whatever promoter booked this show...I have a couple of "Bridges in the Sky" to sell you!

[cramx3]

I plan on buying the cheapest ticket at the box office the day of the show. Its not going to sell out so no worries there.