The Iron Maiden Thread v. The Merge of Souls

[ErHaO]

I hope to catch them and Within Temptation is a nice bonus. Unfortunately I still think Senjutsu is boring (and the latest WT too for that matter), but I am sure they will put up a great show regardless of which songs they play.

[cramx3]

I hope to catch them and Within Temptation is a nice bonus. Unfortunately I still think Senjutsu is boring (and the latest WT too for that matter), but I am sure they will put up a great show regardless of which songs they play.

I only find the song Senjutsu to be boring, otherwise I really like the album.  (hence why I kind of hope they play something else besides the title track). 

As for WT, I'm with you.  THey've turned into something less interesting for me, but they do still manage to make some enjoyable songs.  They don't come over to the US that often so getting to see them is a nice bonus.  And lets be honest, any band over a Harris child is an upgrade.  I'm really happy they are bring WT and Trivium on tour.

[Stadler]

Picked up a ticket for Austin, but I had to settle for sitting further away because of TM's bullshit "Platinum" designation and $200+ upcharge on better seats.  Really wish artists could do something about that like sue TM for setting prices and then not sticking to them.  It's laughable that they offer a pre-sale for true fans to 'help keep the tickets out of brokers' hands' and then they turn around and charge just as much as brokers whenever they feel like it.  F-n crooked company.

Crooked?   Not hardly.  This is basic economics 101.  If the scalper can charge it (and get it) that's what the price SHOULD BE.  It's just stupid to leave that money on the table, since it's going to be paid anyway.   

And there WAS a suit, which is why we get the breakout of fees.   We ASKED for this, we WANTED this. Now we got it, and there are complaints?    Makes no sense to me.  Ticket brokers don't play the same role as they did 40 years ago.  They are now sponsoring tours - meaning, you wouldn't HAVE a show if it wasn't for them (and the service fees you're paying). 

I don't like the availability any more than you do, but it's the best of a shitty situation.  The next step is they go the route of airlines, and EVERY SEAT will be a time/location sensitive price.   You don't get a ticket day of sale?   Could be more, could be less later on depending on the demand, and the time for the show.   

Bottom line is this: you have to make an individual decision as to how badly you want to see that band at that time, accept a price to do that, and live with it if you can (or cannot) get a ticket for that price.   All the other variables - who gets paid what, what you WISH you could have paid, what the guy next to you paid - are just emotional window-dressing.

[cfmoran13]

Crooked?   Not hardly.  This is basic economics 101.  If the scalper can charge it (and get it) that's what the price SHOULD BE.  It's just stupid to leave that money on the table, since it's going to be paid anyway.   

And there WAS a suit, which is why we get the breakout of fees.   We ASKED for this, we WANTED this. Now we got it, and there are complaints?    Makes no sense to me.  Ticket brokers don't play the same role as they did 40 years ago.  They are now sponsoring tours - meaning, you wouldn't HAVE a show if it wasn't for them (and the service fees you're paying). 

I agree with your 1st point.  Why leave money on the table that people are already willing to pay?!?  I'd rather see the artist get the money instead of a scalper.

As for the breakout of the fees, I couldn't give a shit.  The fees are there and that's not gonna change.  But, when I see I'm gonna pay $50 for a ticket, I want to pay $50.  I don't want to pick a $50 ticket and end up paying $80.  Just tell me it's gonna be $80.

[Anguyen92]

They do tell it's going to be $80.00.  It's at the checkout list.  For me, I always think if I see ticket prices on Ticketmaster or otherwise, I always assume the final price would be around what is listed + 30% of what's listed in fees.

I wasn't going to be paying $90.00 or the $125.00 with fees either way.  I paid $70.00 for a nosebleed seat, the last time I saw Maiden, and I think if I can't find a price lower than that, no point humoring the idea of going.

[El Barto]

Tickets for the front GA section at the Foro Sol are $100US even, induing TT&L. That's expensive by Maiden/Mexico standards, but it is what it is. I'll probably wait until I see what my Christmas bonus is before I pull the trigger on that. Normally it'd be a no-brainer, but it's actually 10 days before a different show down there, and making two trips that close together might be too much work.

At the same time, I'd probably wind up driving to Tulsa or San Antonio anyway, so the cost and effort would likely even out. Gas. Five hours on the road. Hotel. Eating out. Considering cheaper tickets, cheaper food, cheaper lodging, cheaper ticket, and cheaper shirts, I might even come out ahead. And realistically from the time I leave to the time I'm in an AirBnB in Mexico is probably about the same for Tulsa or SA.

Not to mention the unannounced special guest. The last 2 times they had special guests they were Anthrax and Slayer, along with their regular support.

Seriously, who wouldn't want to see Maiden in a stadium in Mexico? Slayer and Ghost opened this one:

[cramx3]

TBH, I think I'd rather stick with an arena where you can have a better view.  Stadium shows usually have poor sights and sounds.  Granted, seeing the wild mexican crowd would be the plus and if you got more bands on the bill that would also be a positive.  I think I'd like the experience of that, but would likely prefer what I'm used to for IM. 

The local shows here, I can arrive 15 minutes before IM hits the stage and be fairly close on the floor.  I think I'd need to be there hours earlier to get even a few hundred feet from the stage for such a stadium gig. 

[goo-goo]

Would love to experience Maiden in a stadium at some point before my body gives up on me. I did get tix to the Austin show at the new Moody Theater so that’s exciting

[TAC]

It's been ages since I've seen a stadium show, but honestly, it'd be the last place I'd want to see a show.

The last half dozen times Maiden has come, it's been at an outdoor shed during the summer.

I'd love to see them in an arena. Unfortunately, a Monday night in Worcester doesn't work. Neither does $300 a ticket to sit in the lower bowl.

[Anguyen92]

The Iron Maiden show I saw in 2019 in LA was at a relatively "small" outdoor soccer stadium (20k people) right next to the USC Coliseum.  In all fairness, it had a pretty good atmosphere to it and there was a fair amount of people enjoying the pre-show "festivities" that I think KLOS (the classic rock station in LA) was providing.  That's probably the closest vibe as I'll get to seeing Maiden at either a Europe festival or a larger football stadium in either South America or Europe.  Would be fine seeing them in either an arena or the local amphitheater at Fivepoint (although that venue is a bit too small for them). 

Funnily enough, I don't think Maiden has ever played Hollywood Bowl at all in LA.  It's usually either the Inglewood Forum or the very large amphitheater in San Bernardino for their SoCal shows.

[MrMike]

Crooked?   Not hardly.  This is basic economics 101.  If the scalper can charge it (and get it) that's what the price SHOULD BE.  It's just stupid to leave that money on the table, since it's going to be paid anyway.   

And there WAS a suit, which is why we get the breakout of fees.   We ASKED for this, we WANTED this. Now we got it, and there are complaints?    Makes no sense to me.  Ticket brokers don't play the same role as they did 40 years ago.  They are now sponsoring tours - meaning, you wouldn't HAVE a show if it wasn't for them (and the service fees you're paying). 

I agree with your 1st point.  Why leave money on the table that people are already willing to pay?!?  I'd rather see the artist get the money instead of a scalper.

If TM decides to charge an extra $200 for each ticket just because they think they can get it, do we know that the artist actually gets any of that upcharge?

[Anguyen92]

Typically, I think the artist would only get what's stated in the guarantee amount that's agreed on to do the tour.  I'm not sure if there are any bonus incentives in the contracts if the promoters (like Live Nation) were able to sell the tickets at the rate they want.

This is something to note from what I read a long while ago when I was doing a research paper on the touring industry back in college.  The promoter pays the band a guarantee to do the tour and that money is coming out of the promoters' pockets and the promoter recoups that money back in ticket sales with the idea to make loads of profit.

[countoftuscany42]

True, but then when you're a big enough artist you can negotiate your deal to include a guarantee and a percentage, any arena/stadium band certainly would be.  Now how the variable price "platinum" tickets are negotiated for in those deals I'm not sure, but the price would have to be recorded for financial accounting purposes at some point, and the artist would be aware and could request to be paid a percentage of that ticket's total, if not already included or explicitly excluded in their contract

[Stadler]

Crooked?   Not hardly.  This is basic economics 101.  If the scalper can charge it (and get it) that's what the price SHOULD BE.  It's just stupid to leave that money on the table, since it's going to be paid anyway.   

And there WAS a suit, which is why we get the breakout of fees.   We ASKED for this, we WANTED this. Now we got it, and there are complaints?    Makes no sense to me.  Ticket brokers don't play the same role as they did 40 years ago.  They are now sponsoring tours - meaning, you wouldn't HAVE a show if it wasn't for them (and the service fees you're paying). 

I agree with your 1st point.  Why leave money on the table that people are already willing to pay?!?  I'd rather see the artist get the money instead of a scalper.

If TM decides to charge an extra $200 for each ticket just because they think they can get it, do we know that the artist actually gets any of that upcharge?

It depends on the artist.  I know for a fact that an artist like Bruce Springsteen takes a cut for the show, guaranteed (he pays his expenses - band, the equipment, etc. - from that) but he limits the price the venue/broker can charge for his shows.  That essentially means he's setting the margins for the venue/brokers on his shows.   Prince - again, I know this for fact - would rent the venues himself, and contract with the ticket brokers (or, in at least one instance, he did it himself) to sell the show.  Again, another way of setting the margin for the shows.    So in those two instances, no, TM is not pocketing the $200 difference.  I doubt Maiden is less savvy at this point than that.

[El Barto]

Funnily enough, I don't think Maiden has ever played Hollywood Bowl at all in LA.  It's usually either the Inglewood Forum or the very large amphitheater in San Bernardino for their SoCal shows.

Strangely, I've seen them at both venues. The Flight 666 show at the Forum was a real hoot. The Glenn Helen show was, em, memorable. 

As for the stadium vs arena atmosphere, I've been seeing Maiden in arenas and sheds since 1984. Been there done that. Hell, I've seen this LotB tour 3x in arenas. I'll trade up close and personal for a wild-ass Mexican crowd any day. The latter borders on bucket list territory.

[Stadler]

Before COVID, I had planned out a trip to Eastern Europe to "find my family roots", and was going to schedule it to coincide with seeing Maiden in a stadium.  I think that would be a hoot, seeing them in a stadium behind what was the Iron Curtain.   I wouldn't see them at a stadium in the U.S. though, unless that was my only option.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I've seen Maiden in Brazil and in Canada. The difference in the energy of the crowd is staggering.

[cramx3]

I think the wild crowd would be the best reason to see them south of the US border but I'm also not too sure I want to be in that crowd vs being in a seat with a view to watch it all.

It's still in my plans to catch IM in Europe one day, specifically I want to be there for their final show which I'd imagine would be in England.  My best friend and I often talk about this.

[MirrorMask]

It's still in my plans to catch IM in Europe one day, specifically I want to be there for their final show which I'd imagine would be in England.

Maybe it will have a magician!!!


 

[cramx3]

It's still in my plans to catch IM in Europe one day, specifically I want to be there for their final show which I'd imagine would be in England.

Maybe it will have a magician!!!


 

 

I hope it ends with the full band going into Iron Maidens

[TAC]

Charismatic Voice did Dance Of Death today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuX3wN2R0dw

Total Bruce porn.

What a great fucking song. Janick 

[Glasser]

Charismatic Voice did Dance Of Death today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuX3wN2R0dw

Total Bruce porn.

What a great fucking song. Janick 

Bruce Porn! I love it 

[WardySI]

Dance Of Death is the one album that continues to improve as the years move forward moreso than any other post-reunion IM album🤘

As tired and predictable as this decision may be, but can't see Senjutsu landing anywhere but my #1 for 2021.  After what I initially thought to be a lethargic lead single in Writing On The Wall Senjutsu was one hell of a surprise and one hell of an album.  Shuffling through it this week in preparation for my EOY reviews I fell back in and was was difficult not to simply stay there and discard almost everything else.

Yes the production is shit, yes it's arguably 'just' another 00's Maiden record (I'd oppose that btw), and yes it's not perfect, but DAMN!

[cramx3]

Dance Of Death is the one album that continues to improve as the years move forward moreso than any other post-reunion IM album🤘

As tired and predictable as this decision may be, but can't see Senjutsu landing anywhere but my #1 for 2021.  After what I initially thought to be a lethargic lead single in Writing On The Wall Senjutsu was one hell of a surprise and one hell of an album.  Shuffling through it this week in preparation for my EOY reviews I fell back in and was was difficult not to simply stay there and discard almost everything else.

Yes the production is shit, yes it's arguably 'just' another 00's Maiden record (I'd oppose that btw), and yes it's not perfect, but DAMN!

I don't think Senjutsu lands at #1 for me, but I've been listening to it more lately and it definitely has staying power.  It's just such a dense album that when you come back to it, there's going to be lots to enjoy and dig into.  The song Senjutsu is the only track that just hasn't made an impact on me yet.

[WardySI]

[quote author=cramx3

I don't think Senjutsu lands at #1 for me, but I've been listening to it more lately and it definitely has staying power.  It's just such a dense album that when you come back to it, there's going to be lots to enjoy and dig into.  The song Senjutsu is the only track that just hasn't made an impact on me yet.

I would've completely agreed with you a little while ago but now think it serves as the perfect album/shoe opener.  Yes,  I would hope if they intend on playing it live they open the show with it because otherwise as a standalone song I tend to agree with you. 

When playing the album front to back it's perfect where it is.  The only other song on the album I think could've done similar is The Parchment but I digress...

[wolfking]

Senjutsu is easily album of the year for me.

[Podaar]

Senjutsu is easily album of the year for me.

It's good, but it's not that good. At least for me.

[425]

Senjutsu is easily album of the year for me.

Same. There are several other albums I like a lot this year, but none of them have had the same wow-factor and staying power in my rotation.

[Mladen]

Senjutsu is easily album of the year for me.

Same. There are several other albums I like a lot this year, but none of them have had the same wow-factor and staying power in my rotation.

Same here.

[TAC]

I actually played Senjutsu this morning at work. It is an excellent album. AOTY is going to be a tough choice. Seems like every one of my favorite artists put out an album this year.

[Glasser]

I actually played Senjutsu this morning at work. It is an excellent album. AOTY is going to be a tough choice. Seems like every one of my favorite artists put out an album this year.

I’m definitely curious to see your best of 2021 list. When does the best of list thread start and how many albums can we name? Top 20, 10?

[wolfking]

Senjutsu is easily album of the year for me.

Same. There are several other albums I like a lot this year, but none of them have had the same wow-factor and staying power in my rotation.

Indeed.

[Stadler]

Senjutsu is easily album of the year for me.

It's an ongoing fist-fight between this and Innocence and Danger; I'm painting my bathroom today and I'll probably listen to both while doing it.

[TAC]

Senjutsu is easily album of the year for me.

It's an ongoing fist-fight between this and Innocence and Danger; I'm painting my bathroom today and I'll probably listen to both while doing it.

That must be a big fucking bathroom.

[Glasser]

Senjutsu is easily album of the year for me.

It's an ongoing fist-fight between this and Innocence and Danger; I'm painting my bathroom today and I'll probably listen to both while doing it.

That must be a big fucking bathroom.