"the fact is the gig is still not sold out - just like coldplay, people are holding back until theyre sure." no. This gig isn't sold out because most gigs this summer aren't sold out. Why? because there are too many f**kin gigs on. MCD have reached saturation point, which is why gigs haven't sold out frequently like they used to. Look at Pixies, Coldplay, Electric Picnic, Oxegen - these are massive shows that used to sell out easily. But, the point is, you can't expect people to keep spending money on tickets that are too expensive to see acts in the same genre. For all these gigs to sell out, the promoters are demanding of people to go to one or two gigs a week, which just won't happen because it's so unreasonable. Look at Bud Rising, two gigs have sold out, taking up most of the people who will actually attend the 'festival'. Attendance at the rest of the gigs will be minimal. Of course, for something like this, it doesn't matter because the sponsor behind it is huge and ca probably afford to lose near a million on it (or 'spend', rather than 'lose') without profitting. So, MCD might freak out having crowded the summer, and as a result there will be far less gigs next year. But the dangerous thing is, Electric Picnic, which is the most inventive show this summer may end up suffering the most, given that there are a lot of gigs around the date (the weird continuation of 'Bud Rising') that will poach punters. This, plus the fact that most of the acts are 'speciality' or 'fan' acts at Electric Picnic and don't appeal to a wide number of people. Electric Picnic are risking things by hoping that by combining a bunch of specialised acts, they will get as many punters in as if the offered a couple of 'mainstream' ones. However, another drawback with 'speciality' acts is that they usually cost a lot more. I doubt the profits on Electric Picnic will even be that big if the whole things sells out. And I doubt it will sell out, even though I really hope it does, as I think there should be some reward for conscientious selecting of a bill, instead of dumping the 'most popular acts in the world' on our shores like MCD is doing this summer - even though that in itself should be applauded give the amount of acts offered.

But this is a good thing right? More gigs, more choice? More chance of actually getting a ticket without playing roullette with a webserver?

it is good for the bigger promoters, MCD and Aiken, but have pity on the smaller one who are trying to but gigs on when f**king a million massive ones are on each week. Plus, you'd think the more gigs that were on, the prices would go down, wouldn't you?...

yeah, you'd think..

good post una with some good points. Too many shows + not enough punters = slow summer. the flipside of the laws of supply and demand Some shows have sold out this summer and they're the ones people really really want to go to see - Oasis, U2, Bruce Springsteen and a stream of indoor shows (not to mention Neil Diamond). The promoters are acting the b****x with outdoor shows this summer - there are just way too many. Does anyone really want to go to see Scissors Sisters or Destinys Child in the great outdoors?? I think its going to be the more "pop" shows which will struggle cos these acts appeal to audiences who dont necessarily think its a good idea to stand in a field all day. AS for anastacia in marley park.... re Bud rising - does anyone else think its strange that for a festival which is sponsored up to its nads that the ticket prices have not been reduced? Like una says, the promoters pocket the money - leaving the punters with....? OK there are acts who might have bypassed the city/venues otherwise (beck in olympia for instance) but the ticket prices are still high given the huge amount of cash Bud are probably splashing out Yes, the MCD Bud rising gigs in Aug are an attempt to stymie/stop/hurt the Electric Picnic but I dont think the Picnic will suffer from the Bud Rising gigs in Aug because it's a festival rather than a collection of gigs loosely bundled together under an umbrella title. The picnic involved a weekend away (unless u are from co laois) with loads of diverse acts and all that. Bud Rising means the strangest bill ever put together for any Irish outdoor - scissors sisters, franz ferdinand, maroon 5 and snoop dogg. All u need now is new MCD house band Humanzi on that bill (theyre playing with the Pixies already) and we're sorted As for praising MCD for dumping the most popular acts on our shores to bulk out Oxegen - not so sure if i agree. the problem is that festivals like Oxegen rip the s**t out of the touring circuit and everyone who is touring ends up playing. Hence fans of these bands have to go to see them in a field or tent (to which the acts may be hugely unsuited). last year, if u wanted to see Wilco in ireland, u had to go to punchestown when the band would have been much better in the olympia or vicar street. also theres the fact that some acts who u would love to see (last summer, TV on the Radio and the Secret Machines, for instance) end up playing festivals without any prior announcement or notice.

I see what you're getting at, I'd much rather see New Order in a decent venue, they rarely play Ireland and only tour in summer so when they come here its ends up as part of a festival or supporting someone else (RHCPs last time I believe)

"As for praising MCD for dumping the most popular acts on our shores to bulk out Oxegen - not so sure if i agree." I was just mentioned this so as not to be totally down on MCD. People fire insults at them left right and centre (myself included sometimes), but in the business world, or a promoters eyes, or whatever, they do a very good job. (obviously to the detriment of world peace, happy punters etc)

"there is also the "exclusivity" thing. if an act plays Oxegen, for example they are prohibited in their contract from playing any other Irish shows for a period before and after this gig (ie Kasabian can't play ireland for six months before or 3 months after Oxegen - a good or bad thing i'm not so sure). this means less and less choice in the long run. of course these things are restrictions of trade but acts (and especially agents) are loath to break them because they dont want to fall out with the likes of MCD" but Mylo is playing with Basement Jaxx. I suppose it's because that's an MCD gig too. They must just be thinking 'anything to f**k up Electric Picnic' - by putting Jaxx, Underworld and Mylo on the same bill, and then the Chemical Brothers /Sonic Youth gig. Will someone please tell me how the f**k sonic youth are playing with the Chemical Brothers? Thats a weirder suport act than Secret Machines @ the point.

Gotta admit though, putting Chemical Brothers and Sonic Youth on the same bill is genius. Might try and get to that one if it isn't sold out.

Right, the full lineup for oxegen was announced today and it is now completely sold out. I've got a 2 day ticket without camping going for whatever it is I paid for it. If anyone is interested then hit the "e-mail user" button and get in contact.

is it just the weekend camping tickets that are sold out or are the one day tickets sold out as well? I don't see much point going on Saturday. Just look at the headliners; Green Day, Prodigy, Ian Brown, Erick Morillo and The Tears. I couldn't be arsed seeing any of them. Plus the Go! Team are clashing with Interpol and Queens Of The Stone Age are on at the same time as Bloc Party. I'm not camping over night for the sake of seeing two extra bands. Sunday however is a totally different kettle of fish. If my calculations are correct I should be able to catch all of the following; James Brown LCD Soundsystem The Magic Numbers Death From Above 1979 Futureheads Editors Tom Vek Maximo Park Rilo Kiley Now that's a good day out!

There's about 40 acts I'd like to see but alot of those will clash I'm sure. Think I might opt for Ian Brown as last act on the Saturday and Super Furry Animals for the Sunday - not overally impressed with the headline acts.