Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

mattstermouse t1_itlezfp wrote

I never know if I should blame the venue, Ticketmaster/LiveNation, or both. Venues that don’t bend to the pressure of the ticket monopoly probably struggle, but I’m sure they’re not advocating on our behalf either. I had a similar situation come up for a Watchhouse (Mandolin Orange) concert earlier this year at 9:30 Club. The band was in an accident a week or so before the date and very obviously couldn’t play any gigs for some time while they recovered. Ticketmaster’s new, COVID-era fine print meant they could hold my money indefinitely, no refund, until a rescheduled date was formally announced. Of course that happened months later and was a Sunday, not a Friday, so I couldn’t go. The band even put out statements right after the accident saying fans should be able to get their money refunded, but to no avail.

97

LostLongIslander t1_itlllfn wrote

This is not on the venue, it’s on the promoter. They are the ones who take the risk on the tickets, they are the ones who will not issue refunds. In this case it sounds like LiveNation strikes again. Fuck those guys

70

FormerCollegeDJ t1_itnuza9 wrote

I.M.P. (not LiveNation) is the promoter for this show. Ticketmaster is merely the ticket seller.

10

Friendly-Path-3888 t1_ito25t4 wrote

Not true, these are Live Nation shows, not IMP

4

FormerCollegeDJ t1_ito3kfm wrote

I.M.P. website

Scroll down a bit. You should see the Arcade Fire shows listed in a couple different spots.

1

Friendly-Path-3888 t1_ito3wve wrote

Yes, the venue is owned by IMP, therefore it appears on IMP's website. They own many venues and host many shows.

IMP is also a promoter. But they are not the promoter for the show simply because the show is in their room.

Take a look, at the actual show page. What does it say above the band name, there? Does it say IMP Presents?

(hint - it doesn't).

https://impconcerts.com/event/arcade-fire-the-we-tour-with-special-guest-beck-3/

6

Friendly-Path-3888 t1_itnblo2 wrote

What do you think Live Nation would do if Arcade Fire said "We want to prioritize our fans' happiness, please issue refunds on request."? Force the band to play at gunpoint?

This is on the artist. Live Nation and TM will happily take the blame, but you're a fool to place it there

4

LostLongIslander t1_itneb0j wrote

Ya I feel you, but arcade fire is still touring, still running a business. They don’t think they should cancel the tour clearly, so why would they refund tickets. A pretty major act dropped off the bill and obviously there was a disagreement between the bands on what to do. You’re not gunna get a refund from people who don’t think they did anything wrong.

While I agree with your sentiment, would that even matter? Like what if LiveNation just told arcade fire to fuck off? What leverage would they have? Refusal to play LiveNation venues and working with TM? Good luck with that EDIT: no they aren’t going to make the band play at gun point, but the band isn’t going to get paid if they don’t play either, it’s a business.

With the other comments about people having a rescheduled show and can’t get a refund, I could see this working. Offering refunds to those who want them and rerelease them for the new date.

I totally agree with your sentiment and I’m the first one to say support artist who respect their fans, but from the arcade for perspective they sold tickets to a show they are still going to play, it’s not their problem Beck dropped off the bill.

6

Friendly-Path-3888 t1_ito1uc2 wrote

> no they aren’t going to make the band play at gun point, but the band isn’t going to get paid if they don’t play either, it’s a business.

The band does get paid if they don't play, just not nearly as much. The promoter rents the room and pays the artist a guarantee for the engagement.

I'm in agreement that it isn't AF's problem, just wild to see everyone in here pointing fingers at everyone under the sun except the party responsible for keeping their money

2

LostLongIslander t1_ito2wg6 wrote

I can’t believe that guarantee remains, if the band refuses to play. It doesn’t really matter because The promoter still has the power to cancel the show they are no longer delivering. Either party can make this right, but I think we both agree they aren’t going to.

2

Friendly-Path-3888 t1_ito4cgv wrote

>I can’t believe that guarantee remains, if the band refuses to play.

That's literally how promoted shows work. The promoter fronts the band a chunk of money, fronts costs for the tour and production and advertising, takes back their expenses from the ticket sales and then splits profits with the artist, usually heavily favoring the artist.

The promoter can cancel it, and then another promoter (probably IMP itself in this scenario) would buy it up.

The only party who can unilaterally "make this right" is Arcade Fire - but the idea of getting a refund because the opener drops is preposterous.

2

LostLongIslander t1_ito5rzz wrote

I understand how these shows are structured when it comes to risk and from my experience that “chunk of money” is small compared to getting on the stage.

And I completely agree with you about canceling this show because Beck dropped out. You seem to have it out for AF and maybe rightfully show, I have no idea the details of these allegations. But I think we agree this isn’t going to work out for these folks.

Good luck out there

1

Friendly-Path-3888 t1_itnb5hy wrote

The band. You should blame the band. The band has the ultimate authority.

If the band said "refund everyone who wants it or we won't play" that's what would happen.

If the band said "don't you dare refund anyone, we're the headliner and we're playing" that's what would happen.

But everyone who already has a ticket, by almost definition, loves the band, so are all to happy to blame everyone else except the sexual predator who wants to keep your money.

6

ppcandme t1_itn36m2 wrote

Same thing happened to me when Guns n roses (obviously) cancelled their 2020 show in DC. I put in a request for a refund to LiveNation and never received it :(

2

skintwo t1_itv2qa1 wrote

And that is when you do a credit card charge back.

1

123_Repeater t1_iu8ur1u wrote

I did a chargeback on my tix to last night's show. I had never done one before. The customer service agent agreed that if I paid for 2 bands and only got one band, I deserved some sort of compensation or refund from Ticketmaster. It was easy.

1