202 replies to this topic

[RamblingRob]

I've been waiting for three weeks for addiitional North American dates.  I've been scratching my head on why the delay.  Some thoughts:

1.  Trying to firm up the NYC venue.  MSG?
2. Filling in some of the notable gaps, esp. b/t Vancouver and Berkeley..  

Other thoughts?

The board has become Eurocentric, as it should be in some respects, but let's get more North American info in there.

When do you suppose additional info will be released?

[buzzy66]

I posted this elsewhere...but I can't understand how tickets are already for sale for the U.S. shows on Ebay and StubHub (at outrageous prices)

[RamblingRob]

buzzy66 said:

I posted this elsewhere...but I can't understand how tickets are already for sale for the U.S. shows on Ebay and StubHub (at outrageous prices)

I saw the earlier thread on Toronto--  Prices.  Damn.. But I am prepared to pay some hefty prices for about two-three shows, but I need to know when they'll go on sale- and I hope for a Seattle show thrown in there somewhere.

I also wonder if North America will be represented with a second leg since 15 shows is a VERY wimpy tour.

[Wildwings]

I too am excited to hear when we'll be getting more details on US shows.  I'm really hoping they'll announce the presale soon so that I can stop worrying about getting tickets!  I'll feel so much better when I've actually gotten them... I have several friends plus my mom and cousin who want to come too.  So all the information gathering rests on me.  They did say we'd hear in the next few weeks, right? :)

Also, I think the tickets that you see on sale are from people selling season tickets or something?  Someone explained it in another thread but I forget the exact details.  Bottom line is they aren't officially on sale yet.

[REMFan]

I too, am desperately awaiting info on this!!   I hope that the fanclub presale offers decent tickets for the Hollywood Bowl.  Last time, the seats were less than stellar for the $90 I paid.  As long as I dont need binoculars, thats all I ask.

[mandolinbryn]

I'm still a little miffed about the lack of U.S. shows.  I'm glad they're playing Chicago, which I'll definitely go to, but I was really hoping for St. Louis and/or Indianapolis, since I'm closer to both...:(

[bodysnatcher]

Hoping that the presale/general sale will happen soon, if it happens between March 6 and March 19, I'm screwed!

[blueshades87]

Well, remember, they aren't as popular here. Most likely, they're gauging interest and planning to swing back around the US after Europe. A US tour, a European tour, and more dates in the US according to interest levels and how the band feels.

As for why the US tickets aren't up for sale, I've no idea.

[mandolinbryn]

I don't mean to be rude, but if they're afraid of their level of popularity, maybe venues like Madison Square Garden and the United Center aren't the way to go...

[Leilani]

My thoughts have been along the lines of the Rambler (may I call you that Rob).  Unlike Europe (and come on brits - we're about as Europhobic as it gets - so stop playing the part of Europe card), they probably only want one pre-sale - so are just finalising dates like Seattle and a venue - NYC.  I would image the NYC venue is known as there is a date but there are possibly some sponsor/corporate seating issues to be resolved first.

I think they will always sell out in NYC - as everybody loves the Big Apple!

[Preston]

It's funny, because I started last week off (naively) thinking that maybe the 9:00 AM GMT/4:00 AM EDT/1:00 AM PDT presale might include the US dates (since Radiohead has actually done this sort of insane presale time in the past).  Coincidentally enough, I had no idea at the start of last week that I'd more or less be staying up all of Wednesday night/Thursday AM to make sure I'd be on top of Radiohead's WASTE presale (for which they refused to disclose the onsale time in an attempt to thwart scalpers).

I think we're all more than ready to get the R.E.M. ticket situation out of the way so we can just relax until the shows.  I'm sick of being on pins and needles, but I'm sure there are good reasons (logistical, additional show scheduling, negotiating with promoters and venues to ensure the seats are as good as they can be, etc).

As for someone saying the Stones played fewer shows in fewer cities in North America on their last tour, uh,  they played 38 +/- cities and 44 +/- shows just in the fall of 2005, then they came back over and played several more (some were duplicates, but not all) in early 2006.  They toured hard and hit secondary (Durham, Charlotte), tertiary (Little Rock, Albany) and even small (Charlottesville, Moncton) markets.  Even better (if you choose to look at it this way), the number of shows, size of venues and price of tickets (?!?) resulted in a lot of shows taking their sweet time to sell out, which hurt scalpers and gave fans of middle class means the chance to see a show if they wanted to.  I'm not suggesting that R.E.M. should play 60 shows in NA - just that in no way does R.E.M.'s apparent current touring strategy mirror what the Stones did.

[Kelly A]

I'm glad they came here last tour, but every other time we've had to travel 400+ miles (640+ km) to see them. I guess we're just kinda used to them ignoring us.

[mandolinbryn]

I've never known...

In what state do you reside, Mr. Kelly?

[sciryl2K]

Bryn, if we both manage to get tickets for the Chicago show, we should definitely meet up afterward! I think you found me on Facebook as well.

I keep checking Ticketmaster every day but I guess we'll hear something about a North American presale before anything else.

[Kelly A]

mandolinbryn said:

I've never known...

In what state do you reside, Mr. Kelly?

New Mexico. I agree that it tends to be sparsely populated out here, so i can't blame them too much. They did come to Las Cruces (220 mi away) in 1989, but Donna was in labor with our first child at the the time.

[Tuatara Taupo]

Where are the tickets on sale?

[Sweden]

Tuatara Taupo said:

Where are the tickets on sale?

Nowehere at this point.

[fretless1]

I'm sure they will play smaller places in the fall, as they did with ATS.  With the general election in November it seems extremely likely.  You know how Michael likes to get political...  Just a thought............ So living in Ohio with no dates, I can just wait, I really don"t want to compete with Modest Mouse Fans.  Plus, Modest Mouse is bigger in the US right now.  Good tickets will be tough even with presale..........

[mandolinbryn]

I don't know that Modest Mouse are bigger in the US.  Much more people know R.E.M., and I don't think that Modest Mouse, while songs like Float On and Dashboard have gotten more mainstream play, have an appeal as broad as R.E.M.'s.  

Also, I'm hoping that R.E.M. decide to hit Lollapalooza, since their early August schedule is open.  Rumor is that Radiohead will be headlining one night, so we could see some interesting-ass stuff...

P.S.  Kelly, maybe they'll hit Phoenix on the next go-round?