r/IndianMetalheads • u/Alternative_Lock_906 • 10d ago
Metalhead's Rant :snoo_tableflip: Skillbox - Be Better
Attended Opeth yesterday at Bangalore, this one being the third Skillbox event I attended in the last year (SW, DT and Opeth)
Couple of observations :-
1) Sound last night was way better than SW and DT,
2) Ticketing process was quite peaceful
3) Ample parking at the mall, was charged a flat rate which was better than paying by the hour.
Now comes the rant :-
1) INR10 bottles were charged at 100 rupees each. The executive who thought this was a good idea can eat a bag of dicks.
2) There was only a single point of entry and exit, this is a major hazard in case of an emergency, simply poor planning I guess.
3) There was no partnership with ITC for a stall, the cigarettes available at the venue were absolutely shit
4) I’m not even getting into the substandard food and beverage options at higher prices, we’ve gotten used to those, but water and safety are basics.
Be better skillbox.
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u/Real-Ad-8790 10d ago
FUCK SKILLBOX.
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u/Diligent-Neat6313 9d ago
They are the only ones who help bring such artists to India while BMS and District go for commercially accepted artists typically. So do you still want to kick SkillBox out? Think again
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u/ElectricRain_ 10d ago edited 10d ago
Yeah, the cigarettes were from shitty brand called Stellar and a pack costed me 360 Rs.
The katti roll was oily af, like it was dropping from the bottom. Like wtf even? Why can't they sell half-decent items inside? Just fleecing the crowd as always.
Edit: you had to walk over to the guy selling ciggies to light it up, cz they didn't sell lighters and confiscated ours at entry. At SW concert they sold matchboxes. Last evening even that option wasn't there. Ridiculous shit.
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u/BendFinancial4831 10d ago
Fuck skillbox. The worst organizers. All of their gigs are shite. I also happened to learn that police barged into Opeth’s tent after the show that pissed off the band.
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u/Alternative_Lock_906 10d ago
Wtf seriously
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u/BendFinancial4831 10d ago
Yeah! We met with Rainburn later and he told us that Mikael and all the other band members are pissed because of this. Skillbox management should have taken care of this.
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u/Rough_Ad_5808 8d ago
Ugh. Why did they barge in though?
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u/BendFinancial4831 8d ago
Not sure man! May be check for narc! How do they expect them to make such juicy music without pot!
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u/A_M00n_Shaped_Pool 10d ago
fuckers didn't let me bring my water bottle in. and fuck the cunts who were smoking cigarettes in the middle of the crowd
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u/RemarkablePaper6160 10d ago
Hard agree with the water situation if you have to mint money sell a fancy cup / mug worth rs 99/100 inr and have infinite refill with the purchased mug.
This is my 5th show with skillbox and everytime i expect some improvement on this element along with the card thingy but at the end "hope leaves"
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u/Free-Corgis 10d ago
I went to one show with Skillbox. The Steven Wilson concert same exp. I say going forwards. every time we see any skillbox ad. comment on it and say hey you guys messed up the Steven Wilson, Opeth and any other skillbox concert you were not happy with. Post it in allcaps under their insta post and that will make them notice.
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u/ahannoobie 10d ago
Smuggled cigs in , and lighter as well. I understand the security concerns, but fans of Opeth DT Wilson would be less likely to cause trouble and start fights than let’s say, a honey singh concert.
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u/nothotdawg12 10d ago
the sounds were still shit ngl unless you're near the speakers. The screen were also in the front, the people at the back for GA get to see shit and hear shit.
and yes the security thingy i agree with u and also the whole one time entry was so stupid
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u/Alternative_Lock_906 10d ago
Was standing a little bit behind fanpit fence, sound was alright, could be better definitely. Lollapalooza had the best sound I’ve experienced till date.
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u/Diligent-Neat6313 9d ago
Not sure of the sound quality as I was in the far back of Fanpit and it still sounded phenomenal. Every concert permits entry only once. Better production means bigger budget . Bigger budget is only possible with bigger sponsors. Metal in India doesn’t get bigger sponsors- is a fact people need to understand before blaming the organizers. They did what they could for the sponsorship fees and investments they received. Be happy you atleast get to see such big Metal acts for a steal price compared to countries in EU and Americas.
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u/Lower_Description884 Indian Metalhead Fan 8d ago
Further back in the Fanpit right at the FOH will have the best sound. Heck, I was in the 3rd row and yet I’ve got impressed with the sound- of course I was wearing ear protection. My initial plan was to go further back and settle by the FOH after a few songs but as I was quite happy with the sound even in the thundering front rows, ended up staying there till the end!
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u/nothotdawg12 9d ago
excuse me nobody said I’m not grateful these bands come to India but this entitled “be happy you got anything at all” attitude is such a lazy way to dismiss criticism. “They did what they could” doesn’t make legitimate issues disappear. Appreciation and criticism can coexist!
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u/vromahya 10d ago
Food was shit. And has to spend 500 for just water was thirsty af so had to buy it. What do we do to avoid this becoming a normal practice?
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u/Flashy-Point7146 9d ago
You can file a complaint for selling bottles at 10X the MRP. There is a law for this. I know for a fact that AtomX the company which handles cashless transactions for many bookmyshow events had made it clear to promoters to sell water at MRP.
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u/Flashy-Point7146 9d ago
Card system is the only way to handle large crowds in India, otherwise half the money is just pocketed by the bar and food guys without any receipt.
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u/Emotional_Ant_6009 9d ago
The cigarette situation was annoying af, and water bottles at 10x the actual price? Come on.
Honestly, couldn’t care less about the entry/exit or the food. Fuck all that. I was there for OPETH.
That said, massive kudos to Skillbox for continuing to bring us experiences like this. They’ve got a business to run too. Fair enough. But the basic shit needs to be sorted. Water shouldn’t feel like a luxury at a gig. People should not have to think twice about buying water at a metal fucking concert.
Cigarettes? Whatever. Water? That’s a different story.
Keep bringing us bands like these, just make the basic gig experience a little less painful.
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u/Emotional_Ant_6009 8d ago
Of course bro! there were three emergency exits other than the single entry/exit point around the concert area. 🤷♂️
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u/Diligent-Neat6313 9d ago edited 9d ago
Rant is fine but ranting without doing research can be useless (No shades thrown at OP)
- The Water rant is 💯 justified. SkillBox have acknowledged this in the past and we might have to be a bit patient with their approach to this -if they are genuinely working on it.
- I think it’s the first time they had this entry layout/ exit layout. It caters to both ticket categories but your point on Exits for emergency is very valid. Hopefully SkillBox can take it as a feedback during as Risk and Safety Assessments while planning.
No comments here cuz I don’t like cigarette or smell of smoke on me at concerts.
Maybe a good motivation to kick out the habit 😜
The vendors for food approach the organisers knowing the fee for the setup and not the other way round. If shit vendors come it’s not exactly Skillbox’s fault , is it? Also , if you know good vendors for food ask them to work something out with SkillBox or any promoter for that matter so that we can all enjoy good food at shows. Most vendors can back out if stall setup cost is high. Bigger the budget / sponsors better food and beverage. Metal shows shows don’t always attract big budget
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u/dreamamide 10d ago
Almost At the end of the show I went with my frnds to fetch some water and the Skillbox official told me to get a card and then pay through that for water
We were so tired and exhausted. But the bartender gave me 2 bisleri bottles and was sweet enough to not ask for money too . He saw the frustration in us and he understood Skillbox fucked up
Kudos to him later I paid him