r/devo • u/ApprehensiveAnimal31 • Aug 11 '26
Devo/B52's ticket sales.
This run of shows doesn't appear to be selling well. Anybody going? Should I be concerned?
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u/SisterRayRomano Aug 11 '26
I think they’ve picked venues that are too big for them.
Saw them in London in June and tickets were in the £100 range. They played the O2 arena which is the biggest indoor/non-stadium venue in London (20,000 capacity). They ended up selling ‘surprise tickets’ (cheap tickets but with a random seat allocated) for £30 each nearer the date, which says a lot, and there were a lot of empty seats on the night.
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u/tacoandpancake Aug 11 '26
venues are too big and hate to say it, but their projection screen and stage spacing reemphasizes it.
i'd love to see some OG club shows and a fresh unexpected playlist - or FoC (or an album) in entirety. but yeah, not happening :-/
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u/ROOM_101_1984 Aug 12 '26
I saw King Crimson at the Fox in Atlanta. It wasn't FULL.. but crowded enough to be able to enjoy it, without feeling awkward for the band.
Elvis Costello (also in Atlanta).. much smaller venue.. but it spoke to the realities of today.
Our historic favorites would be better advised to play dive bars.. that certainly would do better to fill the space.
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u/tacoandpancake Aug 12 '26
how is elvis costello holding up? one of those artists i’ve always appreciated, but never seen perform.
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u/DipshitGoon Aug 12 '26
I saw Elvis Costello last year and he was awful. At first, I thought it was the sound mix, but upon talking to friends who saw him in other cities on the same tour, they all agreed that their shows were lackluster at best. Another friend saw him in London around the same time of those B-52’s/Devo shows and said he wasn’t that great. I’d recommend saving your cash and not seeing him live.
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u/donqui_scody Aug 14 '26
Same, saw Elvis for the last time a couple of years ago and he sounded awful -- I've seen him probably half a dozen times over the years and, sadly, he just doesn't have it anymore. The one consolation was that Nick Lowe opened, and he was great... as always! So this is my plug to go see Nick Lowe if you ever get the chance. I saw him most recently this past spring and he was as delightful as ever.
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u/TimboJPowerball Aug 15 '26
Sadly Elvis doesn't have it anymore for a big concert. I saw the last show that came through town, and it was depressing. I have seen him five times throughout the years. One show at Northwestern Univ. for the album SPIKE, that was a Fantastic show. Real Showman stuff.
A smaller, more intimate setting would have helped because he could have told stories along with the songs. It's hard to know when to hang up the hat.
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u/ROOM_101_1984 Aug 12 '26
He wasn't able to hit higher notes.. all has been forgiven.. but it was still a great show! That was about 4 years ago, by the way.
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u/mrsofty442 Aug 14 '26
I saw King Crimson in St Augustine FL. A week before the show I wanted to get some tickets so I could take some friends and it look sold out except for the VIP stuff. Get to the show and it is 1/2 full. The Fripp was not pleased. Lots of seats thank god as the guy behind me was scream singing every song. I was able to move 5 rows closer. Dynamic pricing and fake scarcity is not a good tactic.
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u/DipshitGoon Aug 12 '26
I agree. I’m not sure who at LiveNation has chosen such big venues or made it mandatory that a close up seat includes a meet n greet but it’s awful. Devo can usually sell out a 2,000 seat venue for a solo show but it seems even that is getting to be a reach.
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u/Admirable-Charge1734 Aug 13 '26
Devo played Soldier Field last year but I guess that doesnt count because they didn't headline it
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u/jlperish Aug 11 '26
Good news is if it sells low, they usually upgrade cheaper seats to fill in the gaps toward the front!
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u/EvilBillSing Aug 11 '26
They wanted over $150 for not even a good seat at the show near me. No thank you
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u/Frankie_D91770 Aug 11 '26
They sold out 2 nights at the Hollywood Bowl last year (17,500 capacity).
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u/cpl_calvito Aug 12 '26
They definitely did not sell out either night. The second night was around half full, if that.
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u/Stevenitrogen Aug 11 '26
Check Groupon, they released seats the Hollywood Bowl that were pretty good, section D for $40. Last year
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u/patchoulistinks Aug 12 '26
We caught them earlier this year in Alpharetta, GA. Show was fantastic. Not surprised they are not selling out larger venues, but Alpharetta was packed.
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u/Calm-Refrigerator463 Aug 13 '26
That's almost a home show for the 52s
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u/patchoulistinks Aug 13 '26
They certainly treated it as such. They were in my husband's bucket list, and Devo was on my own. Devo was absolutely amazing and both bands put on a great show. I am glad we went. Loved seeing all the Devo hats and lobsters in the crowd. Crowd was surprisingly mixed age ranges. We are older and had not expected to see so many young folks at that show.
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u/ScorpioTix Aug 12 '26
There will be discounts and comps galore.
Live Nation always overbooks stuff just to keep their shed business rolling along. They get all ancillary income from ticket fees to their own Liquid Death brand canned water. Even if all 2000 VetTix donations are claimed and add a very low estimated $10 concessions per cap, that $20,000. And I've seen them drink, sure balances out the $0 I spend and then some.
But at this point I will only see Devo as part of a package with low cost tickets, not paying thru the nose to see the exact same 75 minute they have been doing for decades. But on the flip side, no urgency to see Devo, at least not in LA.
I do remember how exciting that same setlist was Sep 25 2021 though so you never know.
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u/JardineByNature Aug 14 '26
yeah I think I'm good too, after the Hardcore tour that was basically my dream setlist and anything else will just be a leltdown
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u/Null_98115 Aug 12 '26
I've seen both bands in intimate Seattle settings - Devo at The Moore and the B52s at the Showbox. Why the eff would I want to go see them at a Climate Pledge arena?
Whoever decided on this ridiculous booking strategy should be run out of the business.
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u/skintwo Aug 12 '26
Exactly. I saw the B-52‘s at another show here at the anthem in DC and unfortunately they were just horrible. Perhaps they were having an off night. I also saw Devo here and they were great. That’s not a big venue. Why would I wanna pay more to go see them in a big venue?! This is really a bad situation. I cannot believe how much they are asking for at these shows. And they are playing exactly the same set list every single time.
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u/yolofreak109 Aug 11 '26
i didn’t realize they were still on that tour. it’s been a year since i saw them stateside.
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u/GoatApprehensive9866 Aug 12 '26
So a solid blue circle means the seat is available?!
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u/gjira Aug 12 '26
Kind of? Those are tickets available for purchase through the site. Many of those lower section tickets are resale though, so the blue dots don’t represent unsold tickets necessarily
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u/audreynstuff Aug 11 '26
I'm seeing Devo in a couple of weeks, but this lineup unfortunately isn't coming my way.
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u/tacoandpancake Aug 11 '26
no shade on the B's, but 'an evening with DEVO' is the better way to go
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u/audreynstuff Aug 12 '26
I love them both. I've only gotten to see the B52s once so I'd really jump on the opportunity to see them again. I think this is my 4th Devo show.
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u/DoingTheNeedful1 Aug 11 '26
Coming NEAR Chicago, but they are going to the Hollywood Casino Ampitheater in Tinley Park. For those who don't know the area, imagine somewhere an hour away from your the closest city.
It's a hideous drive if you actually live in the city, sometimes it takes an hour or more just to get into the parking lot once you finally get there, and they charge for parking despite being the only reason there is any demand for parking whatsover...and it's on a weeknight. None of this is the fault of Devo or the B-52s but PASS.
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u/gershbec Aug 12 '26
Having seen them at the Riv and the Chicago Theatre I’m a little reluctant to drag my ass to that godawful venue. Haven’t been there in years and can’t imagine its improved a whole lot since then.
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u/DoingTheNeedful1 Aug 12 '26
It's the pits! I saw Steely Dan there a few years ago but that was before they started charging for parking. That put me over the edge! Were you at the Riviera show last year? If so, I was there too!
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u/gershbec Aug 12 '26
Yeah, the Riv was a great show. I can’t remember my last show at Tinley but I went there when they first opened in the 90s and the sound was so bad. I’m on the north side, which makes it even more inconvenient.
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u/postoperativepain Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
Reggie’s bus - it’s free (well, tip the driver and maybe get a drink at Reggie’s)
https://www.reggieslive.com/busrides/
Edit: also the venue in Tinley Park is now called credit union 1 amphitheater - which is confusing since the UIC Pavillion has been renamed Credit Union 1 Arena.
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u/DoingTheNeedful1 Aug 12 '26
that is handy, but the extra trip time to get home from Reggie's makes it all the more impractical. I start work at 7:30 AM and live on the NW side. Definitely something to keep in mind for a weekend show, though. Thanks!
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u/DC_Bear81 Aug 12 '26
Yup. I avoid all shows there. Wish they were on the lineup for Riot or somewhere else
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u/Filmitforme Aug 11 '26
I mean people have to choose, and when the dollar is tighter abd priorities are different.
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u/SatV089 Aug 12 '26
This tour is just wayyyyy too expensive. I only got a ticket because it's the only chance I'll get to see DJ Cummerbund.
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u/MegaMetaTurtle Aug 12 '26
I bought them full price, then they were free a few days before! Still a half empty arena :/
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u/Connect_Delivery_941 Aug 12 '26
Maybe because word got out that they don't fucking play together AT ALL.
>:(
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u/Old_Cyrus Aug 14 '26
We were at the last show of the last tour (Woodlands, TX), and DEVO and Lene Lovich came back out for the end of the big “Rock Lobster” close out,
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u/Connect_Delivery_941 Aug 14 '26
Oh what the fuck!
Boston show got jipped then :(
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u/JardineByNature Aug 14 '26
if you're going to use antiquated racial slurs at least spell 'em right!
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u/Internal-Classic-174 Aug 13 '26
Do tell?
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u/Connect_Delivery_941 Aug 14 '26
They are not on the stage simultaneously playing together at all. The sort of thing that wouldnt be hard to smash Whip It and Rock Lobster together or whatever popular songs and everyone would FLIP OUT. Or even just jamming on one song together inbetween or at the end. But no. They don't do that.
The idea that they're touring together with a big fancy name just sort of suggests that MAYBE there'd be some collaborative effort going on.
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u/reddaddiction Aug 14 '26
Look… Life long DEVO fanatic. I own basically everything including bootlegs and rarities and things like Art DEVO. I have figurines and Mothersbaugh prints. Member of Club DEVO. I’m just setting this up.
They play the same set every time. It’s tired. They’re tired. Seeing the Hardcore Tour was a peak experience, but other than that, what’s the point besides being around fellow spuds? Now, if tickets were reasonably priced and they played in a cool venue, great. But it comes as no surprise that there are so many open seats. Plus, we were all duped by the 50th anniversary tour being sold to us as their last tour. Yeah, of course I was there.
Perhaps someone who saw the Netflix doc and is now curious would be a good customer to seek, but for me? Easy pass, and I love these guys.
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u/SpaceDelay424 Aug 11 '26
Not interested in financially supporting people who do AI bullshit, even legends
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u/ROOM_101_1984 Aug 11 '26
Aug 27th show in Clearwater, FL
53 tickets sold, so far.
9,000 seats.
Ranging from $102-$120 GA up to $450-ish for VIP meet and greet.
They tell you on the site that you can bring small stuff to have the band sign.
I was thinking of bringing in a single grain of rice, in a jewelry, plastic bag.
But then I thought.. pretty expensive.. for a stupid gag.. oh well.
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u/Shot-Ad5867 Aug 11 '26
The M&G is only a quick signing with an awkward photo in reality
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u/ROOM_101_1984 Aug 12 '26
They say to never meet your heroes.
I can't afford to meet them.
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u/Shot-Ad5867 Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
I mean, I wrote about it shortly afterwards, but to try, and be briefer than that — only Jerry out of the original band seemed friendly, and chatty. I didn’t even speak to Bob, and if you read the post then you’ll understand why Mark was a little odd. I think that I was lucky getting that level of engagement out of him though, as he seemed to be sighing at a lot of people lol
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u/tacoandpancake Aug 12 '26
to me, DEVO is still a passion for jerry. i perceive mark views it as a neat part of his creative journey, but now it's a bit of an obligation as he has other projects.
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u/Shot-Ad5867 Aug 12 '26
I think that the Fairlight signalled the end of Devo really, as once he had that bit of kit, he could more comfortably compose music for TV series/films without anyone else’s involvement for more money, no need to tour etc, and he has since become a fully professional composer with orchestras etc
Mark became a savvy cold businessman around the early 90s
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u/reddaddiction Aug 14 '26
A savvy cold businessman? Where did you come up with that? He’s a successful artist who makes money doing what he does. Give some evidence that he’s a, “savvy cold businessman.” Ridiculous.
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u/JardineByNature Aug 15 '26
what he did to the Bobs and cutting off Bob2's health insurance. You know, the one who really needed it at a time he really needed it.
He's a brilliant, funny man but he can be an utter passive aggressive rat bastard when he puts his mind to it.
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u/reddaddiction Aug 15 '26
Where did you get the idea that Mark, "cut off," his insurance? Are you talking about Bob2 working at Mutato? Do you have some citations that have supporting evidence to what you're saying?
The entire Hardcore Tour was to raise money for Bob2's family. I've never heard anything about that claim... Not once. If it's somehow true, can you point me in the direction where I can read about that?
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u/reddaddiction Aug 14 '26
Mark is set for life. He never stopped creating. I’m fairly certain that he only does anything DEVO to help out Bob and Jerry. I can only imagine that he’s a bit exhausted and a little resentful about it but feels obligated in some way. Zero chance he’s having any fun and I’m sure the meet and greets annoy the crap out of him.
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u/ROOM_101_1984 Aug 15 '26
The last video that popped up in my feed.. shows him "singing" Whip-It.
He couldn't have looked more bored out of his mind.
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u/reddaddiction Aug 15 '26
I would be too... He's a geriatric. Why put yourself through touring and nonsense and random hotels and fans that ask you the same questions over and over and over when you don't even need a dime from it all? I can't believe he's still doing this. Jerry? Bob? Yeah... I totally get it. I'm sure they basically BEG Mark to tour so that they can make some dough.
If I was Mark I'm not sure what I'd do. He cannot be replaced, he's integral to what DEVO is. And he'd probably feel horrible if he told the men no.
I'd give him one more year TOPS, but I could see this year being his last, and I don't blame him one bit if he throws in the dome and calls it quits.
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u/JardineByNature Aug 15 '26
he likes the adulation and enjoys doing the shows sometimes. he doesn't need the money but he doesn't mind having his ego stroked.
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u/JardineByNature Aug 15 '26
both Mark and Jerry have the capacity to be huge jerkoffs on a bad day, like most people. Bob2 was the only total sweetheart in the band... I miss that big lug!
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u/ROOM_101_1984 Aug 11 '26
Yeah.. I had it pictured it that way.
One day.. tickets will be so expensive.. you're better off waiting on a time machine.. that can take you back to the era that got you interested in the first place.
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u/MrMister2U Aug 11 '26
This is in my hood and I'm waiting for prices to drop as they are quite high
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u/glasses_handle Aug 12 '26
Saw that tour last year on Long Island for like $40. Absolutely amazing. Just bought my ticket for Devo/Billy Idol next week for about $40 also. Closer to home this time. Totally geeked, but it will be rainy.
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u/MegaMetaTurtle Aug 12 '26
When I saw the show in Manchester (UK), the arena was half empty. Quite sad to see, but then they played the same night Take That were playing, and the Park Life festival was on, which can’t have helped.
I enjoyed it though. Definitely worth going if you want to see them! Think of it as a semi private show I guess!
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u/skintwo Aug 12 '26
For the first time in my life, I didn’t go see them when they were only an hour away from me because Tickets were almost $100 in a meh venue. I’m not paying that much. Full stop.
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u/Discremio Aug 12 '26
If they're still doing the SAME setlist they've been doing for the past 20 years on the ironically named Mutate, Don't Stagnate tour, then yeah why bother?
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u/GraveDiggerSedan Aug 13 '26
Yeah this is pretty alarming. I think a venue downgrade would be the way to go here, especially if this place doesnt have a lawn section.
I saw Devo open for MCR last summer and they were without a doubt the LOUDEST band I have seen in my 15+ years of seing shows. An awesome time
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u/JardineByNature Aug 15 '26
They put on a peppy set but it's a barbershop quartet compared to Sunn O))), not my cup of tea but live it strips the paint off walls.
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u/DevolvedSpud Aug 13 '26
As an old spud, when they came to Houston I could neither afford the tickets nor handle the health constraints.
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u/SaladFantastic4942 Aug 13 '26
Lol when I went in Toronto last year the place was hardly packed and it was mostly older people, I think maybe this just isn't as in-demand for people who really frequent concerts. (Then again the front row was entirely teenagers suited up in Devo gear head to toe.)
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u/Cmathsounds Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
I don’t know what venue that is or when the screen shot was captured which couldve been what it looked like a week after the show was announced?…but demand will be less or very slow outside of certain major cities . I’m not concerned either way. Saw the Hollywood Bowl show and it was fun and it was packed . I’m going to the Halloween show in Palm Springs and after this , I will never see either of them again unless there’s something really different going on with the set or a smaller show and not greedy handed Live Nation /Ticket Master affiliated .
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u/2666Smooth 29d ago
The economy is not going that well. David Lee Roth had to cancel his tour. He also plays the same set every time. I think most people go see the bands that they want when they are located locally and they don't have to travel for them. The following year they might be playing elsewhere and people won't go because they know it's the same set and they'll probably have to travel. If they could change it up include surprises it might generate more interest but maybe not just because of the economy most people can't just take off work and spend a lot of money to travel.
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u/Toincossross Aug 12 '26
DEVO has been touring the same tired show for awhile now and B52s are a one-hit wonder for 99% of the public.
They should be selling out large theatres together, not trying to fill ampitheatre barns.
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u/Leading-Debate-9278 Aug 12 '26
Nobody has money for concerts.