LIndsey's Tour , Doing Well ? $$$$$$

[David A]

HELLO ALL

I am relatively naïve to the music business, and therefore don’t know any inside information, etc. But, after reading about FM saying no to the clinton thing, reading about Stevie in Vegas, etc. And also saw the thread about FM not being the big machine, I also saw something about LB maybe not making money on this tour

Bottom line. Is Lindsey’s tour going well ? I mean, I wouldn’t think he is making tons of money for his label, or his label, etc. But, has something happened where his tour isn’t going well? I would assume , he must have to front a lot of money, but at the same token, he SEEMS to be pretty good at scheduling, and types of venues. But is there some inside info? Is this tour tanking or something?

Just curious. I guess, I would be surprised if it was doing amazing, but then again, I would also be stunned if it wasn’t, if that makes any sense

How is this tour doing financially speaking any way?


Thanks


Side Note, How is SN tour doing? Financially

[michelej1]

How is this tour doing financially speaking any way?



I think Lindsey has lost money on all of his tours. That could be because his expenses were higher in the past (private jets) than they may be this time around. However, Lindsey isn't touring to make money. He's touring to maybe get people to hear and buy the album and to keep his name out there. Maybe people more people will know who "Lindsey Buckingham" is. It's promotion, not profit. I gather he plans to make his money when/if FM next tours.

So, whether this tour makes money or not, I wouldn't consider it a failure for Lindsey. His solo tours have not made money and that's not their objective. Michele

[jbrownsjr]

I think Lindsey has lost money on all of his tours. That could be because his expenses were higher in the past (private jets) than they may be this time around. However, Lindsey isn't touring to make money. He's touring to maybe get people to hear and buy the album and to keep his name out there. Maybe people more people will know who "Lindsey Buckingham" is. It's promotion, not profit. I gather he plans to make his money when/if FM next tours.

So, whether this tour makes money or not, I wouldn't consider it a failure for Lindsey. His solo tours have not made money and that's not their objective. Michele

Why do you think he's lost money? i.e. articles/billboard etc?

[Livia]

The Houston venue holds at least 2000, there was no one in the balcony and the floor was only about 3/4 full - probably only sold 600 or so tickets.

[jbrownsjr]

The Houston venue holds at least 2000, there was no one in the balcony and the floor was only about 3/4 full - probably only sold 600 or so tickets.

Wow that surprises me, he's amazing live.

[elle]

i would say lindsey is touring for the love of his art - that's what he's meant to do, and he's unbelievably good at it.

you can see many older acts touring b/c that's who they are and what they have a need to do - think John Stewart, Willie Nelson, Kristofferson, etc. they were/are doing it for their music, and their fans.

i for one am extremely grateful that lindsey feels the need to express himself this way and that he's essentially giving this present to his fans and anybody else who happen to come to his live gigs. most people who get to see LB's gigs come out completely stunned by live performances he puts out, whether or not they were fans to begin with, casual mac listeners, or people dragged to his shows by friends or family.


EDIT: nickslive had posted on his blog some money figures for his first few gigs (http://nickslive.blogspot.com/2011/09/fleetwood-mac-take-giant-leap-up.html#more ), don't know whether that info is available for others. the 4 shows i've been to very pretty nearly sold out, but 2 of them were really tiny venues (however, tix for those were 3x the price). from what could be seen on TM site, Boston and NC were close to full too. it seems that Chicago, NYC, Morrisville, and Houston were not not very full.

[elle]

Wow that surprises me, he's amazing live.

he is, but people don't know it - and don't know who he is, or that he even has a gig in their town.

[MacMan]

Lindsey has said in recent interviews he's not doing this for the money and I even think he said he'd be surprised if the tour did make money... Not doing it to make money touring.. Not putting out an album to make money nor does he care about where it ends up on the charts... It's against conventional thinking in the music industry, but like Michele said with Fleetwood Mac there's always money to be made... that can fund these side projects.

[mylittledemon]

I can't imagine the tour as a whole is losing money. I'm sure it's bringing in enough to pay the road crew, the band, and expenses. I'd imagine though, if the tour is taking a hit, it's directly from Buckingham's pocket. In other words, he might not be taking a cut at all.

[David]

he is, but people don't know it - and don't know who he is, or that he even has a gig in their town.
I think that everyone who "wants to know" who Lindsey is already knows. I reject the idea that: if millions of people only knew how incredible he is, they'd be his fans. I think that view is quixotic. I doubt that there's some huge new audience of the future that will spring forth if only the marketing were better.

He has boutique appeal, as he says now. He isn't Costco.

[elle]

I think that view is quixotic.

maybe.

i was just shocked by how well people who i made go see his show with me - and who were trying to get out of going for the last 2 months - received the show, how impressive they thought he was, how open they were to listening to SWS after seeing the show, and that i found some of them looking up LB-related things on the internet in the days after the show.

also, i have yet to see a bad review of his show on this tour, even though not every reviewer is necessarily familiar with his stuff - all reviews so far have been glowing.

[michelej1]

also, i have yet to see a bad review of his show on this tour, even though not every reviewer is necessarily familiar with his stuff - all reviews so far have been glowing.

I've seen a bad review, at least one. But he generally does get good reviews, for FM shows too.

Michele

[michelej1]

I think that everyone who "wants to know" who Lindsey is already knows. I reject the idea that: if millions of people only knew how incredible he is, they'd be his fans.

I won't speak for the general public, but if you saw him live, you would love him. We wouldn't be able to get you to shut up about him -- and his beautiful voice.

Michele

[mylittledemon]

He has boutique appeal, as he says now. He isn't Costco.

.....:laugh:

[elle]

I've seen a bad review, at least one.

really? i must have blocked it out:p

[Regina]

I agree with Elle. I don't think he is doing it for money at all. And I'd be very surprised if he made any money on this.

He could have just put out his albums and left it at that. But, he didn't. And I'm very grateful.

But, I also think he has his audience. And, that's pretty much about it. Maybe a few dozen people will show up on the advice of a friend and become friends, and that's great. But, hey, the dude has been around for years and years. People have been to Fleetwood Mac concerts. And, unfortunately, a good many people have left those concerts and don't even remember his name. The thing that still surprises me is the number of people who went to FM concert after FM concert, all pushing their way to the front to stand by Lindsey's feet--who DID know his name--and have never shown up to his solo tours.

Shame, really. But, hey, makes the experience cozier.

[bucklind17]

I don't know how the balcony looked, but I was pretty surprised by how much room there still was on the floor at Town Hall. But, those tickets were also significantly more expensive than other stops on the tour, I think.

[iamnotafraid]

I think that everyone who "wants to know" who Lindsey is already knows. I reject the idea that: if millions of people only knew how incredible he is, they'd be his fans. I think that view is quixotic. I doubt that there's some huge new audience of the future that will spring forth if only the marketing were better.

He has boutique appeal, as he says now. He isn't Costco.

Quixotic, I learn a new word every day.

Maybe I disagree if ever so slightly. I set up
some VIP's with great tickets (and everything
else they'd expect) during the Dance Tour.
And Lindsey was the one they all came back
in awe of. They went on and on about him
but no one else.

If more people saw him in concert instead
of judging him by his boutique albums he'd have
more fans. His albums can certainly be a turn off
to many music fans. As much as I enjoy his albums,
I wish just once he'd record a solo album like it was
meant for the big machine.

He has three things going against him.
1. His name is not Fleetwood Mac.
2. His age.
3. The state of the record industry itself.

[Eugene]

I don't know how the balcony looked, but I was pretty surprised by how much room there still was on the floor at Town Hall. But, those tickets were also significantly more expensive than other stops on the tour, I think.

You are correct, and I can add that the Nov 3rd show in Red Bank, NJ has sold most of the front orchs, but very little in the way of rear orch/balc tickets.

No promotion/advertising hasn't help the situation either; because we are aware of the tour in our microcosm, doesn't mean the population at large is aware of and could give the tour any notice.