At Megawatt Mayhem, we've always prided ourselves on being there for the fans, the bands and the many concert promoters who feed our need for live gigs.
Recently though, there has been more promoters coming into the Calgary area. I'm not one to complain, or stop the wheels of free enterprise, if you think you've got the savvy and deep pockets - go for it. I've done a little work as a promoter and I know it's a thankless job with little reward and lots of risk.
The same for bar managers who can only survive if they keep the bar full and the drinks flowing. I've worked in that industry too and I know again it's a thankless job and when opportunity presents itself, you gotta take the risk to see the reward.
The problem comes when the thaw comes to our frozen bit of Tundra and tours start en mass. Promoters are offered the shows and with schedules that don't allow for a lot of leeway on what dates they can have for a Calgary show. So the result is, if you go and look at the Concert Calendar on this site, that you have some nights where there are two or more shows booked, often with name bands that everyone wants to see at different venues.
Trust me, the promoters don't like this any more than the fans. Overlapping shows, mean that promoters lose, because there's only one fan pool and they understand you have limited resources. In the case of larger venue shows, the promoter doesn't worry as much, because his headliner or headliners are normally enough to pull enough from the sycophantic or symbiotic Metal community (those who are only fans of bigger name or popular metal bands and their friends who only know a couple of big name bands).
Bar owners, pull their hair out, realizing that they will not see as strong a turnout or that they will have to deal with the "bandhopper" effect where fans go bar to bar to catch the acts they want to see, like some roving Metal festival.
Bands hate it because they know that trying to find new fans on these nights are next to or nigh impossible, as those who would have come out to their show are now torn.
And fans, while enjoying the choice, are pissed off too. Their resources (read $$$) aren't unlimited and "bandhopping" means that the merch budget is stretched and that support to the bands is watered down. (I really like both bands, but I can't get two t-shirts AND two CDs and still put gas in the car, on top of two cover charges....)
Is there a solution? Yes, and it isn't pretty. It's natural selection or competition here and unfortunately it's a lose/lose proposition. Some promoters will lose their shirts and go out of business, which ultimately means less shows or promoters willing to take a risk on touring acts. Some bars will close, which also means less shows as there are less venues available. Bands take a hit, especially the ones who's entire cross country tour is financed on merch sales. Some bands just won't be able to pack up the Econoline and trailer and come out here or they too will break up due to financial pressure. All this in turn affects the fan, who loses out on seeing new and amazing acts.
So for the fans, enjoy the choice and pick wisely. Is it better to go see the big name at the arena or take that cash and support a local business and smaller bands? Or is the possibility that this may be your only chance to take that band off your "gotta see" list. The business of Metal rides on your decision.
And I sympathize with everyone, it's not fun.
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