Anyone Know What Is Going On With Concerts

I still have my Phish Gorge tickets and plan on going assuming it happens.

My front row David Crosby tickets in Geneva were refunded yesterday with a note say the show has been canceled. 
 

still holding onto my Stones and king crimson tickets. 
 

I wish I was more optimistic for 2021 at this point 

We know a no-mask dipshit who buried her husband this week.  The wake was a no-mask, no-distancing event, like the last two wakes in the extended dipshit family.

I am also not optimistic about 2021.

What's going on with Mr. Phil Lesh?  With covid rates going down and weather getting nice maybe a return to outdoors TXR performances I gueess?

Would be nice if he embraced some streaming gigs for those of us who cannot make the outdoor shows, Bobby is entertaining his fans via stream...c'mon PHIL!

Since my livelihood depends on live shows, it is in my best interest to stay informed as to what is happening with this. Best bet at this date is that major acts will not tour until 2022. Some smaller venues are experimenting with social distanced show that combine limited capacity, temperature checks, proof of 2 recent negative infection tests and scanned photo IDs to facilitate contact tracing if needed. It looks like there will be some outdoor shows with various social distancing protocols during the summer but that will depend on the locale and their rules. It looks like a few states have thrown open the doors with no special protocols. Florida is one of them but every touring band that I deal with will not book dates there. They basically are worried about killing their audience. 

Things are becoming clearer each week and it is important that everyone continues to mask up, stay socially distant and get vaccinated asap. If all those things happen, live music will begin to fill the air with song sooner rather than later. 

Since the vaccine does not keep you from being infected or from passing it on to others, how would this help concertgoers?  

The main benefit from the vaccines is relief for our hospitals and health care workers and of course less death and serious illness(all good things to lessen). But I don't see how it will affect concerts this yr.

Interesting comments from Live Nation's CEO here that, at least partially, seems to dispute some folks' estimated timeline of the return of large acts at big venues. What do you think about these comments, Tony?

https://www.spin.com/2021/02/live-nation-ceo-michael-rapino-says-largesc...

>>>>Since the vaccine does not keep you from being infected or from passing it on to others, how would this help concertgoers?  

Now that people have been vaccinated for two months, there is more and more data showing that vaccinations reduce the risk of transmission significantly.   A study from the UK showed a 86% reduction in transmissions and another study from Israel (which has the highest vaccination rate in the world) showed an 89% reduction:

https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/22291959/covid-vaccines-transmission-...

If you are vaccinated and exposed, your viral loads will be much lower.   Lower viral loads means less chance of spreading it to others.

What do you think about these comments, Tony?

To me it sounds like he is being cautiously optimistic and hoping for the best. I would say that as CEO he sorta has to be optimistic to keep shareholders from freaking out. As the article says, we will know soon enough. If the baby steps being taken now don't cause problems, bigger and bigger steps are on tap. I sure hope it works out and doesn't make matters worse. 

My wife and I went to see Dead on Live, local Dead band from NJ, back in the Fall.  It was in Red Bank in a brand new state of the art venue.  Took your temperature before you went in and everyone was seated at there own socially distanced table.  You purchased the whole table 2, 4, or 6.  Had to remain seated and wear a mask.  There was table service and I had a Sip of Sunshine.  It was delightful and we have tickets again for the same band, same venue in a few weeks.  

Aerosmith just bumped their Europe 2021 tour to 22

Not looking good for big shows.  Last years checkerboard separation parties with masks might be all we get.

I'll take some I guess, better than sitting home remembering when.

Aerosmith just bumped their Europe 2021 tour to 22

The better question here is weather or not the band will live that long LOL

Light Up The Blues at the LA Greek was officially canceled today.

I suspect Phish will finally just cancel the scheduled tour.

Summer Camp Music Festival in Illinois (Ween, JRAD, among others) just pushed their date to August 2021...seems ambitious. 

https://jambands.com/news/2021/02/26/summer-camp-music-festival-reschedu...

>> I would say that as CEO he sorta has to be optimistic to keep shareholders from freaking out.

My thoughts exact;y, Tony.

My wife and I went to see Dead on Live, local Dead band from NJ, back in the Fall.  It was in Red Bank in a brand new state of the art venue.  Took your temperature before you went in and everyone was seated at there own socially distanced table.  You purchased the whole table 2, 4, or 6.  Had to remain seated and wear a mask.  There was table service and I had a Sip of Sunshine.  It was delightful and we have tickets again for the same band, same venue in a few weeks. 

I worked my first inside show in over a year last night at that venue, The Vogel, which is part of the The Basie Center/Count Basie Theater. In non-pandemic times, The Vogel has a capacity of 850. The shows the are going now, with the protocols described above, capped the venue at 150, although a sell out will usually be less than that dependent on the mix of table sizes. Many tables of 6 and you get the 150 limit, lots of 2 person tables and the limit goes down. All the tables are at least 6 ft in all directions from each other. All facilities and equipment is brand new. They even upgraded the air filtration system before opening to provide state-of-the-art virus filtration. I will give a hand to the staff in being firm with the mask requirements as well as the remaining seated except when going to the rest room. While firm, they weren't heavy handed in those tasks. Gentle reminders seemed to work a lot better than in-your-face ultimatums that are too common with venue staff. The band last night, Williams Honor, plays what they call, Jersey Country, and their audience followed protocols. I was chatting with the venue's media person pre-show and he shared, in particular, that the audience at The Dead Live show was also good at following the protocols. 

Reflecting on the above, I have a much better feeling about what is in store with live performances going forward in the march to normalcy. All parties, venue, performers and audience need to be on board to make it work and not slip backwards. Bend the protocols and the model is bound to break. These shows aren't economically viable for larger bands with large audiences so those are still down the road a piece. It's not perfect but it's a hell of a lot better than the alternatives.  

That's encouraging Ken. Better than I thought.

https://www.jambase.com/article/colorado-concerts-80-percent-capacity-ju...

From jambands.com > 

Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino Says Large-Scale U.S. Concerts Could Return by “Midsummer”

Live Nation’s CEO Michael Rapino is optimistic that large-scale concerts in the U.S. can return this coming summer. In a Q4 earnings call for Live Nation (reported by Music Business Insider), Rabino said that “a clear outline to a 75% to 100%” capacity for outdoor U.S. events in 2021 was looking likely to be green-lit.” (Quote via SPIN report.)

“We’re better off waiting for a high bar capacity moment in most of the states to ramp up and talk to the artists about getting paid properly,” Rapino continued. “We might have certain states that might not be ready, but we have enough states and enough artists willing to play the open slots if we get to that level in the right markets.

“So as long as these states open up to the right capacities, we can start in midsummer and in the southern U.S. we can go all the way into November,” he concluded.

Rapino also posted a tweet expressing his optimism: “With more artists than ever wanting to tour and fans eager to make up for lost time, all signs point to even more concerts ahead,” he wrote. “Thank you to all of our @LiveNation employees for their endless resilience and creativity – none of this would be possible without you.”

This past week, the British government released a timeline stating that large music events could return to the U.K. at 100% capacity by June 21. Live Nation then released 100,000 tickets for the Reading & Leeds festival (set for Aug. 27 and 29), which have already sold out.

The Chapel, SF is doing outdoor dinner shows...

https://www.thechapelsf.com/

The Chapel re-scheduled those Residents shows in May from April of last year. I'm happy to see they're still on. 

I still have my ticket.

I WANNA' GO TO THE SHOW! 

get the vaccine

stu may not go

Red Rocks is requesting a variance. 2500 people. Just a little over 25 percent to start. Increase the limit if data supports positive outcomes. 

https://theknow.denverpost.com/2021/02/26/red-rocks-capacity-increase-20...

While I empathize with the venues, bands and audiences chomping at the bit to get live shows going asap, I can't help but worry that it may be too much, too soon and backfire on everyone. Of course bands and the venues are pushing this because so many of them on on the final financial ropes right now. I know of 9 fairly popular groups that tour heavily who feel that if they don't get back on the road within 6 months that they will have recourse but to dissolve the bands and declare bankruptcy.  If that happens, the bands will not be able to regroup until the bankruptcy trustee allows it and given the debt load some of these bands have, that may never happen.

Tough times for many. I count myself lucky because I have a minimal nut to keep my business alive. After the sacrifices I've made, as well as the bands and venues, I would prefer to wait on opening up until everyone is good and sure it won't be a problem. Can you imagine what it would be like if these events caused a new spike which allowed vaccine resistant variants to emerge and having everything shut down for another year? Yikes. 

The Lincoln Center is opening "a giant outdoor performing arts center that will include ten different performance and rehearsal spaces" in April.

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/a-giant-outdoor-performing-arts-cen...
 

Yikes is right. As much as we love live music and rely on tribal gathering at shows to sustain us in the best of times, these aren't the best of times. Acknowledging the possibilities seems wise. I can't help but see spread of the virus in its various forms with the current lack of dedication to proper mask wearing and distancing (and, yeah, hand washing).

Helping the bands stay afloat is challenging; Tony, why are the bands in such dire financial straits? Is it payroll through the pandemic without income?

Hoping for the best, but with people rejecting the vaccines and neglecting common courtesy (masks, distancing, etc.), it's tough to see it coming together very soon.

Tony, why are the bands in such dire financial straits? Is it payroll through the pandemic without income?

Payroll is a problem but at least there was some help with the first bunch of stimulus payments. Most mid to larger sized bands have some sort of corporate structure with some, not always all, of the band members being the owners of the stock in those corporations. As such, many, if not all, of the equipment, ownership of recording masters, etc. is actually owned by the corporation. Since the lion's share of revenue these days is based on touring, the bands have invested in things like stages, sound and lighting equipment, instruments and stage backgrounds and props. To purchanse these items, they usually finance them. Those loans were given based on the bands' projected tour revenue. With no touring, there is no revenue. Still the loans need to be paid back. With no clear path yet to touring at the same revenue level, or even at 50% of those levels, creditors are getting ready to call those loans. The only sound financial path for the performers might be declaring bankruptcy and dissolving the corporate structure (the corporation normally own the band's name) With the debt level these band have and with touring revenue being a crap shoot, the bankruptcy trustee will find reorganization a no starter. The trustee has a fiduciary duty to act in the most financially sound manner. In most cases that would be to dissolve and sell all the assets to the highest bidders To some degree that is already happening. Most of the band members/professional musicians I know in all genres of music have been selling gear/instruments to keep afloat. Lots of top notch stuff is already on the market and prices are getting softer and the inventory for sale increases. 

The above is one of the reasons that I have been urging everyone to buy music (not stream) and merchandise. These sorts of purchases at least help the performers have a fighting chance to  survive these tough time. 

https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/bandcamp-fridays-2021

Can you imagine what it would be like if these events caused a new spike which allowed vaccine resistant variants to emerge and having everything shut down for another year? Yikes.<<<<

This.

However, I doubt  it will factor into the decision making process of the "immediate stakeholders" for such events.   I doubt contact tracing will ever lead to the positive ID of where such a variant arose - let alone to have any legal culpability attached.   This is the tragedy of human nature as it relates to a larger community issue, in that boundaries will be pushed for personal gain at the expense of the greater good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR1ZYLWSX3t2fsXg5gDu7evEVjLTtRF0d...

"The goal is to work up to hosting about 80% of a normal crowd at Red Rocks by the end of summer, Kitts said. That depends on new COVID-19 cases continuing to fall, though...."

I think you paid a wee bit too much, Noodler.    However, I bet it woulda been a great show....!

^ LOL.    

Everyone dressed up!

Great Crowd!

Top notch catering!

Bear & Dice?

Damn Mike, that's harsh.

Willows is way better looking than that.

People need to honestly chill the F out. I did three years in prison with no concerts, all this constant "i need"for the past 13 months is laughable really. What about all the other people that "need" RIGHT NOW and not concerts. Holy fuck are we lucky as hell to have seen the music we have seen. Especially these days because the caliber of music is shit   Concerts will come back and theres tons pf people, your "brothers amd sisters" that would love to see a show. Ive been a part of the zone since 08 and the past two years this place has become a home of self indulgent,  all about me garbage posts.  I have gotten some seriously amazing stories music and adventures out of the zone in the past 13 years, Not now just drama and bs just like the internets

Things are remaining hopeful in little ol' Maine.
The livestream option got old pretty quick, and is generally just unsatisfying, from an integrative audience perspective.

Starting around July, we continued to have smaller, outdoor shows locally. Even a couple of campover festies with all of *the things* to make us feel whole again.
Outdoor local fun music continued here through around Dec, thanks to the mild first half of winter.
During the past couple months, we have enjoyed some indoor solo & duo acts that have felt safe enough & truly keep our souls fed.
I'm grateful to have a weekly option or two for receiving my musical medicine.

Hello zonepeeps, it's been a longfuckingwhile.
 

^^^

A Cam sighting! The day just got a little bit better. 

> Damn Mike, that's harsh. Willows is way better looking than that.

Damn Lance. I should have seen that Dice/Dise dissonance coming, but Willows or Dise, she'll always be Rabbit to me.

I've got a suitcase full of speedy pressies that are ready to be moved, pronto. Open up the fucking gates already. 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/concerts-were-wiped-out-during-covid-19-her...

New stories on this topic from jambands.com > 
1>

New York to Allow Venues to Reopen with Limited Audiences

New York State is easing COVID restrictions on live performances. In a press conference on Wednesday, March 3, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that live performances can resume starting on Apr. 2.

In the Albany presser, Cuomo stated that venues can reopen in early April at just 33 percent capacity, with a cap of 100 people indoors and 200 people outdoors. The governor also announced that there would be masking and social distancing requirements. Furthermore, if a venue is able to test all attendees, the attendance limits can increase to 150 people indoors and 500 people outdoors.

According to a New York Times report, “a handful of venues immediately said they would begin holding live performances, which, with a handful of limited exceptions, have not taken place in New York since Broadway shut down last March 12.”

Meanwhile, the report also noted that for many smaller venues, opening at such a limited capacity may not be a viable financial option.

###
 

2> 

In New Interview, John Mayer Eyes 2022 for Dead & Company Tour

John Mayer recently took some time to appear on his pal Andy Cohen’s Radio Andy program, and it was a matter of time before the conversation made its way to the subject of Dead & Company.

The guitarist noted that he’s looking at an impending Dead & Company tour with a sense of optimism, but he and the band want to be sure it’s done safely.

“Look, there’s no reason to sort of be veiled about. If we can [tour] we definitely will,” Mayer told Cohen. “I don’t think anybody wants to put up another tour and take it down… It starts looking like ’22 is the only way you can really start booking stuff and be sure that you wouldn’t have to write that Instagram post that goes, ‘Guys, we really talked this over …’”

In his downtime, Mayer has also descended into the world of TikTok.  

###

3> 

Sam Bush Band, Leftover Salmon, Infamous Stringdusters, Keller Williams and More to Play at ‘Weekend at The Cave’
https://jambands.com/news/2021/03/04/sam-bush-band-leftover-salmon-infam...

###

4> 

DelFest Reschedules 2021 Edition to September
https://jambands.com/news/2021/03/03/delfest-reschedules-2021-edition-to...

###

Taylor Swift and her fans need to lighten up. 

Cam, maybe Maine could be a future site for East Coast Zoner Jam?

Yes, that would be great. I think this place could be killer.
They have acres of camping. Also there is lodging close enough.
They host musical things, both small & a bit larger.

Just a thought.

https://www.thomaspointbeach.com/

^^^^ Cool, looks like they already have a bluegrass event booked, too: https://www.thomaspointbeach.com/events/maine-folk/

The glare off of those untanned bodies in the slideshow image, tho, LOL. 

I can't volunteer to coordinate an east coast event, but hopefully a committee of east coast Zoners will assemble...

They do indeed do an annual bluegrass thingy. And there is a cool event slated for July 4th weekend, and something in Aug now too :

https://summerjamcampout.com/?fbclid=IwAR1dVM4ENle6spBXFjGUIsrMhMFEA4paT...

I'm def not the event coordinatey guy, but I will offer what help I can, if others concur that Maine would work.

Just heard on the Governor's address today that Maine venues may resume shows as of March 26th, at half-capacity, and may resume indoor bar service also as of that date.

Reliable source says at least one band is booked for a 50% capacity show at Red Rocks. I can't see myself with 4500 people this year - even outside. I get nervous just crossing paths with one person. (the last year has changed how I feel about being around people) I guess if you are young and vaccinated..... Party on. 

I can't imagine going to a show outside in the summer heat with a mask on, doesn't sound like much fun.

still have dibs on a phil 80th bday ticket

do not expect it to ever get used

i semi miss live music

i do not miss talkers or drunks or smokers so maybe live music is over for me

from jambands.com > 

“There’s an End in Sight:” Trey Anastasio Discusses Phish’s Return on WCAX

After Trey Anastasio revealed that his Divided Sky Foundation had purchased a treatment center facility for substance use disorder in Ludlow, Vt., the Phish guitarist appeared in Burlington, Vt.’s CBS affiliate WCAX to discuss the announcement. During his appearance, he was asked when Phish will return to the live stage.

“I hope we’ll be back pretty soon,” Anastasio said at one point. “I actually think it’s going to happen. We have lots of conversations about it and the landscape is changing… there’s an end in sight, assuming that everyone continues taking this seriously.”Elsewhere in the conversation, Anastasio coyly remarked, “I can’t say specifics, but I’ve heard specifics… I have a secret.”

He revealed that plans are constantly being discussed and that the band is “waiting until that opportunity arises with the vaccine and everything.” He cut himself short before revealing an timing estimate of when Phish will return to touring.Watch a portion of Anastasio’s appearance below, via Twitter user @Phishatmsg, or watch a segment here.https://jambands.com/news/2021/03/05/theres-an-end-in-sight-trey-anastas...

Reliable source says at least one band is booked for a 50% capacity show at Red Rocks. I can't see myself with 4500 people this year - even outside. I get nervous just crossing paths with one person. (the last year has changed how I feel about being around people) I guess if you are young and vaccinated..... Party on. <<<

Yeah, I've had several dreams where I'm at a show ... they never end well, always wind up with an uncomfortable feeling about being around the crowd and then it's "escape from the show" for the rest of the dream ... 

Are tickets still available for The Gorge?

Trey was definitely dropping some hints.

Unless things go south again, or should I say go Texas again, I'm thinking I'll be seeing Phish outdoors in Tahoe in July.

The place is in Nevada, after all.

I mean, what's a little mind-control if it means I can see live rock 'n roll again?

Priorities.

This is held in a sweet little spot

Unless things go south again, or should I say go Texas again, I'm thinking I'll be seeing Phish outdoors in Tahoe in July.

I am going to guess that Phish tries to organize an extended run at a single place like MSG so they don’t have to travel and deal with differing capacity rules in different states and make everyone go to them. I don't see them "touring" this year. but who knows, just a guess on my part.

Phish is in a unique space when it comes to doing a few shows. Since they have the infrastructure in place for promoting their own festivals, they would be able to do so and control most of the variables concerning social distancing, like mandating masks, minimizing audience numbers and structuring the space to keep some distance between social pods of people.  I'm sure we will see more details as we march towards summer. 

^ I agree and suspect as a result the existing tour gets canceled and something different set up in its place.

^^^ I like that lineup for Bears Picnic -- haven't seen Cabinet in years....

Phish in Tahoe?  

High Sierra is still showing 2021 dates and JRAD still has this event on their calendar -- That would be an overwhelming re-introduction to live music if I get the vaccine by then.... I should be able to get it in April / May, hopefully.

http://highsierramusic.com/

It's probably a good thing that my new job +  lack of paid vacation days will seriously control my activities this summer. Need to save any days for Zoner Jams, which would be safer due to lower crowd count.

I would love to see another Phish festival in Indio this fall. Beautiful location, lots of space...

High Sierra is still showing 2021 dates

I have heard from a few sources it's not happening.