Black Crowes double acoustic album, tour, hiatus, **RETURN**

Do we think another band will get added to this tour? Not even a co-headliner, but just some kind of support? Hard to imagine them going with no opener on top of everything else. 

Not sure they will add a bigger or well known band at this point. Advertising is already in full force so they missed that boat with making the splash announcement of 2 bands. Crowes are also doing 2 sets.

Maybe a 30-40 minute opening act. Who knows

I think it’s funny that Steve Gormans book makes people say fuck the tour. Wonder how those same people would feel if Dave A. wrote a book and bashed Eddie and the band. Would they boycott those shows too? For me it’s none of our business what happens in the group’s dynamic and all that matters is what magic is brought on the stage. How many people quit seeing PJ when Dave K, Dave A, or Jack Irons left. My guess is nobody. But I could be wrong. Happy Fucking Thanksgiving!!

pearljammr78 said:

I think it’s funny that Steve Gormans book makes people say fuck the tour. Wonder how those same people would feel if Dave A. wrote a book and bashed Eddie and the band. Would they boycott those shows too? For me it’s none of our business what happens in the group’s dynamic and all that matters is what magic is brought on the stage. How many people quit seeing PJ when Dave K, Dave A, or Jack Irons left. My guess is nobody. But I could be wrong. Happy Fucking Thanksgiving!!

I was just thinking this the other day, that I'd love it if Dave A wrote a book. Same with the drummer for the Headstones. I LOVE to hear stories like that. I went to buy Gorman's book the other day, no copies at the chapters I was at. So I bought Flea's book instead. But I'll still be buying Gorman's at some point. 

nicknyr15 said:

3days said:

willbarclay said:

pjl44 said:

willbarclay said:

josevolution said:

DewieCox said:

josevolution said:

I’m surprised at the overestimation from C&R on the choice of venues for this return tour , Midnight Oil was away for over 10 yrs when they came back here two yrs ago they played small venues the shows all sold really well plus having a full theater is way better than empty sections..

 Not their call.

Surely they must see the list of places and have to agree no? 

No, it’s all live nation.
the bros have nothing to do with anything. 

They're not booking individual venues, but the performer has to have some input or opinion, no? Whether it was the Crowes or their other bands these guys have been playing clubs and theaters for ages now. If the promoter says they're now scheduling amphitheaters that are 5x the size or more, isn't there a conversation? If you care about the performance at all?

All the brothers have to do is show up and perform. Live nation has taken over all other aspects. Even merch from what I gather.
Live Nation owns all the venues that are booked. So that’s the decision maker right there. If they don’t sell out then tickets will be almost given away. That way live nation can still make money off $20 beers, food and merch etc. 

I'm having second thoughts about whether to buy tickets to one of these shows. While I do love the Black Crowes, it's starting to smell like a smash-n-grab job.

- No prior Black Crowes musicians outside of Chris & Rich. Originally, it didn't bother me due to the revolving door of previous BC members, but 2 people will pocket the lion's share, and that share just got bigger. I think that fact is worth considering.

- Chris referred to himself as a capitalist in a recent interview. Nothing overtly wrong with that, but maybe an odd statement to make during tour promotion. It might indicate where their heads are at. 

- Chris said something about there being "no jamming" during the upcoming tour. I also found this odd. They are most definitely, first and foremost, a rock 'n' roll band. However, they've also had some jam band tendencies for most of the band's lifespan. Why hamstring the tour with an ABSOLUTELY NO JAMMING clause? It sounds like pandering to nostalgia, or perhaps a lack of confidence in performing with new band members. My biggest fear would be that they're only putting forth enough effort to mimic select studio recordings with the new lineup. 

- Live Nation seemingly has control over the brand. Now we have a dramatically different website, expensive ticket packages, SYMM anniversary trinkets, and larger venues than the Crowes could hope to fill. It's a dramatically different enterprise than it was 5 years ago. I question how interested the artists are when they are not controlling various aspects the art. 

Of course, I hope I'm wrong. 

Dude seriously? Pearl Jam has done nothing but shove limited edition merch down our throats for years. With zero new music. It’s all a cash grab!! Everything. You don’t think that PJ are capitalists!? Lol. Cmon. It always has been and always will be about getting paid for your art. I think the jamming thing is to bring more casuals into the seats because not everyone likes 10 min jams. 

Dude, yes, seriously... And I ain't saying I'm right. 

I did say that there's nothing overtly wrong with being a capitalist. I also don't believe that there's anything wrong with making money off one's art. I'm cool with all that.

My question is simply this: How into this tour (or their music) are Chris and Rich Robinson? i.e., Will they play like they don't give a fuck, or will they act like the most rock'n'roll rock'n'roll band in the world? i.e., Are they truly interested in performing music together, or are they just tolerating one another for a payday?

Who said that I don't think PJ are capitalists? I never said that. I will say that PJ doesn't charge upwards of $700, $500, and $350 per ticket, for the closest viewing areas, or for any area at normal shows. I disagree that PJ shoves limited edition merch down our throats. People may choose to gobble it up, but it isn't packaged with the best tickets, or any tickets. You don't have to buy miniature Ten basketballs to be up close during a performance. 

BC were never really a jam band, but they could easily turn a 4 minute song into a 6 or 7 minute song... much like PJ (Rearviewmirror,, Crazy Mary), Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (Refugee, Mary Jane's Last Dance), or plenty of other acts. I don't think they typically performed 10 minute versions of songs, but I may be wrong. My point is, why slam the door on improvisation, or soloing, or noodling, or fresh ideas (AKA things that musicians often do)? It's one thing if they just don't do it. It's another to declare in advance that you won't be doing it. To me, it's needlessly draining the upcoming shows of potential creativity.

A smash-n-grab job is different than your average cash grab, in my opinion. Smash-n-grab is promotion without really delivering the goods. Smash-n-grab is hasty and poorly planned. Smash-n-grab is running in, doing quick work, grabbing the loot, and running to the next city. I've been to smash-n-grab reunion shows before. The shows weren't fun.

While we're talking, I haven't read Steve Gorman's book. I DO disagree with his quote about the tour being "sad". To me, it doesn't sound sad that 50+ year olds want to tour behind a 30 year old album. Rather, I think it would be sad if they perform like a bunch of assholes. If they rock it out, and send souls a-singing, I have no problems. 

willbarclay said:

$700 , $500, $350 tickets are all part of the different VIP offerings. If you want a $70 - $100 ticket im sure you can get one.

The lineup is what it is. We can beat this thing to death or accept it.

Marc Ford is the best guitar player they had and everyone wishes he was a part of this, but he is burnt out on touring.

So between that and Steve putting the book out what can they really do anyway. Hire some good musicians to join and rock this bad boy out.

Tickets for the front sections were $140 before they jumped to $180 after about 20 minutes. Right now $85 gets me the last section of seats before the lawn. That's a hard pass. "In the door" is a much different concept in a theater vs a shed.

willbarclay said:

Meh, $150-$200 range does not shock me anymore for a good show.
$250 Canadian last year for Phish. It’s worth it to me anyway.

I can totally get why someone else would pay that for these Crowes shows. Was only responding to the idea that the book is what's keeping people away.

willbarclay said:

$700 , $500, $350 tickets are all part of the different VIP offerings. If you want a $70 - $100 ticket im sure you can get one.

The lineup is what it is. We can beat this thing to death or accept it.

Marc Ford is the best guitar player they had and everyone wishes he was a part of this, but he is burnt out on touring.

So between that and Steve putting the book out what can they really do anyway. Hire some good musicians to join and rock this bad boy out.

my buddy is going to the show in minnie. he paid $34 for his ticket in the lower bowl, near the back. sounds pretty good to me. and he's already there for Green Day/Weezer a couple days before or after, so win/win for him.