DeRogatis hits Smashing Pumpkins over Ticketmaster presale
October 6th, 2008 by jjbtags: jim derogatis, business, tour, criticism
Chicago Sun-Times music critic Jim DeRogatis blogs today:
Tickets for the four reconstituted Pumpkins shows in November go on sale to the masses at 10 a.m. on Oct. 13 — prices $50 to $54, with nearly $15 in tacked-on fees — through the egregious Ticketmaster. (Remember when Billy Corgan tried to control his own ticket sales? Those days are gone.)
There is, however, some sort of privileged American Express cred-card holder presale already underway on Ticketmaster, which means you can buy your tickets now if you happen to have that piece of plastic in your pocket. (There were no details about that from the band or the promoters; I just stumbled upon it.)
Ticketmaster.com has a page describing its promotions with American Express:
Through American Express “Early On Sale” offers for select shows, you’ll be able to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public! …
Some past American Express Early On Sales include:
The Rolling Stones
- The Who
- Roger Waters
- Genesis
- Wicked
- Barbra Streisand
- Eric Clapton
- Christina Aguilera
- Aerosmith
- Rod Stewart
- Celine Dion
- Barry Manilow
- Pirate Queen
- The U.S. Open
- Mariah Carey
- Tom Petty
- Mamma Mia!
- Los Angeles Kings
- New York Knicks
- Radio City
- Christmas Spectacular
October 6th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
I’m focused on the blog’s title “Pumpkins tickets on sale October 13 (except for rich people)” or something like that. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think you have to be rich in order to have an AmEx card.
October 6th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I get the whole point of “I’m DeRogatis, I’m anti-business in everything. I’m DIY!” but really, the Pumpkins are a big band and a lot of bigger bands do stuff like this.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:14 am
You know what– this is some BULLSHIT with this Amex presale. I was looking for tickets last night with a presale password and found some 3rd row off center seats.. and i couldnt buy them because i dont have an Amex. now i have access to a friends amex and low and behold, those types of tickets are gone and now on sale at http://www.ticketsnow.com/InventoryBrowse/TicketList.aspx?PID=726212 for $400 a piece for the same type of seats.
What the hell! FIrst its Amex, then its VIP seating. what about the fans who have been diehard, sleep 36 hours in a van in front of metro to be first in line, come from different countries to see– and we cant get it because we dont have a fucking Amex. what the fuck. this is so ridiculous. And why is this ticketsnow website, a ticketmaster comapny, reselling the tickets for over $300 each?! wahtthehell.
im really disappointed with SP in allowing this to happen.
Can i go to box office of auditorium theatre and buy with amex presale? or is it ticketmaster only?? WHY is this allowed? GOD
October 12th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
There was a Q101 club presale for FREE and a Chicago Theatre presale for FREE also at the same time. All you needed was to be on their little mailing lists and they gave you passwords. I found decent seats on it them, but decided to hold out for the 2-night dealies going on sale Monday.
Jim seems nostalgic now about Billy trying to control ticket prices in the past, but I don’t recall him ever giving Billy brownie points at the time for doing so, nor for controlling the price of Mellon Collie, nor for charity shows, etc.