Sunday, September 6, 2009
Bumbershoot Lower Attendance at Bumbershoot This Year?
Posted by Eric Grandy on Sun, Sep 6, 2009 at 10:22 AM
I don't have any official numbers from yesterday, but I'm going to guess, just based on my own impressions (shorter lines, less crowded intersections, etc), that attendance is a little bit down for Bumbershoot this year. This could be for any number of reasons—the $50/day ticket in tough economic times, the line-up, or the shit weather. And if it's even partly the latter, it looks like today could be pretty bleak.
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2
as far as yesterday was concerned, it was a shitty lineup. i don't know a single person that went. there was nothing worth paying $50 to see.
3
I'd say the $50 a day turned me off. yeah, yeah, I know I should have bought in advance, but I don't work that way. It seems like just five years ago it was only $20-25 a day. Modest Mouse played a great set in 2003 on the mainstage, maybe I wasn't interested this year because I saw the same show already in 2003? Sheryl Crow, she's cute and kinda fun, but I wouldn't pay to see her.
It is pouring rain today. Maybe if it was sunny I'd go down and see if I could scalp an extra ticket, like I've done many years before, but I doubt it. Part of the fun of Bumbershoot is that it's the last summer holiday, but it sure doesn't look like summer out there out all. (Yes, I know that Bumbershoot means umbrella.)
It is pouring rain today. Maybe if it was sunny I'd go down and see if I could scalp an extra ticket, like I've done many years before, but I doubt it. Part of the fun of Bumbershoot is that it's the last summer holiday, but it sure doesn't look like summer out there out all. (Yes, I know that Bumbershoot means umbrella.)
4
Re, "or the shit weather. And if it's even partly the latter, it looks like today could be pretty bleak". "Bleak" meaning a small crowd Sunday? Then I'm all for bleak.
I think $50 is still a good deal, not in comparison to past Bshhots, but compared to concerts and festivals in general. Yeah, I think act quality might be down. For example, Old 97s again this year, and this year they're at the stadium instead of the Mural.
I think $50 is still a good deal, not in comparison to past Bshhots, but compared to concerts and festivals in general. Yeah, I think act quality might be down. For example, Old 97s again this year, and this year they're at the stadium instead of the Mural.
6
Crappy weather, long lines for comedy shows or any non-outdoor acts, and a stupid camera policy ("no detachable lenses"?) does not make one day worth $50. Once they wake up and realize that a tiny point-and-shoot camera can take HD video and high-quality photos that will steal the artists' soul just as much as a DSLR, maybe I'll come again.
7
I went last year and it was pretty great. But between the not-so-great lineup this year and funds being tight it's just not worth it. I'd love to see Modest Mouse and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but that's about it. The whole scramble for main stage and comedy passes is a drag.
8
Got shut (along with 80% of people in line) out of most of the comedy shows, which is most of why I went in the first place.
9
Also, be careful Eric. If something bad happens, anonymous commenters are going to accuse you of killing Bumbershoot.
11
The line up sucks this year.Fifty bucks isn't too bad if there is actually a decent line up all on one day.It seems they mix genres around so that people in to a certain type of music need go two or three days to see everything they like.
On top of that I refuse to waIt in line for an hour plus to see comics and that has gotten to be one of the bigger draws of the festival.Can't they figure out a bigger place for them to do the comedy or start an early bracelet pick up for them.Something has got to give there.I know a lot of stand up fans that don't bother and just wait to here about the "secret" shows the headliners end up doing around town this weekend.
This is the first time four years I've skipped it.Pick up your game Bumbershoot or you'll be loosing attendance again next next year.
On top of that I refuse to waIt in line for an hour plus to see comics and that has gotten to be one of the bigger draws of the festival.Can't they figure out a bigger place for them to do the comedy or start an early bracelet pick up for them.Something has got to give there.I know a lot of stand up fans that don't bother and just wait to here about the "secret" shows the headliners end up doing around town this weekend.
This is the first time four years I've skipped it.Pick up your game Bumbershoot or you'll be loosing attendance again next next year.
12
I remember when tickets were 8 dollars a day, and the lineups didn't suck. Too bad, I really want to go to posterstock and buy stuff.
13
Family came in for a wedding this weekend. I wanted to take the sister to the event but she wasn't too hot about the weather conditions yesterday either. On top of that, $50 is quite steep for a price point once you're taking more than one person to the show.
14
Let me boil this down a bit. $50 per day, which doesn't include the minimum $10 to park (i saw $20 at most) per day! Add on top of that the extraordinary high food prices from food venders. $6 for an elephant ear? It costs literally $0.30 to make! $5 for a 32oz watered-down ice-filled cup of lemonade. I thought Center House's prices would be decent so I took a look. WRONG. They had printed new prices off their ink jets and scotched tape them over the old prices. I get it's about supply and demand, but there is honestly no other place to eat without walking 5 blocks (the exception is the broad st McDonalds, which I am sure was packed and looking like a refugee camp).
It's too bad I wasn't able to enjoy Bumbershoot in the past when it was the poo. This is the first year I went and was more impressed by the local music scene than the headliners or out of towners. I had a photo press pass so I didn't have to stand in the huge lines or get passes, but after the 2nd time I would of been done with it all and not returned. Seattle Center in general is depressing. Also, memorial stadium is ran down and a stoic cinder-block monument of times past.Almost more than the now sonic-less Key Arena, which had me in angered fits at Mayor Fickels every time i walked by it. The battered "Fun Forest" game & carnival rides is desolate and so worn out. I know Seattle Center needs a renovation and they tried to piggy back on the Pike Place Levy on last years ballot, but I didn't realize how bad it was until now. Belltown & Fremont as more happening spots than Seattle Center, which is desolate every other time of the year besides BS & The Bite. Seattle needs to pick up the slack.
Also, I over heard that this is probably the last year that one reel will be involved since they are in financial trouble and looking for someone to take over next year. So expect some changes next year, IF some other corporation saves the festival.
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It's too bad I wasn't able to enjoy Bumbershoot in the past when it was the poo. This is the first year I went and was more impressed by the local music scene than the headliners or out of towners. I had a photo press pass so I didn't have to stand in the huge lines or get passes, but after the 2nd time I would of been done with it all and not returned. Seattle Center in general is depressing. Also, memorial stadium is ran down and a stoic cinder-block monument of times past.Almost more than the now sonic-less Key Arena, which had me in angered fits at Mayor Fickels every time i walked by it. The battered "Fun Forest" game & carnival rides is desolate and so worn out. I know Seattle Center needs a renovation and they tried to piggy back on the Pike Place Levy on last years ballot, but I didn't realize how bad it was until now. Belltown & Fremont as more happening spots than Seattle Center, which is desolate every other time of the year besides BS & The Bite. Seattle needs to pick up the slack.
Also, I over heard that this is probably the last year that one reel will be involved since they are in financial trouble and looking for someone to take over next year. So expect some changes next year, IF some other corporation saves the festival.
16
From the old man in the corner: "Save for going with the parents as a tot, on going with just the friends in 1992 we paid five or six dollars. The price would steadily increase a buck or so each year until I went last in 2000 when the advance was about $15. Bumbershoot took a cue from Coachella and Sasquatch (et al.) to conflate the price so significantly? I intended a boycott from the beginning due to this ridiculous entry fee for a running gag on Labor Day weekend. I always enjoyed putting down a few dollars for the opportunity to see a couple large acts, several small acts, and check out the literary booths and sit on the grass."
PS, The Stranger: Could you have sucked Bumbershoot's dick any harder in the pre-festival issue? Why only after the event are you addressing the $50 price tag and ho-hum line-up as prohibitions to attendance? Tucked into a blog no less.
PS, The Stranger: Could you have sucked Bumbershoot's dick any harder in the pre-festival issue? Why only after the event are you addressing the $50 price tag and ho-hum line-up as prohibitions to attendance? Tucked into a blog no less.
17
It's not just the $50 a day tickets, it's the fact that those tickets are up 25% from last year's $40, and the fact that in the last 5 years they've gone up 100%- 2004 tickets cost $25 day-of-festival. And no, the acts haven't gotten any better- Sheryl fucking Crowe? Seriously? Now, I understand that they used to underpay and mistreat the talent, but surely there is some middle ground. Someone should check One Reel's books to make sure they really are a non-profit.
18
It's a combination of price, poorer booking this year and the rain. Sunday morning tons of people were giving away Bumbershoot tickets on Craigslist and Facebook, I'm assuming that was because it was absolutely dumping outside.
@17 - One Reel is non-profit, it really costs a hell of a lot of money to rent that much of the Seattle Center and they pay a lot to talent. But, AEG (the mega-entertainment corporation with right wing ties that owns the two Showboxes and books WAMU Theater) was contracted to book the stadium. AEG brings in it's own shitty big artists, like Sheryl Crow this year and Stone Temple Pilots last year. I'm sure they do turn a healthy profit from what was once a non-profit festival. AEG is about the worst thing to happen to Bumbershoot and Seattle's music scene. Not surprisingly, once they wormed their way into town we saw ticket prices jump and booking get worse with every venue they are involved with.
@17 - One Reel is non-profit, it really costs a hell of a lot of money to rent that much of the Seattle Center and they pay a lot to talent. But, AEG (the mega-entertainment corporation with right wing ties that owns the two Showboxes and books WAMU Theater) was contracted to book the stadium. AEG brings in it's own shitty big artists, like Sheryl Crow this year and Stone Temple Pilots last year. I'm sure they do turn a healthy profit from what was once a non-profit festival. AEG is about the worst thing to happen to Bumbershoot and Seattle's music scene. Not surprisingly, once they wormed their way into town we saw ticket prices jump and booking get worse with every venue they are involved with.
19
@14- If you head towards the water from Seattle Center just a few blocks, cheap food is to be had at Pagliacci's and Dicks. And if you head east, you can get cheap beer/drinks at Funhouse like everyone else does. At least you know for next year or other events at the Seattle Center. The trick is to definitely support the cheaper and better businesses around the Center, rather than the overpriced beer gardens and vendors, the tourists and the bridge and tunnel crowd will keep them busy enough to profit greatly anyway.
20
I'm glad the depressing naysayers weren't there. My group had a great time, didn't miss you at all. If big crowds mean having you there, please skip it again next year. Besides, you would probably be the one talking constantly during a set or blowing your smoke in my face while I try to breathe the freash air. How about all you idiots complaining about the weather move to anywhere else. I loved the music, Seattle and Bumbershoot. $50 is nothing for about 6 shows and I didn't pay for parking, ate at Dick's and picked up a few minis at the liquor store. Appreciate all who helped put it together.
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