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Don' loot us, we are only the piano player's fans
Wednesday, May 23 2007

Stephan Heimbecher throws in his two cents about the cancellation of the European Red Piano Tour and other current Elton affairs.

Why am I not surprised about the Red Piano Tour in Europe being cancelled? Because I saw it coming!

First of all, how can you try to put something on the road that has been tailor-made for Las Vegas? You might as well move the whole Strip to Vatican City. It won't work!

And why does it always have to be those unique locations like the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin or Piazza de San Marco in Venice? It only generates additional logistical and technical problems as well as a surcharge on the ticket price.

Speaking of which, who can afford paying up to Euro 1,000 per person for a 90-minute show? One could even fly to Las Vegas for that same money and see the show in its original location. And anyway, who cares for a special shuttle service, 4 course pre-show dinner and a lounge at the after-show party?

It is the Elton show that people are interested to see and most people don't care about the destracting element of any of the so called unique locations (as the view will be blocked by the stage anyway) or the pseudo-VIP fuss before and after the actual event.

But the next thing I read is that "Elton will be performing a solo tour in unique locations in Australia, commencing in December 2007." So there we go again - unique locations! Where is it going to be this time? On top of Ayers Rock, in the outback or on a coral island in the Great Barrier Reef?

Just as a reminder: There are top concert venues in all parts of the world available to host any type of Elton John concert. It's not just Madison Square Garden in New York that is compatible. So why not make use of these concert halls, sports arenas or stadiums? They do exist everywhere and they provide for all the necessary technology and logistics in order to carry out a great show - with no extra costs that will always end up on the ticket price anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind a beautiful setting for an Elton John concert, but if the price we have to pay for that is a more complex journey to the location, poor accoustics, lack of food and other services and - in the case of open air events - Woodstock-like conditions in case of bad weather, plus the higher ticket costs, then I don't care.

We also take the risk of short-term cancellations like just now. Sure, I will get my money back for the ticket, but has anyone ever spent a thought on what else is involved for the die-hard fan: He probably took a few days off at work, payed for travel and accomodation and might not be reimbursed for these kind of expenses as he had to book them cheap (read: unflexible) as otherwise he couldn't afford it next to the outrages ticket prices.

I won't go as far as David in begging Elton to stop touring. But, Elton, I beg you to re-consider normal concert locations again as all we want is seeing and hearing you perform.

If you want to throw in your two cents in regard of this topic, post your comments at the Hercules Message Board.

Related News

  • Elton John to return to Australia
        Wednesday, May 23 2007 at 09:53:01

  • Elton cancels European "Red Piano" dates
        Tuesday, May 22 2007 at 14:39:14

  • David begs Elton: "Stop performing"
        Tuesday, May 22 2007 at 09:35:51


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