I've always been a T.W. fan. So I was reading the paper yesterday, and he's coming to town to play at the AL Theater (great venue). Tickets go on sale next Sat. So I'm excited. He's so obscure, I figure tickets ought to be easy to obtain.

I could probably ask 100 people off the streets, and maybe, maybe 3 would know who Tom Waits is.

So I keep reading, tickets are $87.50 each + Ticketmaster fees, and Ticketmaster is limiting it to 2 tickets per HH/address/credit card.

Unbelievable.

For much less than half that, at the same venue, I've seen BB King, Lyle Lovett, Bonnie Raitt, and a bunch of others. And they didn't care whether I bought 1 ticket or 50.

Guess I won't be going to see T.W.

JD

I had the opportunity to see him in Chicago a couple years ago. A buddy had managed to buy quite a few tickets through an inside source, but with all the fees and service charges it would have cost over $100 for a ticket. Ridiculous.

While not exactly in the TW mode, here's a nice version of one his better songs IMHO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygit2kwnQSw

Regardless of the costs, and granted they are high, there likely will not be that many more chances to see Tom Waits perform live. But I could not afford those either.

I've always been a T.W. fan. So I was reading the paper yesterday, and he's coming to town to play at the AL Theater (great venue). Tickets go on sale next Sat. So I'm excited. He's so obscure, I figure tickets ought to be easy to obtain.

I could probably ask 100 people off the streets, and maybe, maybe 3 would know who Tom Waits is.

So I keep reading, tickets are $87.50 each + Ticketmaster fees, and Ticketmaster is limiting it to 2 tickets per HH/address/credit card.

Unbelievable.

For much less than half that, at the same venue, I've seen BB King, Lyle Lovett, Bonnie Raitt, and a bunch of others. And they didn't care whether I bought 1 ticket or 50.

Guess I won't be going to see T.W.

JD


That sucks..I would'nt mind seeing him at the Alabama Theatre also but at those prices forget it.

Un-ass your wallet, son.

A lot of money, true.

But we spend 90 bucks these days to fill up the tank and we just about spend that to take the wife to dinner at Outback. So if you really like Tom and this is a rare local concert - think about finding a way to make it work.

Note, the federal economic stimulus checks should be in the mail soon for many of us. Live music - not a bad way to spend some of that money.

Cheers, Snade

JD,

If you like Tom Waits and the above mentioned artists you should do yourself a huge favor and listen to some Tom Jans. His album Eyes of a Only Child is great later piece of work.

He died young and many of the artist you mentioned and a whole bunch of other well known singers coverd his songs. The song Whistle Down the Wind by Tom Waits was a tribute to Tom Jans.

http://www.tomjans.com/champion.htm


...and go see Tom Waits!

Well, I know who he is, but I haven't listened to anything of his in a while. Just finished some of the songs you can find on YouTube.

Jeff, I'd go.:yes:

Hey JD,

Don't miss out on that show. I saw him during the Mule Variations and I even bought my wife a ticket-she NEVER goes to concerts. The deal was I would call her a cab if she wanted to leave...And she thought it was amazing too! I think she loved the theatrical side of TW but damn, that was one heck of a show. I was surprised to see that there are a lot of underground TW fans and it sold out here in Toronto too. Tix were $100 a piece, but I guess that's entertainment..

Go.
I saw him last year with Kronos Quartet and they were amazing. IT was one of those memorable concert experiences where one gets drawn into the performance and everything around you dissolves.
Tom Waits fans are rabid, and since he rarely tours, I bet this show will sell out FAST.
Eat Peanut butter and Jelly sandwhiches for a few days to save money for this show. You will not be disappointed.

Go.
I saw him last year with Kronos Quartet and they were amazing. IT was one of those memorable concert experiences where one gets drawn into the performance and everything around you dissolves.
Tom Waits fans are rabid, and since he rarely tours, I bet this show will sell out FAST.
Eat Peanut butter and Jelly sandwhiches for a few days to save money for this show. You will not be disappointed.


I agree with that. I saw him a few years ago and if he was coming just a little bit closer to me I would definitley go. Closest to me is St. Louis. Gas and lodging would really crank up the cost. If it were in my city though, I wouldn't miss it.

It's going to be a cold day in *$%@ before I pay about a $100 to see a single performer. I'm sure that means I won't be seeing quite a few people but ya' know I see lots of good performers for less than $30 in good venues.

Watch out:Tentoze may tell you to "Un-ass your wallet, son".

The jury (mine own that is) is still out on Tom Waits. He is interesting to say the least and he is a great songwriter. His singing is very esoteric and I reckon he is one of those "acquired tastes" that pay dividends once you get it.

Mr. Waits is one of the very few artists I would spend that kind of change to see. In this case, I'd do it in a heartbeat! I'm hoping he expands the tour to hit my area, but I'm not holding my breath...

I would pay if only he was coming anywhere near the bay area. 100 bucks and 10 hours drive I will not do

...I saw him last year with Kronos Quartet and they were amazing...

Now THAT is a very odd pairing, at least to my way of thinking!

Now THAT is a very odd pairing, at least to my way of thinking!

I have a bootleg from a few years ago of them performing together that is very, very fine- well, not the sound quality, but the performance anyway.

Kronos quartet is a perfecto pairing to Tom Waits, in my opinion. Indeedy a double bill I'd have loved to have seen.

The last time Tom Waits toured it was around this price. Same for another favorite of mine, Nick Cave.

I missed both shows, and in retrospect, I'm sorry I did. One can catch a lot of local acts for $4 to $7 dollar covers, a few hipster shows for $10 to $25, and a lot of mediocre artists for $25 and up.

But true singer songwriters of this magnitude are hard to come by, unless you got a shovel to dig up Townes Van Zandt, or a time machine to go back and catch Springsteen when he recorded "Nebraska".

I have seen Tom twice, at the Power Center in Ann arbor and at the Music Hall in Detroit, both were very memorable shows. I would not hesitate to pay $87 to see him again.

Guess I won't be going to see T.W.

JD

Well, Jack Benny, I got an email from one of my twins last night that a show in Jax had just been added for 7/1. Tickets on sale this AM, and we're getting some.

Who's Tom Waits?

(as I sit and listen to "Alice")

Well, Jack Benny, I got an email from one of my twins last night that a show in Jax had just been added for 7/1. Tickets on sale this AM, and we're getting some.


:lmao::lmao::lmao:

I heard some where that the ticket sales were being limited to two per person, any one else hear about this?

:lmao::lmao::lmao:

I heard some where that the ticket sales were being limited to two per person, any one else hear about this?

That's what it says on Ticketmaster.

Well, Jack Benny, I got an email from one of my twins last night that a show in Jax had just been added for 7/1. Tickets on sale this AM, and we're getting some.

Well, while your at Ticketmaster, just order me up a pair for the Birmingham show. I'll call it true Audio "Karma".

Well, while your at Ticketmaster, just order me up a pair for the Birmingham show. I'll call it true Audio "Karma".

I tried, but there's some sort of skinflint filter that rejected your name.

Personally I'm not hung up on the ticket price... yeh, it's high and a limited market and small seating venues are just going to drive the prices to a (supply and demand) ridiculousness. I would love to see Tom live before one of us slips this mortal coil. This guy just knocks me out with his beautiful music. I need a ticket to 6/28 Columbus, Ohio show and I just don't really care what it costs, enough said.

Happy Listening! :beatnik:

So, just to follow up...

Turns out I found a “buy it now” ticket on ebay for the face value and I grabbed it. Just got back in town and it was worth every penny. Tom was a mad man! He came out growling, kicking, and stomping. What a mind blower! This was my first time and what a show it was. Turns out though I had to do a little last minute scrambling to find cheap airlines fairs and all as Birmingham Alabama is a long way from Detroit, but again, It was the cats ass! For those of you who have seen him, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Some of the local folks even turned me on to a little bit of that great southern hospitality and directed me to a little gem of a record store in town called Charlemagne records. It was one of those great old record stores with bins full of old stuff and a listening couch plopped right in the middle of the place and indian rugs all over the floors for some relaxed (not necessarily easy) listening. The people were very nice as well.

Happy (Diamonds on my Wind Shield) Listening! :beatnik:

So, just to follow up...

Turns out I found a “buy it now” ticket on ebay for the face value and I grabbed it. Just got back in town and it was worth every penny. Tom was a mad man! He came out growling, kicking, and stomping. What a mind blower! This was my first time and what a show it was. Turns out though I had to do a little last minute scrambling to find cheap airlines fairs and all as Birmingham Alabama is a long way from Detroit, but again, It was the cats ass! For those of you who have seen him, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Some of the local folks even turned me on to a little bit of that great southern hospitality and directed me to a little gem of a record store in town called Charlemagne records. It was one of those great old record stores with bins full of old stuff and a listening couch plopped right in the middle of the place and indian rugs all over the floors for some relaxed (not necessarily easy) listening. The people were very nice as well.

Happy (Diamonds on my Wind Shield) Listening! :beatnik:

Good for you! Absolutely phenomenal show on Tuesday in JAX.

Do it. Hell I paid $125 each for 2 tickets to see Elton, 2 years ago. And draft beer was $6.75.

It's going to be a cold day in *$%@ before I pay about a $100 to see a single performer. I'm sure that means I won't be seeing quite a few people but ya' know I see lots of good performers for less than $30 in good venues.
no offense friend but if I'm going to pay 100.00 for a ticket I want it to be a show and that's what it is. His shows also have a theatre kind of feel,and he gets you feeling he's singing to you and no one else.:thmbsp:

It's going to be a cold day in *$%@ before I pay about a $100 to see a single performer. I'm sure that means I won't be seeing quite a few people but ya' know I see lots of good performers for less than $30 in good venues.
Well, that seems to be about the price of poker these days.

I just checked out tickets for the Marcus Amphitheater shows at Summerfest and Tom Petty and John Mayer were in the $90-95 range. I think the Allman Brothers are about $60 a ticket for our local outdoor venue here too. You gotta factor in the number of seats too, smaller venues with bigger stars probably will run more unless the performer cuts his fees. Then again, I wouldn't expect to see a guy like Tom Waits in a ballpark anytime soon either.

I guess it's not 1972 any more :dunno:

Here's the thing that made me jump... The ticket was about a hundie (yes) but the seat was in the Alabama Theatre which is one of those beautiful old palaces for music and the ticket was first row dress circle, just left of center. Check out this place...

http://www.alabamatheatre.com/AboutTheAlabama/TourtheAlabama/tabid/62/Default.aspx

I admit I'm a sucker for an beautiful old renue. See what you think. And to top it off I meet some great folks, found a nice old gem of a record store, and had some great BBQ. I ask you, what beats that?!

Happy (theatre) Listening!

At those prices I'll remind myself by looking at the pictures I took of him in the 70s and listening to an album.

I've never listened to him until this thread and listened to him on the youtube and he sounds great. Love those type singers. I've got two of his LP's in my collection that I haven't cleaned yet that were put in the next to clean pile a couple days ago, so it won't be long until I get to preview those. They are "Small Change" and I just realized the other LP is John Wait . Not sure about him though as I don't know if I heard him either. You tube time again.

Damn, Rob, flyin' to AL for a show; now that's commitment!! :yes:

Oh, and a tidbit for those vinyl fans... talking with Tom's management before the show it sounds like they ARE putting together "Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards" in a seven to possibly nine 180 gram record set with book of course. Analog fans have not been forgotten on this latest release. It was explained to me that it just takes a long, long time for Mr. Waits to feel comfortable about putting such a thing together and doing it right. Emmmmmm! vinyl. Well, if so... Thank you Tom!

Happy Listening! :beatnik:

I saw Springsteen 6 times between 1976 and 1980. Top price $7.50. I saw him a few months back: $180. I've seen the Stones 3 or 4 times between 1976 and 1985, top price $20. Last year I paid $350. CRAZY prices. But for me, it was worth it. A night at the movies for my wife and I (with popcorn and soda) can easily be $50.