So, as some/many of you know the MGMT/Yeasayer show is sold out at the Cat backstage.
Many people did not know they could buy backstage tickets in advance
(see comments)
Many people are upset.
Many people emailed me today about how sad they are about the show being sold out.
Many people wondered WHY is this show not on mainstage?
So, I did what had to be done and
emailed Maegan at the Cat.
Basically something to the effect of:
We’ve been getting bursts of emails here at BYT about the MGMT/Yeasayer show (we’ve featured both bands extensively) being sold out backstage (I guess a lot of people were not aware that they may buy backstage tickets ahead of time).So, I am not sure what the logistics are, but if you were to consider moving that show to the mainstage, I think you’d do really well.
she emailed me back this as The Cat’s official statement
Thanks for writing and letting us know what’s happening over there at BYT in regards to the Yeasayer/MGMT show. We understand that this show, selling out the Backstage in advance as it did, would seem like a perfect opportunity for a last minute move to the Mainstage. In this case, we encouraged the bands to move this show upstairs. However, it was Yeasayer’s and MGMT’s decision to stay on the Backstage. In the end, we support their decision and believe it will be a great night.
For those who did not get tickets, remember that advance tickets are available for Backstage shows through Ticketmaster and here at the Black Cat’s own box office.
Thanks,
The Black Cat
Since we’re BFFs with Yeasayer and all, we emailed the band to confirm this info and they explained that moving to the mainstage is more expensive (more staff to pay, etc) and on such short notice they weren’t sure if they could sell enough tickets in time to cover the additional costs. I mean, it was about losing money, not just having to buy the medium-sized jacuzzi.
Judging from the comments and emails we’ve been getting, the posts on the 9:30 Club message board, and the facebook group to support the “moving to mainstage” cause: http://harvard.facebook.com/event.php?eid=19350380437, looks like a few more people want to see this show.
Whether there is still time to make the change is unknown, both bands and the Cat have to agree on it, but it wouldn’t hurt to say you’d like to go if you could.
Regardless, Yeasayer assures that they will be back very soon for another gig.
So that is that kids.
Say what you will.
That’s what the comments are there for.
People may listen.
yeah. i had no idea that this show was going to sell out. and, when i worked for tower, you could never get backstage tickets through ticketmaster. i don’t know when the change happened. also, how often does a band play letterman then only play the backstage like a week later?….
January 14, 2008 at 9:41 pmI had a group of 4 going til we saw the news online… I think they would cover expenses and then some if they move it, then they tell BYT and the masses line up. 500 kids there easily.
January 14, 2008 at 9:42 pmI’m going to a show every other night this week, so if they open the upstairs for this shit, what the fuck, I’ll probably go.
January 14, 2008 at 10:46 pmSomeone want me to record it on a cassette for them?
January 14, 2008 at 11:24 pmFine. Since Yeasayer won’t move to mainstage, I guess I’m going to Blonde Redhead, which should be fucking excellent and deserves a mention. They’re like a cross between Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine. Or something like that.
Hopefully Yeasayer will be back for a less silly gig, considering how much play they’ve been getting. Who are they kidding? I mean, Cale’s mom could sell out the backstage if they sold tickets on ticketmaster. Actually, I’ve never met Cale’s mom, but I’m sure she’d do a great job on Letterman, too. Better than I could, at least, with my Simon and Garfunkel covers.
N.
January 14, 2008 at 11:25 pmI think they should move to the mainstage…
although as a general rule,
I do not support supporting facebook groups.
I really would appreciate it being moved to the mainstage, but if they’re going to lose a bunch of money, I guess I’ll have to deal. But I think they would definitely sell enough tickets. Like, for sure.
January 15, 2008 at 9:24 amMGMT = hotness
January 15, 2008 at 9:37 amif the fans don’t make the band want to put up the extra effort to please the people, that says a lot
if the band spent an ounce of their time on what they call “short notice” to count up how many people really want to see them live, posting everywhere aforementioned, they’d see it would be worth it to try to make the mainstage work
even just to get the press that this band would do anything for their fans, and prove it
for now, they’re not and it shows
in this case, not all press is good press for these guys
i really don’t care in this case b/c i haven’t heard any of their music, either band, seriously, just haven’t had the time
instead, i will be seeing Frank the Magician’s 9 pm show at Palace of Wonders, before stopping by Blonde Redhead, should be a nice night
neither are sold out, enough elbow room to say hi to your neighbor, raise a glass and shake that ass
Yeah, I know a dozen or so people who didn’t get tickets to this one but wanted to go. Posted about this elsewhere:
http://theamericanscene.com/2008/01/13/say-yea
January 15, 2008 at 9:42 am[...] Brightest Young Things explains the situation. [...]
January 15, 2008 at 10:56 amAm I the only person alive who thinks it’s great that this is at the backstage? Smaller, intimate shows in DC have become a rarity – and this makes the show a treat for those who planned ahead and got tickets in advance (not me). Kudos to MGMT for holding true to small, intimate and more meaningful over selling out for the upstairs.
January 15, 2008 at 10:56 amlet me just preface this by saying i love the cat backstage
BUT
out/oversold backstage shows are too crowded, there is no proper ventilation, the sound is inferior to mainstage and IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE to get a good view if the show is packed.
its not intimacy. its a jungle.
having said that, i’ll still see them. anywhere.
January 15, 2008 at 11:08 amBen – this is not about MGMT wanting to play a smaller intimate venue, it’s about not wanting to lose money on the mainstage, get real. Plus, I still consider the mainstage of the Black Cat small enough to be considered intimate, and the extra bar, AC, better sound, higher stage, better lighting, and couches help too.
January 15, 2008 at 11:38 amThanks for covering this. A few friends of mine have also posted on our blogs, doing what we can.
Jess3: http://www.jess3.com/blog/2008/01/yeasayermanagement-show-in-dc-needs.html
Andre: http://mindofandre.wordpress.com/2008/01/15/sos-yeasayermanagement-show-in-dc-in-need-of-help/
Patrick: http://coteriemusicblog.wordpress.com/2008/01/15/yeasayermgmt-at-black-cat-116sold-out-perhaps-not/
January 15, 2008 at 11:51 amI know the upstairs of the Black Cat is smaller than a lot of big venues, but I think the chance to see these two bands in the backstage would be absolutely amazing.
Re: the money issue? I guess I don’t understand the financial ramifications of moving a band upstairs, and why it might cost the two groups money.
January 15, 2008 at 12:24 pmI was planning on going with 2 other people. We tried to buy tix on Friday, and were surprised to hear it was already sold out. I really hope they move the show to the Main stage. Sound is way better in there anyway…
January 15, 2008 at 12:31 pmThe sound backstage is awful.
January 15, 2008 at 12:39 pmCosts more for the Cat to have mainstage shows, hence the bands need to sell more tickets to make up for it. They didn’t think they could do this, probably cause the last time Yeasayer played the backstage there were 5 people there and then when they played the Hotel there were 10. This was pre-pitchfork review and nobody believed me that they were good at the time!
January 15, 2008 at 1:26 pmAnd because half the people did not read this when it was initially posted (maybe because of the problematic feature header? ) please note that we WORLD previewed their album, before the whole Pitchfork/Stereogum/Your mom even loves them craze:
enjoy:
http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/music/yeasayer-listening-party/
January 15, 2008 at 1:37 pmI don’t buy the financial argument at all, more people = more tickets (bands/Cat), booze (Cat), and merch (bands). If these bands sell out the backstage on Friday and the show’s on Wednesday, and most people buy tickets at the door for backstage shows, it seems like the good people at the black cat could’ve figured out that they could afford to move it upstairs. as a ron paul supporter, i believe this to be the work of the international jewish bankers/freemasons who control the world and committed 9/11.
I want my . . . I want my . . . I want my M-G-MT, you lords of tyranny!
Kids, Yeasayer was just here a couple of months ago! At the Cat’s backstage. Surely they will be back again soon. Or at least in Bmore. That being said, I’m kicking myself for putting off buying my ticket early. grrrrrrrrr.
January 15, 2008 at 2:20 pmchuck, read the entire thing. it wasn’t the cat’s decision to keep it downstairs; it was the bands’ decision.
January 15, 2008 at 2:34 pm[...] move to the larger confines upstairs to the main stage, as fans had proposed–a big issue on Brightest Young Things. But the band is trying to sked a new D.C. date in a couple of [...]
January 15, 2008 at 3:34 pmwtf i was really not ready for this one
January 15, 2008 at 3:44 pmyeasayer is pretty rad, but MGMT is the tipping point for most of my friends wanting to go. the momentum they’ve created over the past month has created this problem. it’s a good problem for them, but a bad one for the rest of us.
January 15, 2008 at 4:11 pmfull backstage = not possible to get a drink unless you go to Red Room = not being drunk = band will sound like shit because you’re sober.
January 15, 2008 at 4:29 pmSeems like they are in that growing phase where they have yet to be comfortable with their new found acclaim. “All Hour Cymbals” also made #16 on the UrbanOutfitter’s best albums of 2007. Show some cajones!
What are the economics of the mainstage, an extra $1K per show over the backstage?
> Cale Says:
Costs more for the Cat to have mainstage shows, hence the bands need to sell more tickets to make up for it. They didn’t think they could do this, probably cause the last time Yeasayer played the backstage there were 5 people there and then when they played the Hotel there were 10. This was pre-pitchfork review and nobody believed me that they were good at the time!
January 15, 2008 at 4:31 pmIf they don’t move is it going to affect peoples feelings of empowerment?
January 15, 2008 at 9:30 pm[...] DC music bloggers. In a demonstration of the growing power of bloggers to build buzz – and led by Brightest Young Things, they banded together this week to go from sold out show to a repeat performance at a bigger venue [...]
January 17, 2008 at 7:09 pm
My whole band (count us..5 people) were going to get there early and wait in line for tickets…but then we heard the bad news! Ugggh. When did the backstage start selling online anyway?!! This is totally news to us, since I have been told numerous times that only the main stage sells advance tickets when I’ve tried to get downstairs tickets for past events in advance. Needless to say we are bummed. This is definitely some marose $%#@! But I still love the cat. What to do? If anyone has some extra ones, please let me know (zionrb@yahoo.com).
Anyways, I think they could easily pack upstairs!–maybe even sell it out had they recognized the demand. word.
January 14, 2008 at 9:36 pm