Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 09:56PM My friend Sweet Lou asked me to pop this flyer up since the show is for a great cause: raising money to kick cancer's ass. Bang Tango, the Bulletboys and Chris Holmes will all play. If you're in or around Pittsburgh next week, check out this show. It's just $15 at the door at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 12:01AM Billboard just released their top 40 money makers in the music biz for the last year. Here is the top 10:
01. U2 - $108,601,283
02. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - $57,619,037
03. MADONNA - $47,237,774
04. AC/DC - $43,650,466
05. BRITNEY SPEARS - $38,885,267
06. PINK - $36,347,658
07. JONAS BROTHERS - $33,596,576
08. COLDPLAY - $27,326,562
09. KENNY CHESNEY - $26,581,141
10. METALLICA - $25,564,234
I'm not surprised by this list in the least. Touring always nets famous musicians of any genre a hefty payout. The only surprising fact at all is that U2 is so far ahead of their next competitor. I mean, good grief. I guess that's a good thing: Bono will have even more cash to donate to his charities.
The problem with the list above is that - at this point - every act is 'legacy.' By this I mean either longstanding in their genre such as Metallica or so hot like Pink that popularity is guaranteed for another decade no matter what. Sure, the music buying public is fickle but once you become so huge, your reputation can weather a lot of storms and you'll still earn mondo bucks regardless of new output or radio hits.
Pretty soon we'll be running out of long-standing legacy acts because they'll all be retired and then there won't be many (any?) stadium shows to speak of. Are there even any modern acts - besides Lady Gaga and Carrie Underwood - that could sell out a stadium right now? And I mean modern: as in, on the scene less than five years. I don't think so, but I hope I'm wrong. It's sort of like new rock bands never get a shot. When AC/DC and Aerosmith hang it up for good, the 80s bands we love will just roll up to the "classic band" status of touring and that pushes up the Nickelbacks of the world.
I just wonder if our new economy and ticket buying habits has changed touring forever? There's no chaotic need to rush online at a general on-sale to grab "great seats" when ticketing software doesn't work that way anyway. You can't camp out anymore and even if you are allowed to stand in lines at certain venues, being first doesn't guarantee front row. There's no real motivation to work for great tickets anymore. Sure, there's always bands on your "must see" list, but how often do shows sell-out these days? I saw AC/DC at a sold-out show and that was cool but I certainly didn't have any troubles getting tickets.
Thinking about the potential tours a decade from now makes me sad. No one can predict the future, but I can't imagine the live rock scene being fantastic then. Of course, I hope I'm wrong.
Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 12:14AM 
Basically the title of this entry says it all: Iron Maiden will announce a North American tour...and soon! Or, that's what some people in the know seem to think.
So how soon is the announcement? Like, this Thursday at 3pm ET.
This is the big one for me - I've still never seen Maiden live so I'm pretty excited about this. I wonder who they would take on the road with them? I find it interesting the Scorpions haven't announced their U.S. run yet...just sayin.' Maybe Heaven and Hell? Who knows, but it's fun to play the guessing game. Up the irons!
Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 12:01AM
It's been a long, cold winter for all of us and now it's time to focus on sun and fun. If you made a resolution to rock in 2010, get ready: Cabins for ShipRocked go on-sale at 12p-Noon Eastern on Wednesday, March 3rd. Prices start at only $499 per passenger, and we anticipate they will sell VERY fast. So don't delay in booking yours early!
ShipRocked 2010 sets sail from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida November 11-14, 2010, onboard the luxurious MSC Poesia. The cruise features two Bahamas port stops in both Nassau and the private island Coco Cay Bay. Cinderella, HAIL!, Broken Teeth, Lynam, the Niki Barr Band, The Letter Black and Pianotarium are all confirmed to perform. You do NOT want to miss this years cruise! So get your friends together and start preparing for the ultimate rock and roll vacation with a back-stage pass!
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 12:01AM Have you heard Vince Neil's new solo single yet? If not, there's no excuse! Grab "Tattoos & Tequila" free right now! I like the song - it's classic Vince. With him, you know what you're going to get: a party anthem. Let me know your thoughts on the track in the comments section.
Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 12:01AM 
Maybe it's an answer to the new direction Rocklahoma is taking or maybe not, but the promoters of San Antonio-based South Texas Rock Fest blasted out a Myspace bulletin last night that reads:
"SOUTH TEXAS ROCK FEST 2010! Updates coming soon! Get Ready To Rock! Glam Slam Thank You Ma'am!"
The festival is scheduled for May 28 and 29 - yes, that's the same weekend as Rocklahoma. Memorial Day weekend for us Americans. Hmmm....
Apparently this year's event will be all 80s bands. We'll see I suppose. We're getting into that three month mark of when festivals need to announce or they run the risk of losing major ticket sales.
Past acts include Saxon, Queensryche and Dangerous Toys.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 12:01AM I recently talked to Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater for a little article on the band's upcoming South American tour. This chat put me in a progressive sort of mood so I popped on a little Dream Theater. I know these guys are huge in their respective circle...but it doesn't seem like anyone here every mentions them in comments as a favorite band or live experience. I've never seen a Dream Theater show so I can't comment - but I'm assuming it's pretty awesome.
With that - some of my fave Dream Theater live clips.
"The Glass Prison"
"Metropolis"
