New trends in concert venues?
I was talking to BarryL yesterday about a few shows that are coming to town and the venue choices for these shows.
I've noticed a trend of bands no longer playing Toronto venues but instead choosing venues outside of the big city. For example, Alice Cooper is playing shows in three cities (in different directions) that are each about 45min - hour drive outside T.O. instead of one night at a larger venue in T.O. Great Big Sea (who have sold out 15,000 seat venues here) are doing the same thing. The Who are playing a large venue an hour away. This is becoming more common.
We were speculating that promoters are choosing these venues because they would be cheaper to rent. It used to be that bands lost money on tours to make it up on records sales. But nowadays bands don't make money on music sales, they make it on tours. So the bottom line on the cost of the tour becomes a much bigger issue.
Do any other RRers see this trend in their part of the world?