Quit Complaining! You Just Got the Lineup You Wanted!
Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 12:01AM When M3 announced their full lineup yesterday, I was stoked. I've never seen the Scorpions and that was good enough for me. Throw in Kix, Cinderella and Vince Neil - and seriously - what else do you need? To my amazement, there were tons of negative comments on the official M3 Facebook, complaining about the quality of bands. Seriously?
I'm not sure who people want at these fests. It is simply not feasible to get AC/DC, Metallica, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi and Guns n' Roses to play one day back - to - back. Actually, let me rephrase that: it's possible, but you won't want to pay for it.
Bands with million+ guarantees rarely headline festivals - American events at least - because they don't have to and they are too expensive. Yes, Motley is a headline-level band, but for a massive fest, as evidenced by Rock on the Range last year. You're not going to get Motley, Guns n' Roses, the Scorps and Cinderella all in one day at a smaller, newer event. It's just not good business. Think of this: M3 is able to produce Scorps, Cinderella, Kix and Vince for a pretty reasonable rate. While we don't yet know ticketing costs, last year I think a pit ticket was something like $70. That is dirt cheap for over a dozen bands. These days, you pay that or more to see one headline act.
The good news is that we're in a free market and no one is forcing you to attend a festival with what you believe to be a sub par lineup. Vote with your money - that's the American way! Still, I don't really think it's fair to openly complain about a lineup that produces most of the bands 80s fans have been begging for the past three or four years. I eat, sleep and breathe glam. By now, you should get that I hear things: both credible and otherwise and beyond that, I listen. Not just to labels and bands but to fans. Who has everyone asked for at Rocklahoma repeatedly? The Scorpions and Cinderella. Well, now you've got them at M3. I guess I understand if you don't like some of the side stage bands, but the chances of getting a lineup where every band is a personal fave is just slim to none. For me, I'm staying positive and excited. I've got a lot of friends meeting me at M3 in June and I can't wait. Maybe I'll even interview the Scorpions. I mean, why not? I'd certainly rather be having an awesome time than complaining. End of rant.