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.
Reader Comments (11)
It doesn't have to cost an arm and leg for a kick ass festival with big bands though.
I'm going to the Stockholm, Sweden version of Sonisphere Festival in August - Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Anthrax, Slayer, Alice Cooper, Iggy & the Stooges and Heaven & Hell and the tickets are only 120 dollars.
Some people are only happy when they can complain. It's like this everywhere. Especially when it comes to festivals. Best thing is to ignore them.
Considering the uncertainty that Cinderella was going through over the last year or so, I am glad that I can have the opportunity to see them again.
I am very anxious to see The Scorpions. I have seen Cinderella a few times, and they are usually great. Kix owned the stage at M3. Warrant with Robert Mason on vocals was pretty kickass when I saw them last year.
I agree with JT's comment above about Vince doing a Motley Crue cover set (with most of Slaughter as his back up band). I still enjoyed it though. Who better to cover Motley Crue, than Motley Crue's front man. Now if we can only start up an M3 donation fund, so the festival promoters can buy a few teleprompters for Vince when he performs. After that we should be all good. =)
This line up is first rate and way heavier (meaning fuller of heavyweight first rate acts) than last years roster!
Hello?!