Some international stadium rock-action coming to Shanghai!

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Rumours and supposition about Linkin Park’s much anticipated return to China can now be put to bed after tickets to an August 15 show in Shanghai were put on sale.

Linkin Park in 2009

You can book tickets at the Ticketmaster site HERE, but hurry – the eyebleed seats have already sold out.

Linkin Park have appeared in China once before, in November 2007.  You can read our review HERE.  The tickets were around the same prices as they are for this new show, anywhere between 150 and 1600 RMB.  Our view on these prices remains the same – tickets are insanely expensive for your average Chinese, but hey, a precedent is being set.  To sit on the floor of the stadium, you will have to pony up a minimum of US$115.  In front of the stage, a staggering US$250.  Even in the stands, the decent seats are US$70.

When we listened to Rob McDermott, LP’s manager, at Music Matters this year in Hong Kong, he made a point of highlighting the fact that Linkin were all about their fans, that tickets were always reasonably priced so the fans could always be close.  Why the big anomoly when it comes to China?  Why are Chinese kids expected to fork out so much more than in Switzerland (99 Swiss Francs flat ticket price (US$90)) or Germany (€62 flat ticket price (US$87))?

Honestly, it would seem logical to us that Linkin Park in China would be significantly cheaper than shows in developed countries.  We understand that there are high costs involved in putting on this kind of show in China – production, venue, freight and of course the artists fee are all significant – but the show is in an 80,000 capacity stadium, of which we’d imagine at least 50,000 tickets will be on sale.  That’s a massive potential gross and it seems to us that it would be better to get 50,000 people into the stadium at a 300RMB ticket price rather than 20,000 at the 600RMB average.  It will be interesting to see whether Linkin Park can still pull a decent crowd after the incredible (20,000+) turnout of their 2007 show.  We hope to God that the production is better too…

If you want more crazily prices stadium madness, you can check out the German Goth band Lacrimosa, who sold out two 1,000 capacity venues (Beijing/ Shanghai) in 2007.  They will be taking a massive step up to the 15,000 odd capacity Luwan stadium on August 2 for the not inconsiderable sums of 180-800RMB.

Finally, if you want evidence of how far international artists have to go to compete with the domestic fare, the band that were due to share a bill with Linkin Park in 2008, Mayday, sold out two nights at Hongkou Stadium this weekend.  Tickets were 150-1355RMB, and close to 60,000 tickets must have been sold.  Ticketmaster and Livenation must be looking at those numbers with a hungry gaze…

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  • Jane Maxine

    I HATE Ticketmaster.

    They have made going to concerts in the UK and US nearly impossible by doubling ticket prices over the last 10 years. A $40 ticket is made available for roughly $76 via the Ticketmaster website.

    They over charge everyone on “service fees” or “convenience” fees.

    The worst thing to possibly happen in the music industry would be if Ticketmaster and Live Nation do this merger.

    Complete monopoly of greedy morons.

    Failing to get permits also indicates that the new management for Ticketmaster China have no idea on how to do business in China.

  • JCiao

    Canceled again??!! Oh gee!!

    It’s like ur kept getting excited about any great concerts news but the same time got punched right in the face, whats that for seriously?? So over and over again…

    Getting permits for Linkin Park aint that hard is it? They aint no PCD’s reason.

    Great Ticketmaster China new team, lets see who comes next of international artist here, finger crossed!

  • http://us_asians.tripod.com/music.html Jeff

    Does anybody have any additional written confirmation that Linkin Park’s Shanghai concert on August 15, 2009 is cancelled? I couldn’t find any confirmation on the Internet and a U.S.-based company representative is adamant that the concerts are on, plus there is another concert in Beijing before the group goes to Macau.

  • http://shanghaiist.com/profile/shang_newby Jake

    I’m not sure it has been cancelled. They band and Ticketmaster are still advertising it on their websites and when I called Ticketmaster they said it definitely hadn’t been cancelled…

  • Volcano

    ummm..OK, of course it’s cancelled…are you surprised? Let’s clear something up about the 2007′s Minutes to Midnight “Chinese production” once and for all….

    Yes it was a huge 1970′s looking scaffold type stage….that is what existed in the market at that time….still does guys and gals! Dare someone to spend millions to get a real one here and then recieve little or no money per show depending on who you are working with……Great business, come one, come all!

    That 2007 show was Linkin Park’s full show and lighting –just like everywhere else…exactly same show Australia, USA and such countries ALL saw that year….Santa Claus showed me the rider…..yep…it was all there in it’s glory!

    Sound? There was plenty system (maximum amount of A-level line array speakers that can be hung on that assembly….fourty SB1000 subs….enough to rumble yur bottom little boys and girls….and there WERE delay stacks….someone here is blind….sound engineer turned them off at sound check thinking he didn’t need ‘em….or didn’t like the Swirling sound you get in an empty stadium while trying to play with the tuning of the system …..yep, the mix was not that loud…comfortable at 50meters, sounded like the album at the board…BUT….bye bye clarity after that…..

    Oh…..finances and mafan of doing a major show here? Not even gonna start……..

    So….stick a sock in it if you really don’t know what you are talking about….buy your overpriced nose bleed ticket, bring some binoculars and your favorate long lense camera (crotch it of course…everyone appearantly does, and try to see what the problems really are later on before you show your ignorance at fine websites such as this one…….

    WE are all still here in China about 20 years too early…..support what there is for now…..lots of great gigs happening on the mid level where you can put your face right in the stacks for a couple hundred kuai at most…….

  • admin

    Thanks for clearing that one up, Mr. Volcano. We agree with most of what you are saying here, especially the “20 years too early” line – perhaps 10, but we get what you are saying. And sure, there is lots of stuff going on at lower levels that we are all supporting, and let’s face it, that is where this scene is really going to grow from – BUT: The top of the market is already mostly mature and settled. As we said in the article above, the Mayday concerts (and the many other Greater China artist shows) prove that there is a business model and one that looks (at least from the outside) as if it works pretty well.

    Quite honestly, the only negative concepts that we are pushing here are the fact that artist and promoter are conspiring to do Western music a disservice with these high priced and underproduced stadium shows here in China. If you are going to charge these prices, then the show has to be worthwhile. There were two TINY, backprojected screens the likes of which we haven’t seen in the West for YEARS (and couldn’t be seen well frm anywhere), we only counted 6 boxes a side, and whether or not delay stacks were there, they weren’t on and the sound was terrible from anywhere but the very front. This is unacceptable, honestly for the prices and the expectations for the show.

    Thanks for your comments anyway.

  • teddy

    I have it on good authority the show in Shanghai is going ahead. Apparently not with their usual production which CAN be supplied in China but the promoter doesn’t want to cough up the $$$ to do it properly and satisfy the bands rider therefore substitutions are being made.

  • http://us_asians.tripod.com/music.html Jeff

    Volcanoon
    Did you have a chance to see Linkin Park’s 2007 shows outside of the U.S. and China to accurately report your assessment? It is noteworthy that with a band of the popularity of Linkin Park, they are usually bringing their own production with them at most places.

    sound engineer turned them off at sound check
    ***
    Since Linkin Park brings their own sound engineers to work on equipment that meets their rider, can’t blame the promoter for this.

    fine websites such as this one…….
    **
    I agree

    Noting that you give the impression that you work in the music industry, what financial and creative parameters would you offer?

    China Music Radar:
    artist and promoter are conspiring to do Western music a disservice with these high priced and underproduced stadium shows here in China.
    ***
    Agree. With the high-profiled bands such as Linkin Park, they do have a great deal of say of how the production values, since it is included within their production rider?

    This is unacceptable, honestly for the prices and the expectations for the show.
    ***
    Since the promoter is the same, fair warning should be given by your website of “buyer beware.” Sadly, this is a common tale of promoters – especially Chinese promoters where the performing groups allow them to sacrifice the quality of the shows to make much more than a buck. Just like in Live Aid where there were (generally) well-produced stadium shows, Shanghia just got a temporary stage in front of the Pearl Tower where all the artists (outside of Sarah Brightman) played to tracks. Where a Jay Chou show at USC’s Galen Center (in the Unted States) had the production values below expected standards.

    Does anybody know how the prices and production values of the Shanghai concert compares with the Macau concert (day after) and the concerts in Japan?

    Does anybody know how ticket sales are doing? In talking with a company (Brand-In Entertainment) that is involved with the Linkin Park concerts with their p.r. and working with the sponsors, they say that the concert is on. Of course, this person also said that Linkin Park is performing in Beijing?!?!

    SIDE COMMENT:
    How does one post here via one’s Blackberry. When I attempt to do this, it states that I am hiding behind a proxy?!?! I don’t even know what that means since I am attempting to post from by Blackberry?!?! Help.

  • admin

    Hi Jeff

    Great post. Thanks for your participation in this debate.

    We did do a survey of all the LP shows this summer. The majority are festival appearances, so for most, it isn’t possible to arrive at a transparent ticket price.

    We have no idea how ticket sales are going, but we have seen very little promotion so far – with a show in under a month, we would have expected to see more. Perhaps in August we will see nothing but…

    We are also pretty sure that there will NOT be a Beijing show.

    Finally, no idea about the Blackberry issue. Sorry!

  • jeff

    Thanks for the reply.

    It is interesting that there is no promotion for Linkin Park’s August 15, 2009 concert. This is an interesting development because Brand In Entertainment (http://www.brand-inentertainment.com) states that they are doing the online promotion in conjunction with the sponsors of the concert.

    Being that I’m presently in the U.S., do you see any evidence of this? Despite having reviewed various media sources, I cannot find who are the sponsors of the August 15, 2009 concert, can you help me?

    Given that Linkin Park’s 2007 promoter was Emma, with the results being unsatisfactorily, could you share why they are using the same promoters – as oppose to using other options such as SMG, Azio and/or others that are looking to bring American acts to China?

    Re: Blackberry Problems
    I visited the WP-SpamFree Website and they shared that I should contact you and/or have your help in allowing my posts via Blackberry be a successful reality. Help

  • volcano

    Hi again,

    Let me first say that I love this site…best thing around for this kinda stuff. I forgot to look at replies for awhile so forgive the late response.

    Everything aside from “tiny back projected screens” to little delays that were off…..ok?……some budget considerations, some were artist decisions…., two big LED screens such as C. Dions will cost ya well, well over 500,000 RMB alone!…..that is crap….yes! yes! yes!

    hmmmm…twat can I say…..Oh yes……

    These big shows CANNOT go ahead like we are used to in the West without massive and I mean massive sponsorship…….

    What perameters can I offer? OK…….

    Sponsorships times 10 boys and girls….it’s the only way at this size

    Bands must come into this place at a discount or you are going to buy expensive tix to look at little screens….

    Oh….the promotors are still losing money…hmmmm…what else…

    Oh, in the West, there are massive delay towers ?…..someone fuckin build some please!…and are carrying their own stuff….ever heard of buying in bulk ………
    or you get stacks on the ground….if those were on at 2007, there would have at least been some more clarity…all they need to do is add definition….what? you want it to sound like the front rows?….Sorry…wrong planet buddies…..

    Oh, you counted wrong…there were 2 main hangs of 16 Vdosc per side and at the stage blowing to the sides….even more…..jeez…ya want pictures?……..48 Vdosc speaker in total at the stage….dont blame the sound equipment on this one…..this is a good size system…shatter your underpants if you wanted…..

    Rental prices are very high here for foreign gear….go look up the import tax…look up the price of each pc of gear….then figure these poor guys want at least 2% of that price back per show…..yeah…get yur calculator…..

    I could go on and on but it may just be in vein…..

    I am pretty bored of explaining to club people and the rest that think working these things here is easy and someone is being cheated….YOU AND I MOVED HERE AND TOO BAD FOR US for now

    One more….the big Tawain and HK band coming here have MASSIVE sponsorships….these guys don’t say “I don’t like that beer or hairspray or whatever” and just take the money……no wonder they are easier to do financially…..

    I wish I could just publish the math…..don’t believe me?….Oh well……..some of us do care about the health of this industry and are still trying even with the punches being thrown…..hehehehe….see ya at the next one ;-)

    Also…. Way to go all the grass roots promoters trying to do something for music’s sake….we all love you!

  • admin

    Go Volcano Go!

    And PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE publish the Math. We wouldn’t tell anyone…..

  • Jeff

    two big LED screens such as C. Dions will cost ya well, well over 500,000 RMB
    ***
    It is interesting noting Jackie Cheung’s last major tour had an extensive tech rider that was clearly evident at the concerts. With the past success of Hunan TV’s “Super Girl” Competition bringing great viewership and sponsors, it would seem that sponsor monies are out there – though admittedly harder during these economic times.

    These big shows CANNOT go ahead like we are used to in the West without massive and I mean massive sponsorship
    **
    It is interesting that “Brand In Entertainment” boast of bringing substantial amount of “secondary financing” of concerts through various product integregation and “new media” marketing. Given the fast-growing number of successful Chinese internet companies seeking the demographics that attends a Linkin Park concert – the possibilities are available. Wouldn’t a sponsorship with an American company that has the money and desire to enter the Chinese markets be appropriate – like a company such as Google China, American Apparel, etc.?

    Bands must come into this place at a discount
    **
    Same equation with Chinese bands going to the United States

    in the West, there are massive delay towers ?…..someone fuckin build some please!…and are carrying their own stuff….ever heard of buying in bulk ………
    **
    When American music distributors start having offices in China/Asia, the prices will go down. Having attended the annual NAMM shows, there are many music companies from China who

    or you get stacks on the ground….if those were on at 2007, there would have at least been some more clarity…all they need to do is add definition….what? you want it to sound like the front rows?….Sorry…wrong planet buddies…..
    **
    Agree with your assessment. However, it is amazing what a good live sound engineer can do! Of course, this is assuming that the promoter is providing what the artist is requesting and/or providing appropriate substitutes.

    If Yamaha 5000 board, Meyer speakers, etc. are provided (along with a good live sound engineer), it should be a good concert experience throughout most of the venue.

    Way to go all the grass roots promoters trying to do something for music’s sake….we all love you!
    **
    I Agree

  • Jeff

    Since I haven’t seen much promotion for the Linkin Park concert, does anybody have the latest news on its status. Remembering Volcanoon’s words, I’m just checking the grapewine.

    China Music Radar – remembering your words on how there is a successful business models for Chinese artists, how can the fans still support promoters that provide less than optimum shows? How did the international acts allowed the concert promoters to provide the production equipment/backline that is not listed in their tech rider? Remembering the words of “teddyon” – why would Linkin Park even consider doing a show with a promoter than can meet the requirements of the tech rider?!?!?!

    Volcanoon – (remembering your comments of “Oh…..finances and mafan of doing a major show here? Not even gonna start……..”), I look forward to your actual and/or suggested model of how financially successful concerts featuring artists from the United States can be done in China. It obviously can be done throughout Europe, U.S., Asia/Japan, Middle East and other places throughout the world – why not in China?

    I noted your words “Oh….the promotors are still losing money…hmmmm…what else…” – why would these promoteres continuing doing shows and why can’t they get the proper sponsorships, like promoters throughout the world outside of China (ironic noting that Taiwanese and Hong Kong bands have major corporate sponsors)?

    I look forward to more info to your words “Sponsorships times 10 boys and girls….it’s the only way at this size.” Since your words “allude” to the fact that you are either a promoter and/or involved with concert production, I/we look forward to your input.

    China Music Radar and I are wondering if you (if you are a working promoter of stadium size venues – 8,000+ capacity) can publish the math – as per your previous comment.

    Wondering why “deep pockets” corporate entities such as SMG that have multiple options of creating income are not more involved with bringing international acts to Asia/Shanghai?

  • admin

    Hi Jeff

    The argument runs that this is China and they don’t know any better. What’s better – to have the band playing in the country and scaling back on production, or to wait until the maths makes sense?

    We believe that the strategy of Ticketmaster before the recent management shakeup was bizarre at best. A huge number of mistakes were made, and honestly they never looked like establishing a credible or enduring business model. These Linkin Park shows were (we imagine) a legacy of the old management team, so it is certainly too early to judge the future of that company in China.

    Whatever happens, there needs to be more attention by the big boys in building the knowledge/ audience here, and less on trying to graft a mature top end onto an extremely immature market. The bands should also be making accommodations in terms of their fees, which to be honest hasn’t been happening recently.

    To the future!

    The Radar

  • Jeff

    Radar (from “M.A.S.H” TV Program?!?!?!):

    Appreciate your comments.

    I acknowledge your argument that people in China don’t know any better. I respectfully submit that with audiences still purchasing these outrageously priced tix while filling up the venues, there is no need for the promoters to change their business model. Promoters will only change when concert-goers stop buying tickets to fill the stadium venues while demanding to see the groups in ALL its glory!

    What is your observation on how inadequate production values persists, assuming that artists such as Linkin Park, Stevie Wonder, Rolling Stones, Beyounce and others don’t tolerate inadequate production standards that affect the presentation of their music.

    It will be interesting in the near future when AEG will provide additional competition since they will be building/managing basketball-entertainment venues throughout China.

    With China’s fast-growing middle class that are more affluent than their parents, companies are looking at this demographics with great interest as a source of income.

    It is hard for international bands to be financially accommodating in “one out” concerts, hence a great need for a large promoter is needed to have the ability to amortize the costs over a series of concerts. American artists are always leaving the end of their respective tours open to perform in China because of the unpredictable nature of actual concerts successfully happening.

    Regards,
    Jeff

  • jeff

    Noting your words “The argument runs that this is China and they don’t know any better” – with the seemingly well-produced Linkin Park concert at their recent festival appearance in Istanbul Turkey at a festival where they performed for 2+ hours, can China actually be behind Turkey?!?!?!

  • Jeff

    Any word on Linkin Park’s concert.

    Look forward to China Radar’s observations on the promotion and production of the upcoming Linkin Park concert?

    Regards,

  • admin

    Hi Jeff

    Promotion has been thin on the ground. In fact, it only really begun at the beginning of August – 15 days is not a long time to sell out a large stadium, especially when you consider the LP no-show last year, and the cancellation of Oasis in April.

    We would imagine the lack of promotion has been because Ticketmaster were conscious of not selling tickets (or advertising) before licenses had been given. This is after one of the alleged reasons for the Oasis cancellation

    http://www.chinamusicradar.com/?p=297

    All will be revealed on the 15th!

  • davolcano

    Yes, Ticketmaster was BIZARRE……..and no longevity……

    Number 2- they seem to have big pockets but see what happened? Admin can fill ya in……

    Just like any other big company here in China, you have to pay to play for a while……

    For those of you who like the “Big Shows”, hopefully AEG can weather the environment….I’m pretty sure they will……Heard of Michael Jackson?……Still in the game….

    It takes lots of money and definately a few big hits in the gut as far as money goes to get in here……

    AEG is the last big one that is online……one smart thing is that they see this as long term so losses the first few years are expected…….

    That’s the only way you will see your Fav Pop Stars……Beyonce, Avril, and LP….yep, they are all in the same catagory….don’t get me started…..

    In the meantime, go to the medium or small size shows to show your support and fuck off if you scoff at 100 or 200 RMB tix ya cheap expats…..I regularly see “suits” scoffing at 50 rmb tix. Jeez…. I got a slap for a few people……

    Pitch in guys and girls!

    If you want to live the life in China, ya gotta chip in! 50 RMB is like 6$ per show, punk show prices in 1984…..

    I make sure I always buy my favorite nacho chips at the local friendship store….that way, they will continue to get ordered….

    Get my drift?

  • jeff

    Regarding AEG as a player, the answer is that they are a player. Regarding the O2 venue (where Michael Jackson was scheduled to play), they were very involved with the ownership, management, improvement and booking of the venue – MJ’s concerts was to promote the venue.

    With entertainment scene in China, since AEG is managing the Beijing venue while building 11 other NBA-style entertainment venues throughout China (as the result of a joint venture with NBA China and the Chinese government – visit http://usasians-articles2.tripod.com/tim-chen.html for more information), the losses are not as great as many would think – especially in the long run.

    I think that all of us would be interested in what artists/venues/events that “davolcano” supports – noting his rants.

    btw: What is the latest word on the promotion of Linkin Park’s concert in Shanghai?