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Post by roolacksreality on Apr 12, 2007 16:25:53 GMT -5
A Wall Street Journal reporter e-mailed me and sent me a PM today. I just spoke to him on the phone for about ten minutes about Bonnaroo and how it has changed over the past years.
Hi.
I'm a reporter with the Wall Street Journal, working on a story about music festivals. I found some of your postings on the Bonnaroo message boards and was hoping you might have some time to talk. I'm interested in how things have changed at Bonnaroo over the years. Let me know if/when I can give you a call. Thanks.
John Jurgensen The Wall Street Journal 200 Liberty St. New York, NY 10281 212.416.4443
I couldn't have been the only one who got this. Or was I?
This is the PM I got.
Hi,
Just following up on an email I sent to you...not sure if you got it or not. I'm a reporter with the Wall Street Journal, working on a story about music festivals. From some of your postings it seemed like you've been a little disappointed about how the lineups have changed over the years at Bonnaroo. Was wondering if you could tell me more about that. Either way, please get in touch today if possible (my story is running this weekend).
Post by roolacksreality on Apr 12, 2007 16:33:38 GMT -5
He wanted to know if I thought Bonnaroo is trying to be like Coachella Valley festival. He also asked if I was really unhappy with the lineup. I responded by telling him even though some of the core bands aren't there they are adding really great artists (I.E. Ornette Coleman, Rodrigo Y Gabriella, Manu Chao, etc.), and regardless of what happens everyone who goes will have an amazing time. I elaborated on how Bonnaroo isn't just the music, it is the great experience of just being there, too. I said that I thought there are too many indie acts, but I told him over and over again that it is JUST MY OPINION. I hope he doesn't try to use this stuff so he can make an article comparing the two fests and/ or trashing 'Roo. But the article is coming out on Saturday, I'll let you all know what happens.
Post by WestStainesMassive on Apr 12, 2007 18:20:13 GMT -5
haha. I have to read that paper for school and it sucks. If i saw an article about the Bonnaroo in the WSJ Id be really suprized and maybe actually do my school work. Ill keep an eye out for it.
I know it doesn't really have much to do with your situation but this thread just reminded me of this quote:
"You CANNOT make friends with the rock stars. That's what's important. If you're a rock journalist - first, you will never get paid much. But you will get free records from the record company. And they'll buy you drinks, you'll meet girls, they'll try to fly you places for free, offer you drugs... I know. It sounds great. But they are not your friends. These are people who want you to write sanctimonious stories about the genius of the rock stars, and they will ruin rock and roll and strangle everything we love about it." -Lester Bangs, Almost Famous
"Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man's original virtue. It is through disobedience and rebellion that progress has been made." Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Soul of Man Under Socialism
"You're either on the bus or off the bus." Ken Kesey
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
I'm a reporter with the Wall Street Journal, working on a story about music festivals. I saw a post of yours mentioning that you'd be going with your daughter to Bonnaroo. That's partly what my story is about--kids going to fests with their parents--and I was hoping I could hear more about your plans. Either way, please get in touch when you get this. Thanks!
I talked to him on the phone and so did my daughter. He said the story would be in this weekend's WSJ. I asked him to send me a copy and he said okey dokey. He was pleasant and seemed on the up and up. I guess that's part of being a reporter tho'. Being nicey nicey so you can get your story!
I've sent in my application to the Real World. So I'm hoping to hear back from that. I'm putting A LOT of my eggs into that basket, the MTV basket. I'm also thinking about getting a gun, and dealing crack. Being a crack dealer. Not like a mean crack dealer, but like... like a nice one. Kinda friendly like, "hey, what's up guys? Want some crack?"
Post by unplugdacusticaz on Apr 13, 2007 13:16:36 GMT -5
This surprises me that the WSJ is doing an article on Bonnaroo. Doesn't seem like their cup of tea. My roommate had a subscription to Wall Street last semester for a finance class he was in, so they were laying all over our house. I tried to pick it up and read it a couple of times, but I just coulndn't. I don't know what it is about that paper, it is impossible to read. Maybe it's the font.
When music festivals reach the world's most renowned financial newspaper, it makes me think that the festival is beginning to be more about the bottom line than the peaceful, easy, feelin'.
The article was in today’s paper. Here are some of the articles major points. These are quotes pulled directly from the article.
The VIP Rock Fest Once-gritty festivals woo grown-ups with perks; Sting -- and a hot shower By JOHN JURGENSEN April 14, 2007; Page P1, Wall Street Journal
- "Once havens for disaffected youth letting loose, music festivals are going after an older, wealthier crowd this summer with more mainstream acts, higher-priced tickets and a slate of VIP perks." -"Now they're working to expand further by attracting a broader audience. The strategy has some risk: Festivals could end up losing some of the gritty edge that made them a draw for young people in the first place. But organizers say that with up to three days worth of acts, they can hold on to their core fans -- and possibly attract their parents as well." -"Festival organizers say a roster of more familiar bands helps draw audiences with more spending power. "Bonnaroo has been accepted by a more mainstream world, and when you get that you attract people with more money," says Rick Farman, co-founder of Superfly Productions, which produces Bonnaroo with AC Entertainment. " Now going to Tennessee is not so much of a leap of faith."" -"Bonnaroo grossed $14.7 million last year, up from $13.4 million the year before, according to Pollstar, a trade publication that tracks the concert industry" -"Organizers say they're mindful of the risk of alienating their core audiences in the process of appealing to a more well-heeled crowd." -"We certainly don't want to do anything for the VIPs that would degrade the experience for the rest of the patrons, but we're always thinking about what services we could provide for those people who have the extra dollars in their pocket." - Farman
The concept of the article is the changes festivals are making to draw people with more spending power (I hate the use of "spending power" it just means more money). Basically by offering VIP products and services the festivals are able to retain their core audience as well as draw VIPs. After I first read the article I was kind of annoyed. I think I was annoyed because I didn't like hearing Bonnaroo talked about like it was just a bottom line business when to you and I it is much much more. I read it a second time and was less bothered because I realized Bonnaroo is what you make of it. If the festival can offer something to draw a different type of attendee then that’s cool with me. It doesn't change my experience.
I've sent in my application to the Real World. So I'm hoping to hear back from that. I'm putting A LOT of my eggs into that basket, the MTV basket. I'm also thinking about getting a gun, and dealing crack. Being a crack dealer. Not like a mean crack dealer, but like... like a nice one. Kinda friendly like, "hey, what's up guys? Want some crack?"
Maybe I'll throw myself to the dogs, but my back's not to the wall Maybe I'll lay some bricks for the man, but the days just aren't that long So if I settle back and chill will I see far enough to feel the angel's dream? I thought it was the Story of the World!
It doesn't bother me. Behind just about every major music gathering is a desire to make a profit. Without a possibility of profit, the organizers would dip out. If the organizers dip out, the festivals fade away. It's a 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' type thing. It sounds elementary, but I think folks forget about it. Also, for the record, I'm certainly not amongst the VIPers who are sporting a bunch of "spending power." I represent the VIPers who can pretend that credit card debt doesn't exist.