Open Letter: KROQ Edition

Dear KROQ,

Are you trying to prevent people from buying tickets to this year's Acoustic Christmas? That's the only possible explanation I can think of for the convoluted way in which you've handled the event.

First, there was the overblown buildup to the announcements of each night's line-up. Normally I would have been out right there, but the line-ups were so good that I begrudginly agreed to stand by for purchase information.

Next came the ruling that tickets would only be available to KROQ Street Team members. I seriously resent being forced to sign up for your marketing vehicle in order to spend my money on your event, but fine - I gritted my teeth and signed up to get spammed.

Then there was the interminable waiting for ticket information. Acoustic Christmas is this weekend, but on-sale information wasn't sent out until about twenty minutes ago. KROQ used to be above that type of false, unnecessary hype but not anymore, it seems.

At last, the ticket information. Great! Except for three little things:

1) The tickets go on sale at 5pm and 6pm tomorrow. When most adults are, you know, WORKING or driving home from working. Hardly a good time to be in front of a computer. But I guess it's ok since the server will no doubt get overloaded within 10 minutes and lock most people out anyway.

2) Then there's this little gem: Sales to this event will be restricted to residents of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties. Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties will be canceled without notice and refunds given. What? Why?

3) And finally: $187.00 a pair? Seriously?

So... I jumped through all of your freaking hoops only to be told that tickets will be outside my budget and go on sale at a time that I can't possibly hope to be in front of a computer to make my purchase (even if I could afford it). Awesome.

KROQ, WTF are you thinking?

No love,
Me

P.S. I'd also like to add an extra-special "Fuck you" to Ticketmaster for charging people $2.50 MORE for printing their tickets at home. Because somehow using my printer, and my ink, costs Ticketmaster more money? Right.

Comments

[Keith]

Not that I'm condoning *anything* that they're doing for this show... but I can kind of understand #2 -- they're trying to lock out ticket brokers and anyone from out-of-state who would try to buy tickets and then make a profit off them by immediately putting them up on StubHub or Craigslist. Not that people locally couldn't do that, but it makes it a little harder.

[bean]

there is no way we will ever be able to present a concert and put it on sale that will not draw controversy from some people. impossible. but we try.

keith is right. we restrict ticket sales to our listening area to try to stop out of town scalpers from getting those tickets. and of course we get criticized from kroq.com listeners in other parts of the world.

and if that ticket price sounds high, please compare it to any other high-end concerts on sale in 2007 and do a comparison of the price vs. the size of the acts on the bill. i defy you to find a better value.

and kroq makes no money off the concerts. we pay the costs to put on the concert and donate the rest to charity. details at kroq.com.

can't help you with ticketmaster. they do blow but the gibson ampitheater is a ticketmaster only venue.

good luck with the onsale. we certainly gave enough notice of when tickets go on sale that most fans will be able to plan ahead to try to buy them. is there a time you could suggest that is convenient to everyone?