"American music industry source" blames Morrissey for Lollapalooza cancellation (HotPress report)
posted by davidt on Thursday June 24 2004, @08:00AM

Link to HotPress article from a post on the general discussion board by Almodis:

Excerpt:

One theory that's being put forward is that the festival has suffered as a result of the backlash against its co-headliner, Morrissey.

"Morrissey announcing that 'Bush should have died, not Reagan' at his Dublin Castle show hasn't gone down well with the media here," proffers an American music industry source.

"You can get away with a lot of things in the States, but wishing the President dead isn't one of them. It's hard enough selling concert tickets without magazines and radio stations refusing to give your star turn coverage."

 
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    "American music industry source" blames Morrissey for Lollapalooza cancellation (HotPress report) | Log in/Create an Account | Top | 66 comments | Search Discussion
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    I smell a clear channel conspiracy (Score:0)
    Yeah you heard me, this has got to be a clear channel conspiracy against Perry farrel. We all know his history and stuff. Blaming Morrissey's remarks is a helluva cop out.

    Let's rock out with our cocks out,

    Hector (Byatch!)
    Anonymous -- Thursday June 24 2004, @08:11AM (#112266)
      This theory is ridiculous... (Score:0)
      Whoever floated this idea that a line that no one is even sure Moz even said, much less heard themselves, is responsible for a lack of ticket sales, is out of their minds. It reaks of a pro-Bush media leak, designed to convey the FALSE idea that young people are pro-Bush. Do they really think that American 18-34 year olds (presumably Lollapalooza's target audience) are pro-Bush? They're dreaming. These very same 18-34 year olds will be the ones that kick W. to the curb in November. Another factor to consider is that Clear Channel was a partner in Lollapalooza, their allegience to W. is well known, so it is not beyond them to concoct this story.
      Anonymous -- Thursday June 24 2004, @08:30AM (#112271)
      Cr*p! (Score:0)
      Morrissey is also responsible for the common cold and third world debt
      Anonymous -- Thursday June 24 2004, @08:34AM (#112272)
      • Re:Cr*p! by Anonymous (Score:0) Thursday June 24 2004, @04:56PM
        • Re:Cr*p! by Anonymous (Score:0) Saturday June 26 2004, @02:06AM
          well (Score:0)
          i dont think his remarkes had anything to do with the tour cancellation. thats stretching reality a bit there. but wishing death on someone is shallow. i dont think most mature people who dont support bush, would make such a childish comment.
          Anonymous -- Thursday June 24 2004, @08:53AM (#112286)
          one of many (Score:1)
          they are treating him like he is the only main act and everyone else is simply filling in as supporting acts. they should have tried harder to get more interesting and relevant bands to share the line up if they were only banking on one act to draw enough interest from the public for a 2 day festival. if that's the case, then it's crazy to expect anyone to stick around for day #2 and should have just gone ahead and cancelled it because i don't know how many of you were excited to see Wilco AND the String Cheese Incident on the same roster.
          suzanne -- Thursday June 24 2004, @09:48AM (#112326)
          (User #36 Info | http://www.myspace.com/snootywriter )
          I scare dead people.
          • Re:one of many by walkingondiamonds (Score:1) Thursday June 24 2004, @01:42PM
            yeah, whatever (Score:2, Interesting)
            Is he also responsible for the fact that I just got this email from the slimy bastards at Ticketmaster?

            Reference: Cancelled Show

            Hello, this is Ticketmaster Customer Service with an important alert for your upcoming event. Lollapalooza, scheduled at Randall's Island on Monday August 18 and Tuesday August 19, 2004 has been cancelled. Your credit card will automatically be credited the ticket price and convenience charges. The order processing fee and any UPS delivery charges are non refundable.

            I mean, WTF????? The "processing fee" was something over $10 and they are telling me I'm not even getting it back? Bastards!!!!
            magic1 -- Thursday June 24 2004, @11:11AM (#112352)
            (User #2378 Info)
            A true investigation could... (Score:1)
            prove or disaprove the "rumor."

            Is there proof that people wanted refunds for their tickets after the "remarks", or were sales sluggish all along?

            If people weren't buying tickets from the start then his comments had nothing to do with it.

            If people wanted refunds, then there is something to it.
            someraincoatedlovers -- Thursday June 24 2004, @12:14PM (#112369)
            (User #10290 Info)
              Fuckin 'ell (Score:1)
              You gotta be kidding me, that festival was just a bad line up to begin with. The only good act was Moz the other bands were ONLY average. If Perry would of giving the acts roster some more effort and gotten some good bands then maybe it would of gone down well, I mean for fucks sake, who the hell would wanna go see the String Cheese ACCIDENT? lol
              Gin N Tonic Jil -- Thursday June 24 2004, @12:51PM (#112379)
              (User #7276 Info)
              You're not down with who I am but, look at you now you're all in my hands...tonight I'm a Rock N' Roll Star!!
              Morrissey is NOT to Blame!! (Score:1)
              This whole theory of Morrissey and his Bush Comment" being to blame for the Lollapalooza Cancellation is Total BS!!

              The tour was Cancelled due to a "Weak" Lineup, The Festival being a two-day event and Not all of the main performers were playing on all of the dates.

              The Planning for this Festival was completely ridiculous!!

              If People refused to buy tickets to Lollapalooza, Because of the "George Bush comment".

              Why are ALL of Morrisseys' own shows "Selling Out" Everywhere?

              Plus, Most of the People that would go to Lollapalooza wouldn't be offended by the comment anyway.
              Lollapalooza is Not really known to be to Conservative, I'm sure people would be hearing worse comments about the U.S., The
              War, The Bush Administration, etc, etc, etc. during the Festival.

              The Planners of Lollapalooza totally Dropped the Ball on this Tour and they want to blame other factors and point the finger at someone else.
              Rich376 -- Thursday June 24 2004, @01:03PM (#112385)
              (User #10831 Info)
                Bull (Score:0)
                Moz is liked in many places. This is America!
                Anonymous -- Thursday June 24 2004, @01:51PM (#112394)
                  what crap!!! (Score:1)
                  the fault, as was last year, is on janes addiction or more directly perry farrell! he pulled most dates last year complaining of low ticket sales! kind of funny considering the ones around detroit, chicago ect... "the midwest" were sold out soon after the tickets went on sale! Morrissey had nothing to do with the cancellation, let's put the blame where it truly lies people!!!
                  the write one <wildefleur@comcast.net> -- Thursday June 24 2004, @02:28PM (#112398)
                  (User #10056 Info | http://www.myspace.com/mozzapheliac )
                  "it's my life to ruin my own way"
                    What Shit! (Score:0)
                    Stinks of a plant by Clear Channel Communications.
                    Anonymous -- Thursday June 24 2004, @02:38PM (#112401)
                      HaHa (Score:0)
                      I just have to say I'm glad i didnt buy my tickets to any of the shows that got canceled!!
                      Anonymous -- Thursday June 24 2004, @04:53PM (#112422)
                        Kinda Scary (Score:1)
                        It's kinda scary that someone would even think to equate Morrissey's remarks about Dubya with poor ticket sales. F*** the facist bastard that wrote that.
                        Rainydy -- Thursday June 24 2004, @08:04PM (#112438)
                        (User #4932 Info)
                          What year is it? (Score:0)
                          Were not living in the 16 or 1700s!! There is no strong, monarchy or church that is going to throw him in a dungeon for saying that. Even if anyone were to say "kill the leader" nothing should happen. What about all the stuff Bush says about other world leaders, im sure there are some people who love those leaders for their own reason. anyways...
                          VOTE QUIMBY!
                          Anonymous -- Thursday June 24 2004, @11:17PM (#112456)
                            Unlikely in the extreme (Score:1)
                            Times change, but I don't see why Morrissey's views would be more offensive for potential ticketbuyers then, say, the Jim Rose Circus Sideshow. Perhaps a freak hammering nails into his body is more acceptable? And Le Tigre fans aren't exactly high on phoney patriotism - surely they weren't offended.

                            Nah... - this story is horse-pucky.
                            sadlad -- Friday June 25 2004, @01:06AM (#112465)
                            (User #5434 Info)
                              just industry gossip (Score:0)
                              The tickets haven't been selling well. It's an idea that was great in its day but has run its course. This is just industry gossip. American fans are used to their European acts' views - someone is just hurling mud at Morrissey to have someone to hurl mud at.
                              Anonymous -- Friday June 25 2004, @02:09AM (#112471)
                                The cancellation... (Score:1)
                                must have been in the planning for some time.

                                I just received email from "Bill Graham Presents"
                                promoting upcoming shows, and Sonic Youth is playing The Fillmore
                                San Francisco, CA
                                Saturday, July 17 at 9:00 PM

                                The same day that Lalla....was supposed to be at Shoreline California.

                                Is it that easy to book alternate gigs, or did these artists already know that Lalla was going to fail?
                                someraincoatedlovers -- Friday June 25 2004, @07:43AM (#112498)
                                (User #10290 Info)
                                • Oh I forgot by someraincoatedlovers (Score:1) Friday June 25 2004, @07:47AM
                                Lopsided roster is to blame (Score:0)
                                Absolutely absurd. As another post remarks, the target/actual audience for Lollapalooza is a long way from Pro-Bush. These alleged comments came after ticket sales should have been well on their way to being sold out. The problem with Lollapalooza is that it was too ambitious, and spread too thin (lopsided). A tour of Day One alone, without a Day Two, would have been the success of the summer. The only one to blame for the failure of Lollapalooza 2004 is Perry Farrell. It was an great idea, but completely unrealistic to have such a lopsided roster. Now the bands are screwed for the summer and the fans miss out on a great day.
                                Anonymous -- Friday June 25 2004, @12:07PM (#112530)
                                  a more level-headed approach (Score:1)
                                  the CNN website had a general article about the overall slump of ticket sales and how many acts are having to cancel or shorten their tour....even amongst those who love president bush.

                                  the website seemed to implicate that a lot of it has to do with price. the average ticket is $50 just for a show. i don't know if that includes service charges, but just think that if you want to go see several shows, that is obviously quite a bit of money.

                                  not only that, but let's just say that you want to go, but it's not economically feasible for your friends to attend. that might deter a lot of people from going as well if they don't want to go by themselves or potentially be stuck with a $50 ticket if they go ahead and buy an extra with the hopes of finding someone to go along.
                                  suzanne -- Friday June 25 2004, @09:19PM (#112578)
                                  (User #36 Info | http://www.myspace.com/snootywriter )
                                  I scare dead people.
                                    This is a joke right? (Score:1)
                                    That is crap. I highly doubt any Morrissey listening thinking person would be a Bush supporter. The problem was two fold. First splitting it into two days and second not having strong acts outside of 2 or 3 a night. On top of these issues the Curiousa tour is also running with a much better line-up (overall...not better than Moz of course). With Curiousa you get so many good bands. I mean has anyone seen Muse, Interpol or the Rapture live yet? Fantastic live acts and the music follows a theme not random as is the point of lollapalooza. So many things in the way that to blame some comments Morrissey said for this is a joke. I go to see Morrissey because HE DOES SAY what others are thinking but keep inside. Good for you Moz. I will see you live somehow this year.
                                    MOZ IS GOD -- Friday June 25 2004, @10:54PM (#112582)
                                    (User #3249 Info | http://www.myspace.com/coldwarspies )
                                    Re:America (Score:1)
                                    It may not be, but without 'em, the world's women will be wearing burkas sooner than later.
                                    someraincoatedlovers -- Thursday June 24 2004, @12:41PM (#112374)
                                    (User #10290 Info)
                                    [ Parent ]
                                    • Re:America by walkingondiamonds (Score:1) Thursday June 24 2004, @01:45PM
                                      • Re:America by IdramosI (Score:0) Thursday June 24 2004, @05:36PM
                                        • Re:America by walkingondiamonds (Score:1) Thursday June 24 2004, @09:41PM
                                        • Re:America by Anonymous (Score:0) Thursday June 24 2004, @09:02PM
                                          • Re:America by walkingondiamonds (Score:1) Thursday June 24 2004, @09:39PM
                                          • Re:America by Anonymous (Score:0) Thursday June 24 2004, @09:13PM
                                            • Re:America by Anonymous (Score:0) Thursday June 24 2004, @11:29PM
                                              • Re:America by walkingondiamonds (Score:1) Friday June 25 2004, @01:42AM
                                                • Funny That by Anonymous (Score:0) Friday June 25 2004, @07:20AM
                                                  • Re:Funny That by walkingondiamonds (Score:1) Saturday June 26 2004, @11:07AM
                                                    • Utopia by walkingondiamonds (Score:1) Saturday June 26 2004, @01:52PM
                                                • You want it to be simple 'cause you are American. by Anonymous (Score:0) Thursday June 24 2004, @11:57PM
                                                • Re:America by Anonymous (Score:0) Thursday June 24 2004, @09:10PM
                                                  • Re:America by Anonymous (Score:0) Saturday June 26 2004, @08:44PM
                                                  Re:America (Score:0)
                                                  To the poster above wrote that "America is not the world, and will never be" - where did you get that from?
                                                  Anonymous -- Friday June 25 2004, @08:52AM (#112509)
                                                  [ Parent ]
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