Surprise acts...good or bad idea?

[action jackson]

What are your thoughts coachella forum?

I love the idea of having a big-name surprise act cause it is very fun to talk about who it's gonna be and be excited to find out.

However

It usually ends in dissappointment when the Daft Punk/Smiths/Whoever turns out to be a some dude reciting crappy poetry for an hour!!

[Jman4321]

It's nice for me. I usually get my ticket quickly so when they pop up near the end its like bonus points.

[All Your Base]

I think it's not such a great idea. Not because it won't sell tickets, but because if the surprise isn't who folks in the crowd want, you'll see a mass exodus from wherever they're playing to somewhere else - and to a performer that's gotta be a drag.

[CalmerThanYou]

I think it's not such a great idea. Not because it won't sell tickets, but because if the surprise isn't who folks in the crowd want, you'll see a mass exodus from wherever they're playing to somewhere else - and to a performer that's gotta be a drag.


Paul T has his shit together, if he's getting a surprise act, its gonna be someone who he knows is gonna kill it and make everyone crazy.

Case in point = PRINCE

[All Your Base]

Paul T has his shit together, if he's getting a surprise act, its gonna be someone who he knows is gonna kill it and make everyone crazy.

Case in point = PRINCE

That's a good point I guess. If it's someone like that with huge mass appeal (Gang Star reference) then it could be a serious coup.

[CalmerThanYou]

one of the best yet.

[rage patton]

Prince, Madonna, Daft Punk, Aphex Twin, Beck in the Gobi, etc etc... these are all late/surprise additions.

[Jman4321]

yeah i have yet to be disappointed with late additions so far. At least one in each grouping has been spectacular for me.

[action jackson]

It's nice for me. I usually get my ticket quickly so when they pop up near the end its like bonus points.

Yeh i'm the same, BUT, regardless of having a ticket already and it being a bonus, if it's a total let down it still makes you sad :(

[karecares]

i always like surprise act announcements, builds up the excitement and if for whatever reason i'm not already blown away by the initial lineup announcement then i know i need not fret more will be coming

[Jman4321]

Yeh i'm the same, BUT, regardless of having a ticket already and it being a bonus, if it's a total let down it still makes you sad :(

Surprise addition Lionel Ritchie

[All Your Base]

Surprise addition Lionel Ritchie

go wash your mouth out and do 15 Hail Marys.

[Gonshman]

I actually think GV withholds some acts and just releases the names later, in a way of enticing people to buy tickets as well as to make those who have already bought their tickets a perk, like they are getting something extra. Also, every time a new act gets added you always tell all your friends, "Are you going to Coachella this year? Did you hear that so-and-so just got added?" Good publicity

[Jon Blazed]

I think having Prince as the late surprise act this year was awesome because it allowed for everyone who truely wanted to see Portishead a chance to get their tickets.

[Jman4321]

I actually think GV withholds some acts and just releases the names later, in a way of enticing people to buy tickets as well as to make those who have already bought their tickets a perk, like they are getting something extra. Also, every time a new act gets added you always tell all your friends, "Are you going to Coachella this year? Did you hear that so-and-so just got added?" Good publicity

That's what I believe happens too. Negotiations with someone like Prince don't happen overnight.

[amyzzz]

Daft Punk was an early surpise. They added them 1 or 2 days later than the original lineup announcement.

[Gonshman]

Daft Punk was an early surpise. They added them 1 or 2 days later than the original lineup announcement.

And how long do you think they were negotiating with them?

In fact, how many people think bands haggle over their payment? It seems as if the festival is big enough publicity on its own they might take marginally less money, or whatever respectful offer they receive.

[pancakespancakes]

Prince, Madonna, Daft Punk, Aphex Twin, Beck in the Gobi, etc etc... these are all late/surprise additions.

Meh, I donno, I like all these to be on the original poster, I just like knowing exactly what I'm getting all at once, instead of that limbo from January to whenever the late announcement comes where none of us know if this is what we're seriously getting or if they're still some "tricks up their sleeve."

Case in point: last year from January to mid-March, it may have turned out well in the end, but that limbo where we didn't know if this was it or if there were still goods on the horizon was just too painful for me! It gives one a bit too much anxiety.

Similar thing in 2006 as well.

[dorkfish]

And how long do you think they were negotiating with them?

In fact, how many people think bands haggle over their payment? It seems as if the festival is big enough publicity on its own they might take marginally less money, or whatever respectful offer they receive.
Coachella pays well. Bands get treated nice, and get a pay check that's usually larger than what they'd get to play a club they'd normally hit up on tour.

[rage patton]

But if you already have the tickets in hand... every act added afterwards is a bonus. Besides when festivals don't add bands late, people complain. So its even better when they anounce huge acts late.

[action jackson]

And how long do you think they were negotiating with them?

In fact, how many people think bands haggle over their payment? It seems as if the festival is big enough publicity on its own they might take marginally less money, or whatever respectful offer they receive.

I think you're right, especially mid-low teir internationals who would play at something like coachella at a lower price than they usually would at home to get the publicity. Could be wrong though.

[oftheheartofthesoul]

Surprises are great, but this year I'll need to be knocked out from the jump if I'm going. I took a huge risk this year (it was worth it, but still) because there was only one act I REALLY wanted to see at first.

[woogie846]

I'm always up for surprises.