World of Weird Al Yankovic

I don't like the prices of the VIP packages either, but it's not like you have to buy them in order to get good seats at reasonable prices. I'm sitting fifth row center at the Cleveland concert, and the tickets were $49.50 each.

I don't see why it would change, but I am surprised that Al seems to be doing the VIP meets with what looks like every show. Al ALWAYS meets at the bus after the Brady Theater shows, and if he doesn't this year, that'll be pretty sad.

lots of meet and greets that you pay you only get one picture and talk for two seconds

Yeah, I managed to get 4th row seats at regular price for the Arcata show which are better than the seats avaialble at the $129 VIP level. The seats directly behind me are $129, and that price doesn't even include a meet and greet. Feeling lucky today!

I am so glad that some good seats were left out of the VIP buckets so that folks have a chance at good seats at a decent price.

Elvis wrote:That's one hell of a first post!

Ha, thanks. While it is my first post on this board, I am an old timer from the 90's online Al community. I was active on the newsgroup and sites from back then. I participated in the Prostetic Lips Tribute album and can even see myself on the 1999 DVD. (Or rather on the VHS since that was all that it was release on back then.) I'm super stoked to take my 11 year old to his first Al concert this year. He is very excited.

Some venues don't have easy access to the bus area. Especially casinos and larger performing arts centers often have the buses inside or behind a restricted fenced in area, but even a small town local theater may have the bus area off limits. Also, some people don't want to, or can't wait for several hours after a show for a chance to meet Al, so paying to meet Al may be the only option. You are paying extra, but you are guaranteed to meet Al, and assuming he does a public signing that night, you are also getting to meet Al first, which means you are done and on your way home before earlier, etc. Think of it the way airlines charge extra to board first when everyone has a seat regardless and everyone's going to the same place anyway. You're paying for convenience.

I didn't buy any VIP packages. I see why Al's doing it, it's easy money for something he was doing for free most nights anyway, but it doesn't feel right for me. The way I feel is If he wants to charge for pictures or autographs, he should restrict that to conventions and such that are designed for that purpose. But, hey, if anyone wants to give me $130 for my picture and autograph, I'll take it!

Al and the band don't sign autographs out at the buses after the show because they have to, or feel an obligation to the fans, it's because they want to. If they didn't want to, they'd just hop on the bus after the show and go to the next city. I'd be shocked if Al stops posing for free photos or giving out free autographs, it's inconsistent with his manner for the past 30 years. I mean how many times has he asked for opinions on the setlist, or shared a pay phone number to call him at, or reached out to fans on social media? It's just not his style to shut out or shy away from fans.

Dave

I agree with you Dave and I hope it may well be as you say. We all know the kind of person Al is from experience, but in places Al has not been before.. European countries etc I can see that security might get heavy with loiterers, especially in places with police restrictions about things like that..

If there are police restrictions or local ordinances prohibiting loitering, I imagine nothing can be done about that, but if Al's planning to do a bus signing then it would be up to Al's tour manager to coordinate with venue security ahead of time.

Dave

With the recent events in Paris and in Belgium, I suspect the venue security for the Europe shows will be quite tight. Sucks that it would need to be that way, but fanatical terrorists are not known for their appreciation of humor.

Cheer, Diva
Who wishes she could get to a Europe show but is not made of money and has to do this 'work' thing