AC/DC Day Opinions?

[biffoire]

A full days music usually does the job with shifting tickets!! I wonder if the lack of main stage acts is what is putting people off going (sure you have ACDC but the day lacks value in other areas as a result!)

I'm surprised Friday hasn't sold out but then they have just done a tour of the UK. Or was it 2. Arenas then stadiums.

[jammy2211]

To be honest, I can see it both ways. I'm going, and I'm probably one of those punters who those of you love Download love to hate, since I'm only really going to see AC/DC. I'm looking forward to seeing other bands too, and it should be a good weekend, but no AC/DC, no ticket sale in my case. I appreciate that makes me a bad person, and I'm sorry. So as far as I'm concerned, the best possible AC/DC show, the better for me.

Something that has been pointed out yet is that all of the tickets still haven't sold out. I appreciate this is normal for Download, but I'm a bit surprised- I'd have thought that if they announced an AC/DC show at Wembley, and sold them for £75 a pop, they'd have all gone by now. They might even have a chance at £180! I imagine AC/DC don't come cheap (they always have been money grabbing), so maybe sites like www.acdc-donington.com is to try and shift tickets, rather than selling out to AC/DC. At least, they want to get the number of people that an AC/DC solo show would get through the gates.

[r0w]

ya well headliners for next year certainly wont include Metallica as theyl be playing Sonisphere again as it will be the final year in their contract. i alsothink soni may go a full 3 days next year also, so headliners Download/Reading & Soni will be fighting over:

Soundgarden

System Of A Down

Tool (maybe be back next year if not maybe 2012)

Smashing Pumpkins

other maybes:

Black Sabbath with Ozzy?

Kiss

also i wouldnt be suprised if AC just hands out a headlining slot to yet another underserving band ie Fall Out Boy or something

[jammy2211]

MEtallica contract was something along the lines of every new Soni festival across Europe they had to headline in it's first year supposedly, not convinced about it needing exclusivity and other such things. I'd imagine they're free to choose between Soni and Download. Don't think anyone really knows for sure though.

Green Day are a possibility too I guess, Reading has been chasing them the past few years so they'll probably end up there but they're due a UK festival show soon and Download would clearly be in the chase.

It really shows imo how hard it must be for Download at the moment seeing as no bands who are appropriate are breaking through anymore - they keep having to draw from bands who got their popularity in like 2002 and before. Reading and V can always get away with a KoL or Kasabian or Razorlight... doesn't feel like Download has this luxury.

[luckysalt]

ozzy is about to start an 18 month world tour, i imagine he could headline sunday nxt yr.

I really ac will try and get foo fighters to headline nxt yr, perfect chance to sell the fest to dave grohl as he plays with tcv this yr, think he will try and get homme to bring qotsa to dl too.

[Spengs Muck]

i agree with ozzy and foos, i think that is a good shout for two of next year.

Ozzy could easily headline classic rock sunday aswell.

Friday

Foo Fighters

Queens of the Stone Age

Saturday

Pearl Jam

Sound Garden

Sunday

Ozzy Osbourne

Deep Purple

Then Reading or Soni get SOAD

[theramm]

AC's post on the DL forum about him avoiding questions regarding the 3 act mainstage -

I'm not hiding from the questions, I just don't have the answers yet. Have we made big provisions for AC/DC? Yes, of course and I've also made big provisions for RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE & AEROSMITH, as well as MOTORHEAD, DEFTONES & THEM CROOKED VULTURES. Every year we have to make concessions and submit to demands from bands and this year is no different. The list is endless, KISS, IRON MAIDEN, MOTLEY CRUE, METALLICA, LINKIN PARK, BLACK SABBATH, TOOL etc...they've all pushed very hard to get what they want and me and every other festival in the world has to jump through hoops to deliver...this is nothing new. Whatever will be, will be and it's only in your minds that there's a big problem. We have dealt with no Lars when METALLICA played, no Jonathan when KORN played, KID ROCK walking out, SLAYER arriving separately to their crew and having to go on late on another stage, GUNS n' ROSES on stage tantrums, PENNYWISE wrecking the backstage area, abuse about booking The PRODIGY, PENDULUM and LETHAL BIZZLE (and countless other bands!!), bands that clash etc etc etc and guess what? DOWNLOAD has still be amazing hasn't it? This is all like deja vu to me...all will be fine and DOWNLOAD this year will be legendary (in an extremely positive way!)...mark my words. We have one of the biggest rock festival bills in the world EVER and the ticket sales are flying and I mean flying...avoid the negativity and look forward to having one of the best week-ends of your life, I know I am. Andy (Maverick)

Still doesn't answer

[jammy2211]

Crap routine response that tells us nothing.

I just find it incredible it's actually seemingly happening, just find it funny after all his mocking of Soni that Download is dropping a number of bands now, oh well.

They'll never will a 4th headliner / 5th headliner slot a month before the festival so I think that pretty much shows he knows the slots don't exsist, unless he's just gonna bump up bands already playing there which won't make anyone happier.

[luckysalt]

How can he say ''We have one of the biggest rock festival bills in the world EVER''

No you don't

Last year was stronger IMO throughout the whole bill, its a top heavy line up and average undercard, and Friday completely lacks an undercard

[Dan R]

If everyones complaining about the undercard being so weak, then why are people worrying about losing a few of those bands?

I'd prefer to make the most of the the bands i want to see already

I got my ticket before the line-up was announced cos the line-up's only a potrion of it

Either way, Download's going to be an awesome weekend regardless

[dan05delaney]

tbh i have been waiting for my student loan before i get a ticket and alright its expencive and looks like a 2 and a half day fest and an AC/DC gig, but for the band's i'm gonna see when i am there i really don't care!!!

it will be an awesome weekend and for thoes winging about it don't go!!

[biffoire]

AC's post on the DL forum about him avoiding questions regarding the 3 act mainstage -

I'm not hiding from the questions, I just don't have the answers yet. Have we made big provisions for AC/DC? Yes, of course and I've also made big provisions for RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE & AEROSMITH, as well as MOTORHEAD, DEFTONES & THEM CROOKED VULTURES. Every year we have to make concessions and submit to demands from bands and this year is no different. The list is endless, KISS, IRON MAIDEN, MOTLEY CRUE, METALLICA, LINKIN PARK, BLACK SABBATH, TOOL etc...they've all pushed very hard to get what they want and me and every other festival in the world has to jump through hoops to deliver...this is nothing new. Whatever will be, will be and it's only in your minds that there's a big problem. We have dealt with no Lars when METALLICA played, no Jonathan when KORN played, KID ROCK walking out, SLAYER arriving separately to their crew and having to go on late on another stage, GUNS n' ROSES on stage tantrums, PENNYWISE wrecking the backstage area, abuse about booking The PRODIGY, PENDULUM and LETHAL BIZZLE (and countless other bands!!), bands that clash etc etc etc and guess what? DOWNLOAD has still be amazing hasn't it? This is all like deja vu to me...all will be fine and DOWNLOAD this year will be legendary (in an extremely positive way!)...mark my words. We have one of the biggest rock festival bills in the world EVER and the ticket sales are flying and I mean flying...avoid the negativity and look forward to having one of the best week-ends of your life, I know I am. Andy (Maverick)

Still doesn't answer

[bootsbroadbent]

I just bought a day ticket for the AC/DC day. I think for AC/DC fans, many wouldn't even care about other bands playing. I mean it'd be great to have a full days music, but its still not terrible value considering id probably pay that just to go see them in their own show

Download never have as much money to spend on acts as others, so to pull out the bag three headliners who are pretty much the biggest acts in their respective fields there had to be sacrifices somewhere. Still, I can see why weekend ticket holders are disappointed. Them crooked vultures are quite a pull as well on that day. Maybe if they had a slightly bigger band than wolfmother bringing up the rearer people wouldnt feel so cheated?

[biffoire]

I'm going for the day and while a lot of people (especially on the official board) are saying it's still great value. Which it is if you are going for the weekend. But if you are going for the day then it clearly offers less value.

There are a lot of people also saying they don't care and that they will be seeing another band in another part of the festival failing to sight the overcrowding which might occur within the tents. the simple fact is, if the main stage hosts 3 acts then the lower stages will see a significant increase in traffic.

I'm pretty sure another 2 acts will be announced and not really too bothered who they are. Just wouldn't mind something in the background while I get slowly shitfaced!! If not, maybe they can bang a cd on or something. Anything but guitar hero!!

[luckysalt]

I just bought a day ticket for the AC/DC day. I think for AC/DC fans, many wouldn't even care about other bands playing. I mean it'd be great to have a full days music, but its still not terrible value considering id probably pay that just to go see them in their own show

Download never have as much money to spend on acts as others, so to pull out the bag three headliners who are pretty much the biggest acts in their respective fields there had to be sacrifices somewhere. Still, I can see why weekend ticket holders are disappointed. Them crooked vultures are quite a pull as well on that day. Maybe if they had a slightly bigger band than wolfmother bringing up the rearer people wouldnt feel so cheated?

[bootsbroadbent]

Absolute bollocks

a weekend ticket this year is £180 before fees, I know a fair few would have been early bird but lets just say they do sell out the 110,000 they have at £180, thats nearly £20million. Its a Live Nation event this isn't some little shanty festival. They have just as much money as V and Reading and Leeds do through tickets sales, so basically theres no reason to use this excuse. Im sure they've probablly spent £4-5 million tops on this line up

[jammy2211]

4 Million (Dunno Dollars or Pounds) for ACDC was the rumour posted on here by Lithium I think, who seems to know some things on the inside this year. Bet thats about right too.

I don't think this line up is cheap whatever, just Friday has been sabotaged and it's all gone into ACDC's pocket 0_o.

[luckysalt]

£4 million just for Aerosmith! For one date! I can't see that happening.

I reckon tjhe headliners may have gotten around a million each. Bands like Motorhead would have cost around 50k each and lower than that slot would obviously all be lower cash

Obviously Live Nation want to maximise profits of course they do, but im sure they could have booked stronger acts, a lot of it is whats on the market and Download pigeon holing themselves in to the acts they will book, their line up is virtually the same as all the other European rock fests at the same time except Rock AM Ring will book acts that Reading would and Download wouldn't hence it looks stronger

[jammy2211]

£4 million just for Aerosmith! For one date! I can't see that happening.

I reckon tjhe headliners may have gotten around a million each. Bands like Motorhead would have cost around 50k each and lower than that slot would obviously all be lower cash

Obviously Live Nation want to maximise profits of course they do, but im sure they could have booked stronger acts, a lot of it is whats on the market and Download pigeon holing themselves in to the acts they will book, their line up is virtually the same as all the other European rock fests at the same time except Rock AM Ring will book acts that Reading would and Download wouldn't hence it looks stronger

[luckysalt]

Im just going by the fact Motorhead headlined Guilfest last year, and festivals of that size can't afford huge fees

Oasis got £1million at V when they headlined in 2005, per site. We heard the Libs fee for the two sites bout 700k each site. You do hear figures now and again.

And I wasn't making up 50k thats about what those size of festivals have for headliners and I doubt Motorhead would drastically raise their fee for Download, its gotta be fairly similar

[-pogo-]

Im just going by the fact Motorhead headlined Guilfest last year, and festivals of that size can't afford huge fees

Oasis got £1million at V when they headlined in 2005, per site. We heard the Libs fee for the two sites bout 700k each site. You do hear figures now and again.

And I wasn't making up 50k thats about what those size of festivals have for headliners and I doubt Motorhead would drastically raise their fee for Download, its gotta be fairly similar

[jammy2211]

Bands booked over 2 sites will come out cheaper then 1 site too, as it costs the band alot less.

But yeah, I know there are figures out there, but trying to argue we're being ripped off by completely guessing how much each band is getting paid and no knowledge of all other expenditure is just laughable - and there's absolutely no other standard to compare it to as we've no idea what other festivals are operating on too.

[biffoire]

the shortage of main stage acts has not yet been blamed on financial reasons yet. I have heard back stage space limitations mentioned. But not budget restraints.

[Lithium05]

This is apparently the most expensive UK festival line-up ever. £4million for AC/DC, £1mil for RATM and £1.3 for Aerosmith are the figures I was told by a very reliable source.

[Spengs Muck]

i heard Reading had to give the Libertines a Million too. So to get Aerosmith and Rage respectively for that kind of cash, i think we got some value for money there.