The Smiley Smile Message Board

Has anyone heard anything about meet and greets with the band for this upcoming tour?  I had almost expected them to be offered for sale at a high price along with the tickets the way bands like KISS and Aerosmith are doing.

There are meet and greet packages listed alongside the Hollywood Bowl show on ticketmaster.  The link takes you to a third party site, where they aren't on sale yet.

Yep, this was on The Beach Boys Facebook page 2 days ago:  http://www.vipnation.com/programs/beach-boys/

There is something off putting to me about spending hundreds of extra dollars for a photo op.

Yea its like Old athletes at a card show being paid to sign stuff..Also lowers the worth of the autograph.

They are doing meet and greets for every non-festival date in the US.   No prices have been posted.  Sure to be very, very high (prices for Madonna and Van Halen etc are in the $600-1000 range)

Ultimate VIP Package
One reserved ticket in the front row
Exclusive meet & greet with members of the Beach Boys
Personal photograph with the Beach Boys
Special access to the Beach Boys soundcheck
Specially designed concert t-shirt
Collectible tour poster (limited, numbered)
Official meet & greet laminate
Commemorative ticket
Exclusive tour gift item
Early entry into the venue
On-site VIP host

Meet & Greet Package
One reserved ticket within the first 5 rows
Exclusive meet & greet with members of the Beach Boys
Personal photograph with the Beach Boys
Special access to the Beach Boys soundcheck
Specially deisgned concert t-shirt
Collectible tour poster (limited, numbered)
Official meet & greet laminate
Commemorative ticket
Exclusive gift item
Early entry into the venue
On-site VIP host

Soundcheck Package
One reserved ticket within the first 10 rows
Special access to the Beach Boys soundcheck
Specially designed concert t-shirt
Collectible tour poster (limited, numbered)
Official VIP laminate
Commemorative ticket
Exclusive tour gift item
Early entry into the venue
On-site VIP host

VIP Tour Package
One reserved ticket within the first 20 rows
Specially designed concert t-shirt
Collectible tour poster (limited, numbered)
Commemorative ticket
Exclusive tour gift item
On-site VIP host

To each his/her own.  If a person has never been able to meet them, and they know this may be their last chance, and this is what they want to spend their hard earned $ on, it is not up to me to say their experience in doing so is somehow any "cheaper" or "less" than mine beacuse I was somehow fortunate enough to do so through the good graces of other people. Meeting the boys (especially Brian and Carl) were some of the moments in my life I look back at and will always remember. If you choose to pay for a meet and greet on this tour my only advice is this...have a great time

I agree, if you want to meet them I see no problem with paying for it.


Personally speaking, however, there's no way I would pay the amount they ask for that experience, it's all a bit fake.  I don't blame the boys or really any band for doing it, but I'll be content to just enjoy the music.  Meeting them wouldn't make the music any more enjoyable for me, and I have no interest in bugging them to death to give me a photograph or an autograph or something. 

I didn't buy the crazy expensive smile box set, and I'm not going to pay 100 bucks for a ticket 4 hours away from me either.  I could afford it, but there comes a point when it just gets a bit out of hand.  If good concerts cost 100 bucks and up from now on, all my good concerts I'm going to see on Youtube. 

Again though, I don't begrude anybody who's cool with it and wants to go, that's everybody's decision to make for themselves.

The worst part about expensive tickets (and I'm not talking about these ludicrous VIP packages) is that it always ensures that the audience attending is going to be fairly old. I mean, if you live in a major city, you can see three critically acclaimed indie bands at the top of their game for the price it would cost to see, say, Steppenwolf at a casino gig. Then we get into stuff like Paul McCartney or The Rolling Stones with $250 tickets all around and it just ensures that young people will only attend the shows if their parents pay for it. Hell, the pricing even ensures that a lot of the hardcore fans won't even go to the show, leaving the front row to the rich people that just want to say they went and snooze when Paul jumps into a great track like "Letting Go" or whatever.

I mean, I'm personally not interested in seeing most of these artists since seeing them past their peak kind of hinders the enjoyment of the original recordings (i.e. why nobody should ever attend a Bob Dylan show)....but it's just that young people like myself will always choose to go to ten shows of bands at the top of their artistic/live peak than to see somebody like Mick Jagger mumble through the hits for two hours.

I've seen Bob Dylan a bunch of times and I've always enjoyed it. He's never been about trying to sound like his recordings, nor should anyone.


There are also plenty of younger people with money. And they're not all douchbags.

This is my grad present so I'm not complaining!

I've met Brian, Al and Dave and the two others that I would love to meet will have to wait until the ultimate Meet & Greet. Hopefully, that doesn't occur for another 4 decades or so. ;)

You never know :)  You might check out tonight and go set up the buffet table. 

Heaven forbid... just saying. 

I need Mike, Al and Bruce to sign my copy of Pet Sounds. Maybe I can just grease Foskett's palm or something.

This is better than I had hoped for!  I'm afraid to guess how expensive it's going to be, but the chance to get a picture with all of the guys is priceless.  It doesn'r say anything about autographs, but I'll take the picture over an autograph any day.  I wonder how fast these packages are going to sell?

https://v2.iloveallaccess.com/tours/beach-boys/50th-anniversary-tour/4f10181b5d4b1d25163c41253a558b91VwR5ZlV%3D/af1ce0859c9cac0d7a4f889d9193bb25VwZ5BGHv

Hollywood Bowl price range $325-$1250

The cheapest M&G is $750

You will need to save your pennies and dimes and then some! ;D

Well it looks like every concert is gonna be a real late night for the guys..Gonna wear them out. I just hope they dont rush thru the concert. In a perfect world there should be 2 1hr sets then an encore.!.. Heck BW does that on his own ..But he normally doesn't do LARGE meet + greets..

Once we raise taxes on the wealthy to a reasonable level here in the States, I'm sure these meet & greet prices will start to drop quickly.  :P

Realistically, I would expect the M&G to feature all of the guys at the start, then Brian will split. One or two (probably Bruce) will hang around. The backing band members will then remain for hours on end.

Yea i can see Al  Bruce + David hangin longer.Your right me thinks.

When I was working backstage at Chastain here in Atlanta, I worked the Beach Boys show in 2004 and met both Mike and Bruce.  Amused me as Bruce kept referring to Mike as "Love" the whole time we were backstage.  :-)

Also met Dave last year when he did a small show in Decatur.  Not sure if I'd really want to meet Brian or not.  Somehow I feel that would be an awkward experience.  But if I had the opportunity, I would do everything in my power just to try and make him laugh.   :lol

And for the Chicago show it looks like the Ultimate VIP and Meet and Greet ($1000, 800 respectively) are all claimed for. 

How many radio stations and various sponsors snapped up those expensive VIP ticket packages to give as "gifts" and list as corporate write-offs, I wonder?

A nice trend at some of the bigger music festivals is when bands have "meet and greet" tents set up where the cost of getting in to meet the band is buying something of theirs like a CD or shirt.

I can't see charging that much to meet a band, I'm sorry, but that's just me and to each his own, of course. If it's your life's goal to meet them, I suppose it would be worth it but it's not like regular folks have a lot of disposable income these days. And why are diehard fans paying that much for a backstage experience that "insiders", radio station employees, and various business associates and corporate weasels in every town have given to them on a regular basis?

Off the soapbox...and I do intend to buy tickets for this tour. :)

I agree. I was able to meet Brian, Al and David without having to pay extra to do so. It should be a free payback to the fans who support band and their music.

Oh man dont say that. First you'll get a bollocking for crossing the line, then you'll get a bollocking for saying you think its great the little folk can meet the band. In fact I'd reconsider actually going to the concerts at all. I mean who wants 1000s of people cheering and screaming and expecting the band to be professional?

Wow. Just seen the prices for one of the VIP packages. Not going to be able to afford those if they come over to the UK! They are so expensive!

I don't like how this is the only way for their fans to meet their idols but I suppose it's normal nowadays and they might as well make as much money as they can.

I am just so glad that I met Brian last year (truly amazing) and was front row at the BB UK gig. It probably won't happen again so I am grateful I have experienced those two days. They both made 2011 a great year for me.

I've never met any of the band but great seats for BW and front row for Epsom really made me so deleriously happy it really didn't matter to me. I've accepted I'll never meet them and I just savour every second I'm in their presence at concerts.

If you go to any theatre shows they do (and I do hope that if they play the UK they'll be theatre shows) and hang around the stage door, Mike and David are both usually willing to chat with the fans for a couple of minutes (in 2004 Mike said to me "You're the one who knew ALL the words!" as soon as he walked out - he's obviously paying attention up there). Bruce sometimes is very chatty, but I've also seen him be hideously rude to fans (though to be fair that was while he ws taking a break from soundcheck, so he was busy), and he can be a little odd at times.

All the members of both backing bands are very friendly as well - John Cowsill may literally be the nicest man I've ever met, and Probyn in particular always has a lot of time for the fans.

Brian, of course, won't talk to anyone outside - Jeff and a couple of others bustle him straight through - but nor does he really talk at meet & greets. I've had backstage passes twice at his shows, and I think in total we exchanged about seven words.

I agree Max. I probably had more interaction with Mike at Epsom than I did with Brian who was a couple of inches away! It was an absolute pleasure to see both performing live, I am just sad I didn't get the chance to see Carl sing.

Andrew, I should think if they are offering expensive VIP tickets they won't let people hang around stage doors, exits etc as then the people who paid £1000 would get no real benefit. It's a shame but I think that would be the case. I'd like to think we'd get the chance to see them, but I'm not hopeful.

Yeah Mike was really working the women in the front row, especially someone I was stood next to who got plenty of winks and points (especially during the slow songs) ;D

Thanks for the tip, Andrew. Usually the best I can do is get a setlist, never been good at meeting folks.

I think I was one of those women! Haha! It definitely made it more fun!  :lol

I think being able to see and hear them live and within a few feet of you is amazing anyway and you're really lucky if you get anything more than that.

Is it a new thing to charge insanely high rates for meet & greets?  I've seen the kinds of packages described here for other artists, but those were either prizes in fanclub contests or winning bids in charity auctions. 
Met Brian twice - didn't cost me a dime either time. 

Yep. Been happening a lot over the last two-three years. A way to milk fans for something previously given away for free. It sucks.

Yes, I agree. I find this practice extremely offensive! They should be meeting and greeting for free.

I agree with the general sentiment about gouging fans. VIP Nation ought to donate all the proceeds from those VIP packages to the Carl Wilson Foundation, but I would be surprised if they actually did.

It is offensive in the sense that it's super expensive and gouging fans. But ... I also don't know if the artists owe it to the crowd to "meet and greet" some arbitrary number of people on their own time. We pay to see a show, not to have the artists engage us personally afterward.

I mean, it's great if they want to do that. And Brian and his band (especially) have been wonderful about talking to fans with and without backstage passes. But I would hate to think they "have" to do it. If they don't want to, I wouldn't want them to feel pressured.

So in that sense, I understand why some people would charge for it. It does take up artists' time and attention, which they could be using to rest and recuperate for the rest of the tour. It's most likely a draining and tedious business. And people are willing to pay. So I don't begrudge some sort of extra charge. I just wish it wasn't so out of the reach of everyday folks.

So does this mean all the front row (& then some) seats are gonna be reserved for these packages ??? I would love to meet Brian (though I'd probably be more awkward in that situation than him, given I didn't faint first :-[), but it's just not gonna happen. $300 for couple good tickets will be a stretch, so I hope they're not all reserved (fingers crossed!!!)


BTW, anyone happen to know why certain dates (ie Pittsburgh) aren't listed on the vip nation site?

I read the VIP thing is only certain dates

And you're probably right about the front row seats, what a scam

After hearing and reading a few great concert/post-concert/backstage experiences shared on this board and elsewhere, the one thing a lot of them had in common was the pure luck and good timin' (pun...) of the whole scenario. Or the fact that someone either knew someone else, said the right things at the right time, or just fell ass-backwards into a great BB's experience by being at the right place at the right time. From picking up Al Jardine in a station wagon after spotting him walking down the street near the concert venue, to the classic story Mikie posted here a few months ago, to finding out by chance that a former bandmate and friend had been working with the band, there are some great experiences all around.

And I think having to pay as much as is being asked for these backstage "VIP Packages" to create that same magic removes some of the coolest parts of the whole deal. But that's just me, and if your dream is to meet the band, then by all means go for it! :)

Good post guitarfool! Those moments are more special that way I think, as you don't feel you are owed anything. You are totally grateful to have the chance to see them and you make the most of every second knowing how lucky you are.

As a woman in my mid 20s, my peers don't really care that I saw the Beach Boys or met Brian Wilson but to my family and I it is such a cool thing! When I was standing in front of the camcorder as a child singing 409 I never would have imagined I would meet the man responsible for that song.  I think I wouldn't have enjoyed it so much if I had paid for the privilege but then I was extremely lucky.

I think many of the people who are into these VIP packages are probably new to the group. Those of us who have been around for awhile remember when a backstage pass was more readily available. But let  them enjoy their access...I certainly did, and it was a privilege.

Brian HATES these things.  The description of the VIP meet/greets says "....MEMBERS of the Beach Boys" not all of them. :-\ :-\ :-\

But he does them.

Myth. Yes, when it comes to a cattle call of fans and he is just autographing away, yes a lot of the time he doesn't enjoy himself. I was fortunate enough to meet him without any other fans around. He was super cool and there is even a pic of us high fiving :D

Anyone told him he has a gig/ m&g in Montreal on his birthday this year?

You really need to post that on YouTube.  ;D

Post it here - it's a classic.

(http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2189/1428990188l.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/440/1428990188l.jpg/)

Taken when I was 16 back in 2005 in Philly for the 2nd Smile tour. Fun memories!

That is a classic shot! I'm in the Philly 'burbs but chose not to see Smile in Philly when the shows were in town, things worked out all around in Boston but I do kind of miss not having seen Brian play Smile in Philly.

Now that photo right there, that experience with Brian in Philly: Can anyone seriously put a price tag on that? It's one of those cool happenings that just happens through a combination of timing, luck, and maybe even a bit of fate. If I buy a "VIP" ticket and have a scheduled time printed on the thing that says "You will be meeting Al Jardine at 9:55 PM at door 3A, please observe the one photo-one autograph policy...", (I exaggerate...)...it just seems like at some point the Powers-That-Be need to stop putting a price on things which should happen on their own terms.

And again, repeating myself, if it means a lot to anyone to meet the band and they're willing to pay for it, by all means do it, enjoy the experience, and savor it! I just hope that charging a fee for so many fan experiences doesn't get too far out of hand.

I love that look on Brian's face.

Classic..

Brian actually looks better now, at least going by his appearance at the Grammys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KiptyKbTUY&list=FLdmS9B6Qr3lJwYZdQEj5QtQ&index=4&feature=plpp_video

Speaking of which, I've been watching this video of Brian performing in Toronto last year and I was struck just how calm and comfortable he seemed to be.  I saw him a few months later in Southern California and don't recall him being this loose.  Here, he's actively playing piano, really comfortable singing and he flashes us what seems to be a real genuine smile at 1:50...it's acutally a priceless moment.  It makes me think that Brian still has days when it goes up and down for him...some great..some not so great.  Still though, it's really great that he can experience some good days. 

 I just got Ultimate VIP tickets for the show in Detroit on June 30th.  The cost was only $400 per ticket.  It looks like they've lowered the VIP package prices at several of the venues.

I'm assuming the market helped make that decision, especially if the VIP packages aren't selling up to expectations. I thought the original prices listed were a bit steep even for a deluxe ticket.

Congratulations on getting to meet the band, too! I'm curious about the details of this package as they develop, so keep us posted.

I just picked up a VIP package for the April 26th show outside of Dallas. I had to choose between that one and a Houston date in June, but decided to go with this one because it's only the second date of the tour and therefore is more likely to be a bit more experimental than later shows. I was glad to see prices go down from the initial ones offered...although I would probably have paid it anyway. I figure this may be the last roundup, so I'm willing to splurge to be on the front row and meet the band, although I've met Bruce, Al, Dennis and Carl. Just two months to wait!

I just got the lowest VIP for Houston. Only 50 more a ticket, seems fine to me.

The meet and greet package also only seem to state a personal photograph with The Beach Boys, so I'm assuming they won't do autographs?

Although having an autograph written just for you is great, I think interaction and a photo with someone is better. You can look at a signature fondly but for me looking at a picture of me with the person brings back memories and actually shows your paths crossed at some point. So many people look to get signatures to sell them on, but a photograph is personal.