50th Anniversary Tour Dates (as they roll out) (*UPDATED, Feb 15th*)

[The Heartical Don]

Call me a dreamer, but allow me to make some predictions.

1.) April - August will not be the last "reunion" tour.
2.) They will have another leg of shows relatively quickly, probably during the winter. It will be shorter.
3.) They will be doing it all again next summer.

Why? It doesn't have anything to do with art. It has to do with commerce. There will be a new studio album. A live DVD and TV special. Possibly a live album. Archival releases. A mere five-span month of touring doesn't begin to cover all the places that want to see them.

Everyone in this group can recognize dollar signs. Mike and Bruce will tour as "The Beach Boys" for most of the time, but the full band will not disappear after August.

At least that's my guess.

Eminently sane post. I wouldn't get depressed if the BBs won't do Europe, but this scenario is the most likely for me.

[Nicko1234]

Call me a dreamer, but allow me to make some predictions.

1.) April - August will not be the last "reunion" tour.

It would seem a little strange if the group's last ever concert were in Japan...

[Rocker]

Just posted by Bruce on the BBB board:

"Here is what is going on in our BB 50th touring world:
Our Beach Boys 50th starts in April and ends August 19 in Japan. There will not be any concerts with all of us together after 8/19 I am told. At the moment we are struggling with finding a large enough venue in England for a concert but the Queens Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Summer Olympics seem to be center stage 'over there' when we are available to tour. I'm hoping for at least Birmingham to work for us."

Why not just do the o2?

Maybe do one or two nights, I checked and it's free through July and August

That sure sounds like Mike & Bruce will continue as the Beach Boys to my ears.   

I guess most of us would like to see the name being laid to rest afetr a great encore this summer. But let's face it, if the tour will be a success - and it all looks like it's gonna be - the name "The Beach Boys" will be a winner in the first couple of years afterwards. It'll take some time until it gets back to the level of the last years. Personally I'd prefer if Mike and Bruce would change the name to "The Beach Boys Band" or "... Show" at least but I don't see that coming. Brian surely won't rejoin them and maybe won't even tour solo anymore. Al might do some shows with them from time to time just like David who did that during the last years but I guess Al won't leave guys like Billy Hinsche and Ed Cater without a job so to say and continue his Beach Band.
All just a guess of course but it probably will more or less turn out to be as it was before the reunion imo

[LostArt]

Got tickets for WI. Anyone know how amphitheaters are? I got back reserved seating (yellow section, second seating section) - Is that going to be unpleasant at all? How is the sound in those places?

It should be great.  It's a fairly large venue (23,000 seats).  The red and yellow sections have a roof, so you won't get wet if it rains (or snows - hey, it's Wisconsin  ).  The sound board is at the front of the center yellow section, I believe, so if you're anywhere near there it should be really good.  I'll be at the back of the red section, almost right in front of the sound board.

 I've seen three other shows there.  The first was back in the '80s when I saw John Mellencamp (hey, what can I say - my band played on one of the other stages that day so I got free tickets).  We were way back in the lawn seating area, under the stars, and it sounded okay.  The next one was Tom Petty in the '90s, and we were in yellow section 7 or 8, off to one side.  We were under the roof, and I think there were speakers hanging from the rafters to cover the rear sections.  It sounded very good from there.  The next one was just a few years ago, when we saw The Allman Brothers, Government Mule, and Derek Trucks.  We had pretty good seats in red section 2, and the sound was awesome.  So, you should be good.  Make sure you check out the other stages while you're there.  While they haven't announced the acts on the other stages yet, there are always some great bands (rock, country, blues, jazz, folk, everything) throughout the day, and your Beach Boys ticket gets you into the rest of the festival for free.

[SonoraDick]

Near the end of this article, there's a mention of SMiLE in concert I hadn't seen before... Sorry if it has already been posted.

http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/music/articles/2012/02/23/20120223brian-wilson-beach-boys-reunion-tour-tucson.html

[rogerlancelot]

Something seems wrong. I have been trying to purchase VIP tickets for the Vegas show at Red Rocks Casino for a couple of days now (supposed to be on sale Feb 25th) but they are still unavailable. I even called the box office at said casino itself and they have not gotten any word on tickets. What's happening? 

[Steve Mayo]

...deleted...my bad

[rogerlancelot]

reply 457 in this thread had a little info

Thank you but I believe that particular reply is about Red Rocks in the Denver, CO area. Not Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

[Steve Mayo]

oops...my bad....sorry

[Too Much Sugar]

Just secured two tickets for the Hollywood Bowl.  YES!! 

Unfortunately, only the cheaper seats were available (or, for my wallet, fortunately), but it's been a while since I've been to the Bowl and, if I recall, there's not really much of a bad seat there, is there?  In other words, I seem to remember the back rows being relatively decent, as well. 

Either way, I'll be there.  Can't wait! 

[Daniel S.]

just bought my ticket for the Hollywood Bowl show! 

[picassosson]

Anyone have an extra ticket for one of the NYC Beacon Theatre shows they'd be willing to sell? I was on the fence about going, but now I'm starting to regret it! Show sold out way quicker than I thought.

[urbanite]

I just bought one ticket to the Hollywood Bowl show.  $174 for one ticket, too expensive.

[Rich Panteluk]

Expensive yes Urbanite.  But I take it from the price you paid that you are in the Terrace boxes, yes?  Those are great seats.  I had those seats for brian last three shows there and they were perfect.  I'll be in the garden boxes just in front of you!  Don't ask what I paid...grrr...I can't wait.  Gonna be great!

[urbanite]

Yes, the Terrace boxes.  Ticketmaster presented that as the only tickets left. 

The Smiley Smile board members ought to meet up for a drink before the concert, given how momentous an occasion this wil be.

[NatureShowInStereo]

Got tickets for WI. Anyone know how amphitheaters are? I got back reserved seating (yellow section, second seating section) - Is that going to be unpleasant at all? How is the sound in those places?

It should be great.  It's a fairly large venue (23,000 seats).  The red and yellow sections have a roof, so you won't get wet if it rains (or snows - hey, it's Wisconsin  ).  The sound board is at the front of the center yellow section, I believe, so if you're anywhere near there it should be really good.  I'll be at the back of the red section, almost right in front of the sound board.

 I've seen three other shows there.  The first was back in the '80s when I saw John Mellencamp (hey, what can I say - my band played on one of the other stages that day so I got free tickets).  We were way back in the lawn seating area, under the stars, and it sounded okay.  The next one was Tom Petty in the '90s, and we were in yellow section 7 or 8, off to one side.  We were under the roof, and I think there were speakers hanging from the rafters to cover the rear sections.  It sounded very good from there.  The next one was just a few years ago, when we saw The Allman Brothers, Government Mule, and Derek Trucks.  We had pretty good seats in red section 2, and the sound was awesome.  So, you should be good.  Make sure you check out the other stages while you're there.  While they haven't announced the acts on the other stages yet, there are always some great bands (rock, country, blues, jazz, folk, everything) throughout the day, and your Beach Boys ticket gets you into the rest of the festival for free.

Hey, thanks for the info! This should be an incredible concert. I've got section 7 seats.

[Iron Horse-Apples]

I'm still hoping for a Birmingham or Manchester UK date. If there's no UK dates  though, oh well. Saves me some money.

[rogerlancelot]

May 27       
Las Vegas, NV                       
Red Rock Casino
On Sale: February 25

Still not for sale as of February 27th.

[Andrew G. Doe]

May 27        
Las Vegas, NV                        
Red Rock Casino
On Sale: February 25

Still not for sale as of February 27th.

Ooooooooooooo, can I be Phil Cohen ?

[ahem... koff]

There you are, they're keeping something from us, the tour's not happening, the 50th anniversary is being cancelled, it's the only explanation, you're all fools not to believe me about this, mark my words it's just the first cancelled show, they'll all be cancelled by the end of the week, I knew it.

[Dr. Tim]

Word of warning, mah fellow Amurricans. Know I 'm not the first to say this but now that the tour is on it bears repeating:

Any significant East Coast and West Coast venue will be sold out down front within seconds thanks to the scalper outfits.  The dirty secret: the management companies of every major act you can name are IN ON THE ACTION and get a piece of it.  They deny it, but still do it.  Even the vaunted working class hero Bruce Springsteen.  Bob Lefsetz has had the low-down on all this for years.  As soon as your ticket search is redirected to StubHub or TicketsNow five minutes after the open sale begins, you know you've been jacked.

Now if you're just looking for a single seat, you can luck out and do OK price-wise.  My sister is a master at this, often showing up at the door and scoring a good seat at the last minute.  Where they get you is if you need two or more.  I was trying to get a block of 3 for one of a couple different area shows.  SOL.

The real pity is that this no longer has to happen: famous acts who put in the effort will put limits on seat-block buying and require the original purchase credit card to be read to gain admission.   That's fair and keeps prices at face value.  It's also rarely done.

Actually there's another real pity: not all the scalped seats sell.  I have seen this more than once from my balcony perch.  From up there you see rows of empty seats down front that suckers didn't go for.  At $300 and up a throw, who would?  

Finally:   NEVER NEVER actually BUY the VIP ticket.  You will be laughed at.  Most end up being given away to insiders.  Of course if one is offered to you, go for it.

Hope some of the cognoscenti are right and the tour continues later this year or next since this one is selling so well, at least from what we hear so far.  As the crazy demand goes down, you have a better shot at getting in close and actually seeing something beyond the big TV screen.  Also maybe in Europe things are handled better.

[CoolWater]

Got my ticket for the Hollywood Bowl! Terrace Box, Center stage. Wooo!!! Can't wait 'til June.

My wife was going to go, but I talked her out of it. How mean is that? The problem was if we went together she would have insisted on the cheap seats at the top of the Bowl. I explained to her that the big draw of the show was seeing them all on stage together, and that I wouldn't see s#@t, if we were up in the nose bleed section. Her reply was "I'd like the show, but you're the super fan. If it would ruin the show for you to go and sit so far away you should go by yourself, I can't see spending $170 bucks to see the Beach Boys, unless they're going to raise Carl and Dennis from the dead as part of the show." 

I know I'll have to make it up to her later, butI told her it was THAT important to me. And she understood. I love my wife.

Thanks, Baby!

[Rocker]

Got my ticket for the Hollywood Bowl! Terrace Box, Center stage. Wooo!!! Can't wait 'til June.

My wife was going to go, but I talked her out of it. How mean is that? The problem was if we went together she would have insisted on the cheap seats at the top of the Bowl. I explained to her that the big draw of the show was seeing them all on stage together, and that I wouldn't see s#@t, if we were up in the nose bleed section. Her reply was "I'd like the show, but you're the super fan. If it would ruin the show for you to go and sit so far away you should go by yourself, I can't see spending $170 bucks to see the Beach Boys, unless they're going to raise Carl and Dennis from the dead as part of the show." 

I know I'll have to make it up to her later, butI told her it was THAT important to me. And she understood. I love my wife.

Thanks, Baby!

Get the couch ready..... 

[Dave in KC]

Hell, I paid 188 dollars each for just OK seats 2 years ago to see the Eagles. The Beach Boys ticket prices are in line for the demand. The Eagles show was worth every penny too.

[HeyJude]

Finally:   NEVER NEVER actually BUY the VIP ticket.  You will be laughed at.  Most end up being given away to insiders.  Of course if one is offered to you, go for it.

As I briefly complained about a little while back, I don't like how tickets are distributed in general nor this VIP process nor how even if one is inclined to do the VIP thing, they are penalized for being in New York or California instead of Wisconsin or Maine.

But who's going to laugh at someone who gets the VIP ticket? I suppose some disdain from some people might be felt if they think a "VIP" is either an insider or someone with too much disposable income. But I don't think it would be a case of being made fun of. Most of us aren't insiders and would never be "offered" a VIP ticket. There are many reasons not to do this VIP ticket thing, but being laughed at isn't one of them, in my opinion.

It's totally a corrupt way of business and shouldn't be happening the way it is, but it's hard not to at least briefly think that, relatively speaking, $400 for a front-row ticket, access to the soundcheck, and random memorabilia crap isn't a pretty good deal.

[ArchStanton]

May 27       
Las Vegas, NV                       
Red Rock Casino
On Sale: February 25

Still not for sale as of February 27th.

Same story with the "other" Red Rocks venue, in Colorado.  I'm dying to buy my tickets!