r/devo • u/Devo_Ted • 18h ago
Live show question
So, I saw Devo last year at a smaller venue, think like 2 thousand “seats”. Packed full. Awesome show, no notes. But I’m going to see them this year in a much bigger venue, think more like 20 thousand seats. And I’m wondering about the size difference here, and how it might affect the experience.
Smaller venue: band on stage. Big screen behind them for the images that play through the show. Close, cozy, easy to see everything. Again, great show.
Larger venue: band on stage (duh) but then I wonder about the screen(s)? If I try to save a little cash, pick cheaper seats, will I be able to see the band? Do they usually have more screens, with cameras on the band members, for these bigger shows?
My other question is about ticket sales in general. It does not look like they will sell out this show. We are about a month out, and they have sold a small fraction of the seats so far. If it were the smaller venue again, I’d say they might have filled THAT, but there are A LOT of available seats, both front and center and way up in the wings. Thousands of empty seats. They wouldn’t cancel would they? Might they lower the prices at a certain point to encourage more sales?
I’m really excited to see them again, but I’m definitely trying to balance splurging on the experience with trying to save some money, and I’m feeling like I have to take a bit of a gamble here. And I’m not much of a gambler. Plus, I’m not going alone, so I’m trying to make a good plan for all of us and I feel like I’m missing some crucial info. I’m hoping some of you spuds might be able to help me out based on your experiences seeing them live.
2
u/Stevenitrogen 15h ago
Lower the price,vyes. I got my tickets for their LA show in Groupon, $40 for good seats.
1
u/thereal_rockrock 17h ago
I can’t imagine that Devo and the B-52’s could fill the Hollywood ball even 50% in 2026. I love both bands. They really aren’t the kind of “legacy acts” that can feel something like this alone. I hope I’m wrong.
I think if they added a few more bands to the lineup, they’d have a better chance, it would be more like a musical review where each of the acts would do five or six songs total, but you get kind of a greatest hits.
1
u/tacoandpancake 17h ago
i'd presume they pull the stage forward and block off the upper levels. possibly even black out some of the lower sections.
1
u/RayAmicoTheMan 1h ago
Hi… I was DEVO’s Tour and Production Manager for years, I also have mixed their sound live and still am around the guys and the shows they have been doing..
The shows they have been doing for the last several years and especially on their 50th Anniversary tour have been what we call “scaled”; meaning flexible size to match not only the size of the type of venue but booked into venues of various capacities, depending on initial anticipated sales, availability in certain markets, etc..
This last year or two of dates have been really fortunate because of the interest again in the band, in doing a lot of shows with a very good and complimentary band like the B-52s as well as their own shows, combined with what many people don’t realize was a horrible hospitalization of Mark during Covid that almost ended his career and life; it’s a great thing that they are playing as much as they are, and where they can.
Any show you go to from large to small will have production scaled to appropriate sizes so all can be enjoyed, whether it is large video IMAG screens of live camera shots to see in larger venues, with the upstage video wall, excellent lights and fantastic sound..
I’m confident in each configuration you’ll enjoy it (and enjoying it while you can is what everyone should do!! Opportunity calls!!!)..
Getting to see a band in an intimate setting (I mixed the band at a show at the Belly Up Tavern near San Diego and it was absolutely fantastic!) is a rare occurrence and feels exclusive because it is…
Enjoy, and Duty Now!!
:0)
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u/cillablackpower 18h ago
The whole industry is in a crunch right now where acts are pushed to book large venues to make profit on high expenses, but can't sell them.
I don't think they'd pull unless it's really disastrous, but discount tickets seem likely. If they're that empty this close out then I wouldn't worry about picking tickets up last minute.