Motley Crue ‘The Stadium Tour’ promoter is Live Nation and in a recent interview on Variety, CEO Michael Rapino was asked about touring under his company.
Here’s what he said:
Interestingly, Michael hinted that big bands will have to play in clubs and theatres instead of arenas and stadiums.
This lead to a lot of discussion on social media with fans thinking the Motley Crue reunion tour might happen like a reduced capacity stadium show.
Rapino did confirm it saying:
“Over the summer there will be testing happening, whether it’s fan-less concerts, which offer great broadcast opportunities and are really important for our sponsorship business; drive-in concerts, which we’re going to test and roll out and we’re having some success with; or reduced-capacity festival concerts, which could be outdoors in a theater on a large stadium floor, where there’s enough room to be safe.”
At least temporarily, higher-profile artists who are accustomed to playing stadiums or arenas may instead play theaters or clubs charging higher-priced tickets, Rapino added.
“Whether it’s in Arkansas or [another] state that is safe, secure and politically fine to proceed in, we’re going to dabble in fan-less concerts with broadcasts and reduced-capacity shows, because we can make the math work,” Rapino explained.
“We think in the fall, if there are no second hotspots, you’ll see markets around the world [reopening]… And then our goal is really to be on sale in the third and fourth quarters for 2021 at full scale.”
Well known rock journalist and podcast host, Eddie Trunk, shared his views on ‘The Stadium Tour’, saying it’s impossible for the tour to go according to plan.
Recently LYNYRD SKYNYRD cancelled their September/October tour so this lead to Eddie Trunk talk about the Motley Crue tour.
He said:
“This is why it’s strange “Stadium Tour” still trying to figure out what to do ..there’s arena/shed shows in Sept/Oct being cancelled now. I don’t see any scenario where a show in stadiums can happen earlier!? As much as we would like it to..we’ll see.”
After the recent announcement by the bands on their social media pages, fans are extremely annoyed due to the waiting game knowing that the tour will not happen.
Fans took to social media expressing their disappointment and anger that the bands haven’t still cancelled ‘The Stadium Tour’.
Here are some of the responses:
“To make an announcement June 1 when every state said no large gatherings of any sort, sports, concerts, festivals will not be allowed until a vaccine. All shows this summer have been cancelled or postponed. Cancel already so folks can get their money back to use for essentials.”
“I know you guys don’t want this to go to waste. Neither do we. But I’m not showing up if this concert happens on the scheduled date. No f*cking way. A lot of fans out there are hurting and could really use that money right now. Whenever this is over, we’ll be there again.”
“Please cancel so we can get our money back, my husband is self-employed and has no work right now.”
“Touring is done for 2020. Who wants to be responsible when a fan attends a show and gets the virus that is bad enough to be hospitalized. If I attend any concert in 2020 …..it’s outdoors and masks are available to any fan that attends the concert. But if they don’t wash their hands…It’s a gamble..take a chance..”
“I have great seats but I’m not going . I hope they cancel. If they do not I will sell my tickets. There is no way I’m risking my health.”
“Cancel that sh*t already so we can have a refund! Everyone knows it’s not gonna happen this year. Quit being D-bags”
Then all the bands released an official statement from MÖTLEY CRÜE, DEF LEPPARD, POISON and JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS.
Here’s what they said:
“We wanted to reach out to all of our amazing fans and let you know that we’ve been hard at work preparing an amazing show.
“Our priority during this unprecedented time is to make sure that we are being as thoughtful and responsible as possible in the decisions we are making regarding The Stadium Tour and that we are putting the fans’ health, well being and safety first and foremost.
“We are currently weighing all options and are awaiting further direction from the powers that be.
“Our goal is to have an official update to everyone by June 1 outlining exactly how we will proceed. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy. We can’t wait to see you all again.”
MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee confirmed that the band’s “The Stadium Tour” with DEF LEPPARD, POISON and JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS is happening.
The Stadium Tour has sold out 75-80% of the tickets and fans are eagerly waiting for the tour.
According to MOTLEY CRUE manager, both CRUE and DEF LEPPARD are going to earning millions per show.
He said:
“You start calculating the grosses for 50,000 people a night, it’s a lot of money. In the millions.”
“The acts can get somewhere between 50 and 60 percent of the gross.”
It is unclear how much “The Stadium Tour” can earn, but for comparison’s sake, Motley Crue grossed $42.1 million and Def Leppard grossed $54 million on their respective tours in 2015.
Figuring 20,000 cars in a stadium parking lot at $50 a pop, “you’re talking about a million dollars before you even walk into the stadium.”
We also heard reports of Motley Crue asking for $3.25 Million per show.
A concert promoter in Iowa who claims to have been offered the opportunity to bid for a show says the tour’s agent quoted him as follows:
Mötley Crüe: $2 million
Def Leppard: $1 million
Poison: $250,000
So if we look at the price, we are talking about MOTLEY CRUE losing close to $60-70 Million for the entire tour. DEF LEPPARD will lose $30-40 Million.
In total, these two bands are going to lose 110-120 Million dollars and that’s one hell of the money.
Now, you can debate about the insurance, but we will have to see how that works out. HELLFEST got cancelled and insurance company ain’t paying them at all.