Since the Venues we contract can hold 1500 people with ease, it's pretty unlikely we we will have a sell out. So other than saving on the ticket price, why buy advance tickets?
One reason is assure the promoter and venue that someone is actually interested in seeing the show you are presenting. Let me explain with an example from August of 2003. During the 2003 season I decided to dabble in a Bluegrass show. The show was planned for August 1st-3rd. The venue secured and notices posted in various place on the INTERNET and in print advertising. On July first, one month before the show no tickets had been sold, nobody had called, nobody had showed any interest at all. The show was canceled and notices posted, all other information was removed from the web. In the week before the show was supposed to happen, over a hundred people called looking for directions and ticket info, which had been posted for seven months before we canceled the show. Many people were disappointed, some said they had planned for months to attend. So a perfectly good show, likely a money maker was canceled because no one bothered to let us know they were interested...
Another reason to purchase advance tickets is every SShh Festival starts a day earlier than advertised. People holding advance tickets get to come in pick up the best camping spots, and join the host, for a pre-show party, often the best part of the festival...Many people want to wait to buy at the gate. They are afraid it might rain or something might come up. Well I have created a cure for that as well. 2004 Tickets will again be good for any show!!! So if you plan on coming in June and can't, you show up at the July or August shows no questions asked. If you miss the show and can't come to a different one you can sell or give away your tickets!!!
So what's the catch, the skeptic cries?
These shows are very expensive to produce and promote. Many expenses must be paid a month or two in advance, meaning I am already spending money on all shows. So if you buy advance tickets, I'll be able get better bands and be able to eat in those brutal days just before the shows.
So now are you ready to buy your tickets now?