RE: Concerts 2013
The park isnt gonna pay $200,000+ to book Bieber. It's just not worth it. Bon Jovi is more possible, but I doubt they have the crowd control capabilities to deal with it... I'm sure Jovi is in the $50,000+ tier easy. And Bieber would cause more issues than Jovi easy.
The Teeny Bopper acts come cheap (figuratively). All the acts they book I'm almost 100% positive are in the under the $50,000 booking fee tier. I honestly don't think the park has booked anyone who's base price would be more than $20.
I can't give an accurate estimate cause I've never dealt or talked *seriously* about booking an act for a themepark. I'm sure the rate goes up at least 25%... I wouldnt be surprised if it went up 50% from their normal rate just cause it's a themepark. It really depends on how "fair" the booking agency is... I can see some agencies booking certain acts considering the maximum capacity of the park, rather than the venue, to capitalize off the fact "so and so" being there boosting the attendance.
What *I* think the park should do is book the guys people know about, but wouldn't go way far out the way to see. Get artist with a large non-radio/TV following. They don't cost as much and would effectively boost attendance But they'd cost less so they could book more shows throughout the summer.
One of Busch's MAIN problems right now, is that it's always the same ol same ol. They need to expand their offerings and keep things changing constantly in the park so they can get a boost in attendance and spending out of the locals. You book a big name and you'll get a quick attendance boost... But if you book 2 or 3 lesser known, but still well known artist that wont draw a crowd that'll scare off your sane locals, You get to put more content in the park, keep an attendance boost and give people SOMETHING to do and plan for for 3 days rather than 1.
I'd love to see local bands playing in Grogans, every wednesday during the summer or something like that... They don't cost that much to book... Might be a little bit of a hassle, but the park needs constant content injected into it that arent rides or regular shows. BGW is a locals park as equally much as it is a tourist park... Capitalize off of it!
I'm also really really surprised SEA is one of the few chains not trying to capitalize off of the current electronic music trend. Electronic acts are the CHEAPEST to book, and the cheapest to produce a show for. It takes literally an extention cord and a dual XLR connection into the main sound console to set up for a DJ, (plus a DJ mixer). That's it.
