Why I’m still buying tickets for concerts which may not take place…

Welcome to my new irregular column released each Saturday sunrise (or, er, lunchtime…)

No3

 

My investment in tickets for events and gigs which may never happen currently stands at £400+.

Concerts postponed in 2020 looked home bankers to eventually take place this spring. Now I’m not so sure.

Yesterday Glastonbury Festival organisers pulled the curtain down on plans for this summer’s extravaganza.

Despite moving ‘heaven and earth’ to get it on, Glasto is off.

I didn’t have golden ticket for Worthy Farm, but I did have one for last summer’s EskFest – the Lake District’s number one micro-festival held in the remote Eskdale valley.

The three-day event, set for early July 2020, was pushed back 12 months.

Myself and pals were offered the option of a full refund on our 2020 tickets, or roll-them-over.  In a sense, just forget 2020 ever happened and we’ll get it on in 2021.

We were happy just to leave our cash with this independent music and arts festival as it’s an event which has given us so much joy in previous years.

EskFest ticket holders for 2020’s shelved event have been offered a free pint when they turn up in 2021.

I suspect that particular beer, surrounded by friends and fells, will taste remarkable.

This week Tom Smith, EskFest event director, wrote to ticket holders: “It’s been a tricky year for us all, but hopefully, EskFest can shine a little light at the end of this bizarre and bothersome tunnel we all find ourselves in.

“Thanks again for sticking by us – running festivals is admittedly, rather a thankless task.

“But to see so many of you hold on to your tickets and affirm your love of this amazing little festival was very moving and made us even more determined to do you all proud.”

One can only imagine the stress and heartache being experienced by artists, event organisers and venues as this pandemic wrecks economic havoc.

I baulked at an email I received from a venue yesterday which granted me an ‘early access pre sale code’ to tickets for a show in March.

March 2022 that is.

Unfortunately, Midge Ure at Blackburn’s King George’s Hall is not really my thing, but thanks anyway.

But you can see why venues are having to put their eggs in a basket emblazoned with the title 2022.

I’m supposed to attend a concert in a fortnight – Katy J Pearson at Widnes Library. SeeTickets is still selling tickets for it.

With Britain in lockdown does anyone really expect it to go ahead?

Pearson – one of British music’s most exciting new talents – released her dazzling debut album in November yet has been unable to promote it on the road.

My ticket cost £9. And it’s a show put on by the utterly brilliant Get it Loud in Libraries. So if the gig is rescheduled for 2031 in a library on Saturn I’ll still be there.

This is the Kit released a new record in October. My date with Kate Stables’ sensational indie folk collective in Lancaster should be coming into view. But it’s re-routed to the distant darkness of winter 2021.

If you think there is some inconvenience to us gig-goers, how do you think bands feel?

Income from touring has vanished.

My ticket for Martin Rossiter’s 50th birthday show has changed dates and venues twice. Originally scheduled for May 2020, it was rearranged for autumn, before being switched to summer 2021.

Given the way this virus is going, Rossiter’s career-ending finale on 19 June at London’s O2 Kentish Town Forum could be rearranged a third time.

The ex-Gene singer may have to wait a while longer before the world is fighting fit. London Can You Wait? Indeed.

Rossiter’s gig was originally billed as a ‘farewell’ show. When it eventually takes place it should surely be a ‘welcome back’ show.

I’m happy to continue to buy tickets for gigs even though there’s a cloud over them actually happening.

Last week Sleaford Mods tickets went on sale. There was no time to dither, we snapped them up.

The artists you love are still producing music and need our help more than ever.

To quote The Smiths: “Don’t forget the songs that made you cry, and the songs that saved your life.”

How many of us have taken solace, soulship and joy from the sounds from our stereo in this horror year?

If you can afford it, support the music that has supported you.

Many artists have embraced the digital sphere. Ian Prowse has been playing live shows on Facebook direct from his apartment in Liverpool.

Friday nights in have never been so fantastic thanks to Prowsey’s songs of defiance and love.

He played a staggering 28 lockdown shows in 2020. Remarkable, considering each set lasted 2.5 hours.

I’m glad he has been able to sell his fab merchandise during these online gigs.

And right now, buying tickets and merch is one thing you can do to back the bands who have backed you.

Ian should have a Facebook show coming soon. Check *here*.

We were lucky to see Prowsey play on a stage instead of a screen when a handful of live shows happened in-between lockdowns.

I’d forgotten how utterly fantastic it is to go out for a meal, with friends, to have a pint then see a full band give everything on a stage. Socially distanced us all – but living the dream at a live gig – just for one night.

The pandemic has thrown everything into doubt.

Any plans made have an instant question mark against them. And unfortunately, that’s just the way it is right now.

While it may seem inconvenient to have ticket money tied up in red tape, I’ve leaving things be.

Here’s to Katy Pearson in Widnes, BC Camplight in Kendal, David Gray in Cartmel, Ian Prowse in Darwen, Damo in Dublin, Rossiter in London and the hope of tents and tunes in Eskdale.

It’s good to have something to look forward to.

That – at times – is worth the ticket fee itself.

Dickie 

If you fancy any of the gigs I’ve mentioned, ticket details here:

Eskfest: *Tickets*

Sleaford Mods: *Tickets*

Katy J Pearson: *Tickets*

This Is The Kit: *Tickets*

Get it Loud in Libraries *Tickets*

Ian Prowse: *Tickets*

Martin Rossiter *Tickets*