> << Was it Azeem who said that David Bowie makes most of his money from live > appearances? And yet, didn't Joni say that touring actually COSTS her money? > How does that work? I know there's more to it than the star's salary - > there's the band (and the roadies); there's any special effects (a la Pink > Floyd). What else? Somehow I imagine a Bowie show costing more than Joni one, > so what's up with that? >> > > Not Bowie, Catherine, but Richard Thompson - a very different kettle of fish! > I think RT was particularly referring to his solo tours, where obviously > overheads are low and the shows invariably sell out.
Hasn't RT stayed in circulation pretty much throughout his career as far as live performance is concerned? That's the feeling I'm getting from reading the interview that Debra so kindly posted the URL for. I would guess that he books into relatively small, more intimate venues and since he has a following that are used to seeing him on a fairly regular basis, as Azeem says, he sells these venues out. His fans get to see him often enough to keep them interested. Joni, on the other hand, hardly ever tours and when she does she's usually booked into large venues that don't do anything to enhance her style of music and performance. Therefore the costs are higher and when the venues don't sell out it ends up costing her. Her more recent touring was limited and in 98 she hooked up with Dylan and Van Morrison and as much as I love Joni, I know that it was Bob & Van that sold those concerts out, not Joni. The BSN tour was very limited as far cities played was concerned. Concord looked like it was pretty full when she was there. Did she sell out the other venues she played on the BSN tour? I think what it boils down to is that Joni doesn't like to tour. I'm not sure why she gets booked into the large arenas when she does tour. Maybe the accommodations and perks are better than what she'd get in smaller theatres and clubs and she's too used to her 'clean white linen and her fancy French cologne' so to speak. I think she would be much happier performing in a venue like what she designed for the PWWAM taping. She always seems more relaxed and open in an intimate setting. If she had a place like that to perform every now and then, could do a show and then go home afterwards I think she'd be perfectly happy with it. Of course, that doesn't give her exposure to anybody but the LA audiences. Mark E in Seattle
