Bad news for American Sylvian fans

[sisterlondon]

BTW, Isa, I will be going to London after all as well! Maybe we can meet up there?

B x

Woohooo!!! That's fantastic news!!! You got the tix already? Though probably if you wait for better ones you might get them!

[krausy]

I am just here to tell Gods that I really appreciate the call tonight, so good to talk to you, I miss you too, and I am happy to have you around, even if we are commisserating. When I got your earlier text tonight I thought" Oh no, she has found out" (after all, I just could not bring myself to tell you the bad news---better you found out on your own). After we spoke though, I know that we feel the same about basically everything.

Anyway, take care and keep in touch!!!

[proggrl]

gosh i can't believe how behind on this information I am. To say I'm sorely disappointed is an understatement. There is no time to get a passport by the september dates. I saw on the news the other day that 11 weeks is now the minimum time it is taking. Unless you can somehow make it to a major city where they have an office and you can get your passport in about 24 hours. I live in nowhere'sville so there is no chance of that.
Man I was having a crap day and this just tops it off.

I'm very sorry David lost money on his other tours in the usa, but to be honest i think the promotion was sucky. I never even heard he was touring in 2002.

Gosh if he would play just an east coast and a west coast location he may be surprised enough to do more dates.

Oh and i agree with statements made about it being a world tour. Apparently the USA is on his doodie ball list. I don't think it was the fans fault his tour did poorly.

Oh well..... this just makes my life more sucky....

Gods, they will expedite the passport processing it if need be. It's only an extra $60 to do that. If you can go - I'd make the attempt. However I absolutely agree with you. Not playing anywhere in NA pretty much cuts out a good chunk of the world - it's really just a European tour so he should have just called it that instead of getting everyone's hopes up!

[MoodyB]

Well I just heard back again from Richard Chadwick, and I'm afraid to say that US dates really are out of the question.

My heart goes out to all of you that can't make any of the shows.
Do know that the lack of dates here are purely for reasons already discussed and not for a lack of actually wanting to play here.

For any of you that are planning to go, I would be more than happy to help lend a hand in your planning, I know that a first trip abroad can be a little nerve wrecking!
I've been fortunate to rack up a lot of miles over the years (especially between the UK & the US (I'm from the UK), and have a lot of good tips should you need them.
For those that had mentioned concern over getting a passport, you have PLENTY of time! As mentioned, you can pay extra to expedite it, which will get it back to you very quickly.



All the best,
Chris

[arieleleven]

BTW, Isa, I will be going to London after all as well! Maybe we can meet up there?

B x

Woohooo!!! That's fantastic news!!! You got the tix already? Though probably if you wait for better ones you might get them!

My sweet, sweet friend Nadia got us three front row (just off-centre, but still!!) seats for the London show. I seriously stopped breathing for an instant when I got her message this AM. And in Manchester, Shaun and I will be in the front row of the right choir section, which he says is the equivalent of about fifth row in the center stalls and slightly elevated, with no obstructions so it should be a lovely view. Dublin doesn't seem to be on sale yet and I am still up in the air re: Birmingham -- we will probably be flying home that day and I'm sure tickets there will be gone by the time I make up my mind about that one. But if I can see Dublin too, I can officially say I will be ready to die one very, very, very happy person.

I am so relieved about the passport situation, I can't even say. I am still submitting my already-downloaded application next week though. Not taking any chances!! Then I will see about booking flights after talking to Steph and Jim, etc.

I can't believe I will be in the front row for a Sylvian show. Even if a wall or curtain or speaker is partly blocking my view....it's the front row, you know?!! Maybe the universe has finally decided to reward me after all these years as a fan and never having been able to see one of his concerts?! But I don't think I will really believe it till I am actually there and he actually walks onstage and starts singing.

As for the complete lack of North and South American shows? It completely sucks. I still don't see why he couldn't play one or two nights at NYC Town Hall at the very least -- doesn't he live in NYC half the time anyway?

[sonic_chronicler]

However I absolutely agree with you. Not playing anywhere in NA pretty much cuts out half the world - it's really just a European tour so he should have just called it that instead of getting everyone's hopes up!

Knowing Mr Sylvian, the tour title may be an ironic snipe at those in America who think it is the whole world.

World Series anyone?

Having said that, I do feel the pain of those who won't get to see the gigs, but you can't seriously expect him to put on a gig(s) that wouldn't make him money and may not be well attended. I know people have suggested one gig, but the cost of putting on just one show would probably be prohibitive - and how many would actually travel? Sure, the half a dozen obsessives on here, but how many more.

We should also remember that he is now totally independent, so there is no major label to underwrite the costs.

Also remember that it may only be European dates announced so far, but dates in Japan to be announced make it more than a 'European Tour'

Sonic

[arieleleven]

Well I just heard back again from Richard Chadwick, and I'm afraid to say that US dates really are out of the question.

My heart goes out to all of you that can't make any of the shows.
Do know that the lack of dates here are purely for reasons already discussed and not for a lack of actually wanting to play here.

For any of you that are planning to go, I would be more than happy to help lend a hand in your planning, I know that a first trip abroad can be a little nerve wrecking!
I've been fortunate to rack up a lot of miles over the years (especially between the UK & the US (I'm from the UK), and have a lot of good tips should you need them.
For those that had mentioned concern over getting a passport, you have PLENTY of time! As mentioned, you can pay extra to expedite it, which will get it back to you very quickly.



All the best,
Chris

As I just said in my last message, this well and truly sucks re: the lack of any North and South American dates....I hope that things look different come next spring and perhaps he can play this side of the world then??

I really would rather see him Stateside and not spend a lot of money I shouldn't to fly overseas to see him, but life is too short not to grab such a rare opportunity as this if even remotely possible and so I will risk bankruptcy here, ha. This is something I have dreamed of since 1979, you know? Plus, I have been longing to go to Ireland and England for ages too ny case....the stars seem to be finally aligning here (or so I hope!).

Thanks very much, Chris, for your truly kind offer to advise on international travel, etc. This will be my first such trip and I know I will have some questions for you as soon as I have a chance to sit down and think clearly again. I will either PM you here or @MySpace, okay? Many thanks!!

And thanks again for keeping us informed of your dialogues with Richard Chadwick, etc.

Becky x

[arieleleven]

However I absolutely agree with you. Not playing anywhere in NA pretty much cuts out half the world - it's really just a European tour so he should have just called it that instead of getting everyone's hopes up!

Knowing Mr Sylvian, the tour title may be an ironic snipe at those in America who think it is the whole world.

World Series anyone?

Having said that, I do feel the pain of those who won't get to see the gigs, but you can't seriously expect him to put on a gig(s) that wouldn't make him money and may not be well attended. I know people have suggested one gig, but the cost of putting on just one show would probably be prohibitive - and how many would actually travel? Sure, the half a dozen obsessives on here, but how many more.

We should also remember that he is now totally independent, so there is no major label to underwrite the costs.

Also remember that it may only be European dates announced so far, but dates in Japan to be announced make it more than a 'European Tour'

Sonic

From what I understand, past shows at the NY Town Hall by David have been sell-outs so it seems that either he does have a fairly large fan base in that area and/or else there are a lot more obsessive fans willing to travel (like me, ha) than one might think.

Good point, though, about the reminder that he is completely without a major label to help with tour costs, etc. Still...maybe he will be able to play at least a couple of dates again at some point in this continent?

BTW, I too have always found it odd that it is called "The World Series". Whatever....!

[krausy]

All the excuses are just that---------excuses. I know that anything is possible if you just do it. I believe that if he did a show in NYC that more than a dozen people would show up. He has more fans than that------I was born at night, but it wasn't LAST night..................

Yeah, I certainly have the right to see the man wherever he plays, but it is the principle for me. I won't stop breathing if I don't see Mr. Sylvian live, but it would have been a nice addition to my Life Experiences..............

He made his choice..................and I certainly can make mine as well.

And Proggrl--------I think your suggestion is excellent.

[proggrl]

PT tour - lose money and keep coming back losing more money. Marillion toured the US over and over and over again losing money. That's his prerogative not to tour, but ONE tour gets botched and never again? I just don't get it. Perhaps he doesn't have a major label to underwrite his US tour but he doesn't have one to underwrite a European tour either.

Really - to anyone who can get there - I'm sure it will be worth it. To the rest of my US comrades licking their wounds, perhaps we can start a commissary thread!

[arieleleven]

All the excuses are just that---------excuses. I know that anything is possible if you just do it. I believe that if he did a show in NYC that more than a dozen people would show up. He has more fans than that------I was born at night, but it wasn't LAST night..................

Yeah, I certainly have the right to see the man wherever he plays, but it is the principle for me. I won't stop breathing if I don't see Mr. Sylvian live, but it would have been a nice addition to my Life Experiences..............

He made his choice..................and I certainly can make mine as well.

And Proggrl--------I think your suggestion is excellent.

I guess you are more mature than I am , Krausy, and /or I truly am in the throes of a midlife crisis (some people get Porsches, I fly overseas to try to achieve two long-cherished dreams of mine simultaneously), ha. I see your point and I respect your stand. I suppose I am just weak...or something.

And I absolutely agree with you about the turn-out if he played NYC again. I just don't understand why they seem so resolute about not considering even the remotest possibility of playing North America again (not even Toronto, which has been such a Sylvian stronghold ever since Japan).

[Sylvian's Beard]

Well I just heard back again from Richard Chadwick, and I'm afraid to say that US dates really are out of the question.

Just another disappointment from one of my favorite artists. Hanoi Rocks are probably going to go this route as well, although they claim that they will make the US. I am amazed that a band like BULLETBOYS (Ya' remember them!?) can do a complete "world tour" (as in like the whole world) and Mr. Sylvian cannot. What, are we just not cool enough?

[baht habit]

I know it is disappointing to many of you, but try not to let your hurt turn to anger. Sylvian is not intentionally slighting his fans. He is attempting what he believes is feasible. Do remember that prior to this announcement, he most likely had no intentions of ever performing live again. Let's try and not begrudge him for not having the resources to make this an inclusive world tour.
Since he is taking musicians out on the road, he will have to pay for their time on and off the stage...pay for their travel, pay for their lodging, and miscellaneous needs. He is now basically the record company, there is no financial backing of that sort (and it seems there really wasn't much help in that way before from Virgin). He will have to pay a road manager or else do it all himself. He will have to procure and pay the venue, which is never cheap. He could gauge his fans on costs, I am not privy to the pricing of these tickets. But an artist of his status will most likely only break even if he is fortunate after all the costs that accumulate.
You all probably already know this. Touring goes far beyond the hour and a half to two hours an artist is on stage.

[VaporTrail]

I think by going by past turnouts, and the people who would travel (quite convinced there would be more than a half dozen) one show you would think is feasable.

I mean, is it too unreasonable to think he'd consider playing one show in North America where I imagine almost or just as many of the records he sells are bought? Probably not a good idea to purposefully "snipe" a country with a lot of fans.

And I'm sick of this "US is is the world" bullcrap. No one's better than anyone, if the US thinks it's the world, well I'd say Europeans think pretty highly of themselves too. This crap just gets old...

I just feel bad for those who seeing David would mean the world to, and won't be able see him this time, but instead have to hope that someday he'll play again.

[baht habit]

I would tend to believe that Sylvian still looks upon the 2002 tour as a measure of his popularity or lack of popularity in the US. He probably came to the logical conclusion that he wasn't as big a draw in this country as he would need to be in order to justify a tour here, especially now that he is his own insecure company working without a net. And as far as fans traveling, well evidently the fans didn't travel back in 2002 so he had to abort and take a loss. I don't blame him for allowing that fact to cause apprehension on his part. This is a lot of $ at stake here and it is extremely hard to recoup losses. And I'm sure it is a disheartening feeling to lose money for the sake of one's art.
Another possible reason (though unfortunately probably way off the mark) for a lack of a US leg: He may actually go through with that previously expressed desire to perform entirely improvised music on stage, no vocals, just pure musical exploration and is hesitant to subject that to the US when he had such a lackluster turn out for what was basically his 'greatest hits' tour in 2002.