How a Resurrection Really Feels

[kayfaberaven]

Late 2014, from afar the band seemed to be running on fumes near the end of the touring cycle for Teeth Dreams, which had taken four years to release after Heaven is Whenever. And without Franz. It seemed like we were getting close to the end, or at least to the beginning of the end. And if that was the case, it would be fine - possibly inevitable. We'd have 6 THS albums, plus one Craig Finn solo album that I once saw described as "tentative", and a lot of good memories. A hell of a run, capped off by the Horseshoe residency in December 2014. The band apparently played only 1 show in 2015, in February 2015 at the Bowery Ballroom...I wonder if that felt like a farewell.

And then...another Craig Finn solo album later in 2015, which was a leap forward from CHFE. If the band had gone dormant, at least we'd have new songs from Craig, which he'd tour with. Summer 2016 the band played 3 festival shows, but that was it. I believe these 3 shows is when Franz first showed up again to celebrate the 10th anniversary of BAGIA. But it felt more like nostalgia than a new beginning.

And then...Massive Nights 2016. Using the Horseshoe residency as a roadmap, the band had apparently figured out a way to go on that made sense. In June 2017, they had a 3 night residency in Chicago and Massive Nights again in late November/early December. Even better, the band released a couple of new songs in late 2016 as well.

You know the rest. The residency model has expanded to about 6-8 residencies per year, all over the USA and internationally in Toronto and London and even Australia. 2 new THS albums have been released, with another one likely on the way. 3 more Craig solo albums. Craig's tours.

Friends, in 2015 it felt like it was over. And look where we are now.

[muzzleofbees]

Well put, Jimmy!

I remember a distinct feeling of the band being finished as an active, recording band. 2015 was just so silent, new news, no fuzz, and the fact that Craig released a solo album really felt like an omen at the time. When they did those Boys And Girls aniversary shows in 2016, I vividly remember thinking that maybe that was the best we could hope for: That the band kept on playing as a legacy act, a few shows each year. And I though the exact same thing as you: It was a good run. We couldn't really ask for more.

I was anxious that the legacy thing wouldn't run forever either, so in 2017, with two kids under the age of 2, I negotiated myself a trip to Brooklyn to do the full Massive Nights. I genuinely thought it could be my last chance of seeing the band, let alone get to see them in Brooklyn. And I remember it so well, sitting in the exact same spot in my sofa as I'm sitting in right now, getting the e-mail about Entitlement Crew and Snake In The Shower. It felt like a precious gift, but I have to admit, it also felt like a goodbye. "Thanks for listening, thanks for understanding" in past tense, not present tense, you know. Still, I did the trip, heard those new songs every night, and felt peaceful and happy that I got to enjoy it.

Since then, it's been nothing but magical. London in 2018, London in 2019, Brooklyn again in 2019, then two more Weekenders in London. Those singles just kept on dropping, and they were damn good. Collecting them (and then some) on Thrashing felt like a nice gesture to the fanbase. They said there were going to release songs as soon as they recorded them, but still, for us who had been around for some time, it felt nice to get that vinyl, the cover art, the context. Then they fucking ditched that policy to, and kicked on an Open Door Policy instead. Not just songs, but freaking amazing songs. And not just amazing songs, an album that's about as good as it gets. I think it's their best since Boys And Girls, and some of the live shows I've seen are all the way up there with the ones from the 00s.

So, yeah, this is how a resurrection really feels. My all time favourite band kicking on a 2.0 (or even 3.0) version of themself, different but just as good as the version I fell in love with.

[sequesteredinuk]

I can't help but play devils advocate on this one guys. Not being contrarian just for the sake of it either, I believe that a change whilst not 'having' to come soon, I believe that it should.

I agree about the residencies since 2016. They did resurrect the band themselves. the Unified Scene became an even better social occasion for most. It strengthened an already strong bond. That said, if not for Franz returning I don't think the whole thing would have been as good? to go back pre residencies, I was at the final European tour show late 2014 at the Riverside, Newcastle, UK (with the So So glos), a year or so passed and I started wondering what the future held for them. Had I seen the last Hold Steady show outside of North America? It kind of felt like the end of something. Glad to be wrong about that.

However as time has gone by I'm sensing a change now. I've seen every weekender and every Massive nights. But I'm kind of burnt out by it all now! And I'm not the only one. I'm noticing some things that are pretty alarming actually amongst The Unified Scene lately. People who travelled to every New York residency weren't there in December 22', similarly some fans who always go to London weren't there in March of this year. I personally think the residency thing has run it's course and usual suspects not showing up isn't the only reason. I think 2023 with the 20th anniversary of the band would be the perfect time for a tour? Even if it's a selected City tour. No one is suggesting playing Omaha on Monday night in February. But surely the data is there to make it happen?

Also, What would be a rough estimate of the amount of The Hold Steady fans in North America and Europe alone that the residencies only policy has cut out of the loop? 50% at least? More? The thing is that the residencies may bolster some bands popularity, but it only does that in the city they are in. Nowhere else. So generally the interest will lessen.

I'm no businessman by any means (fucking heaven forbid) so I don't count the beans but everywhere they go rarely sells out. London is more or less guaranteed but nowhere else is. In Toronto Wednesday and Thursday weren't sell outs. If you go on the show page on the website there's tickets available almost everywhere they play? To my point earlier if diehards are being more selective then what price for casual fans? Couple that with the state of the world as it is relying on people to travel to shows to fill in the gaps with the locals is more and more unrealistic I feel. Inflation is real. I don't need to tell anyone on here about that. I feel for one year at least a return to the road would be right in 23'.

How does everyone else feel. Residencies or tour for next year?

[kayfaberaven]

Hiya,

On the touring vs. residencies thing, I'd love to know all of the numbers and the "business" of the band (or any band, really, but especially this band). Without knowing anything about anything, I've found myself trying to do some VERY rough back of the napkin math for these weekends. Hopefully none of this is taken as disrespectful to the band or anyone else, it just intrigues me for a number of reasons (including, selfishly, if the band isn't making money then they likely won't keep going).

For example, I'll be in Denver for all 3 nights in June. Google tells me capacity at the Bluebird is 550. Let's say all 3 nights sell out (I think Friday and Saturday are sold out, but Thursday isn't) and tickets are $40 per. 550 times 40 is $22,000 per night, which is $66,000. I don't recall what the soundcheck meet and greet costs, but let's say $40 again. I've only been to a soundcheck once (in Brooklyn), and there were definitely fewer than 100 people there, so even if there's 100 people at the soundcheck, that's another $4,000, which gets us to $70,000. Then there's merch sales which couldn't be more than $5,000 (once the cost of making the merch is accounted for) for the weekend could it? So we're at $75,000.

Then we've got to take away expenses, which I have even less idea about. But even if we figure the building is free (but the building keeps all drink sales), there's still air and hotel (Comfort Inn not the Mandarin, naturally) and transportation to and from the airport for 6 band members and at least a couple of support folks I assume. What does that cost - $15,000 total? Management needs to be paid (10%?). Support staff needs to be paid (I assume Mosh Pit Josh isn't working for free). I may be forgetting other expenses - again, I have no idea. Maybe we're down to let's say $48,000 in "profit", to give me a nice round number? That means $8,000 to each band member for the weekend (assuming everyone gets an equal share). But who knows the actual figure - maybe it's somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 per band member. Which isn't bad, obviously, but it's not enough to be a full time source of income.

Having said that, band members have said in interviews that the residency model is a lot more pleasant, given their ages and family situations and other commitments. I don't know these guys at all, but I doubt that they all want to get back in the van (or even a bus) for a few months. Some of them may be ok with it - Craig tours solo so he seems ok with it - but likely not all of them. I also wonder if they'd make more money going on a full tour. Again, I know nothing, but if they're out on tour then they have expenses every day so they are going to want to have money coming in most days. Maybe not Omaha on Monday, but they've got to play somewhere on some of the Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays they're out on tour (I think). And those days are a lot harder to sell tickets for, I assume (there's a reason the Wednesdays and Thursdays of residencies sell out way later, if at all, than Fridays and Saturdays).

Selfishly, the residency model works for me. I live in Vancouver so if they went on a proper tour then I'd see them here (if they crossed the border...although there last show here was in a casino in the suburbs ferchrissakes) and Seattle. I'd rather fly to Denver for the weekend, but I realize that I'm fortunate to be able to do so.

Maybe one day they could adopt a hybrid residency thing, kind of like the Nashville-Atlanta shows this coming summer? Manageable loops in one geographic area? So, San Diego - LA - San Francisco, for example? But even then, they still need to set up and tear down every day, which is apparently a pain, as is the travel between cities. And my guess is that the band has come to the conclusion that they probably aren't at a stage of their career where they're winning over new fans in significant numbers that would make a full tour more worthwhile as a loss leader to build out the fan base.

But going back to the main point of my original post, I thought it was pretty much over in 2015, and yet here we are in 2022 with about 35-40 new songs (and more on the way) and the chance to see my favorite band multiple times each year, often in cities that I wouldn't have an excuse to visit otherwise. Now, I've just got to make it over to London for the Weekender one year...

[muzzleofbees]

May 23, 2022 16:44:59 GMT -5 sequesteredinuk said:

I can't help but play devils advocate on this one guys. Not being contrarian just for the sake of it either, I believe that a change whilst not 'having' to come soon, I believe that it should.

I don't quite feel I'm/we're in the position to advise the band on this. And I don't think regular tours are a real alternative, I think it's residencies or nothing by now. And I think the only thing who could possibly change that, is a very lucrative festival tour.

I also think Thrashing and ODP are products of the spare time, and that we wouldn't get as much new music as fast if they tried to tour like an ordinary band.

I'm bad with numbers, so I won't go in to the financial stuff. But I was also at one of the last shows on that 2014 tour, in Cologne. They didn't sell out the 350 capacity room, and the temperature was pretty low. It was obvious that it wasn't very sustainable.

And I don't think it's a goal in itself that people travel to every residency every year. I consider myself a pretty hardcore fan, but there's no option going to the US every year, and I'm not dead sure going to London each year either. But this model represent the opportunity. And maybe I need to check my priveleges and all that, but doing a Weekender every other year (for us Europeans) seems attainable for most of us.

One last points about the residencies: I know the main chunk of THS fans lives in the US and the UK, but for us foreign THS fans, the residencies is a real opportunity to see them more than once a year. Just as it is for the band, it's way more expensive for me traveling to se them in, say, Amsterdam, Cologne and Berlin, than just sign up for three nights in London. And the band coming by the city (or even country) I'm living in, is not an option.

And as a FINAL POINT: I think this is a little bit boring discussion after the praise kayfaberaven posted in the opening post As fans, we sure are entitled to our opinions, but I think the band - at the point their at in their lives, and after spending almost 20 years on the regular rock'n'roll circus - have the right to do whatever they want, and then we just have to decide for ourselves if we tag along for the ride.

[robs]

Thanks for starting this thread jimmyswagger.  It's a really good reminder of where we are.

I was fairly late to the party - my first THS gig on the HIW tour was at what felt like a pretty packed Glasgow ABC (1200+ capacity). By 2014 and the TD tour they originally booked the ABC then moved to the Garage (capacity 700, felt quieter than the ABC on the HIW tour). I was also at the same gig sequesteredinuk did at the Riverside in Newcastle (600 capacity, pretty crowded as I remember). Incidentally, it's the first time it's registered that was their most recent and probably final UK gig outside London.

I obviously really enjoyed all of the these gigs, but come 2018 and their first London Weekender, I hadn't fully appreciated how much they missed and needed Franz. And without any firm evidence to back this up, I reckon he would be the least likely to go on a full tour, and is probably key for the residencies to continue?

Much as would love to see THS at the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen, I love the London Weekender for a number of reasons. It was a bit different this year as I had my family in tow (first trip to see southern family since before COVID), but next year it will likely revert to my annual "me time" where I get to kick back and do as much or as little as I want. I am fortunate to be able to afford this and my family know how much it means to me. I'd love to do Brooklyn once but can't afford it (on any level) at this time in my life. 

I think there's still a hangover from COVID (I'm probably not the only one who managed to avoid getting a dose until the Covid Moth Club), and the financial crisis obviously isn't helping.  I noticed that Frank Turner cancelled Austrian shows at short notice as it wasn't financially viable, and took a fair bit of flack for it - unfair in my opinion, the guy is indefatigable and one of the few who consistently recognises that Scotland exists north of the Central Belt (apologies, parochial rant!).

If the residencies give us the best version of the Hold Steady live, and free the time to record more THS and solo stuff, that's more than I could have hoped for in 2015 and selfishly works for me.  I do appreciate that there will be many who feel cut out though.

[kayfaberaven]

Muzzle, thanks for perfectly summarizing some of what I was getting at: "I think it's residencies or nothing by now."

Robs, I thought this same thing but didn't express it as I was rambling away: "And without any firm evidence to back this up, I reckon he [Franz] would be the least likely to go on a full tour, and is probably key for the residencies to continue?" And then you wrote in two lines what I was getting at in my original post: "If the residencies give us the best version of the Hold Steady live, and free the time to record more THS and solo stuff, that's more than I could have hoped for in 2015 and selfishly works for me. I do appreciate that there will be many who feel cut out though."

While I'm here, I must admit that in my darker hours I do think about the end. Will it end with a bang - one final Massive Nights pre-announced as the last Killer Party? Will it end with a whimper - residencies continuing to diminishing returns, until they just taper off? Or will I eventually lose interest (unlikely) or have some unforeseen change in my circumstances? I know that it has to end some time, so I'm going to try to enjoy the ride.

[Deleted]

I disagree that the band is tired, or that it’s ‘residencies or nothing’. There’s a whole scene around the Hold Steady that’s alive and vibrant. The AV Club recently did that list of best frontpeople in rock, and like 10% of them had some connection to the band.

You’ve got entire scenes inspired by THS like the Gaslight Anthem/Menzingers/Frank Turner orgcore scene, the emo/power pop/pop punk Jeff Rosenstock/Chris Farren/PUP/Wonder Years scene, and I’ve even seen an article or two saying THS inspired the endless wave of UK post-punk speak sing bands (which I don’t fully believe, though Fontaines DC and IDLES were on the same label as Craig). You have millennial acts/critical darlings like Ezra Furman and Cassandra Jenkins and The Mountain Goats. You’ve got Sam Fender. You’ve got Pkew Pkew Pkew, and the dozens of smaller bands I find every day like Other Half, Russian Girlfriends, Hurry and others I can’t remember inspired by the band.

What THS need to do isn’t stop the residences

What THS need to do is put on a Unified Scene festival every year where they play with the bands that inspired them, and the bands they inspired. Maybe they wouldn’t even headline some nights, since lots of those bands are bigger. But it would expand the community.

[Deleted]

Forgot the alt-country side too - Drive-By Truckers, Lucero, American Aquarium, Two Cow Garage, Jason Isbell, etc

[muzzleofbees]

May 25, 2022 4:28:10 GMT -5 @tlon said:

I disagree that the band is tired, or that it’s ‘residencies or nothing’. There’s a whole scene around the Hold Steady that’s alive and vibrant. The AV Club recently did that list of best frontpeople in rock, and like 10% of them had some connection to the band.

You’ve got entire scenes inspired by THS like the Gaslight Anthem/Menzingers/Frank Turner orgcore scene, the emo/power pop/pop punk Jeff Rosenstock/Chris Farren/PUP/Wonder Years scene, and I’ve even seen an article or two saying THS inspired the endless wave of UK post-punk speak sing bands (which I don’t fully believe, though Fontaines DC and IDLES were on the same label as Craig). You have millennial acts/critical darlings like Ezra Furman and Cassandra Jenkins and The Mountain Goats. You’ve got Sam Fender. You’ve got Pkew Pkew Pkew, and the dozens of smaller bands I find every day like Other Half, Russian Girlfriends, Hurry and others I can’t remember inspired by the band.

I'm in no way disregarding Hold Steady's influence, I was talking purely from a market point of view. I highly doubt that there's enough Hold Steady fans around either the US or Europe for them to go back to doing regular tours. That's why I think that's not an option for them - hence, in a touring sense, I think that either we get these residencies, or we don't get any shows at all.

Just to be clear: I think this is two different things. Hold Steady's position and legacy, among fellow bands and/or opinion makers, and what's their potential to fill clubs and make money.

And I don't think anyone have called the band "tired"? I can only speak for myself, but in many ways I think the look and sound more vibrant in ever - well, at least in 15 years.

[Deleted]

Sorry, I may have exaggerated or misread.

[bigontheinside]

This thread reminds me of when I was at a FITF era Craig Finn solo gig in London.

"The solo stuff is good, but I just want the band back together again," said one fan to me.

At the time, I disagreed. As much as I loved Teeth Dreams, I just couldn't imagine what another THS record would be like. It kind of felt like they'd explored all the sounds and stories that they could explore, and any more music from them would be a retread.

I'm so glad I was wrong. Thrashing is a great album by any band's standards, and ODP is a great album by THS standards. Their music is still so exciting and inspiring to me, and Craig's solo work has gone from strength to strength. I feel absolutely spoiled.

I do feel sad and scared of the year that the Weekender doesn't happen. Maybe they'll eventually transition to a smaller venue, or maybe they'll just go quiet for a while and it just won't happen again. I'm still so sad I missed this year because I got covid (for the second time in a month, somehow?? I'm still so mad/confused), but hopefully they have a good few more left in them. It definitely seems like they love it so much that they'll keep performing in some capacity as long as they're healthy and the fans will show up.

Even if it all came to an end today, no more shows and no more music from THS or Craig, it would be hard to complain. 8 THS records, 5 solo records, 3 Lifter Puller records, and a billion b-sides from every project that would rival many band's best works*. We're one of the luckiest fanbases in the world.


*Like... Have you heard You Tremble? I'm still screaming for everyone to appreciate You Tremble. And don't get me started on The Pirate & The Penpal.

[muzzleofbees]

May 25, 2022 5:40:14 GMT -5 bigontheinside said:

This thread reminds me of when I was at a FITF era Craig Finn solo gig in London.

"The solo stuff is good, but I just want the band back together again," said one fan to me.

At the time, I disagreed. As much as I loved Teeth Dreams, I just couldn't imagine what another THS record would be like. It kind of felt like they'd explored all the sounds and stories that they could explore, and any more music from them would be a retread.

I'm so glad I was wrong. Thrashing is a great album by any band's standards, and ODP is a great album by THS standards. Their music is still so exciting and inspiring to me, and Craig's solo work has gone from strength to strength. I feel absolutely spoiled.

I'm very much in the same boat as you here. I can't really remember what my exact thought about the band were around 2015, but I remember thinking that Faith In The Future were way better than Teeth Dreams. I like Teeth Dreams too, but it felt a little like they were trying a bit to hard to Rock Out again, that the entire album was a deliberate attempt to recreate what made them so good in the first place. And Teeth Dreams being just good, not amazingly great, made me feel like they had run their course. I was genuinely unsure about whether they had any other tricks up their sleeves.

That's why Thrashing Thru The Passion felt like such a fresh breath of air. It was rocking, but in a little more not-forcing it way. And Open Door Policy blew me away, doing the exact thing I had doubts about them being capabale of: Taking care of the core sound of the band, but push in another, more mature and still thrilling direction. In some ways, that makes ODP my favourite album, just because it felt so refreshing and unexpected. And that it prolonged the life of the band with several years.

[kayfaberaven]

May 25, 2022 4:28:10 GMT -5 @tlon said:

I disagree that the band is tired, or that it’s ‘residencies or nothing’. There’s a whole scene around the Hold Steady that’s alive and vibrant. The AV Club recently did that list of best frontpeople in rock, and like 10% of them had some connection to the band.

You’ve got entire scenes inspired by THS like the Gaslight Anthem/Menzingers/Frank Turner orgcore scene, the emo/power pop/pop punk Jeff Rosenstock/Chris Farren/PUP/Wonder Years scene, and I’ve even seen an article or two saying THS inspired the endless wave of UK post-punk speak sing bands (which I don’t fully believe, though Fontaines DC and IDLES were on the same label as Craig). You have millennial acts/critical darlings like Ezra Furman and Cassandra Jenkins and The Mountain Goats. You’ve got Sam Fender. You’ve got Pkew Pkew Pkew, and the dozens of smaller bands I find every day like Other Half, Russian Girlfriends, Hurry and others I can’t remember inspired by the band.

What THS need to do isn’t stop the residences

What THS need to do is put on a Unified Scene festival every year where they play with the bands that inspired them, and the bands they inspired. Maybe they wouldn’t even headline some nights, since lots of those bands are bigger. But it would expand the community.

I definitely don't think the band is tired or worn out. I do think that their days of full touring seem to be behind them, due to a combination of economics and (understandable) lack of willingness by the band. But if their next album is even close to being as good as ODP, this second (third?) act will be damn near miraculous.

I'd love your idea of a Unified Scene festival, although I'm not sure how the economics would work. I saw THS and DBT together in Asbury Park at the Stone Pony outside stage, and I could see something like that working for an expanded summer version of Massive Nights, but short of a full festival and all of the logistics that would entail. Put together 4-6 bands each day Friday-Sunday, with some overlap, and run a concert from 3-11 pm each day with other stuff going on around it, like afterparties inside the Stone Pony, bowling, etc. I wonder if something like that could work.

[art81]

It's a strange time, I certainly get the perspective that Weekenders/Massive Nights could be flattening off. How much of that is the concept and how much of that is just the general exhaustion of a couple of pretty full on years? Having just experienced three exceptional and energetic nights in Melbourne, I think there is a continued opportunity for the band to identify locations to hit up. I don't think this is a state secret, but they know where the interest lies (streaming numbers etc), hence why Melbourne was on the list. I'd expect that they keep exploring that for a bit.

Personally I hope they keep evolving the concept, allowing them to play these songs for as long as it works for them.

[mafee]

It looked to me like the crowds were as big as ever this year for the London shows.

I'd also raise the point that because you, or the group you normally go with, are less enthused, doesn't mean everyone is. And that's ok - maybe just do one show - or take a year off. Or maybe you're just not into the THS as much as you were previously - it can be a big commitment to give up a whole weekend for this every year.

On the crowd numbers in other cities - don't they tend to do Wednesday/Thursday night shows? I think as a whole, large crowds are less likely at those given people will have work/school and there'll be weekend shows anyway.

Finally, it's worth remembering how fcking tiring it appeared to get mainly for the bend towards the end of the touring days - and even the glory days were full on - just compare their appearance in A Positive Rage to their appearance now and you'll see things changed for the better.

Ultimately - I hope they continue with whatever suits them best for as long as they enjoy it. And if some people (incl myself) fall off that wagon along the way well so be it.

[sequesteredinuk]

There's enough feedback here to conclude that most are down with the residencies. I'm all for democracy. It's not that I'm not to clarify, I just think a tour once every five years or so would be good. Get some people to shows who usually don't get to go.

You have to remember that most people don't jump on planes to see a band! Any band! I'm fact when I tell friends I'm flying over oceans to see THS I'm accused of being a mad man? And that's from the same people who if there was a local show (by local I'd say 100 mile radius) would go. The world is made up of casual, undecided fans for the most part. I wish more of them could see how good the band is live. That's all.

Having said all that, if it's residencies for the duration then so be it. I personally can live with it. Even if I'm more selective in which residencies I attend.

[muzzleofbees]

May 30, 2022 6:01:07 GMT -5 sequesteredinuk said:

There's enough feedback here to conclude that most are down with the residencies. I'm all for democracy. It's not that I'm not to clarify, I just think a tour once every five years or so would be good. Get some people to shows who usually don't get to go.

You have to remember that most people don't jump on planes to see a band! Any band! I'm fact when I tell friends I'm flying over oceans to see THS I'm accused of being a mad man? And that's from the same people who if there was a local show (by local I'd say 100 mile radius) would go. The world is made up of casual, undecided fans for the most part. I wish more of them could see how good the band is live. That's all.

I think we all want as many as possible to experience what this band really are. And in an ideal world they did regular tours with sold out venues. I just think there's to pretty undisputable facts that keep it from happening: 1) The band don't really like to do that anymore, and 2) there's not a sufficent amount of people willing to see them for it break even, financially. It's true that most people don't jump on a plane to see a band. But judgning by their last European tour, people don't really come out to catch them in their hometown either. Not enough people to make it break even for the band, at least.

There might be some restricted markets where a tour of some sort could work out, and the one that stands out are the UK. Then again, with point 1) in mind, I think it's a fair bargain between the band and the fans that people get to see them once (or thrice, for that matter) in London each year, than to show up in Manchester or Glasgow every third year.

[charlemagne]

Went to my first Weekender this year, and as fun as the shows were, it was equally as fun meeting everyone and hanging out pre and post show as the weekend went along. Just checked London flights, and the one I paid $700 for in March is now $1,823. Hopefully that shit is back under control by next spring because I really want to go back, but there's no way I could do it at that price.

[sequesteredinuk]

Jun 1, 2022 7:59:12 GMT -5 charlemagne said:

Went to my first Weekender this year, and as fun as the shows were, it was equally as fun meeting everyone and hanging out pre and post show as the weekend went along. Just checked London flights, and the one I paid $700 for in March is now $1,823. Hopefully that shit is back under control by next spring because I really want to go back, but there's no way I could do it at that price.

Shit...that's brutal. Where are you flying in from? 

When is the weekender next year, anyone got any inside info? March 3, 4 , 5 or March 10/11/12? 

[charlemagne]

Washington-Dulles. I believe they've already announced the dates as March 10-12. My birthday falls on the Saturday night, so perfect timing.

[sequesteredinuk]

Jun 1, 2022 15:00:40 GMT -5 charlemagne said:

Washington-Dulles. I believe they've already announced the dates as March 10-12. My birthday falls on the Saturday night, so perfect timing.

Thanks man, I was hoping it was the later date..

I'll keep my eye out for prices and if I see anything reasonable I'll PM you..Ridiculous pricing that is..Hold Steady in September in L.A  my flight cost £550 I think..that's about $690 current exchange rate. Can't have them.asking that much .❌

[kayfaberaven]

Jun 1, 2022 15:49:35 GMT -5 sequesteredinuk said:

Jun 1, 2022 15:00:40 GMT -5 charlemagne said:

Washington-Dulles. I believe they've already announced the dates as March 10-12. My birthday falls on the Saturday night, so perfect timing.

Thanks man, I was hoping it was the later date..

I'll keep my eye out for prices and if I see anything reasonable I'll PM you..Ridiculous pricing that is..Hold Steady in September in L.A  my flight cost £550 I think..that's about $690 current exchange rate. Can't have them.asking that much .❌

Are you coming from *Europe* for the LA shows? If so, kudos my friend. I will buy you at least one moderately priced beer if I bump into you there.

[sequesteredinuk]

Jun 1, 2022 16:40:31 GMT -5 kayfaberaven said:

Jun 1, 2022 15:49:35 GMT -5 sequesteredinuk said:

Thanks man, I was hoping it was the later date..

I'll keep my eye out for prices and if I see anything reasonable I'll PM you..Ridiculous pricing that is..Hold Steady in September in L.A  my flight cost £550 I think..that's about $690 current exchange rate. Can't have them.asking that much .❌

Are you coming from *Europe* for the LA shows? If so, kudos my friend. I will buy you at least one moderately priced beer if I bump into you there.

I like the "at least" bit mate. I look forward to that..😁

coming from Newcastle,England, still technically Europe, See you there mate. 

[kayfaberaven]

Now, in addition to all of the new THS and Craig solo music, we also have a new Craig Finn podcast. And I forgot to mention Franz's excellent novel too.