Thursday, March 26, 2009

This much is true: a £12 million payday

Forgive me if I'm not 100% excited about the pending Spandau Ballet reunion. (And before you say anything, I was a big fan of the band in the 1980s, so I'm not just just making a cheap shot before you ask).

The split was one of the most acrimonious band-splits I can remember, yet suddenly the differences are all put aside for a reunion tour which is predicted to make an estimated £12 million for the reformed Spandau Ballet. So forgive me if I feel a tad sceptical.

Tonight I checked 'Planet Sound' (a daily must-see on Channel 4 teletext, for British TV viewers) which announced the tour dates and the ticket prices. £45 to £60 per ticket. Now I'm not being a cheapskate, but isn't it all a bit too much? For a band which, just a few years ago, couldn't even bear to be in the same courtroom as each other never mind stand and play on the same stage?

5 comments:

Kippers said...

I'll say one thing about the reformed Spandau: their management has done a great job this week getting them so much press attention; they seem to have been everywhere. Tony Hadley even turned up on This Week plugging the reunion!

I always much preferred the Spands to Duran Duran, but I agree, those ticket prices do seem a bit on the high side for what's to all intents and purposes a 'nostalgia' act.

Laura (EuropeCrazy) said...

Hi Kippers! Yes you can't move for the Spands this week, and I heard their songs a few times on the radio so it's definitely worked.

Like yourself I preferred Spandau to Duran Duran: initially I liked both but DD went off the boil for me when they started sailing round in yachts wearing fancy suits and their music went down the toilet - "Wild Boys" was the last nail in the coffin IMHO - whereas Spandau developed into a very smooth and professional act who made some very decent records indeed.

Oh well, I suppose everyone (well everyone except The Smiths and the Stone Roses anyway) is doing the reforming-thing so Spandau might as well do it too.

All together..."Gold! (gold!) always believe in your soul....."

Your blog is extremely cool and wonderful by the way.

Kippers said...

You're far too kind, really! I like your blog very much also, BTW!

Yes, Duran ended up spending far too much time (and money) swanning off to exotic places after they cracked it (whatever 'it' is). All those expensive, pretentious videos really got on my wick after a while (although I have to admit that I asked for and got The Reflex 7" for my birthday in 1984. What can I say, I was young and foolish!).

Laura (EuropeCrazy) said...

Aww thanks!! This is getting like a mutual admiration society :)))

Flex-flex-flex-flex-flex! (Sorry I couldn't resist it)

Kippers said...

You've gone too far this time...

...but I'm dancing on the valentine! (whatever that is!)


;)