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The Beatles performed Toronto thrice (1964, 1965, and 1966), all at Maple Leaf Gardens. Demand for tickets was big and the band was on a good touring schedule. They wanted to get in and get out whereas performing for as many individuals as doable. Including a second night time wasn’t within the playing cards so the one factor they might do is play two exhibits on the identical day: the standard night gig preceded by a matinee efficiency. In between, they grabbed a chew to eat and held a press convention.
Matinees (often as a part of a doubleheader) had been widespread again then. All of the early rock pioneers — Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, The Rolling Stones, The Who et al — did them. It was exhausting for the act however the effort made good enterprise sense. Not solely did the scheduling of a matinee double a fan’s possibilities of having the ability to see a present, however for those who had been too younger to exit at night time, there was an opportunity your dad and mom would allow you to attend a day present.
Matinee live shows continued for years. I recall within the Nineteen Nineties when some bands insisted on taking part in an early all-ages present adopted by a licensed occasion within the night. Punk bands had been particularly good at serving their youthful demo with early units. It was a good way to fulfill each the adults (who might avail themselves of the bar) and the youngsters (and the venue didn’t have to fret about underage ingesting as a result of the bar was closed to alcohol gross sales).
However because the rock enterprise matured, afternoon performances slowly disappeared. As we speak, they’re all however gone. Until you’re at a competition, it’s extraordinarily uncommon to search out an artist who’s keen to play a day slot.
That is unlucky as a result of nowadays, it’s not simply underage youngsters who need exhibits at the moment of the day but additionally a rising variety of adults.
Look, simply since you’re on the lee aspect of 30 doesn’t imply you’ve given up on the stay music expertise. You’d like to see extra exhibits however life at all times appears to get in the way in which. There are the youngsters, getting up for work the subsequent morning, and the large scheduling conflicts.
And let’s be trustworthy: After a sure age, you’re kinda uninterested in ready till 10:30 pm on a Tuesday night time for a band to hit the stage. Heck, I’m in mattress most nights lengthy earlier than that.
By not catering to the demo that doesn’t need/can’t afford to be out late, artists and promoters are leaving some huge cash on the desk. And let’s not neglect that the older demos are those with more cash to spend at exhibits.
There are two options. First, gigs might begin earlier. Somewhat than heading residence or killing time earlier than a present, folks might go straight from work. If the lights had been to go down at, say, 7 pm, every little thing could possibly be accomplished by 9:30. Everybody who has to rise up within the morning can get to mattress at an affordable hour whereas those that need to proceed the night time nonetheless have hours earlier than them. I do know I’d see much more membership exhibits in the event that they began and completed earlier.
The second answer is to re-introduce matinees. Clearly, this isn’t sensible on weekdays, however what about weekends? Hey, theatre productions have supplied matinee performances for many years. An enormous, huge chunk {of professional} sports activities are held within the afternoon. Casinos supply matinee performances. So why not big-name live shows? I’d be extra inclined to see acts like Bruce Springsteen. Does the Boss need to play a five-hour present? Unbelievable! Simply begin at 3 p.m. so I might be residence to wind down earlier than mattress.
Jamie Lee Curtis lately ranted in regards to the lack of matinees. Showing on NBC’s As we speak present lately, she vented “Why are there no matinees? As an illustration, I like Coldplay. I might like to go see Coldplay. The issue is, I’m not going to go see Coldplay if they begin their present at 9 o’clock and there’s a gap act. I need to hear Coldplay at 1 p.m. I believe if we stuffed a stadium with individuals who need to see a matinee of Coldplay, I believe we’d begin a pattern.”
Like it. As a substitute of dinner and a present, it’s a present and dinner. Then it’s again residence to dismiss the babysitter, play with the youngsters, take care of the canine, and get to mattress at an affordable hour. Not very rock’n’roll in a standard sense, however I’m OK with that.
Positive, load-in/load-out procedures and touring schedules must be adjusted, however that’s not an insurmountable barrier. The place there’s cash, there’s a approach. And I’m positive many heritage acts — and there’s a rising variety of them — wish to wrap up their day earlier, too.
I repeat: This has nothing to do with being previous, infirm, crotchety, and never loving stay music. It has every little thing to do with being sensible and inclusive. The inhabitants is ageing and society wants to regulate.
Who’s with me?
UPDATE: Oh. So that’s why we will’t have afternoon live shows. I knew there needed to be a motive.
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Alan Cross is a broadcaster with Q107 and 102.1 the Edge and a commentator for World Information.
Subscribe to Alan’s Ongoing Historical past of New Music Podcast now on Apple Podcast or Google Play
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