What do you, as a fan, feel you are entitled to?

Question

Thinking of a response to Jake's question (link below) inspired me. I was going to spend 20 minutes typing out an explanation to this, but I think I'm going to leave the question open to your interpretation. This leaves the door open to sarcastic responses too, but oh well:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiDTU_SjJC.FbWtI2QKMGXzsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071217094431AAeoWJf&show=7#profile-info-Ep6Q57Hzaa

You buy the music and merchandise, see the shows, read the interviews, etc. Does the artist/band owe you anything for your loyalty?

I'm really glad I didn't narrow the scope of this question, because there are great answers here from a lot of different perspectives...

Answer 1

The first thing that comes to mind for me is value for money. If I'm shelling out big bucks for a concert ticket, I'd like a respectable length show with an encore or two. I expect to hear mostly the new songs, if there's a new album being promoted, so I just consider it a bonus if I get to hear my favorite songs. (An opening act that is a good match for the main act is another bonus). I expect the merch to be somewhat pricey, but good quality (I still have several 15 year old t-shirts from my concert-going heyday - some are a bit threadbare, but wearable). It's cool if the merch is unique to the tour, and not available in every Hot Topic across the country.

On the album side, I don't want nine million reissues with a token new song or bonus live track tacked on to each one. Now that downloading is commonplace, that's not as much of an issue, but it still feels like yesterday's leftovers repackaged as new. A reissue that substantially improves sound quality and/or offers a decent chunk of unreleased material, demos, and/or live material is different. (The Ramones reissues are examples of good re-releases).

If the artist doesn't have enough material for a decent full-length album, I'd rather have an EP. Or even a series of singles. If I buy a CD single or a 7" single, I'd like something unique for the b-side, not just the radio edit of the track, an instrumental, or a crappy remix. (A good remix is another matter!) With that being said, I will support artists that are my favorites by buying their new albums, sometimes without even hearing a single music sample beforehand. For those artists, I'll also avoid reading reviews before listening to the CD so that I can form my own judgement of their work, without having someone else's opinion in my head.

I don't personally feel that meeting the artist is an essential part of my fan experience. It's cool if they stick around after a show, or do an in-store signing, but some artists are simply too high-profile to do these things without a high level of security. And some prefer to maintain their distance from overly adoring fans.

But honestly, I'm just happy if a band I like is still together, produces music, and tours. As a fan, that's pretty much all I really can ask for!

Answer 2

I'll try to be brief as possible on this one. You said "I was going to spend 20 minutes typing out an explanation to this" - - - I'm perty sure I could yab on about this for days. I've gotta admit, the perspectives within some of the answers you've received so far are quite intriguing.

As far as physical products such as media or merchandise, I feel the fan is entitled to anything the artist wants to provide or make available. Nothing more. As far as the quality of the physical product delivered by the artist (or their entities), this is obviously subjective and open for individual scrutinization.

Although, when it comes to live performances, I strongly feel that the artist/band does have a debit to their fans. As an artist, the cross to bear is huge and should be taken very seriously.

Slip on an artist's shoes and imagine if you will......You enter the stage. Looking out over the venue, you're seeing all these people who have invested their time and hard earned money buying your CD's, T-shirts and/or whatever, helping to make possible and/or supporting your dream. I'd say it's pay-it-forward time...right then and there. If you want to continue doing what it is you do, you'd better be leavin it all out there on the stage because your true fans are not about to be fooled. And for the new fans that jump on the wagon that show, welcome them aboard with open arms.

This aspect of the business should never be understated or taken for granted.

Answer 3

I know a lot of artists get irritated when people approach them because they like their space. I understand, that's why I won't approach them that often. But if I see them hangin around the show (or any other venue for that matter) and I want to offer them a quick compliment, they better be gracious. If I get even the slightest bit of attitude from some stuck up prick who thinks he owns the world, I will (and have) bring them down a peg or two. You put yourself out there in the public eye, so expect public interaction.

***I've noticed several people noting (along the lines), that the music is a product and that's where it ends. In keeping with that thought, mine continues to the "customer service" side of things. Just because Target sells you the merchandise, that doesn't mean that friendliness is optional. It's an essential part of business. The same principle extends to artists. They owe it to their customers to show some respect.

Answer 4

Well, there's a line between being a self-indulgent artist, and being one that puts too much emphasis on creating 3 minute radio edits for mass consumption. You gotta have respect for a band that sticks to its guns, and isn't lured by marketing. That said - a fan shouldn't feel that a band owes them anything. After all, an artist is an artist by vocation -- unless it's a pop-artist who's made an art of making music that pleases his/her fans, and the record companies.

Of course, a band that cancels shows last minute because they realize they've made the billboard 100 (The Killers) -- and all of a sudden feel they're too good for a small venue, also needs to realize that it was their fanbase who got them where they're at.

In that regard, only, I think a band owes its fans some loyalty, too.

Answer 5

I know a lot of of people will say that musicians/bands don't owe the fans anything (which I essentially agree with), I just can't help wonder how many of those same people would then turn around and complain when their favourite band releases a poor album.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if bands owe their fans one thing, it's a commitment to releasing only records that merit being released. I've seen too many bands I love get to a point where they're just going through the motions, where it feels like they're just bringing out new material for the sake of it.

I don't know if that made sense, but I hope so :)

Answer 6

As a fan, I think I'm entitled to quality packaging for the albums. Digipacks and things of that nature are often interesting and unique, but are easily damaged and can't be replaced unless you buy the album over again. Either way, I would feel really jipped if every album looked like Pearl Jam's "Merkinball", Nine Inch Nails' "Fixed" or System Of A Down's "Steal This Album." Worse yet are these recent albums that are only available via download. If I'm gonna pay money for something, if better be more than a tiny file on my computer...I want something tangible. Aside from artwork, I think I'm entitled access to purchasing good seats at concerts. I continually end up paying tons of money for mediocre or even crap seats to some of my favorite concerts because Clear Channel buys all the best seats from Ticketmaster to be won on the radio. On top of that, you have tons and tons of scalpers with connections that get the best seats before they go on sale. In turn, the diehard fan gets stuck paying the price for their loyalty. I'm fed up with being taken advantage of because I'm a fan.

Answer 7

Honestly, no. The artists don't necessarily owe me or anyone else a single thing. Sure, we might be fans but no one is pointing a gun to our heads to do the things that fans do. I was never a big believer in the doctrine of blind loyalty. Once that performer starts putting out inferior material, we are under no obligation to keep supporting that artist. I never buy albums based on past history alone. Think about the situation with Guns N Roses. Axl is not obligated to release his joke of an album Chinese Democracy. Yet, if it ever were to be released due to some miracle, I would sincerely hope that no hardcore fan feels obligated to buy it based on their love affair with Appetite For Destruction.

That being said, I have mentioned on several occasions that I’ve heard some stories about Trent Reznor being a complete jerk-off to his fans. Certainly that’s his choice, but I strongly disagree with it.

Truth be told, nobody owes anything to anyone and yet it can still be a two way street. Fans have options too.

Answer 8

i know a man who writes every six months asking really nicely if ac/dc could possibly tour and put another album out. he actually feels its the least they can do since he owns blah blah blah and has been x amount of shows and appeared in videos by them etc. he makes me laugh. i'm of the opionion that musicians dont just put music out there purely to entertain us, its to satisfy the need they have to have their music listened to. its a mutual agreement. they play, we listen! but politeness is always a winner and arrogance will lose you fans, i always really liked the stereophonics but i read so many interviews where the lead just came over as a rude, arrogant *** who couldnt care less about anyone else's opionions. now i cant listen to em cos i just dont wanna give my money to someone like that. guess for some fans they sort of feel an attatchment somehow, they know so much about them through interviews, blogs etc that they feel they're best buds then i think the attitude of being owed something creeps in. sorry for the long post! lol

Answer 9

The main thing I think a band "owes" me is a great show if I pay for a concert ticket. Also, a little bit of respect, I hate it when bands are mean to fans, it can easily turn me against them even if the music is great.

Answer 10

No. They don't owe you a damn thing... nobody made you listen to them and you did it because you like what they have to offer.
A good artist who wants to be respected should treat their fans great because without them they would be nothing. But they don't "owe" it to anybody and their should not be some sense of obligation.

People seem to think that because you are an artist of musician or actor that you should just bow at the feet of anybody who likes your work. But just like you, they have bad days and despite what you read in the magazine you have no idea what their lives are really like. If you get upset at the "slightest bit of attitude" you hopefully are also capable of putting a fake smile on your face even when you just got some bad news or you're upset for any reason, even if it's only that they cannot get their amp working. they get frustrated just like "real people."