Will VR's Tour affect Contraband sales?

[Ignatius]

As Scott pointed out on VR's interview and performance at KROQ studios - great performance, by the way..- VR will perform every song of the upcoming album + a few covers here and there on this tour. The tour kicks off May 13th in Saint Louis. That means, the songs will be available on the internet as in for May 14th I willl assume. The album is not out till june 8th.
 
Don't you think people will just download the live songs of the internet instead of buying the album?

Don't you think playing the new songs before the album release could hurt the album sales?

My two cents:

I remember, when GNR kicked off thier tour in early 91, the only people who heard the songs before the albums came out were the ones who attended the shows. That was the strategy for that time and it did work out. I read some reviews about NR and don't cry then and I was quite excited about the Illusion albums. It created some hype.

VR tour will unmask every song of the album. We will all have a chance to hear the songs before the album comes out. From the fan's view, this is fucking great, but wouldn't you rather wait till the band release the album and then tour?The songs will be available a couple of hours after the first show and that could take away some of the mystery and expectations this album has created.

What do you guys think?

[jarmo]

The people who wants to listen to the live tracks are the fans who are gonna buy the album anyway.

Maybe some people who aren't sure whether they'll like it or not will download some tracks and then decide.



/jarmo

[Ignatius]

The people who wants to listen to the live tracks are the fans who are gonna buy the album anyway.

Maybe some people who aren't sure whether they'll like it or not will download some tracks and then decide.



/jarmo

 
The average modern rock fan, if he or she likes the vid or the first single, he might go for the album, but having the possibility of downloading songs for free, he/she might test the waters first to see if the songs are any good. VR may lose those potential buyers then...

[Mikkamakka]

The people who wants to listen to the live tracks are the fans who are gonna buy the album anyway.

Maybe some people who aren't sure whether they'll like it or not will download some tracks and then decide.



/jarmo

On the very day the album is released, every song will be available to download on Kazaa etc. I've heard the studio version of all songs from the Snakepit 2000 album before it was even releeased - but I bought the record. So I think not the tour but the Internet affects album sales - who are not really interested, download the songs, but fans like me will buy the album.

[W. Botaxl Rose]

I think it's a horrible idea to tour before releasing this album. I'm going to the minny show & am now a little worried about what i'll hear considering i think 'Slither' blows.

I also think they are opening themselves up to the crowd "requesting" favorite GnR & STP songs all night because no one will know any of the VR songs.

Why does there always have to be fucked up situations surrounding anything done by the original 5 gunners?

[Falcon]

I think it's a horrible idea to tour before releasing this album. I'm going to the minny show & am now a little worried about what i'll hear considering i think 'Slither' blows.

I also think they are opening themselves up to the crowd "requesting" favorite GnR & STP songs all night because no one will know any of the VR songs.

Why does there always have to be fucked up situations surrounding anything done by the original 5 gunners?

I disagree, the earlier they get out there, the better.  The buzz they're creating with the sold out shows is incredible, it's a hot ticket and nothing negative can be derived from that.

As for them "opening themselves up to the crowd "requesting" favorite GnR & STP songs all night", they're gonna get that no matter what, their collective heritage is too rich and hardcore fans of their former bands aren't soon to let that aspect of the new band go.

As for the " fucked up situations surrounding anything done by the original 5 gunners" comment, I'm not exactly sure what you're referring to.  This project thas already surpassed the individual efforts of anything done by the original 5 members since the demise of Old GNR by a longshot.

!.  Single burning up radio
2. Cool video,
3. Sold out tour
4. Release date for album

Do the math...

[Booker Floyd]

Like somebody said, everything will be available (in pergect studio quality, no less) a few days or weeks before the record is released.  So no, I dont think the live performances will hurt sales at all.

[Acquiesce]

I also don't think the tour will effect the sales. Like Jarmo said, most of us who will be interested in the live tracks will buy the album anyway. I think the songs would have to be completely horrendous for any of us to not buy the album. Even  if the performance isn't all that most of us would still want to give the studio effort a chance.

I think the tour actually has more of chance of helping them. Let's face it most people going are diehard GNR and/or STP  fans so it's likely most will be satisfied and will create a buzz about the band.

[tomass74]

I think the tour will help the album if anything....