Aerosmith fans get Christmas early
The Guardian, Canada
April 30, 2007
Local fans pitch tents and endure some raindrops to pick up their tickets
Brian Wakelin came into Charlottetown from North Rustico early Friday morning to make sure he was first in line to buy Aerosmith tickets.
By 8 a.m., Wakelin and several of his friends were waiting outside the Civic Centre. Tickets for the July concert, dubbed Blast at the Beach, weren’t available until Saturday at 10 a.m. at different locations across the Maritimes, including the Civic Centre, as well as online.
As Friday night approached, the weather turned cold, windy and rainy, and the friends, who all attend Bluefield high school, pitched a makeshift tent to sleep for the night.
“It wasn’t even a tent,’’ Wakelin said laughing. “It was like tarps taped together."
But it was worth it, as Wakelin and friends were once again the first in line for a big show.
“We went to the Rolling Stones, we were first in line. We’re first in line for everything," he said, adding he had a lot of fun and met some “really neat people."
Another fan that arrived at the Civic Centre Friday night was Keri Lannigan. She was able to purchase the first VIP ticket.
She said the cost of $240 for the VIP ticket, which includes early access to the venue, food and drinks all day, separate washrooms and premium viewing location near the stage, was worth it.
“I’ll be close to Steven Tyler,’’ she said. “I love Aerosmith. I grew up with them. I used to sing into the handle of a broom, I would sing Aerosmith."
David Carver, the man responsible for bringing Aerosmith to the Island, said ticket sales over the weekend were “through the roof."
At last count, more than 20,000 tickets were sold, he said.
“I’m expecting that on July 21, Aerosmith is going to be playing to a sold-out audience."
Although there are going to be at least five more bands to play before Aerosmith, Carver said it’s still too soon to say what those acts will be.
It’s hard to book bands for summer tours all at once, because some bands plan their tours well in advance, like Aerosmith, while others still haven’t finalized their dates, he said, adding a few bands look promising.
“As soon as we get them confirmed, we’re going to announce them. We’re not holding back."
Carver said if time permits, he’d like to see an Island band get a chance to play.
Last year, Carver brought the Black Eyed Peas to P.E.I.
He said the Jungle Jim’s outlets in the Maritimes sold tickets for that concert.
“They said that the phone action leading up to the (lineup) sale was unbelievable last year for the Black Eyed Peas, and they said it’s 10 times that for this year."
Twenty-five thousand tickets are available for the outdoor concert, being held at the Charlottetown Driving Park and Entertainment Centre July 21.
April 30, 2007
Local fans pitch tents and endure some raindrops to pick up their tickets
Brian Wakelin came into Charlottetown from North Rustico early Friday morning to make sure he was first in line to buy Aerosmith tickets.
By 8 a.m., Wakelin and several of his friends were waiting outside the Civic Centre. Tickets for the July concert, dubbed Blast at the Beach, weren’t available until Saturday at 10 a.m. at different locations across the Maritimes, including the Civic Centre, as well as online.
As Friday night approached, the weather turned cold, windy and rainy, and the friends, who all attend Bluefield high school, pitched a makeshift tent to sleep for the night.
“It wasn’t even a tent,’’ Wakelin said laughing. “It was like tarps taped together."
But it was worth it, as Wakelin and friends were once again the first in line for a big show.
“We went to the Rolling Stones, we were first in line. We’re first in line for everything," he said, adding he had a lot of fun and met some “really neat people."
Another fan that arrived at the Civic Centre Friday night was Keri Lannigan. She was able to purchase the first VIP ticket.
She said the cost of $240 for the VIP ticket, which includes early access to the venue, food and drinks all day, separate washrooms and premium viewing location near the stage, was worth it.
“I’ll be close to Steven Tyler,’’ she said. “I love Aerosmith. I grew up with them. I used to sing into the handle of a broom, I would sing Aerosmith."
David Carver, the man responsible for bringing Aerosmith to the Island, said ticket sales over the weekend were “through the roof."
At last count, more than 20,000 tickets were sold, he said.
“I’m expecting that on July 21, Aerosmith is going to be playing to a sold-out audience."
Although there are going to be at least five more bands to play before Aerosmith, Carver said it’s still too soon to say what those acts will be.
It’s hard to book bands for summer tours all at once, because some bands plan their tours well in advance, like Aerosmith, while others still haven’t finalized their dates, he said, adding a few bands look promising.
“As soon as we get them confirmed, we’re going to announce them. We’re not holding back."
Carver said if time permits, he’d like to see an Island band get a chance to play.
Last year, Carver brought the Black Eyed Peas to P.E.I.
He said the Jungle Jim’s outlets in the Maritimes sold tickets for that concert.
“They said that the phone action leading up to the (lineup) sale was unbelievable last year for the Black Eyed Peas, and they said it’s 10 times that for this year."
Twenty-five thousand tickets are available for the outdoor concert, being held at the Charlottetown Driving Park and Entertainment Centre July 21.
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