HOT ROCKETS SHOW CANCELLED

Sadly another show having to be cancelled due to very poor advance sales and no point beating about the bush anymore as it helps no one.

Thanks to the TWO people both buying TWO tickets each for Saturday 18th October but I'm afraid it's no where near where we need to be despite what many might regard as plenty time before the show. Another impossible dilemma ? Yes is the simple reply. Do we all hope those thinking about it or still making their minds up are going to get a ticket in the next minute, hour, days, or do you want to keep us guessing by turning up on the night in sufficient numbers to save the day ? It might be you are possibly staying in no matter whats on or going to another show. Whatever the reason without our trusty crystal ball its hard to predict all that these days. It might just be a simple don't fancy it which is fair enough but with a good responses to reminders in the past months and months of being on sale, many interested that built up, likes, shares have to say I've no idea anymore based on lack of actual uptake.

What would you do in the same situation - Hope for the best then reach for the vaseline/overdraft or cancel ? Where would the money be generated to pay the bands and all the staffing for even the quietest of shows? Answers in the comments below as it would be good to know as I don't.

The Hot Rockets after a good conflab don't think it would be viable to travel hundreds of miles, play and travel hundreds of miles home to Yorkshire barely covering the fuel used from what cash will come in from sales let alone anything else, no matter how mad keen they are to tour and play back in Bathgate which I fully back. I Dread, no pun intended to think what the losses would be in store for us too had we blindly as we always seem to have to do these days and the show went ahead for a handful of people to come along. For the avoidance of doubt we can't shake the money tree out the back to keep the lights on anymore. Both Buzzbomb and 2Sevens although keener than a keen thing to play at the Dread too have both accepted it's a mountain to climb to get people along in sufficient numbers despite being popular local bands that have both played in the past just like the Hot Rockets.

Well whatever the reasons for it stumbling I'm afraid we'll never know now as we have to cancel another decent line up that looks like very few were willing or able to buy a £10 ticket for in advance.

I'm going to be brutally honest here. I think I have earned that lately. I'm quite taken aback with increasing apathy, lack of engagement and uptake in getting a ticket not just on this show but for alot of live shows across alot of venues in Scotland and indeed South of the border. I know it's not a unique situation but as show after show up and down the UK large and small is feeling the pinch too resulting lower than expected attendances or having to cancel shows due to poor sales over a variety of genres know it's not just us feeling it. I've no words of encouragement left either but know it will continue and most likely end in tears for more shows unless theres a change and soon.

It's as if many sit and wait last minute to see if it will be cancelled rather than supporting the shows early. If this worrying logic and trend keeps on there will be less shows, less variety, less bands and ultimately less venues as many will simply padlock the front doors and throw away the key. Then what ? Wish you had bought a ticket in advance ?

So while I understand and appreciate there is possibly more important things to spend your money on in the current climate, not have the same time as you once did due to family or work or whatever currently hinders you from going out hopefully you will sit up and pay attention to what bands, promoters and venues have all been saying for a good while when asking, now pleading to grab a ticket in advance - as early as you can. If going to a show just get a ticket otherwise this very fragile music eco-system currently being pummeled from what seems every angle "may" cease to exist in the future as you once remembered it. That future is very much in your hands. Good luck.