Bitch wrote on Apr 30
th, 2010 at 8:44am:
Gazza makes some VERY GOOD points, as always! So we will wait and see. My thoughts were if London is already filled with millions of tourists worldwide, than it would be a sure sell-out if the Stones played several nights at the O2 Dome or someplace else. People will already be in London so why not see the Stones 50th Anniversary Tour at the same time, 'killing 2 birds with 1 (Rolling) Stone!'
Thanks, although personally I think it might have the opposite effect. If people are spending a LOT of money on attending Olympic events, they're unlikely to have much money (or time) left to go to rock concerts. Especially expensive ones.
Same as what happens when the Stones tour Europe if a World Cup is taking place. If they're playing in the same country where the tournament is taking place - even if its not at the same time, but during the same summer - they absolutely bomb (eg Italy 1990, France 1998 and Germany 2006). During the tournament itself, sales are also adversely affected for shows in countries who are playing in the finals.
If the Stones (or anyone else) are playing London (or the UK for that matter) DURING the Olympics and are hoping to sell tickets, their sales will be horrific. Even more so if they make the same mistake that they did in Europe in 2007 and leave the announcement too late (the Euro tour was only announced in late March instead of the previous November/December as is usually the case)
Whilst they might indeed play AT an Olympic event, any Stones concerts would probably take place either a few weeks before or after the games themselves.
Maybe a 50th anniversary gig on 12th July or a late August tour finale as usual???