FREE CONCERT THIS SATURDAY...

Listening to the radio recently I heard the commentator talk about an upcoming football game at Georgia Southern University. They were calling for a sell out crowd and were hoping to fill the stadium. They then mentioned that some people have reached out and tweeted GSU alum Cole Swindell to stop on by since he had the day off and put on a free concert. In theory this is a good idea for raising school spirit and bringing more life to the party that is college football. In reality this could become a logistical nightmare. Could it be done?...Sure. But there are many factors that would have to be put into place in just a couple days. The misconception is that artists travel with everything they need to “put on” a concert. With the exception of a select few this simply isn’t true. Even the big acts that travel with full production have limitations that keep them from setting up just anywhere. Most touring artists travel with just what is required for the band and their crew to perform.

There are many things left in the equation that most people don’t think about. Most of these are provided by someone other than the artist. Things like Sound system and concert lighting, a safe adequate stage, security, permits, insurance, electricity enough to sustain a full concert requirement, parking, promotion, clean up, this list goes on and on and on.

The bottom line comes down to time and money. Every one of these items and services require money to be purchased or rented. Then there are the people who will perform or deliver these services. They do not work for free…would you? For these people this is their livelihood and the way they support themselves and their families. So the request for any specific artist to stop by and throw up a “FREE CONCERT” with full production and logistics on the spur of the moment is unrealistic. There are many “free concerts” all over the world all the time but somebody or some organization is paying for it to take place. As a concert attendee it is you that pays for this show to happen. A promoter has fronted the money for everything needed and their company is set up to make a profit if everything goes as planned. If you have ever attended a “Free Concert” at some point it was most likely paid for by a company or organization as a promotional or advertising ploy. Every person involved is getting paid for their service including the band and crew down to the security and clean up crews.

So the next time you attend a show for your favorite star and you cheer for them all night, take a moment to clap for the many people who worked hard for you to enjoy that show.

GO Georgia Southern Eagles.