Raleigh Downtown Live Nixed for Summer 2010

Lisa Jeffries
04/19 11:48 AM

The team at Deep South really are the responsible party for booking BSB? I thought for sure that was not them.

John
04/19 01:05 PM

As someone who is involved in charitable events that require sponsors, I can tell you that finding sponsors for any free event has become like finding a needle in a haystack.  Until the economy gets stronger, I would expect to see fewer and fewer “free” events in everyone’s future.

Free
04/19 02:26 PM

What is the DRA’s role?  They seem to be very good at spending our money and taking activities away from Moore Square.  They should be trying to keep these FREE events (Downtown Live/ Alive After 5) downtown and bringing in new ones.  Instead, our money gets spent on a 2nd rate amphitheatre that books 2nd rate bands that we have to pay for. 

It’s a bad deal for all the local bands as well as all the businesses (restaurants, bars, etc) in the area…. Unless you own a mobile hotdog stand or a bar that is caddy corner to the new amphitheatre….hmmm, guess that answers that.

WILLIAM BENNETT
04/19 04:07 PM

Yes, Raleigh’s political group saw a way to get into making money with LIVE NATION. Forget about being able to enjoy a WHOLE DAY, sitting in your own chair, with your own space listening to group of bands. And by giving to the LOCAL VENDORS who worked the RALEIGH DOWNTOWN LIVE, but now, probably no room for them either. So, now LIVENATION can charge probably at least $30 plus fees to see LIVENATION OWNED BANDS with out any local participation at all. WHAT A “GREAT” DAY FOR THE CITY OF RALEIGH. My guess we will never seeing RALEIGH DOWNTOWN LIVE again.

NotaVanFan
04/19 08:51 PM

For all you negative nancys, things come and go. I don’t think there’s anything that says someone else can’t step in and organize a RDL type of event, perhaps one that focuses on more local/regional acts. And maybe even get some decent beer down there…

Aaron
04/20 12:28 AM

Just f*****g give me the Bowerbirds and Rosebuds for Christ’s sake!!!

j0hn
04/20 01:02 PM

Artsplosure and the free DTL shows were some of the best events Raleigh had going for it. Sure, the bands were often crap but like the article pointed out, it also was a perfect showcase for our vibrant local music scene. It got people downtown who spent money…this just boggles the mind that it isn’t happening.

Joan Jett last summer was actually great, though, and Moore Square might never have been as packed as it was that night.

Hopefully when the economy starts to get better these events will return in some form or another, but still free since this is the key component to get the crowds.

PRGuy
04/20 04:07 PM

I think real fans would travel anywhere in the Triangle to see first-class bands. The people who “wouldn’t pay money” to go to DPAC or Carolina Theatre (or even Cat’s Cradle, Duke Coffee House, Koka Booth Amphitheater, etc.) aren’t real music fans.

Charlie
04/20 08:43 PM

Good riddance. Downtown Live was an embarrassment. Instead of booking quality acts like Central Park Summerstage and the Jelly Pool Parties in NYC do, it was just one crappy has-been/never-been after another.

The local bands can still play at Kings/Tir Na Nog/Slims/The Pour House/Berkley/etc.

I like how people seem to think we’re actually losing something important. You guys heard of Hopscotch? You might have to pay for it, but at least it’s music worth hearing

Glad my tax dollars won’t be wasted on this pathetic excuse of a “summer concert series”

Rostel
04/21 10:26 AM

They should have a stage out there anyways and make it into a bring your own beer bluegrass show.  Doesnt have to be fancy, just good local music and a good time.

Bill
04/21 11:10 AM

I don’t think the businesses who fund the DRA think the Downtown Live concerts are a good deal.  If you were a downtown bar owner, you would pay a tax to subsidize the beer companies selling directly to the public at these shows.  At best, you have a bunch of wasted people coming into your business, post-concert, ordering one Bud Light, and then getting sick in your bathrooms (you hope they make it to the bathroom).  I agree with Charlie.  Once Cat’s Cradle and independent promoters get the chance to promote at the Downtown Amphitheater, or Moore Square, there could be some music that is actually relevant in the present, or even just within the past 10 years. No offense to Better Than Ezra.

Collins
04/21 04:26 PM

This is some of the better news I’ve heard recently.

Free
04/22 12:59 AM

Bill, Please explain the tax the bar owners have to pay to subsidize the beer companies for these events??

FYI - We all pay for the DRA.  It isn’t something only downtowners pay for.  Ask your city council.  With all the cuts going on in other areas (education), isn’t it about time to start making some budget cuts at the DRA?

4,000 - 6,000+ people at and around Moore Square throughout a Saturday afternoon and night…  and you think the businesses in that area are happy about not having FREE concerts to draw people in??  And you wonder why these locally owned businesses keep shutting down…  It may be a pain for the bars to keep the drunk rednecks out late night, but I am certain they enjoy the $$ all day and night during these events.

mcm
04/22 01:39 AM

Personally I don’t give a shit that Redneck Fest isn’t going to happen this year, or ever agian for what it’s worth. Going out on the weekends is for amateurs. However, I do wish they would bring Alive After 5 back. It was fun getting off work and having a few flat beers.

R.I.P. DRL, bring back AA5!!!

Bill
04/22 09:08 AM

Free: Yes, we all pay taxes but bars and restaurants also pay an extra 1% called a “prepared food and beverage tax”.  Businesses such as Mission Valley Cinema don’t like paying that tax to support government-run competition, such as the iMax, or using that tax money to promote events that have beer distributors selling direct to the public.  I wouldn’t have had an issue with DRL if it were local businesses selling the beer at the events.  I take that back, I would still have an issue with how much the music sucked.

Blake
04/23 02:47 PM

Never enjoyed the main acts for DTL, but they paid good money to the openers and it generated money for down town raleigh. So all in all, its a loss to not have it this year. I’m not quite sure why everyone is so hateful towards Deep South. All they ever did was bring something to downtown when nothing was going on.

But I will say that i’m pumped for better bands and festivals coming to raleigh.

Charlie
04/23 07:28 PM

Raleigh can still have a downtown concert series. They don’t need Deep South. I’m sure plenty of the local venues and promoters would love to work with the city to put on shows in Moore Square. They could even just have local bands. Maybe have more than just Budweiser. It would still bring a lot of people out

Robin
04/26 03:57 PM

“The Tubes” at Raleigh Downtown Live were terrific. “Mood Cultivation” were good also. The Neil Diamond cover act was the loudest! Whenever I hear someone talk about music being relevant or irrelevant I laugh. Pink Floyd must be relevant since they are the only act that can fill a stadium on their own. Like wine, some of the “cheaper” local bands are the best-tasting. Again, the Tubes were great. Once the new ampitheater refuses to lower prices (like Exploris) it may start offering free concerts just to sell the beer. Heck, if Woodtock can have an A Stage and a B Stage, so can Raleigh. Did sponsorships dry up or not? Was Deep South the main sponsor of Raleigh Downtown Live; if so why wouldn’t they want it closer to them?

Kar
04/28 03:36 PM

Modus operandi for Live Nation. As long as they’re the promotor for DRA, they’ll control the scene in downtown Raleigh. See ya’ free concerts. They may not mess with the smaller venues or shows, but from now on you can expect to pay for bigger acts.

IMHO I think the City of Raleigh made a mistake by choosing Live Nation. Live Nation may be the biggest promoter, and they’re definitely the most unethical.

sasquatch
05/17 08:48 PM

f**k yeah!

Pink
08/03 06:26 AM

So I guess it’s dead after 5.