No matter what the venue told you I seriously doubt the band made the decision. I would think it came from the promoter. This sort of promotion happens all the time. With overall concert ticket sales are down over 10% this year half price deals have become so common at the Amphitheaters that many fans are waiting until the last minute to buy their tickets. This strategy does not work if you care about how good your seats are. This first happened at an Avett Show when they threw the Avett Jubilee/Festival Essex.

That stuff happens. The economy is really bad in Las Vegas abd they are probably just trying to fill the venue.

I am more unhappy with the LA deal that I mentioned in a previous post. I got pre sale tickets but it seems like all the Ticket Brokers have the front row seats. To me that is just offensive.

yellow bandit, your comment about your gps is my whole problem. Most places you can take your receipt back into a store and get credit if an item goes on sale shortly after you bought it. i was hoping the same would apply here. and i also got the first round of presale tickets for the LA show and got stuck in N. It just doesnt seem right. oh well i guess.

I talked to Lamar yesterday. He just bought Sufjan Stevens' tickets in a presale and feels they have it down right. You are guaranteed the first 20 rows (which is six rows past N by my count), but you don't know where your seats are until you pick up your tickets at Will Call. And Will Call is the only option for presale tickets. For all practical purposes that eliminates resale of tickets - especially by brokers. That sounds very fair IF all the seats in those first 20 rows are available AND they are distributed in relation to the time of purchase. Those are things that could only be known over time.

Certainly, the AA system needs improvement and explanation. We've had enough experience to know their system is confusing at best, does not eliminate or even seem to slow scalpers, often does not offer the best seats and at least seems unfair. I also am very put off by the magical "front row" and "early entry" distribution. Maybe that is because the magic has yet to work in my favor, but I believe it should be a simple "first come, first served."

Yeah, the very back of the bowl/back wall, whatever. The seats farthest from the stage.

Things can always get better.

In the meantime, you should try to make it to a Garden Party:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFnZzqnM-tw&feature=related

jeremyandrew,
If you don't mind my asking, which seats in row N do you have? Mine are 215 & 216.

The KY contingent also bought tickets for the Sufjan Stevens tour (Knoxville show). We got ours during the public sale and ended up in row E.

David,

We were already visiting my in-laws in Hickory, NC, so it won't be a huge deal if the ticket situation goes to heck in a hand basket. But you might be right!

This is a show I don't care where my tickets are to be honest. I've wanted to see him for years. He is one of my favorite Christian artists and I think it will be an uplifting spiritual experience.

Littledeadhead,

I checked the Asheville general sale and I got row W when they went on sale. Maybe no one in Knoxville likes SS. haha I can't wait to see how the seat situation goes down, but as I said, doesn't matter to me. I'm happy with the way it has gone so far.

Lamar,
I wasn't aware of the show before it sold out, but I would still like to meet you and the Mrs. if you guys want to grab dinner somewhere while you're in town. I know a few good places

I can't speak for eTix presales, but they recently took over as The Orange Peel's ticketing service, and I find it's a much better alternative to Artist Arena or Ticketmaster. Which isn't exactly hard to achieve, but it's still nice to get a breath of fresh air from time to time.