Where have all the NTR events gone?

[SteveTripi]

Whether its COVID related anxieties, budget constraints, market wearyness, or a combination of all 3, there seems to be a genuine decline in overall big ticket events for the "Big 3" companies in WNY.

Outside of "Taste of Country" and some medium-sized Cumulus events (97 Rock's 80's Party & Edge 90's Party), there's just way less going on in the radio event space since 2019.

A brief search reveals the last Edgefest (roll your eyes, but as a local musician growing up in the 2000s, Edgefest was a BIG deal) was in 2016.

Got to play it twice to huge crowds. 2002 & 2006. Last "HRVST" (WEDG's fall Edgefest replacement) was in 2019. The "smart" play would be to revive Edgefest next summer with a big budget, and 2 or 3 legit, high ticket acts. None of these "Winnetka Bowling League" or whoever. I know, I know "it's too expensive" to book the big acts. Find a way.

Last KISSMAS Bash? 2019. Last "Kiss the Summer Hello"? 2018.

When was the last WGR Roast? February 2020, legit the last week or so before COVID lockdowns.

Looks like the last WGR Celeb Golf Tournament was in 2018. My guess is WBEN doesn't do any NTR events.

I have no inside knowledge as to why this is the way it is. But just something to chew on.

Where did all the events go?

 

[Oldbloodandguts]

Whether its COVID related anxieties, budget constraints, market wearyness, or a combination of all 3, there seems to be a genuine decline in overall big ticket events for the "Big 3" companies in WNY.

Outside of "Taste of Country" and some medium-sized Cumulus events (97 Rock's 80's Party & Edge 90's Party), there's just way less going on in the radio event space since 2019.

A brief search reveals the last Edgefest (roll your eyes, but as a local musician growing up in the 2000s, Edgefest was a BIG deal) was in 2016.

Got to play it twice to huge crowds. 2002 & 2006. Last "HRVST" (WEDG's fall Edgefest replacement) was in 2019. The "smart" play would be to revive Edgefest next summer with a big budget, and 2 or 3 legit, high ticket acts. None of these "Winnetka Bowling League" or whoever. I know, I know "it's too expensive" to book the big acts. Find a way.

Last KISSMAS Bash? 2019. Last "Kiss the Summer Hello"? 2018.

When was the last WGR Roast? February 2020, legit the last week or so before COVID lockdowns.

Looks like the last WGR Celeb Golf Tournament was in 2018. My guess is WBEN doesn't do any NTR events.

I have no inside knowledge as to why this is the way it is. But just something to chew on.

Where did all the events go?

Tim Holly killed events while GM, he was lazy.

 

[TheBigA]

Whether its COVID related anxieties, budget constraints, market wearyness, or a combination of all 3, there seems to be a genuine decline in overall big ticket events for the "Big 3" companies in WNY.

That's a good list, but something you haven't considered is the huge increase in event insurance, brought on by the aforementioned covid. Coupled the lack of sponsorship opportunities. Stations don't do these things for nothing. Also artist availability (outside of country) has become an issue.

 

[Rusty Bridges]

Refreshing topic, this thread. Some of the NTR has been absorbed and presented by other local entities. The "Music Is Art" festival, presented by Goo Goo Dolls bassist Robby Takac, seems to have supplanted Edge Fest as a summer event for local musicians and fans. Beyond that, a few non-profit agencies have presented local bands in smaller venues.

As it relates to Buffalo radio stations, anther question might be, "Is the money there?" Taste of Buffalo has grown into a massive annual event, especially for country music fans. The local Townsquare stations have the presentation of their event down to a science, but it takes extensive planning, an established relationship with the (Nashville) music reps and local man power to successfully pull it off. Also, there's a high risk / reward quotient to any festival presentation. Cumulus and Audacy may rightfully be playing it safe by not undertaking the risk because the reward for them just isn't sufficient. Then again, they may not have the experienced manpower in place to $ucce$$fully pull off such an event.

Buffalo has a rich and diverse cache of talented local musicians, as witnessed by the success of the Goo Goo Dolls. And summer here is chock full of local, albeit smaller venues, that give musicians a chance to do their stuff. Sometimes the best venues for these acts are local clubs and "underwritten" performances for non-profit agencies. Takac deserves an immense amount of credit for sponsoring and presenting his local festival.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Have you noticed ticket prices lately? The cost of national performers has skyrocketed. I agree with Rusty's points, but the rise in the cost of bands trying to make up for their Covid furlough and the increase in greed by ticket agencies makes the risk much greater and the reward not as rewarding. As Rusty pointed out, there are plenty of local events for local musicians to ply their trade during the summer. Once Fall arrives, things start to dry up, but there are still plenty of opportunities at local venues. Sportsmans added concert spaces to accommodate local band in different stages of their development. One big loss to the local scene was The Tralf. That was a great venue that hasn't really been replaced.

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

NTR

did I miss what the abbreviation represents ?

 

[topsound]

Costs have doubled and tripled since COVID. Our Bridget's Battle events have been fortunate to have local bands donate their time, but our attendance and $ have still slipped since 2020.

 

[SteveTripi]

NTR

did I miss what the abbreviation represents ?

"Non-Traditional Revenue". Code for major events, usually concerts but not always.

Golf tournaments, "Roasts", etc.

Buffalo has a rich and diverse cache of talented local musicians, as witnessed by the success of the Goo Goo Dolls. And summer here is chock full of local, albeit smaller venues, that give musicians a chance to do their stuff. Sometimes the best venues for these acts are local clubs and "underwritten" performances for non-profit agencies. Takac deserves an immense amount of credit for sponsoring and presenting his local festival.

I played Music is Art plenty of times. (Hamburg Fairgrounds, Delaware Park 5x, and Riverworks). All great times, and it was fun. I would hardly consider MiA as any replacement for a major radio concert event though.

WEDG has endured so many roster changes NO ONE there can even remember "the day" when Edgefest was relevant. It WAS (keyword) a Buffalo alternative rock staple for almost 20 years.

No one talks about Promotions on this board but it used to be a really important part of the infrastructure of a station. Who's Audacy Buffalo's promotions director? There's probably an answer but I'm too lazy to look it up on LinkedIn.

Budget and staffing components play a factor too. Cumulus Buffalo relied HEAVILY on unpaid labor for events. Promotions staff were interns for years. Promotions staffers/part timers were a thing too, to be fair.

But that's a tough ask after a kid graduates college. Minimum wage, long hours on weekends, long drives. Dealing with John Q Public. There's less allure to a job that's relatively thankless and offers very little growth opportunity.

I can think of 2 or 3 trusted former promotions directors I know personally who are out of the game entirely. Who knew making more money in PR is worth their time and energy?

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

A station im involved in does several

(its not in buffalo)

A underachievers race, untimed .5k.. proceeds go to a non profit after our expenses
we do a fishing derby every year
a home/garden show every year

 

[TheBigA]

I can think of 2 or 3 trusted former promotions directors I know personally who are out of the game entirely. Who knew making more money in PR is worth their time and energy?

There's more money and less work in PR. But also a lot less fun and it's more business. It can be like selling insurance. You start working for a company, and then set up your own company and work directly with clients.

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

"Non-Traditional Revenue". Code for major events, usually concerts but not always.

Golf tournaments, "Roasts", etc.



I played Music is Art plenty of times. (Hamburg Fairgrounds, Delaware Park 5x, and Riverworks). All great times, and it was fun. I would hardly consider MiA as any replacement for a major radio concert event though.

WEDG has endured so many roster changes NO ONE there can even remember "the day" when Edgefest was relevant. It WAS (keyword) a Buffalo alternative rock staple for almost 20 years.

No one talks about Promotions on this board but it used to be a really important part of the infrastructure of a station. Who's Audacy Buffalo's promotions director? There's probably an answer but I'm too lazy to look it up on LinkedIn.

Budget and staffing components play a factor too. Cumulus Buffalo relied HEAVILY on unpaid labor for events. Promotions staff were interns for years. Promotions staffers/part timers were a thing too, to be fair.

But that's a tough ask after a kid graduates college. Minimum wage, long hours on weekends, long drives. Dealing with John Q Public. There's less allure to a job that's relatively thankless and offers very little growth opportunity.

I can think of 2 or 3 trusted former promotions directors I know personally who are out of the game entirely. Who knew making more money in PR is worth their time and energy?

thank you ☆