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Meet & Greet Experiences

As far as autograph collecting and music fan experiences goes, I find the range of stories I hear about various meet & greets to be pretty fascinating. I've heard of people paying modest fees (or nothing) for wonderful, fun experiences - and other stories of fans shelling out large amounts of money for a massive disappointment. And, of course, everything in between.

I thought we should have a comprehensive thread on the topic. Have you been to a pre-show or post-show meet and greet or know someone who has? Was it a bargain or a ripoff? What was the mood - structured and hurried or casual and fun?

My favorite band does meet and greets at every headline show they perform on this tour, chosen at fandom by fans who sign up for their fanclub and enter the show-specific drawing. There is no charge, and (usually) I don't believe a show ticket is even required. They were asked about this in an interview early this tour, and the response from one of the band members, Martin, was pretty passionate about musicians who charge high prices for meet & greets. FYI: I get that this band isn't quite a household name yet, so there might be a sentiment of "Who are they to say . . ." However they have an interesting perspective as both successful musicians with Top 10 records and huge music fans themselves).

Here's that portion of the interview:

https://youtu.be/l1da-ZW_3OA?t=6m48s

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Permalink Reply by Rich on April 24, 2017 at 8:13am

Gene Simmons (and his non-KISS band) are doing meet and greets on this tour. $299, includes the M&G and admission to a the first day of Wizard World Chicago. I'd be curious what the M&G autograph policy is, as he's doing Wizard World that same weekend and charging for autographs there.

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Permalink Reply by Coachgd on April 24, 2017 at 8:15pm

In Cleveland last month, the $299 got you a photo with Gene and a ticket to his concert. Absolutely NO autographs. He told people "I'm on someone else's dime and I can't sign." I wouldn't waste your time- $300 for a photo is crazy!

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Permalink Reply by Rich on April 25, 2017 at 5:05am

I guess the question then is - why is he doing it? (This is admittedly a dumb question since this guy will cash in any way he can). But, come on. "I can't sign autographs for the meet and greet for my show because I'm doing comic con." ??!! I guess that almost seems fitting.

Garbage's meet and greets are basically $300 for a Q&A + photo op, and whatever early entry perks there might be). I say this because they are touring with Blondie, who is also doing their own $300 meet and greets).

I like photo ops, but I hesitate when that's really the only thing you get out of it, especially when it's decidedly overpriced. The problem is how bad I tend to look in them. I like to have an autograph or two at least as a "hedge" against a blown photo op.

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Permalink Reply by Barry S on April 25, 2017 at 8:10am

I'm going to see Kiss in June at the 02. Check this out. Pick out your bass, watch Gene play it on stage, then he signs it for you. This is very cool but check out the prices.
http://www.genesimmonsaxe.com/meet-greet-experience-pricing/

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Permalink Reply by Rich on April 25, 2017 at 9:12am

I didn't expect it to be cheap. At least the guitars are distinctive and pretty cool looking. But, yeah, those price tags . . .

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Permalink Reply by Rich on May 2, 2017 at 4:58pm

Adventures in Wonderland is offering VIP packages for Earth, Wind and Fire, including a meet & greet package for $525. Seems a bit steep for a band who's had 7,324 members.

https://www.adventuresinwonderland.com/t/earth-wind-and-fire

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Permalink Reply by Coachgd on May 2, 2017 at 5:49pm

That is crazy! I saw them two years ago and they were selling meet and greets at the merch table for $100. You got a photo with the band and the manager said "no autographs." I was the last in line and had an album (actually 2) and I asked Philip Bailey if he would sign it and he was happy to. He then got the other two guys to sign it. So I was happy to get at least 1 done.

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Permalink Reply by Travis Aldous on November 8, 2017 at 1:39pm

Sometimes that these the guys themselves a really cool it’s a manager or some little tool that thinks they’re important wants to ruin it I would’ve looked right At themand said for what I paid are you kidding me.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on May 3, 2017 at 6:48am

Interesting contrast in the same price range: Kendrick Lamar (wow, did he get big fast) meet and greet packages through VIP nation. There appear to be running at $525 - 625 each.

https://vipnation.com/tours/kendrick-lamar/the-damn-tour-with-travi...

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Permalink Reply by Rich on May 3, 2017 at 8:38am

Video from the Bishop Briggs meet and greet last Sunday. Regardless of how big a fan you are, $35 was a steal for this VIP package. In my case, she's my favorite artist, and I absolutely loved the experience and would have paid much more for it.

The package was limited to about 25-30 fans, and it included two autographs (including the VIP exclusive litho), photo ops (multiple if wanted) and early entry that puts you in the front row. Not having heard much feedback about her fan interaction in the past, I wasn't 100% sure what to expect. But she's genuinely warm, fun to be around and good to her fans. I was unusually nervous for this one, but she's very easy to talk to - as is her sister Kate, who is also her tour manager.

I should also add that she's an a amazing artist and one of the best live performers you'll see.

https://youtu.be/gfXfHEL0dFU