We are an eBay affiliate and may be compensated for clicks on links that result in purchases.

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

1 member likes this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rich on February 1, 2016 at 4:29pm

Wak the Moon just announced their tour, and it includes Meet & Greet packages (GA ticket included) for $150 - at least for Milwaukee. Most cities aren't listing the packages yet, so I have no clue if this varies by venue and city.

Hardly a steal, but probably a no brainer for some of the band's biggest fans. Ticket, soundcheck, photo op, signed vinyl and maybe some other minor perks.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robin McKay on February 4, 2016 at 7:40am

Met Elton John at HMV yesterday in London's Oxford Circus branch.

He was quite friendly but didn't answer a question I asked, but then that isn't a surprise. He asked me how I was and I asked the same but he said nothing and just signed the art card, that priority access members were given.

Unfortunately no photos were allowed at the signing. Apologies :-) I have included a pic of the art card.

Attachments: No photo uploads here

image.jpg, 1 MB

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Barry S on February 4, 2016 at 7:43am

Very nice Robin! You sure get around.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robin McKay on February 4, 2016 at 11:00am

I've just been lucky Barry - I don't normally get around like this. Meeting Arnold and Elton were quite out of the ordinary.

Furthermore, I feel privileged to have met two great legends of the modern era.

Thanks for your comment Barry, means a lot. I do the pure hmv rewards and that was one of the things you could spend your reward points on and essentially it was 'free,' so I took the chance.

I was just annoyed you couldn't take photos, grrr, because it would've given the signature a bit of extra precedence.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ian Baldock on February 4, 2016 at 10:17am

Wow that's a good one, congrats Robin!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robin McKay on February 4, 2016 at 11:01am

Thanks Ian

I was lucky to be a pure hmv member and book this early - I was one of the first in.

He was friendly enough but didn't really answer questions. Just asked him how he was after he asked me, indicating maybe he wasn't enthused to be there, but who knows? Not all smiles are warm, after all.

Nevertheless, a good capture and I am really pleased with this signature and I am glad to have met a living legend, that's two in a fortnight - I wonder who I may meet in the next fortnight, lol.

Cheers for your comment Ian, much appreciated. Take care.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Cogo on February 4, 2016 at 10:38am

That's a really nice sig Robin, congrats my friend!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robin McKay on February 4, 2016 at 11:02am

Thanks Jan

I was talking to my mum and she said its quite a coup to get Elton to an event like this as it was on a reasonably small scale.

Sadly there were no photos allowed which was a shame but at least I met him and got an autograph.

Hope you are well Jan.

Take Care.

Robs

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rich on February 4, 2016 at 11:01am

Nice signature, too.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robin McKay on February 4, 2016 at 11:05am

Thanks Rich.

Yeah its always nice to get your autographs in person - no concerns about fakes and essentially, this was a free meet and greet.

Well, not free since I had to buy items to accrue the points but it was just up the road from where I live so thought I'd give this one a go. Glad I did.

Hopefully more autographs to come from meet and greets soon. Still buzzing from meeting Arnold. Never thought I'd do that.

Best to you mate,

Robs.