Officials with the University of Montana say they would do things differently if they could after online sales shut out hundreds of people who waited in line for wristbands to buy tickets to see Elton John's show in Missoula.
GrizTix sold close to 6,000 tickets in 20 minutes and almost all of them were purchased online and now officials with the Adams Center say they were totally unprepared for the huge online demand. The Internet sales left the hundreds of people who stood in line Tuesday for wristbands and then waited to buy tickets on Wednesday left empty handed.
The Adams Center Executive Director Mary Muse says she's sorry about what happened.
"I so regret the experience they had. We provide entertainment and fun for people and I realize we have a lot of people who had no fun yesterday and I cannot begin to express my regret."
Muse has been at the helm of the Adams Center for five years and says though they sell 400,000 tickets a year nothing prepared her office for the huge online demand for the Elton John tickets.
"It was the most incredible, phenomenal on sale I have ever seen."
Campus police were called in Wednesday to restore order after fans at the Adams Center realized that most of the tickets to the concert were gobbled up online. Hundreds of fans had lined up Tuesday for a numbered wristband and the numbers were supposed to be announced at GrizTix outlets for people to purchase in person.
But UM officials admit the process simply did not work because people in line were competing with people online. Muse says the whole incident was a learning experience.
"We've learned valuable lessons and I feel confident that the experience ticket buyers had will not be repeated."
In the event of any future big-name concerts Muse says they will set aside a certain number of tickets for people to buy in person.
Now for those fans that really want to see Elton John there are some tickets available at online auction sites but they're expensive. On e bay four tickets are going for $1,000 while for $800 can buy you two tickets.
Tickets to Elton John's September 28th concert in Missoula sold out quickly Wednesday morning and we found that only a "slim" number of tickets were available to those fans who stood in line.
Hundreds of fans stood in line on Tuesday at the Adam's Center Box Office just to receive a wristband to purchase tickets. Then on Wednesday morning those fans waited in line again for a chance to get their coveted tickets for the show. However they were turned away nearly an hour later empty handed.
Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM) officials tell us that Internet and phone sales completely inundated the system and as a result only a number of tickets could be sold on location. We talked with some of the folks who were waiting in line at UM.
Stephanie Trudeau: "I'm really sad...and I really didn't want to get beat up in there because there were some really angry people in there."
Brianne Blake: "I didn't know about the wristbands. And I guess there's a lottery going on. And there's a lot of frustration about how disorganized this has all happened because a lot of people are disappointed. I'm really feeling bummed out and disappointed and angry."
Terry Toppins: "Anybody who's got tickets--call me!"
We also spoke to the manager of Worden's Market in Missoula who says the ticket problem was the biggest fiasco he's ever scene. Mark Thomsen says people in line were upset but were very polite and courteous when they found out they didn't get their prized tickets.
Meanwhile Southgate Mall did manage to sell a total of five tickets before the computer froze them out.
UM released the following statement about what happened: "online buyers and ticket sales staff at the Adams Center windows, other ticket outlets and on the phones were all accessing the same inventory of tickets when they went on sale at 10:00 am. Internet sales brought the most success in sales. The tickets sold out in 20 minutes". They add that the process simply did not work.
(from August 31, 2007)
Folks looking to catch the Elton John show in Missoula next month better start budgeting and getting ready for some competition.
Reserved tickets go on sale Wednesday, September 5th at 10:00 at all GrizTix outlets and will cost $67 ort $97 with a six ticket limit per purchase. But the day before they go on sale all ticket buyers will have to get a numbered wristband which will be handed out from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Adams Center Box office, the Source at the UC, Southgate Mall and Worden's Market.
Each station will distribute 500 wristbands except for the Adams Center which will have 1,500. Then beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday one wristband number for each location will be announced on reader boards and on local radio stations.
Organizers say they hope the wristband system will alleviate traffic on campus. The concert will be Friday, September 28th starting at 8:00 p.m. and there won't be an opening act.
(from August 30, 2007)
Well it's been confirmed that Rock and Roll icon Elton John and his band will play live in concert on Friday September 28th at the University of Montana.
His stop in Missoula is one of many on his "2007 Rocket Man - Number Ones Tour". The rocker has sold over 200 million records including 35 Gold and 25 Platinum albums.
Reserved tickets for the show go on sale on September 5th starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Adams Center Box Office with a six ticket limit per purchase. Tickets can also be purchased at all GrizTix outlets including at the University Center, Southgate Mall, Warden's Market and toll free at 888-MONTANA.
While fans surely want to know how much the tickets are going to cost, that information has not yet been released.
The Elton John Concert falls right in the heart of the UM's Homecoming Week and that means some of the traditional Homecoming events will be a bit different this year.
Officials at the University of Montana tell us the events that traditionally have taken place on the Friday evening before the big Homecoming Game will now be moved to Wednesday night in order to make room for John and his band. UM officials add that this in no way will take away from the Spirit of Homecoming and it's just another added dimension.
Events like Yell Night and Singing on the Steps that most recently have been on Friday night will now be moved to Wednesday, September 26th. Yell Night will kick off at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday with the football team, band, announcement of the Student Ambassadors, and the Lighting of the "M". In addition the distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony will now take place at 5:00 p.m. Friday prior to the concert.
UM Alumni Relations Director Bill Johnston says that having Elton John involved in the Homecoming Festivities brings a new spark to campus.
"I think it adds a lot of attention and excitement and showcases the importance of Homecoming. Homecoming is a chance to celebrate what we all love about the University. And some people are really going to be excited about the concert. Other people - it may not be what they want to do."
Organizers add that Homecoming Week will have the same flare with campus tours, art fairs, class reunions and of course a visit from Elton John.
Homecoming Week traditionally brings thousands of people to campus and now police say they're expecting a lot more because of the concert. Officers are preparing for the parking congestion that Homecoming Week, concert ticket sales, and the Rocket Man Number Ones Tour will bring.
They're encouraging people to take the bus to and from campus and add that no tents or camping out will be allowed before the tickets on sale. The head of the UM Office of Public Safety says his department will work with the Missoula County Sheriff's Department and the Missoula PD to patrol the different festivities.
"We'll have a lot of extra officers on duty for the concert. Anytime you get 7,000 people involved, just for safety, we've got to have people spread out. But still, it's a large impact combined with Homecoming. It affects all of Missoula."
Since Elton John will be in the Adams Center the number of people on hand will only be a fraction of what the Rolling Stones Concert brought in and police say they'll be well prepared.
With the convergence of Homecoming, Elton John and a Griz football game that means there will be a run on local motel rooms. On Wednesday we called eight Missoula area motels and found out that the ones located closest to UM are all sold out.
We did find hotels farther out, near the airport, that still had quite a few rooms available for the night of the September 28th. But if you have friends or family coming in and they need a room you should reserve it as soon as possible.
- With information from Jill Valley in Missoula
