Idina Menzel World Tour

[TFMH18]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 8:51pm

Apologies if this thread has already been posted, but didn't see it anywhere.

Has anyone attended one of Ms. Menzel's world tour concerts so far this summer? I haven't been able to (though am still hopeful to get to one). Wondering what anyone who's gone has thought!

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 8:58pm

My folks and I went last week, and it was a lot of fun! Idina has found a good balance between using humor to keep her audience engaged and knocking the songs out of the park vocally. (And she hit that final note in Let It Go perfectly the night I saw her!) She was also very interactive with the audience, inviting people in the back row to move up to the empty seats in the front row and bringing kids up on stage to sing. All in all, a very fun night, and if you're an Idina fan it's one not to miss. :)

[Pootie2]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 9:23pm

I know there's at least one other thread discussing the set list, but I think that's it. From what I gather given the (many) videos surfacing across social media, if you're familiar with her previous concerts, her current tour is quite similar. Lots of patter, barefoot, songs from a bunch of her previous shows, a couple old album originals, covers (including the great Creep by Radiohead), and one new song "Child" that will probably come with her new album. "Take Me or Leave Me" audience participation duet at every venue.

Some hilarity would include the improv "Jiffy Lube song" in, er, celebration of that venue.

And then, like her previous concerts, she does use some coarse language. Even Creep and Always Starting Over include the f-word, after all, but apparently a few parents were completely unaware of any of her works and stage persona before Frozen so they (shockingly!) exposed their little toddlers to that. The vast majority of stuff I've seen on social media has been very positive otherwise, but she does use a lot of adult humor.

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 11:48pm

The only question I have is that I know they sell a souvenir program, but how much does it cost? I heard concert programs cost more than the average show program, which is $20.

[Pootie2]

Posted: 8/6/15 at 12:43am

"The only question I have is that I know they sell a souvenir program, but how much does it cost? I heard concert programs cost more than the average show program, which is $20."

 I believe $30, but from a number of posts, it seems early US venues frequently ran out of stock. At first the official Idina news Twitter claimed the concert program was only available to VIP ticket-holders, but that appears to be false. Perhaps by now the stock issues have been taken care of.

[Hannahbelle]

Posted: 8/6/15 at 3:00am

I saw her tonight and she was awesome!  I've had a crush on her for 20 years and have seen her in venues large and small, and was happily surprised by how many tickets she was able to sell.  Idina's fan base consists of women of all ages, teenagers, little girls, and gay men.  She was sassy, fun, and seemed to be completely herself.  She connected with the audience and I loved it that when she finally sang Let it Go, she invited all the kids in the audience up on stage to sing it with her.  

The souvenir books were 20 dollars, and looked like they just had a bunch of glam shots.

[veronicamae]

Posted: 8/6/15 at 9:57am

""The only question I have is that I know they sell a souvenir program, but how much does it cost? I heard concert programs cost more than the average show program, which is $20."
 I believe $30, but from a number of posts, it seems early US venues frequently ran out of stock. At first the official Idina news Twitter claimed the concert program was only available to VIP ticket-holders, but that appears to be false. Perhaps by now the stock issues have been taken care of."

Originally they were only for VIP, but that has since changed!

And the books are definitely gorgeous; there are a few new photos in there that are rock star sexy.

Link to merch photos: https://twitter.com/IdinaMenzelNews/status/622180662108405762/photo/1

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/6/15 at 10:16am

"I ... was happily surprised by how many tickets she was able to sell."

Similar to Broadway, it doesn't matter how many butts you get in the seats, but how much those butts paid to be there. Idina has been putting a lot of tickets on Goldstar and such at a discount to fill them in... while at the same time, probably moves a lot of the high-end VIP seats with people who want to be up close and personal, etc.

[Pootie2]

Posted: 8/6/15 at 10:58am

""I ... was happily surprised by how many tickets she was able to sell."
Similar to Broadway, it doesn't matter how many butts you get in the seats, but how much those butts paid to be there. Idina has been putting a lot of tickets on Goldstar and such at a discount to fill them in... while at the same time, probably moves a lot of the high-end VIP seats with people who want to be up close and personal, etc."

Well, to be fair, it's not Menzel who decides ticket prices and what discounts to allow. I believe the artist is paid a fee before the concert anyway, so there's that, and concert merchandise is going to be far more profitable than a Broadway show's merch table. The biggest difference is that Broadway shows usually lose their investment money, but there's no investment sink for a concert tour, right? It's all profit even if a venue isn't sold out, from what I understand.

[gavyj]

Posted: 8/6/15 at 8:51pm

Some friends and I saw her in Raleigh about two weeks ago. She was in great voice and high spirits. The show was in an outdoor amphitheater downtown, and there were some noise issues (sirens and train passing), but Idina was very cool and funny about it. For instance, at the end of the "Love for Sale/Roxanne" number, the train passed slowly and she commented on how it added a dramatic effect.

Also, as others have mentioned, her inviting the audience to sing was really cool. She actually stopped "Take Me or Leave Me" when a little girl stepped up to sing. Idina asked, "do you know the song?" The little girl said no, and Idina asked how she would sing if she didn't know the song. The little girl suggested singing "Let It Go" -- to which Idina quipped "later" -- and then broke into a verse of "Defying Gravity." Just a cute exchange, and nice to see Idina trying to balance her broadway audience/adult fans with her Disney/younger audience.

I wasn't a complete fan for some of the pop arrangements she used for her broadway numbers, but, overall, it was a really great night. :)

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/6/15 at 8:55pm

"""I ... was happily surprised by how many tickets she was able to sell."
Similar to Broadway, it doesn't matter how many butts you get in the seats, but how much those butts paid to be there. Idina has been putting a lot of tickets on Goldstar and such at a discount to fill them in... while at the same time, probably moves a lot of the high-end VIP seats with people who want to be up close and personal, etc."
Well, to be fair, it's not Menzel who decides ticket prices and what discounts to allow. I believe the artist is paid a fee before the concert anyway, so there's that, and concert merchandise is going to be far more profitable than a Broadway show's merch table. The biggest difference is that Broadway shows usually lose their investment money, but there's no investment sink for a concert tour, right? It's all profit even if a venue isn't sold out, from what I understand."

All I'm saying is that you can't look out at the audience and assume they all paid the regular ticket price. I have no idea what her deal is otherwise. Some artists float their own money into a show for something their money people won't allow, others don't. No way to know. 

[IvyLynn]

Posted: 8/7/15 at 10:15am

Glad to hear such positive responses! And also nice to hear that she's managing to have fun and keep things light and silly despite the size of these venues.

I really wonder if these huge arenas are where she (and her popularity) will remain, or if this is a moment in time type of thing, where she is able to sell an insane amount of tickets in the still-going Frozen hype. It really is wild to see these HUGE venues that are packed full of people-- and yes, I am aware of the above conversation about full price/discount tickets. Still remarkable, regardless. 

[Pootie2]

Posted: 8/7/15 at 10:49am

I spotted something that led to a Billboard tour chart: http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6641802/bette-midler-tour-grateful-dead

That's a top 10 tour gross chart in a certain date range. Idina Menzel is actually #10 with a reported gross of $254,799 for July 11, Mohegan Sun Arena (did not sell out). I haven't been able to find any other reported data for her tour besides that date, though, and I believe this particular venue is special compared to her other venues because all tickets were priced the same and on the low side ($45). Along with the fact that these Billboard gross numbers don't include merchandise, other venues that sell the VIP packages most likely have been grossing more (*relative to venue size). So I suppose the real question is running cost, which is probably primarily going to her musicians/hired help.

I certainly wouldn't say she's joined the ranks of today's pop artists, but that's still impressive given the power of a single song from a movie and her less-known Broadway pedigree. However, I think the majority of those going to these concerts are theater fans first and Frozen fans second. She has also been selling the IF/THEN OBCR at these concerts at the merch table, and with Always Starting Over in the set list, she's doing some simultaneous advertising for the IF/THEN tour.

As to whether this concert popularity might last, there's her upcoming TV pilot (sitcom, unlikely to be music related I'd think so that probably won't help), and Frozen 2 (this one might help), and a new album (absolutely no idea how this will do on market). It's just so interesting to see a primarily musical theater artist cross over in this manner.

(*edited for clarity)

Updated On: 8/7/15 at 10:49 AM

[Becky]

Posted: 8/7/15 at 1:21pm

I started trying to get tickets for her Austin show months ago - and there were only some side/back orchestra and bad upper balcony seats available. I held out until a few days before and still only got a side orchestra (yet closer) seat. It sold well. Can't speak for all venues, but I don't think they were filling seats  in that packed house considering months ago it was well sold (and orchestra was over $100).

By the way, the merchandise line extended throughout the lobby and never stopped before the show.  After the show, they had brought ropes to organize the line (which was ridiculous). They are killing it with merchandise!

Updated On: 8/7/15 at 01:21 PM

[downhillskier]

Posted: 8/7/15 at 1:38pm

IMO- This is just the beginning. I believe she will only get more popular and future tours will be larger venues at higher prices.

I am excited to be seeing her in Boston at the end of the month. Held out since there were only tickets in the back for $50 or some in the front for VIP packages of $295ea. I felt I lucked out when 2 opened up in the 12th row for $125 each. Felt it was worth the splurge, the videos on YouTube look great, and I feel that it really makes a difference to be closer. I doubt that future tours will have the opportunity for tickets that close at that price. A friend loved  the show at Jones beach ( Idina's home town) recently.

Wishing her lots of success!

[Crazy NooNooHead]

Posted: 8/7/15 at 3:02pm

My friend and I saw her at Jones Beach and had such a great time! She went into the audience during "Take Me Or Leave Me" and had people sing the first verse, and one little girl sang the beginning of "No Good Deed" instead. It was adorable! I also thought her cover of Radiohead's "Creep" was amazing.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/7/15 at 4:05pm

She had absolutely no trouble selling out here in Orlando- tickets were gone within a couple weeks of them going on sale. No Goldstar needed. I think that's just happening at the mammoth outdoor venues. 

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 8/8/15 at 12:07am

"The show was in an outdoor amphitheater downtown, and there were some noise issues (sirens and train passing), but Idina was very cool and funny about it. For instance, at the end of the "Love for Sale/Roxanne" number, the train passed slowly and she commented on how it added a dramatic effect."

Lol, a similar thing happened at my show. The Houston stop was also in an outdoor venue, and when Idina and the band paused for a millisecond during that same song, you could hear a really loud police siren driving right by. Idina looked in the distance for a second with this "What the f***?" look on her face before saying, "Prostitution. They're coming after me!" 

[Pootie2]

Posted: 8/8/15 at 12:36am

""The show was in an outdoor amphitheater downtown, and there were some noise issues (sirens and train passing), but Idina was very cool and funny about it. For instance, at the end of the "Love for Sale/Roxanne" number, the train passed slowly and she commented on how it added a dramatic effect."


Lol, a similar thing happened at my show. The Houston stop was also in an outdoor venue, and when Idina and the band paused for a millisecond during that same song, you could hear a really loud police siren driving right by. Idina looked in the distance for a second with this "What the f***?" look on her face before saying, "Prostitution. They're coming after me!" "

 A serendipitous capture: https://twitter.com/_Defy_Gravity__/status/627354712220676096/video/1

If I'm not mistaken, the lyric timing was impeccable ("I...go to work"?).

 

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 8/8/15 at 1:44am

"""The show was in an outdoor amphitheater downtown, and there were some noise issues (sirens and train passing), but Idina was very cool and funny about it. For instance, at the end of the "Love for Sale/Roxanne" number, the train passed slowly and she commented on how it added a dramatic effect."


Lol, a similar thing happened at my show. The Houston stop was also in an outdoor venue, and when Idina and the band paused for a millisecond during that same song, you could hear a really loud police siren driving right by. Idina looked in the distance for a second with this "What the f***?" look on her face before saying, "Prostitution. They're coming after me!" "
 A serendipitous capture: https://twitter.com/_Defy_Gravity__/status/627354712220676096/video/1
If I'm not mistaken, the lyric timing was impeccable ("I...go to work"?).
 "

 

Ahh, someone got a video! XD Thanks for the link.

[nightnic001]

Posted: 8/16/15 at 1:21pm

Sorry to be "this guy", but does Idina stage door on tour?

[Pootie2]

Posted: 8/16/15 at 2:06pm

"Sorry to be "this guy", but does Idina stage door on tour?

"

I wouldn't bet on it. She has a few times, I think, but that's definitely not consistent. I don't know how she's been fitting studio recording time into this tour schedule either, as there was a photo recently of her in the studio.

[TFMH18]

Posted: 8/16/15 at 8:55pm

Dear god I hope she hasn't been attempting to stage door. As anyone who rembers hearing about (or bless your soul actually attended), the stage door for If/Then was sheer pandemonium every single night. I can't imagine a stage door for one of her own concerts, where 5,000 plus people have come JUST to see her. She might not make it out of that thing alive-- and I'd very much like to see her perform for another 40 years.

[broadwayboy972]

Posted: 8/16/15 at 9:27pm

I could see her doing the stage door at smaller venues, such as performing arts centers, but not for the bigger outdoor amphitheaters. I know that the venue she played at in Houston has a private road that goes to the backstage area, so there would be no possibility of stage-dooring at those types of venues.

[Gage2]

Posted: 8/18/15 at 1:03am

I attended the Seattle show at the Paramount theatre, one of her smaller tour stops (2,800 people approx).

I tried stage dooring before sound check even started, and she used an alternate entry to get inside the venue. Thankfully her production manager was sympathetic to my cause and took my 2 playbills up to her dressing room to be signed. These were the only autographs she signed that night, so I was very happy.

 

Concert review: outstanding vocals, both amusing and bizarre stage commentary, and a lot of onstage ego stroking. The fame is clearly getting to her head, whicg was alienating at times for even a longtime fan . Overall still a fantastic concert.