Fan Fare, What's New, Pussycat?
Here’s where you’ll find TJ photos and stories that don’t fit into any other categories. It is, as its name says, just for fans — and, hopefully, for fun.
Remember “That” Poster? Well, Look At It Now! Did Fans Do This?
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009Once again, lots of stuff posted on TJI.com lately, so be sure to scroll down this page so you don’t miss anything.
You may recall the fuss kicked up here on May 9 when the poster for Tom’s European tour this fall was discussed. You may even recall that the Welsh newspapers had a story about TJI.com and the poster.Well, that was then. And this — on the right — is now!
I’m experienced enough to know that fans cannot take credit for precipitating the change, but still optimistic enough to want to believe that fan reaction at least in part caused LiveNation to redo the poster which has run as an ad in everywhere Tom will play. Now he looks great — like a singer who is singing; singing his heart out. In the other poster? Not so much.
Things are, really, tough all over and shows are an extravagance. The only date so far sold out is the Saturday night in Cardiff. Of course, this says nothing — absolutely nothing! — about Tom’s popularity. As was famously said in the USA in 1992, “It’s the economy, stupid!” And tickets are in the range of £45-£55 which, though it is still less than it costs to see him at the MGM Grand, isn’t inexpensive.
Perhaps all promoters should do what Dave Matthews is doing. He charges a flat rate and it’s first-come-first-served. He’s not giving tickets away, but it is a system that — once a person decides to buy a ticket — depends upon quick action rather than how much is in the bank. Everyone has an equal chance for the best seats. Seems the fairest way. (Even the scalpers’ price for his shows is less than for others.)
At any rate, did fan reaction have anything to do with changing the poster? Who knows? But it’d be nice to think LiveNation listened, wouldn’t it?
—Thanks, Pat, for the poster! And thanks to Helen for identifying it as the work of Carson Windhorst, who says, “A few months ago I was asked to take some live shots of Tom Jones. One of the shots has been used for his latest official tour ad.”
June 30th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Hi, Just thought I would mention that the shows at Brighton and Bournemouth are completely sold out ( these venues individual websites confirm this ), and as far as I know the 2nd night at Cardiff on 10th October is also sold out. All the other shows only have 2nd price tickets at £ 45 available, the top price tickets mostly sold out on the first day, although I believe that the top VIP tickets at £145 are still available. I also agree the new poster is much better.
June 30th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Pat: Not to argue, but I’ve found there are tickets in Bournemouth. You are correct; the poster is incorrect. Both Cardiff nights are sold out but, let’s face it, Tom absolutely should sell well in the UK. After all, 90 percent of the promotion done for him — radio, TV, etc. — is done there and he is immensely popular (as he should be).
But that’s not the point of the post. The point is to say that perhaps they listened to fans. That’s all.
June 30th, 2009 at 9:51 am
The BIC website does now show some tickets available, although last week it was saying that all tickets were sold out, but I suppose the situation does change all the time and tickets do become available.
June 30th, 2009 at 9:59 am
It’s gonna be great these shows. I’ve a second row seat facing the stage for Tom’s Belfast show. Can’t wait. My 7th Tom concert!!
June 30th, 2009 at 10:05 am
So, what does everyone think of the poster??? (And please be sure to send reviews of these shows!)
June 30th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Love the poster.
June 30th, 2009 at 11:14 am
The new poster is a 100% improvement. The first red one was just plain scary. I’m so glad those people came to their senses. I’d like to think that we fans played a part.
June 30th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Brilliant! That new poster look like the real deal!
I’m guessing the second Cardiff night is almost sold out then because there is now a third date! But I gave that one up, 4 dates is the maximum I can do one year!
June 30th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
When I logged on to the site today and saw the poster I thought, “Now that’s a poster! They should have used it instead of that other one everyone hated.” The I read the paragraph and laughed!
GREAT POSTER!
June 30th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
The poster is as it should have been from the start. It’s as good as the first one was hideous!!!! As far as the tickets go I have checked at Liverpool Echo Arena and you can’t get two seats together. So whilst there may be tickets left they are just individual seats. Tom’s appearence at Glastonbury with nearly an hours free TV coverage will help sell tickets. I didn’t get a Sunday paper this week so don’t know if the ad appeared or not but given the TV exposure I hope it did!!!
June 30th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Norman: The ad was in the newspaper in the UK.
June 30th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Great change: on the old appeard like “may I sing in your city??” and now it’s the tiger again. Well done!
June 30th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I also love the new poster. It shows Tom doing what he does best. He also looks great!
June 30th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
During the poster controversy, I was upset at being quoted in a Welsh newspaper. But, if it possibly helped to get this wonderful poster, it was worth it. Surely the UK fans deserve to see Sir Tom as he really is – The Silver Fox!
July 1st, 2009 at 1:49 am
So glad the poster has been changed.Now, that’s the way we like to see Tom,-full of energy,not half dead!
July 1st, 2009 at 6:55 am
The new poster is truly what Tom is about, singing his soul out.If you go to Tom Jones.com and go to site backgrounds you can see the picture they used on the red poster,I do not know who the photographer is who took the photos, but there are 3 pictures in the set that are horrible and one is the red poster shot,the angles he used are not flattering at all
July 1st, 2009 at 8:11 am
The new poster really captures the energy and excitment of Tom’s concerts. Major improvement over the old one.
July 1st, 2009 at 8:59 am
What I would like to know is if Tom gives his final approval to the choices his staff makes for him. Anyway, this poster is perfect and I hope it will be the one they’ll show in the rest of Europe.
By the way let me share my great excitement with you all. It’s been 6 years since I last saw Tom and I’m gonna see him on the 6th of November in Paris. Isn’t it wonderful ! Believe me, I’m gonna savour him !!
July 1st, 2009 at 9:19 am
Just great!! Someone finally came to their senses. Sandy S.
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:19 am
Now this is a poster!!!!! To me it truly represents Sir Tom’s love of performing and he looks hot, hot, hot! I do believe that fan reaction had a lot to do with the change and I have no regrets for expressing my honest opinion, or being quoted in any newspaper.
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:49 am
Excellent NEW poster!! Looks a bit more like the real Tom Jones. Wonder if any of these posters will be available for sale (perhaps through e-bay or something)? Seems they’d make great mementos for the lucky few that can obtain them.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Found this on Flickr! http://www.flickr.com/photos/frpap/3681497271/
August 19th, 2009 at 11:28 am
This new poster is fabulous! Hope they burned that red one. He looks totally engaged and passionate, doing what he does best. The purple background beautifully sets off Sir Toms’s silver mane
October 1st, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Hundred times better than the first one.This is Tom as we know him ….singing.Great.