(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
Due to overwhelming demand, The Black Crowes will release many more of the best seats in Madison Square Garden for their New Year's Eve show. "Due to the demand of the band’s fan base," said band manager Pete Angelus, "we have spent the last three weeks reworking the production and will now open up the production holds to make many of the Garden's preferred seats available to our fans. In addition, we are also releasing other excellent location seats, which had been previously held by the artist and venue."
"In an effort to ensure that these seats go to our fans, rather than the scalpers and brokers," added Angelus, "we have implemented a system whereby:
1) The purchaser will be notified by email and regular mail with a letter that outlines the terms of the purchase and seat locations. Tickets purchased will be held at the box office. No other delivery option will be available at the time of purchase;
2) The purchaser must present the confirmation email or letter, two forms of ID–the actual credit card used to purchase the ticket(s) and a photo ID–to the box office on December 31 beginning at 7:00 PM when doors open;
3) The box office will then confirm the original purchaser's name, confirmation email or letter, credit card and photo ID; and
4) The purchaser and their guests will then be issued their tickets and immediately enter the building so as to prevent scalpers and brokers from picking up the tickets and transferring them to anyone else.
"This should ensure that these seats go directly to our fans, and at the same time make the scalper and broker tickets which are presently being sold online, at exorbitant prices, considerably less valuable,” said Angelus. "For months before the initial on-sale, on behalf of the band's fans, we took into serious consideration the number of local fans, regional fans, fans that would potentially be traveling to the event from across the county, as well as fans traveling from international destinations, and the costs associated with their travel, hotels and other ancillary expenses. In that regard, we specifically set the ticket prices at the lowest possible levels for our fans. The new preferred location tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster on December 3 at Noon EST / 9:00 AM PST, and will be the same price as the highest price ticket in the arena, which are $65.00."
The support acts are special guests My Morning Jacket and North Mississippi Allstars. Doors will open at 7:00 PM EST with the first band taking the stage 8:00 PM. From there, the concert is expected to continue well past midnight. The Black Crowes–Chris Robinson (vocals), Rich Robinson (guitars), Marc Ford (guitars), Eddie Hawrysch (keyboards), Sven Pipien (bass) and Steve Gorman (drums)–will allow tapers at the show. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
