THE BIBLE’S NIGHTMARE AT JONES BEACH—IT’S WORSE THAN WE THOUGHT

I.B. Bad’s most recent column contained some shocking revelations about the shaky state of Billboard’s first—and quite possibly last—Hot 100 Music Festival, scheduled for this weekend at the Jones Beach Theater. (See I.B.’s original entry here.)

Since the column was posted last Thursday, we’ve learned that the situation is even worse than we’d initially thought, and now the bible brain trust is being urged to cancel the fest by some managers and label executives.

There’s good reason for their grave concern: As of Tuesday morning, three days before show time, only about 7,000 tickets had been sold for the two-day event at the 15k-capacity venue—or less than 25%. If losses were estimated at nearly $2m at 90% of capacity, how many millions will the bible be forced to eat at 25%?

Along with the factors listed below, unrealistic ticket prices are likely contributing to this debacle in the making. The lowest-priced tickets are $175 general admission for the two days. At the top end is what has cleverly been dubbed the “VIP Poser Package,” which includes a helicopter ride to and from the venue; that’ll set you back $10,028.30 (see snip). Now, 10 grand may seem pricey for an airborne Uber, but the VIP Posers will get a spectacular view of all the empty seats.

"If they do decide to cancel, they’ll have to do so within the next 24 hours—before the scheduled performers board flights for JFK," said an agent with acts on the bill. "This is a fucking mess."

The deposits for the artists’ guarantees have already been shelled out, and BB’s further obligations are contractually predetermined on a case-by-case basis.

As another agent said of BB/THR President and event organizer John Amato, “Never in doubt, but often wrong.”