Journalists' take on live shows

gentleowl55 said:It feels a bit pathetic to beg for press credentials just to walk in for free and end up writing absolutely nothing... I think I'd find that a little embarrassing, honestly.

That's why you just grab a high-end DSLR and call yourself an "official photographer"...😁>

Benjamin Thompson66 said:You watch a show at Madison Square Garden or wherever—then you flip through the papers and read the reviews. Every single one of them claims the concert was pure genius, just "amazing" this and "incredible" that. Nobody actually looks at things critically anymore. How is it possible that every single show is a masterpiece? Whether it’s Billy Joel, Justin Timberlake, or some big international act, it doesn't matter—it's always a legendary night. Has critical writing just died out? Or does every newsroom just hire fan club members to write their columns?

Because they're part of the machine too... so I take everything I read with a massive grain of salt... my own experience rarely matches their hype...

Kate Sullivan22 said:Oh, please—it’s true. In all my years, I have never once had a press pass denied... whether I was officially writing or just showing up... It’s simple: you present a reputable newsroom and everything falls into place.

1. It really depends on which outlet you’re representing.
2. And it depends heavily on who is running the show.

😉

boldeagle3, I don't think it works quite like that. Maybe in certain niche scenarios, sure, but I have to side with Kate Sullivan22 on this one.
In 99.99% of my experiences, I've managed to get my accreditation without any issues. 🙂

Xena2000, I’ve certainly encountered enough situations like this to know what I'm talking about.
Look, there’s a reason I claim to have some insight here... 😁
I’m not saying you two aren't right in your own way—I really am not—but there is a distinct reason why I’m choosing to frame things the way I am... 😉

Look, you have to understand that organizers are incredibly protective about where their news breaks...
and they definitely hold a grudge if you’ve stepped on their toes in the past...
it's just like how journalists remember exactly who's trying to bury them...
I've been working in the media industry for twelve years now, and this is honestly the first time I've ever heard of someone being denied accreditation...
but I suppose it's pretty obvious that the big national networks, major daily papers, and mainstream TV stations get priority... I mean, I get why a reporter from some tiny local outlet in a small town might get passed over, but a journalist from a major publication like the New York Times who actually covers the scene? They aren't going to be left out...🤷

Maybe I'm just being cynical, though. These are just my own observations...🙂

Megan Torres said:A reporter from the New York Post who actually follows the scene definitely won't be...🤷

Look, if they claim to cover the music scene, then they should actually write reviews instead of just providing a glorified calendar of events. If they can't snag press credentials a second time, they should just buy a ticket like the rest of us instead of begging for favors—that's what "covering the scene" is supposed to mean.
And having them there as an afterthought is just wrong.
I honestly suspect these kinds of journalists are being bribed, which basically forces them to hunt for credentials just to stay afloat. But selling out your profession like that is bad for all of us (and frankly, it’s a total bargain 😉).

Kate Sullivan22 said:Oh, please. It’s the truth. In my entire life, I’ve never had an accreditation request denied—written or otherwise. You just put together a fake press list and you're in.

Look, I’ve absolutely turned people away if they didn't apply on time or failed to give us a heads-up about a show. Just ask your old newsroom about what happened with Public Enemy. 😬

Kevin Chavez3 said:thank God I don't deal with American journalism 🙏 🙏 🙏 🤣

Honestly, it drives me insane😁, seeing people constantly nitpicking my typos on this forum. Look, I know how to spell. I just don't care enough to be perfect here. And trust me, you could definitely come up with a way funnier comeback than just correcting my grammar.☕

OT: From what I've seen, getting press credentials is pretty chill, but I've never even asked for them unless I actually planned on covering the show. Usually, I end up turning down half the invites and tickets I get anyway.🙂

Robin Rodriguez5 said:Well, I’ve definitely turned them down if they didn't bother to get accredited on time or even announce the show. You could probably ask your old newsroom about how they handled Public Enemy. 😬

I was under the impression we were talking about people who actually follow the scene 🤷...of course you aren't going to accredit a reporter from the religious desk just because they happen to listen to Public Enemy and want a free pass.

I always try to be professional with organizers; if I don't plan on attending, I'll politely decline the accreditation. 🙂

restlessdrifter692 said:If they’re actually covering the scene, then they should write a review, not just a glorified event calendar. If they can't get accreditation a second time, they should just buy a ticket like the rest of us instead of looking for handouts... if they really care about the scene.
And the journalism part is just an afterthought.
I also assume those kinds of reporters are basically on the take, which forces them to hunt for credentials, but selling out your expertise is bad for all of us (and honestly, it's pretty cheap 😉).

I'm sorry, but if my job is to report on concerts, why on earth would I be paying for my own ticket out of pocket?! That's like a clerk at the Post Office being expected to fund their own office supplies and envelopes. 🤷

It isn't "selling out"; it's just standard practice. What are you even talking about?
The organizer provides access, and in exchange, you promote the event and write a review.

Kate Sullivan22 said:Yeah, I know how to spell it properly. No, I don't exactly stress about it on this forum.

😲

Wait, are you actually telling me that a professional journalist like yourself needs some extra effort just to figure out whether a negation is one word or two?

Honestly, I probably would’ve just kept my mouth shut if that other part hadn't happened.

Usually, I just turn down half the invites and tickets that come my way

So, maybe you were looking for a round of applause and ended up disappointed, sorry, but I can't help but chime in sometimes when things get this ridiculous...

🤷

driftingeagle27 said:Hold up, are you seriously telling me—as a professional journalist—that you need a special effort to figure out when a negation should be one word or two?

I mean, I probably should've kept my mouth shut, but then this happened

So, maybe you were hoping for a round of applause and ended up disappointed. Sorry about that, but man, I just had to jump in...

🤷

I made a typo. By "effort," I meant the effort of not re-reading a post once I hit publish. You never make mistakes? Oh, wait, yeah, you do.

Kate Sullivan22 said:I messed up a typo. I was trying really hard not to go back and read my own posts once they're live, but clearly that plan failed. You never make mistakes? Oh wait, yeah, you do.

Yeah, okay, my bad, I guess I totally misread 😳.

I honestly think journalists need to remember that negative reviews can be way more fun to read (and write, for that matter). They should lean into them more often—it’s a win for the readers and a headache for the promoters. 🙂 Personally, I try to pick shows I think will be great—which, let's face it, is stating the obvious—but sometimes they still end up being total garbage.

Sometimes you head out to a concert just to catch up with people—to socialize, I suppose—and it turns into an absolute disaster. Other times, you're at one of those exact same types of shows and it’s actually legendary. Either way, you always end up with enough material to write about.

Honestly, it’s way easier to be constructive when you're picking a fight than when you're trying to give someone a compliment. I guess some people just can't stand taking the path of least resistance.

😬

Kyle Wilson74 said:It’s way easier to build something up through criticism than by just handing out compliments.

Where on earth did that come from?

American music critics stopped being relevant a long time ago; most of them can't hear a thing for all the good it does.

I’ve lost count of how many times friends tell me they spotted Dragaš at a show, hanging out at the bar with a few buddies, completely wasted, so why would I trust his review? He shows up with press credentials, probably drinks for free, and naturally, he’s going to praise both the venue and the band.

Kyle Wilson74 said:It’s way easier to build something useful out of a fight than it is to actually say something good about someone.

Spot on.

(Well put, pride 🙂.)