CONCERT FLOPS

By Jason Moore THE summer cycle of popular music concerts in Majorca is drawing to a close with organisers announcing important losses. Not even Jamiroqui was able to draw more than 5'000 people in Palma's bullring last July. As usual the people of Majorca have failed to support the concerts blaming over-inflated ticket prices. I do hope, though, that concert organisers do not through in the towel but I would say that they need to look at the groups they are bringing to the island and ensure that there is a demand for tickets. I would say that one of the main reasons why big modern music concerts are not attracting the crowds is because, as usual, not enough attention is being paid to the tourist, who would have probably happily paid to see Jamiroqui or any of the other groups in concerts this summer if the necessary promotion had been carried in all the tourist resorts with the support of the tour operators. I still don't understand why groups such as the Rolling Stones play at obscure venues on the mainland (which are sell-outs) but have never come to Majorca. The Oasis experience in Magalluf, was not a success, but it certainly was a set in the right direction. Big concerts with big names are good for tourism and perhaps the local authorities should dig deep into their pockets and ensure that there are at least two big concerts during the summer. Plenty of money is invested by the local authorities in the more high brow end of cultural field but little in modern music. Lets not forget that Majorca is still a mass tourism destination and perhaps more popular music would be more suited to the tastes of visiting tourists and residents alike.