The Sisters and the Information age

[ribbons69]

While I appreciate that Von has always been disdainful of communicating with his unwashed acolytes, is there a good reason that the Girls have no noticeable social media presence and a website that gets updated somewhat sporadically?
This is not normally a huge issue I suppose but given the situation with Von's health on the current tour, and their missing guitarist, how hard would it be to give some guidance as to what is going on? Many people are booking hotels, trains and buses, personally I already have train tickets to get to Bristol next month but I still need tickets to get to Wolverhampton. Is it worth buying them? They are not easy to get refunded, and of course people are planning to travel in Europe this very week.

[H. Blackrose]

I just remembered that they used to have a Twitter account run by Chris Catalyst; now he's back on board, maybe they should revive that

[Depprocksfarfar]

Answer below since i can´t delete this post...

[Depprocksfarfar]

While I appreciate that Von has always been disdainful of communicating with his unwashed acolytes, is there a good reason that the Girls have no noticeable social media presence and a website that gets updated somewhat sporadically?
This is not normally a huge issue I suppose but given the situation with Von's health on the current tour, and their missing guitarist, how hard would it be to give some guidance as to what is going on? Many people are booking hotels, trains and buses, personally I already have train tickets to get to Bristol next month but I still need tickets to get to Wolverhampton. Is it worth buying them? They are not easy to get refunded, and of course people are planning to travel in Europe this very week.

Their lack of communication really is something. I get it they didn´t have a written communique about Dylans leaving (for whatever reason) because that probably took everybody by surprise, and they did continue the tour after all. But absolutely nothing at all about cancelled gigs is something new. IF Eldritch is in such a bad shape he don´t have the strengh to write a couple of words on the official site, why is Ben silent? Why is Chris silent? I don´t think they will get fired writing a simple "sorry etc. etc." on instagram, without getting into any details. Of course the main priority is Eldritch well beeing, that goes without saying, but the fans are financing this band keeping it alive, year after year, me included, so i struggle to se this is demanding to much?

[z666]

Absolutely. It's not bad they don't wanna be all over social media disclosing everything they do, as a matter of fact I appreciate that, tired of bands (and people) documenting each and every step they take during the day, so it's kind of refreshing Eldritch and co. prefer to keep it mostly private. Even the Dylan affair falls into that category for me, I don't think it deserves a public statement.

But shows are a different thing, people are investing time and money on them and every bit of info regarding that should be provided asap.

[Todashi]

I think he's an old guy now and doesn't like social media . Lots of older people don't. Even some young people find it very intrusive etc.

And I think it's clear that Ben, Chris and everyone around the camp have been asked historically not to comment on Sisters stuff online. Von worked out years ago that you destroy a lot of the intrigue when you are too open. There's a reason we're all still here 40 years later, in addition to the obvious - music etc. They could have said years ago 'we're not going to make another album' but instead Von ordered everyone to say 'we're not not working on an album' because he knew if he definitively closed the door, some people would lose interest.

I guess this policy has unintentional consequences in situations like this though - people feel disrespected if they are making travel arrangements etc and there is a risk the gig might not happen and there's no communication.

BUT . . . .

All that presupposes that Von just has a cold etc, is being thoughtless or selfish and is otherwise fine. But I have no idea what's up with him. The poor guy could be at death's door for all we know. If something really serious is up, then it's likely nobody around the band wants to say anything at all. That would make sense. Obviously, I hope all is well and that he just has a cold or possibly covid or something, and is sniffling down the end of the tour bus, drinking lemsip and feeling s**t. But it COULD be something really serious. And if it was, commenting about it publicly might not really be appropriate either. A lot depends on what the internal situation is.

[Planet Dave]

Of course information would be most helpful with regard to travel plans, hotel bookings etc, goes without saying and we have it to come ourselves in November. I think it must be assumed that no information means the band and promoters don't know themselves, ie Von doesn't know if he's going to be able to play the immediately forthcoming gigs. It must be assumed there's a chance he is, until told otherwise. In the past, if gigs are binned in advance, that information is shared in good time. Doesn't matter if it's the bands website or the ticket agency telling you, so long as you know.

Short-notice cancellations are always s**t, whoever or whatever the event, and it can never be helped. I know folk who travelled, obviously at significant expense, to the US to watch the second Metallica gig in Phoenix, only to land in time to learn the singer had covid and gig postponed, tough s**t thank you very much have a nice flight home. Can't be helped, it's just unfortunate and pretty much accepted as a risk by anyone travelling anywhere further than their own backyard to an event.

[Europa]

I do find this quite worrying. Andrew has always seemed really proud of how few gigs they've cancelled, and I recall it being quite a big deal when Chris etc finished the encore a good few years back when Andrew had gastroenteritis, and again info was fairly forthcoming. I find the silence and the late cancellations unusual.

[Depprocksfarfar]

Finally some official news from the official site
"Existing ticket holders for the concerts in Berlin, Köln and Wiesbaden should hold on to them in anticipation of rescheduled dates later in the year."

[Gothicbiff]

Finally some official news from the official site
"Existing ticket holders for the concerts in Berlin, Köln and Wiesbaden should hold on to them in anticipation of rescheduled dates later in the year."

Hopefully that's a positive sign that Andrew is feeling better

[Damaged+Done]

I was caught in the debate of travelling to Wolverhampton from Dublin as it's one of the few not sold out (which is astonishing if you viewed The Sisters purely through YouTube and (most) Facebook groups.
Now if they are saying dates later in the year, now I'm wondering if they are going to power on through Glasgow and ever onwards to fresh pastures!?

[Kutan]

Finally some official news from the official site
"Existing ticket holders for the concerts in Berlin, Köln and Wiesbaden should hold on to them in anticipation of rescheduled dates later in the year."

Have they taken this info down again? I can't find it anywhere there

[Gothicbiff]

Finally some official news from the official site
"Existing ticket holders for the concerts in Berlin, Köln and Wiesbaden should hold on to them in anticipation of rescheduled dates later in the year."

Have they taken this info down again? I can't find it anywhere there

I just checked and it's still there
If you go on to the Live News page then refresh the page it should appear at the top

[Almiche V]

I just checked and it's still there
If you go on to the Live News page then refresh the page it should appear at the top

How about putting a date on the announcement rather than just adding a line of text - lazy and perfunctory.

Why are there so many past gig dates on there? It makes the site harder to read and wastes time.

[ribbons69]

I just checked and it's still there
If you go on to the Live News page then refresh the page it should appear at the top

How about putting a date on the announcement rather than just adding a line of text - lazy and perfunctory.

Why are there so many past gig dates on there? It makes the site harder to read and wastes time.

I agree, why are the oldest dates at the top? How hard would it be to have separate sections for "Forthcoming" and "Previous"?

[Kutan]

...
If you go on to the Live News page then refresh the page it should appear at the top

Thanks a lot, that did it. Funny that I explicitely had to refresh the page, I'm afraid many people are stuck with the info that Glasgow etc. were moved to a bigger venue, and nothing else.

[Esoterica]

Aside from health concerns and travel-related difficulties, I’ve heard it mentioned a number of times that stalking is an issue. If so, of course, staying off of social media makes sense. Still, I’m curious about the disdain for fans. And there should definitely be better communication. It doesn’t necessarily have to come from any particular person, just as long as it’s current.

[eastmidswhizzkid]

the Information Age yes, but over on FB there are literally swarms of amoeba telling me (unsolicited) what "gegen nazis!" means then assuming the stance of one awaiting praise... i give up!