"Secret Shows" in NYC

No, never been to one, but then again, I don't care about Justin Bieber and I doubt that anyone I really admire would do something so lame-oh. Can you see Tom Waits doing a "secret show"? I think if he wanted to sing he'd just get up in some hole in the wall bar and jam, without having to be all "secret" about it.

I am not big on secret shows, and of course am too old to be caught dead at a Justin Beiber event (although I have been known to have his poppy songs stuck in my head for days - which has been a sort of painful experience), but I disagree that all secret shows are lame. I think they are always a total marketing stunt, but sometimes cool bands utilize said marketing tool.

Never been to one, though, as I am not really a "fan" type of girl, and I think you have to be a big fan in order to get yourself together fast enough to get tickets to one of those things. Either that or you have to have no life, and I just don't have time to haul myself around NYC to stand in line for tickets to see a previously unannounced gig.

Ha...I would hope you guys aren't into Justin Beiber. Unless you are a 13-year-old girl.

I don't think I've actually ever met anyone who has run out to see a secret show... Though I have to admit I wouldn't have minded seeing a random Flaming Lips or YYYs gig when they sometimes pop up.

@Everyone nope even I haven't been to a 'secret show' and have never even had the patience to line up for anything in the city..hot restaurants, clubs, secret sample sales .. nothing...

No, I never went to a secret show. By the way, I may be dumb in saying this, but I never even heard of Justin Beiber. Justin Timberlake maybe, but not Beiber.

@hhusted He is the latest tween craze..irritating voice..but most 13 yrolds would kill me if they heard me..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHVhwcOg6y8

That kid's ego has got to be out of control if he's already doing secret shows. I think it would be really cool to go to a show and have a great old band get up that wasn't announced but I wouldn't drop everything to run out to Queens.

A secret show sounds like something John Mayer probably does too.

@JenMac Nah. The labels milk tween crazes for all they are worth because such pop idols really only get a few lucrative years in the biz. He'll be on tour constantly and be churning out the albums until his fans get too old to care - which will be shortly.

@hhusted considering how the Britneys, Lindsay Lohans et al have turned out .. I wouldn't be too shocked if Justin Beiber also became a victim of his fame..

He already smiles like he'll be on reality TV in 5 years. I give him 5 years. It's tragic, but it's so predictable...

@Uraniumfish: I agree with you. It is sad how kids are placed in the limelight, only to suffer dire consequences later.

It's a way for a larger act to play a smaller, more intimate venue that they would never be allowed to by announcing in advance due to their large draw. Usually done in 'secret' because they may have a live contract with, say, with Live Nation, where they couldn't (by contract) promote a live show that's not part of their contract, but if they happen to show up to a bar or smaller venue and just happened to play a few songs (wink wink) than it's cool. If you're a fan of a band, and watch their blogs, or music news in your area you'll be privy to the event not because you're a 'hipster douche' or whatever you described, but simply because you're plugged in to that artist. In NY there's a lot of DIY spots that sometimes do this (Acheron, Death by Audio, etc.).