I am someone who believes in honesty and speaking your mind and I have my unpopular opinions. But this is my blog so I can rant and speak my mind as much as I want and will do that now.
This will probably never been read by the person I intended to write it to, but maybe by others who agree with me and take comfort in knowing they are not alone with their opinion, even though they might not want to speak their mind as open as I do.
Open Letter to Jared Leto - or my opinion about what has been happening lately:
Dear Jared,
I haven't been around the Echelon very long, I only discovered Mars about two years ago, but I have heard and read a lot about the older days and the beginning of Mars, because I wanted to learn more about the beginning. I regret not knowing Mars earlier, reason number one is because I think your songs might have helped me through tough times in the past like they have helped me in the last few months, reason number two is that I heard your contact to the fans was a lot different than it is now. And it makes me sad that I missed those times.
Don't get me wrong, I admire the way you keep in contact with us, the many little tweets you send, the pictures, letting us in on your projects, it is fascinating to follow you through social media pages, like for example when you are dressed up as Rayon for the new movie or when you post pics of the places you are at. I appreciate that you address things that you think might be a problem and that you actually answer people when you are asked. Asking our opinion is something that makes us feel like we have a saying in the things you do.
While I totally despise people who nag and bother you and are rude and ungrateful, who whine about prices and capitalism and how unfair it is that they can't buy stuff, I have heard that back in the days it was far easier and a lot more fun to meet you just by chance or free of charge. I heard that you actually refused to go on stage if people tried to sell tickets to shows by using your name for it. It was about the fun and not about the money. When you were doing MarsX you actually said you liked the fans the best that showed up with their own homemade shirts and bracelets and stuff, there was no Merch to be sold at extremely high prices.
I totally understand that things change, the bandcrew grows, the fanbase grows, it is more complicated to organize the Tour, more equipment, more expensive Venues because you need bigger ones, because more fans want to see you and lets not forget that everything becomes more expensive every year. I also do understand all of that but in return let me tell you a story, one I think shows that you can do better for less money and make the fans even more happy. At least thats what i felt when I experienced it.
I am a huge fan of another band, it is a german Rock Band called Die Ärzte, they have been around a lot longer than you guys, I think they celebrate 30 years this year. I have been a fan for almost 20 years, and back in the days I bought tickets to all of the shows I could attend, just like I do with Mars now. A few weeks ago I went to one of their Concerts in Bielefeld with a friend. She told me that she had also see Mars there during the TIW-Tour so the size of the Venue is exactly the same. Things that I noticed were, that first of all the fans were so close to the stage that the Drummer was able to hand over the Drumsticks to people in the first row, there was just a very small gap to get the fans out if they needed, I used to be front row back in the days and I remember it felt like almost being on stage. And the Drummer actually came up to the front quite a lot, I think he gave out about 50 sticks, some personally, some by throwing them to the back. They joked and goofed around, they improvised, they did have a setlist I am sure but it looked like they alternated when they felt like it. They returend to the stage twice after saying goodbye and all in all played 3 hours and 15 minutes. They played songs form all their albums, even the really really old ones. And the tickets were pretty cheap. While they don't have a GT I am sure people were able to meet them outside afterwards (we didn't stay). For me it seemed like they had a lot more fun on stage than you guys.
I don't bitch about prices, I would never personally insult you for it, I wouldn't bother you with it. But that doesn't mean I don't have an opinion or that I agree with everything. I personally would love to meet you, to discuss things with you, to have a serious talk and get to know you. Which is one reason why I wouldn't get a GT, because that is not possible with a lot of others in the room and such limited time. Another reason is that prices are not affordable for me and I think they are too high for what you get for it. I understand why people bitch about it, while it is great that you offer it, it gives those who can't afford it the feeling of being left out, of not being loved by you because through prices you refuse them the chance to meet you. It shouldn't be that way, there shouldn't be something that separates the people who get to meet their idol from those you don't get the chance. People - Fans - should be treated equally. We all love you guys the same way, some maybe even more than others. And I don't think those who love you most are the same ones who can afford a GT. The ones who take comfort in your music, those who might have been fucked over by life, have lost jobs, felt like giving up, are hanging on because they believe some day they will meet you and tell you you saved their life, those DO NOT have $400 Bucks for that. The ones who do are the privileged ones, the ones with jobs or parents with good jobs who give that to their kids for christmas or birthdays, or the ones who just want to prove that they are way cooler and then brag about it, some even afford GTs for all shows and then show off...I don't believe you are someone who wants that, that only the privileged ones can afford being around you. And if you changed into a person like that I guess you are really a good actor because the role you play in front of us surely is not the one of a capitalist asshole who only wants the money!
Anyways, I could go on about how I loved the VyRTs and how much I appreciate that I met some really great girls and best friends through Mars and how I can identify with a lot of your songs...all that is true...but as always, when it comes to money things almost always change!!
I still love you and I can't wait to see you in Berlin, hopefully I will run into you by chance and get a picture.
XO,
Irene
