One Concert, NT$ 30million

[isaac hiew]

One of the Japan's two most popular female singer, Ayumi Hamasaki's concert in Taiwan could be on this summer!

Ever since her last trip that rocked the island, the supporters and fans had left Ayumi Hamasaki deep impression. While there are tons of companies tried various way to invite her once again to this republic, there has already one company which successfully aquired her nod. The staff of this company recently went for a meeting with a Japanese company that was responsible for her Concert Activity in Japan, which they had to decide various issues about the concert in Taiwan. According to the source, that the price would be about NT$30 million.

Nowadays, for her place in the JPOP industry, the Avex Trax has mobilized 0.48 million people just for her Concert Tour on last summer, not to mention that it was full house for each tour. Moreover, she earns more than NT$30 million just for one single commercial movie. But for such price, it was undoubtly that she certainly brought pressure to the authorities. The main factors for such nearly impossible price tag are because of her very high expectations for the concert itself. All lights, sound system, background display were required to be freighted directly and originally from Japan, even dancers, lights and other staffs had to be her very own crew, all of these were done just for the taiwanese fans, hoping that they could also see the original concert just like in Japan.

Apart for the costs for the Japanese, the authorities also have to bear the rent and deposit, which is at least NT$ 2 million, plus the electricity, rehearsal, Taiwanese staff and publicity costs, transportation insuranses and the crews' accomodation, all of these could cost an enormous bomb. For an average ticket that costs between NT$1200~1800, even though they can sell out every single ticket for 35000 people, they could only gain about NT$54 million plus, after the taxes and the pays, the actual profit could be meager or even a draw. Therefore the authorities may have to keep it up a little bit more so to increase the profits, whichin hopefully that Ayumi will come over to Taiwan on summer this year.

How popular is Ayumi in Taiwan? Her 4th album "I am..." had scored 120000 copies sold nationwide despite the shrinking Taiwan JPOP market and piracy. She also won the throne of the best selling Japanese singer last year in Taiwan. In addition with the motto of her very first concert abroad, the Taiwanese fans can't really lose this chance.

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Original Article by Xing Press, Taiwan.
Posted by RealMe, a member of ayucn
Credits given to RealMe, and big thanks to ayucn

Translated by Isaac Hiew
11/3/2003