As Tone Deaf reported earlier this week, Soundwave organisers are set to introduce a special membership program that would bestow members with various perks related to the festival, including first access to tickets Sidewaves gigs, giveaways, and more.
Festival promoter AJ Maddah has since revealed more details regarding the new membership program, which he’s dubbed the Soundwave Secret Society. The club, Maddah explains, will launch in time for next year’s instalment of the popular hard rock event.
While an official announcement is due some time today, Maddah did share some of his “daft ideas” with fans via Twitter, including the possibility of a black membership card that would “identify you at #SW16 & all the various events you’ll be invited to”.
Cardholders would be given access to discount merchandise, as well as discount priority access to the Soundwave Comfort Zone, a much-publicised perk that was open to 18+ festivalgoers at some of the stops on this year’s Soundwave tour.
Among other perks that Secret Society members will be able to enjoy are exclusive pre-sale access to Sidewaves and Soundwave touring shows, as well ass access to special listening parties, promotional shows, after-parties, Soundwave Christmas parties, as well as automatic entry into meet and greet competitions.
In keeping with the traditional rules of a secret society, Maddah says part of the “conditions of membership” means keeping events a secret. “Blab and you’re out,” he tweeted. However, it’s unclear how Soundwave would regulate the inevitable disclosure of the secret events.
Getting down to the nitty gritty, memberships will run you about $12 to $15 above normal ticket price. As Maddah recent revealed that tickets for the newly single-day 2016 event would return to 2014 prices, a membership ticket should cost around $200.
Membership spots are limited to about 1,000 per state and Maddah says, “We have reached our capacity for members, the only way you can join is if someone doesn’t renew their membership in following years.” Memberships could be available to purchase as early as next week.
The official announcement is expected today so make sure you stay tuned to Tone Deaf to find out if any of these suggestions end up making it into the finalised Secret Society program. But whatever the case, don’t call it a VIP package. “I hate that shit,” says Maddah.
All hands on deck as we get ready to announce The Soundwave Secret Society. This is going to be insane. Very limited. Very special :)
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) March 26, 2015
Official announcement for #TSSS will be tomorrow. But I can tell you some of my daft ideas now!
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) March 26, 2015
There's a membership card that will identify you at #SW16 & all the various events you'll be invited to. Needless to say, this card is black
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) March 26, 2015
Membership card gives you free access to #SW16, discount merch, discount priority access to comfort zone j various other exclusives at SW.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) March 26, 2015
Members also get exclusive pre-sale to not only Sidewaves, SW touring shows, but also invites to listening parties, promo shows, etc.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) March 26, 2015
@dreamylester about $12 to $15 above a #SW16 ticket price! That's why we can't have too many as it actually costs us money!
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) March 26, 2015
@beeanchors I love all that shit. We'll make it happen.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) March 26, 2015
Part of the conditions of membership will be to maintain the secrecy of the special events, invites and offers. Blab and you're out!
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) March 26, 2015
Once we have reached our capacity for members, the only way you can join is if someone doesn't renew their membership in following years.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) March 26, 2015
@imjohn2015 @dreamylester next week.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) March 26, 2015
@ChaseStanmore I am thinking 1000 per state.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) March 26, 2015
@TrouserArouser9 This isn't a VIP thing. I hate that shit.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) March 24, 2015