This is in response to the “Pumpkins Smumpkins” letter printed in the July 5 issue of the Mountain Xpress.
It is unfortunate that there were not enough tickets to go around for the Smashing Pumpkins shows, but that was a matter of logistics—and continued grousing over not being able to get tickets is pure sour grapes. However, to then put forth the Biltmore summer concert series as an alternative is ludicrous. Tickets to the B-52’s start at $45, which is more than the cost of going to two Smashing Pumpkins shows. While I applaud the speed with which you went on your spending spree, not everyone is of the means to spend $45 for a single evening’s worth of entertainment ([excluding] food, drinks, processing fees etc).
Please remember that Asheville is a city of diversity, and there are those that can (and will) enjoy the opportunities at places like the Biltmore, but there are far more (as evidenced by the sold-out residency at the Orange Peel) who just want to see good shows at fair prices.
— Wesley Duffee-Braun
Asheville
