Hey SXSWers: First let us say, we’re sorry for the confusion regarding tickets to the Kanye show.  We hear you; we messed this up.

Unlike some shows during SXSW, we wanted to open it up to fans.  In doing so, we asked people to RSVP via text message, thinking that would be the easiest and most fair way to distribute tickets. While we indicated confirmation of that text message did not guarantee entry, we obviously didn’t make that clear enough in the confirmation text, and we created confusion.  For that, we apologize.

Why did we go through the texting hoops?  In two words: RED TAPE.  After a few crowd control issues at other SXSW events, we were asked by the Austin Police Department to manage our confirmations down to the number.  That meant we had to deploy another text message to confirm RSVPs – and, in doing so we upset you, the fans, which was the last thing we wanted to do.

We love the fact this event has such great buzz – we had over 15,000 texts in less than 2 minutes!  And, we wish we had space for everybody who wants to see the show, but since capacity is limited, we figured this was the fairest way to distribute tickets.

So here’s the deal: If you were one of the 600 who received a text message confirmation on Friday, you have a ticket!  Please make sure you bring your phone with the text message – that is your ticket for entry.  Also note, you will need to be 21+ to enter, so have those photo ID’s ready.  One more thing, tickets confirmed via text message are non-transferable.

If you have a valid SXSW Music badge, and you’re 21+, you’re eligible for entry to the event.  We can admit 1,000 valid badge holders, but it is still FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED.  So get there early.  We know a lot more people will want in, so please try to understand if we’re already at capacity.

To clear up some other questions we see floating around:

1. We’re not selling tickets to this event.  We put 1 (one) pair of VIP tickets on ebay with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross for earthquake/tsunami relief in Japan.  If you’re interested in bidding on these tickets for this worthy cause, please visit http://vevo.ly/htJ86o
2. VEVO did not charge anyone for texts.  Only standard messaging rates from your carrier applied.
3. We didn’t do it to harvest phone numbers.  That’s not our style.
4. SXSW Music badge holders are eligible for entry, not SXSW Interactive badge holders…sorry!
5. No one actually got their RSVP revoked as no one was firmly confirmed with entry until the confirmation text was deployed.  That confirmation text was sent based on the order in which it was received.
6. We were given another 100 tickets to issue and decided to do it via text again to give fans who originally RSVP’d an opportunity to go to the show.  We’re very sorry some of you opted out before this new round of ticket distribution.

We know we disappointed some of you and we feel terrible.  We can only hope you understand:  We were trying to be fair and trying to do the best for the fans.  And, while it’s not the live event, and not quite the same as being there, we will be airing some of the show on VEVO at a date in the near future – so stay tuned.

Fred Santarpia
General Manager