GameNerd hopping on for a moment to mention a music announcement that almost got buried in my spam folder. The folks at the Showbox sent an e-mail blast out earlier this week with word of a new, unannounced promotion: VIP memberships for $500 a year.



The VIP Club's perks range from silly (free coat check? I should friggin' hope so!) to interesting (a concert is never sold out for you, VIP, so long as you buy within 10 days of the on-sale start).

The largest perk, assumedly, is that you and a friend get into any gig at either Showbox location for $2 per ticket through 2010. Because $500 isn't enough, apparently. EDIT: The wording on the original announcement has proven inaccurate. Showbox reps confirmed that ticket prices will remain normal for VIP members; the $2 figure counts for the service charge attached to each ticket, "so VIPs can skip Ticketmaster service charges." This promotion does not cater to the bulk shopper after all.

According to the original message, this is the Showbox's first time to sell such a VIP package. It's not as simple a discount offer as the Vera Project's Club Card, nor is it as fancy-pants as the Paramount Theatre's Paramount Club, what with the latter's "private engagements" and "all-caps serif font."

Thing is, AEG Live is coming up on the two-year anniversary of buying up the Showbox. So is this a simple, fan-focused promotion, or a creative attempt by the owners to rustle up cash in a hurry? Speculate for yourself after reading the official announcement after the jump.

We are proud to announce the Showbox VIP Club, an annual membership program that provides exclusive benefits to members only at every Showbox at the Market and Showbox SoDo show you attend throughout the year. As a subscriber to our email list, you are the first to receive this offer for a limited allotment of VIP Club memberships for the 2010 concert year!

Gold Members receive the following benefits for an annual rate of $499.00:

• Guaranteed Seating. Each membership includes guaranteed seating with excellent views of the stage for you and your guest at every show you attend. Got a bigger posse? Additional reserved seating options are available for larger groups.


• Hassle-Free Ticketing. Buy your tickets directly from your Showbox VIP concierge via phone or email, and just pay the in-person box office fee of $2 per ticket. No trips down to the box office or a Ticketmaster outlet required, and you'll avoid the much higher service charge fees you see online or at outlets! If you prefer, we'll keep your credit card info on file to make the process even faster and easier.


• Express Entry. Skip the line! Walk right up to a separate entrance when you arrive for any show at a Showbox venue, and you'll be shown to your guaranteed seats.


• First Chance to Buy. Our VIP members are always notified first about discount offers, presales, special invite-only events and secret shows. In addition, you will always have ten days after the on-sale date to buy tickets, even if a show sells out immediately.


• Sold Out? Not So Fast. See a show on the calendar that you'd like to attend, but it's sold out? Just let us know you're interested, and if any tickets are refunded or released for sale, you'll have first right of refusal.


• Complimentary Coat Check. Your VIP Club membership includes complimentary coat check at every Showbox event.


• Be a VIP at other AEG Live events. We'll send you exclusive offers for special VIP presales and ticket packages for other AEG Live events throughout the city, at venues like WaMu Theater, KeyArena and more, throughout the year.

Platinum Members receive all of the benefits included in the Gold membership, plus the following, for an annual rate of $799.00:

• Transfer Your Benefits. Platinum members can share their membership with friends, family or co-workers! Just let us know when you reserve your seats that another guest will be attending in your place. Perfect for companies and organizations to entertain clients or reward their employees!


• Discounts on Showbox merchandise. All VIP Club Platinum members will receive a 10% discount on Showbox venue merchandise, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, live DVD's and more.

Limited memberships are available! Act now!