In a recent interview with Silver Tiger Media, Tim “Ripper” Owens of KK’s Priest discussed the band’s decision not to offer VIP meet-and-greets during their tours, a decision that may be affecting their ability to tour internationally, including in Australia. Owens acknowledged the growing necessity of meet-and-greets for touring bands, citing how some bands make significant money from these events, which helps cover the high costs of touring. He shared that bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest manage to tour internationally with the help of paid meet-and-greets, where fans can pay hundreds of dollars for a chance to meet the band.
Owens proposed a more personal, low-key approach to meet-and-greets—suggesting a limited package for just 10 fans per night, with an informal backstage gathering including pizza, drinks, and a chance to take photos with the band. However, KK’s Priest guitarist Ken Downing, who is known for his “old school” mentality, is not interested in implementing this idea, even though Owens believes it could help the band tour more. Owens emphasized the difficulties of touring in today’s environment, noting that without meet-and-greets, smaller bands like KK’s Priest may struggle to afford the logistics, including the crew, equipment, and production costs.
While Downing’s resistance to the idea is rooted in his desire to maintain the integrity of the band’s live performances, Owens understands the business realities of touring and the need for revenue from meet-and-greets to support the high costs involved. Owens reflected on how passionate Downing is about delivering the best show possible, despite the financial challenges, and expressed hope that someday KK’s Priest might find a way to balance both fan engagement and touring sustainability.
