Sonray Music has adjusted benefits for BUS Because of you I shine’s upcoming large-scale concert following fan unhappiness, putting additional benefits for the higher ticket tiers.
In a statement released on the evening of 16 January, Sonray, which manages the boy group, said it “values the feedback from fans regarding concert attendee benefits”.
Its statement comes days after it faced backlash from fans over a wide-ranging series of issues, culminating in a mass unfollowing of BUS’ Instagram account in protest.
Announcing the adjusted benefits, Sonray says those holding on the highest tier of tickets – at 6,500 THB – will now be able to “observe” a post-concert goodbye session.
The previously-announced benefit of participating in the goodbye session remains unchanged: 600 random fans from the 6,500 THB section, 400 from the 5,500 THB section, as well as 50 each from the 4,500 and 3,500 THB sections, will be selected to take part.
Sonray explained why it did not change the quota of participants: “After each performance, the artists and team conduct a debriefing session to revire, adjust and improve the show, along with providing the necessary rest time for the artists to prepare for the following days.”
“Consequently, the time allocated for post-show benefits, such as the goodbye session, is limited and cannot accomodate all seats,” the company added.
In addition, Sonray said that ticketholders of the two highest tiers will receive postcards of the members of their choosing. Previously, those in the 6,500 and 5,500 THB categories were assigned at random one member postcard.
Sonray reiterated it is “committed to meticulously planning” for the concert to “deliver the best possible experience for fans and attendees”.
On questions why it was not able to hold a pre-show meet, it points out that the “preparation process…prior to a concert involves multiple steps that impact the feasibility of providing pre-show benefits”.
However, questions still remained among some fans, who took to social media to ask about the rationale of allowing fans to observe, but not fully participate in the goodbye session. Others also wondered why Sonray did not lower prices of the tickets given the lack of benefits.
The BUS Light the World concert will take place for three nights in March at Bangkok’s Impact Arena.
MEMBERSHIP, CONTENT PRODUCTION ISSUES
Sonray’s seven-page statement also addressed other matters raised by fans in a viral post on X earlier this week, including about the lack of Youtube content, and generally slow and repetitive uploads; as well as BUS’ concert benefits.
Sonray also gave a preview on the BEUS Membership programme (BEUS is the name of BUS’ fandom), which it said was aimed at “allowing fans…to gain early and wide-reaching access to the artists’ work”.
It will be priced at 750 THB for a year’s membership and will equire identity verification. In the instance of BUS’s Light The World concert, members will only be able to purchase one ticket per transaction during the members’ pre-sale.
On the lack of content, Sonray clarified that “managing the schedules of a 12-member group like BUS is inherently complex”.
“Since their debut, this complexity has only increased due to the growing number of works,” it added, highlighting the various responsibilities the group is undertaking.
These include juggling their work and studies, and preparing for concerts and performances, as well as “skill development” courses.
Still, it stressed that it has “made efforts to create lifestyle content” for its artistes. It said: “The management team strives to optimise the artists’ time and maximise efficiency…If there is an opportunity to adjust the artists’ schedules beyond what has been mentioned, special content can be filmed, depending on feasibility and the appropriate timing.”
